With much anticipation, Baltimore diners will be able to visit Spike Gjerde’s newest venture, Shoo-Fly Diner, on Friday. The Belvedere Square restaurant joins the chef/owner’s other two popular restaurants: Woodberry Kitchen and Artifact Coffee.
The space, formerly occupied by Crush and Taste restaurants, will also be home to Spike’s canning and preserving operations.
The name Shoo-Fly pays homage to the long-ago tenant Hess Shoes (play on words, get it?) and to Amy Gjerde’s interpretation of the molasses-based Pennsylvania pie, according to Washingtonian magazine. Amy is Spike’s wife and the other half of the dynamic restaurant duo.
The restaurant will serve diner food made with local and seasonal ingredients under the supervision of chef Patrick “Opie” Crooks, most recently of Roy’s in Harbor East.
Menu items include sourdough pancakes with maple syrup; a Hangtown Fry with bacon, fried oyster, fried egg, and toast; and sandwiches like creamed chipped beef with toasted butter bread and air-cured beef gravy.
The diner will be open from 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Shoo-Fly Diner is located at 501 E. Belvedere Ave.