Ask a Baltimore native about coddies and you might get a big smile and a story about saltine crackers and yellow mustard. These little fried cakes of salt cod and potato were once sold at delis, drugstores, and corner lunch counters all over the city, and they cost next to nothing.
Today they are much harder to find, which is exactly why people get excited when they spot one on a menu. Below are six Baltimore spots still frying coddies, from a crab cake counter inside Lexington Market to a Hampden oyster bar and a Belair Road seafood carryout, so you know where to go next time the craving hits.
1. Faidley’s Seafood, Baltimore, MD
Plenty of people walk into Faidley’s for the famous jumbo lump crab cakes and walk out having discovered coddies too. That is a happy accident worth planning for.
The counter now sits in the updated Lexington Market at 119 N Paca St, and it keeps its no-frills, standing-room-only style. You order, you find a spot at the counter, and you eat.
Nobody here is trying to impress you with fancy plates.
Coddies come as a platter, so they can be a full meal instead of a quick snack. Pair them with sides like macaroni and cheese, fries, deviled eggs, or the carrot salad, which has a loyal following of its own.
Fair warning for fish fans: the coddies here lean heavily toward the potato side of the recipe. If you like a softer, mashed potato style cake, that is good news.
Hungry for more seafood? The soft shell crab and the crab cake sandwich are two of the counter’s strongest orders, and the double crab cake platter is there for anyone going all in.
Timing matters. Faidley’s is open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Friday and Saturday until 5:30 PM, and it is closed Sundays.
Midweek and Saturday afternoons get crowded, so an earlier visit makes the counter easier to handle. Street parking and nearby paid garages and lots are all options.
2. Mama’s on the Half Shell, Baltimore, MD
Canton has no shortage of places to eat, but Mama’s on the Half Shell is where out-of-towners often meet their first coddie. The corner spot at 2901 O’Donnell St serves them as an appetizer, three to an order.
That small serving is part of the appeal. It lets a table taste a Baltimore classic without giving up room for everything else on the menu.
And there is a lot else. The cream of crab soup draws people from out of state, and the crab soup topped with a fried soft shell crab is about as Baltimore as a bowl can get.
Crab dip, Chicken Chesapeake, crab cake sandwiches, and a big oyster selection round out the seafood side. Barbecue shrimp and coconut salmon are two of the less expected dishes worth a look.
I like this stop for a weekend brunch, since the doors open at 9 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Weekday hours start at 11 AM, and the kitchen runs until 10 or 11 PM depending on the night.
The setting is historic and casual, with a fireplace for chilly months and outdoor seating when the weather cooperates. Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available.
Reservations are recommended for brunch and dinner, especially Friday and Saturday evenings. There is a free lot plus street parking nearby.
3. Barracudas Locust Point Tavern, Baltimore, MD
Game day in Locust Point often means a crowd on Fort Avenue, and Barracudas is one of the neighborhood’s go-to places to watch. Coddies are right there on the menu between the nachos and the pasta.
The tavern sits at 1230 E Fort Ave in a bi-level space with an old-school neighborhood feel. It works for a quick bite at the bar or a bigger group gathering upstairs and down.
Coddies share the table well with the rest of the lineup. Order them alongside the Colossal Buffalo shrimp, the blackened crab cake hoagie, or the Surf and Turf Nachos, and you have a very local spread.
The fried seafood gets a lot of attention here. Fish tacos come with big tempura-battered pieces of cod, slaw, and pico, and the seafood mac and cheese is a standout side.
Not feeling seafood? Jerk Chicken Pasta, cheesesteak subs, and a full vegetarian menu give everyone at the table options.
A few practical notes help. Dogs are allowed inside and out, there is outdoor seating, and the tavern takes reservations.
Street parking is free but can be tricky to find, so leave a few extra minutes to circle the block.
4. Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, Baltimore, MD
Here is proof that coddies are not just a nostalgia item. At Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, the humble cod cake shows up on a menu that also features grilled octopus nicoise and cured anchovy.
The restaurant sits on a corner at 3601 Chestnut Ave in Hampden. Inside, you will find a bar, booths, and a relaxed setting that works for date night or a small celebration.
Oysters are the main event. Order a mix of fresh and roasted oysters, then add a coddie as a salty, crispy side note between rounds.
The kitchen also handles larger plates. Grilled trout and whole red snapper have shown up on the menu, along with shareables like potato skins and panzanella.
One thing to know before you go: the raw oysters land on the pricier end for Baltimore. The coddie is a nice way to fill out the meal without adding much to the bill.
Dylan’s is a dinner-only spot, open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 PM and closed Sunday and Monday. Friday and Saturday evenings fill up, so reservations are a smart move.
Weeknights are quieter if you want a seat at the bar.
Street parking in Hampden can take some patience.
5. Attman’s Delicatessen, Baltimore, MD
Coddies and Baltimore’s Jewish delis go way back, which makes Attman’s on Corned Beef Row a fitting stop on this list. The deli sits at 1019 E Lombard St, in the historic stretch known for its deli counters.
Let’s be honest about the lineup. Attman’s built its name on corned beef and pastrami, and those sandwiches are the reason most people wait in line.
Coddies are part of the classic offerings, though they are seasoned on the bold side with plenty of Old Bay. Treat one as a side to your sandwich rather than the star of the visit.
For the main order, the Attman’s Specialty Reuben, Hot Pastrami, Stu Special, and The Turkey Club are all on the menu. Hot dogs with bologna are another very Baltimore choice.
Here is a fun tie-in. Old-school coddies were traditionally eaten with yellow mustard, and Attman’s sells its own Original Deli Mustard by the jar.
The deli opens at 8 AM every day, so a bagel with nova and cream cheese is on the table for early birds. It closes at 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 4 PM on Sunday.
Service is at the counter, reservations are not accepted, and a wait is common on weekday afternoons. Mornings tend to be calmer.
6. Waterman’s Pride Seafood, Baltimore, MD
Crab country carryouts are a Maryland tradition, and Waterman’s Pride on Belair Road fries a coddie that holds its own next to the steamed crabs. It is a strong pick for anyone who wants to grab dinner and go.
The shop at 7692 Belair Rd focuses on daily caught crabs steamed to order, plus seafood sandwiches and platters. Fried hard crab and steamed shrimp are also on the menu.
Coddies here come out crispy and are a popular order next to the crab deviled eggs. Crab fries and a crab pretzel are two more reasons to bring a friend and split everything.
Round it out with cream of crab soup, coleslaw, or potato salad. Portions run large, so ordering light is a good idea at first.
This is a counter service and takeout spot with no restroom on site, so plan accordingly. Curbside pickup and delivery are available if you would rather eat at home.
Hours vary through the week. Monday runs 2 to 8 PM, Tuesday through Thursday 11 AM to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 7 PM.
A free lot makes parking easy. Weekend afternoons and early evenings are the busiest, so a late morning pickup keeps things quick.
Six spots, one humble cod cake, and plenty of reasons to keep the coddie tradition going. Send this list to the friend who still talks about saltines and mustard.
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