Hot Spots: Falls Road Redo

September 24, 2019

Hot Spots: Falls Road Redo

By Brian Michael Lawrence

The old Dimitri’s Bar on Falls Road in Hampden was an old-school dive bar, frequented by blue-collar locals, and it was not uncommon to see customers coming and going from it at 8 a.m. It closed two years ago and an extensive renovation was underway by its new owners.

Those owners are Charlie Gjerde and Carrie Podles, the team behind Alexander’s Tavern, the original Papi’s in Fells Point, and Wicked Sisters. They debuted the new Papi’s in April, and it’s been a runaway hit.

The formerly dingy space has been opened up and brightened up, with a colorful, industrial look.

The main floor consists of a big barroom on one side, with high-top tables…

…and a retro pay phone mounted on the back wall.

On the other side is a dining room with fun graphics and neon accents.

Connecting the main space to a small deck for dining out back is a hallway lined with more artifacts and framed T-shirts.

Restrooms are decorated with colorful Mexican posters lining the walls. And thankfully, there is a free parking lot adjoining the building.

As is the rule at the original Papi’s in Fells, the food is sturdy, reliable Tex-Mex.

Try it all, but definitely get some tacos.

As a special treat, I recommend the traditional Tres Leches cake as dessert. Crowds have been plentiful since the opening, and with its sister establishment, Wicked Sisters, right across the street, it’s always a fun idea to start at one for cocktails and grab food at the other.
{Papi’s Tacos, 3820 Falls Road, Hampden}

Brian Michael Lawrence

Brian Michael Lawrence is one of THE Baltimore style experts. After all, he was the longtime editor-in-chief at STYLE Magazine, which specialized in covering everything stylish around the Baltimore area. Brian also served as editorial director for the digital division at Sinclair Broadcasting, and creative director at Blue Sky Design. Currently, he oversees communications & marketing for the department of Tourism, Film & the Arts at Maryland’s Commerce Department. In his bi-weekly column, you’ll get to see what cool hotspots are piquing the interest of this Baltimore style maven and why - whether it's the fabulous food, cool cocktails or elegant environs.

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