Why I love AC’s Tony’s Baltimore Grill
My recent experience tonight warented me dusting off this blog and writing a new post…this is why I love @tonysbaltimoregrill
After devouring Anthony Bourdain’s episode of Parts Unknown in Atlantic City and becoming transfixed with TBG, I vowed to pay this iconic institution a visit for myself, learn the history and culture around this stalwart landmark and see for myself what made it so special. It only took one afternoon (er, late morning but who’s counting) at the bar at TBG and I was hooked.
On a random Wednesday night, as I was enjoying a beer at the bar, I witnessed what truly makes this place special.
A guy walked in that was clearly down on his luck, I’m pretty sure he had all his belongings on him. After talking with the bartender, Tony (who is the definition of a real one), and sharing little more than a heartfelt but forlorn confession that he was struggling and had fallen on hard times, Tony had him fill out a job application and gave him some notes on when to come back to talk with someone directly- no questions asked, no judgements passed. Just honest to goodness open ended kindness and a hand extended to someone in need.
The application was accompanied by a free meatball sandwich- just one of the many items on TBG’s menu that is so much more delicious than it has any right to be for a dive bar open 24 hours a day- and a hope to see each other again.
The ethos of this Atlantic City icon was crystal clear to me in that moment. Tony’s Baltimore grill is a place for everyone. That’s why I love Tony’s. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your situation is, they’re going to meet you where you’re at and give you what you need to put a smile On your face. You can count on the beer to be cold, the food to be delicious and the door to be open. And the people who keep this place going, do it with a commitment to serving the community in ways that go far beyond a bar stool. If there were more places like Tony’s Baltimore Grill, the world would be a better place.
