"Food & Culture, Hon.": 97. Eat the Berger cookie pie at Dangerously Delicious Pies in Federal Hill. A new tradition built on the old.

When thinking of pie, one probably does not think of rock’n’roll.

Actually, one probably thinks of a wholesome, Midwest grandma pulling an apple pie out of her oven. This is definitely not the case at Dangerously Delicious in Canton, just a few blocks from downtown Baltimore. Canton is, in itself, its own party. Some of Baltimore’s best bars are located in this waterside district that started off, surprisingly, as a plantation belonging to seaman John O'Donnell. O’Donnell’s waterside plantation was nicknamed “Canton” after an old pronunciation of the riverside trading city city of Guangzhou, China. John O'Donnell was the first person to transport goods from this city to Baltimore and, when son Columbus sold the land in order to expand waterfront industrial endeavors and provide housing for the blue collar workers they employed, the neighborhood had kept its original moniker. The main street running through Canton is still named after the original occupants: O’Donnell Street, which is where I found myself today in search of pie.

Dangerously Delicious is a gourmet pie shop owned and operated by local musician Rodney Henry of The Glenmont Popes. Ten years ago, the little shop in Canton became famous for their delicious, home-baked pies made with local ingredients and for the coffeehouse vibe, complete with live music. The shop looks like nothing special from the outside, or the inside for that manner, besides the pie. It’s a bare-bones establishment with a counter where the pies are made, a large chalkboard menu and a small black stage inside the red room. The smell is phenomenal, though and the pies on display definitely look like works of art.

The reason why these pies are so Baltimore? Local ingredients; many of the pies actually feature Baltimore specialties, like the “Baltimore Bomb” pie, a chess pie topped with Berger cookies and baked until gooey. The crab and cheddar quiche as well as “Mobtown Brown” pecan pie also give salute to Charm City. Also, location; Canton is a highly populated, much frequented destination for bars, restaurants, etc. Many of my future blog escapades will take place only a few blocks from Dangerously Delicious. Although the pies are expensive ($28 per sweet pie or quiche and $35 for savory pies) they are made with love, prime ingredients and a little rock’n’roll. The man making the pies when I popped in today was a giant, slightly-scary looking guy that looked a bit like a biker, however he was lovingly rolling pie pastry and filling fruit pies while I watched, just like the Midwest granny would have.

Dangerously Delicious is unexpected and one-of-a-kind, just like Baltimore. Baltimore lacks any true stereotype, but that’s what’s so fun about it here. Keep a look out for the black armored truck with the pie-and-crossbones logo and you’ll see guys with tattoo’s passing out the most delicious pie you’ve ever had.