Baltimore Fried Crab Cake Sandwich / The Royal Theater

Waiting to see Ralph Cooper, "The Dark Gable", at the Royal Theatre, 1939

 

The Royal Theatre, which first opened in 1922 as the black-owned Douglass Theatre, was the most famous theater along West Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue. It was a main stop for Black entertainers on the “Chitlin Circuit”, and rivaled it’s sister theaters (Apollo in Harlem, the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., the Regal Theatre in Chicago, and the Earl Theater in Philadelphia).

“The Royal” was owned by Sam Steifel, who also owned “The Uptown” in Philadelphia and the “Howard” in Washington DC. All of the biggest stars in black entertainment, performed at the Royal. Names such as Ethel Waters, Pearl Bailey, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, The Tympany Five, Etta James, Nat King Cole, The Platters, The Temptations, and The Supremes, as well as the 40-piece, all-female band touring with Count Basie called the Sweethearts of Rhythm. Pennsylvania Avenue began its decline during the sixties through riots, white flight increased unemployment and economic disinvestment. By 1971, the Royal Theater was demolished.

 

Baltimore is known for many things. One it's most famous foods is the Maryland Crab, steamed or fried, along with the locally brewed beer, National Bohemian (Natty Boh'), now owned by Pabst Blue Ribbon.

 

 

 

Baltimore Fried Crab Cake Sandwich

1 lb lump crab meat
1 large egg beaten
1 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp parsley flakes
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Old Bay
¼ tsp sea salt
Milk

 

In medium sized bowl, break bread into small pieces and moisten with milk. 

Mix in eggs, mayonnaise, parsley, prepared mustard, Worcestershire sauce, baking soda Old Bay and sea salt. 

Pick over crab meat to remove any shell particles. 

Add crab meat to mixture, mixing gently but thoroughly. 

Shape into six patties and chill 30 minutes. 

Pan fry in a butter or oil until brown on each side.

Serve on white bread