Johns Hopkins Spring Fair is slightly different each year, with a new theme, new headliners, and the constant weather roulette. This year’s Fair has not only a great theme (Camp Spring Fair), amazing Headliners (Chainsmokers, Shwayze, and Marion Hill) and — at risk of jinxing it — lovely weather, but it also will feature a number of new vendors on the food quad. The food team on Fair has been working tirelessly to expand the food options to truly merit the best weekend on campus.
To help both the rookie freshman and the veteran upperclassmen navigate the newest additions to the food quad, we have provided this helpful list of the new and the old, the greasy and the green, and the sweet and the savory at this year’s Fair.
1. Coffee
Photo courtesy of @zekescoffeedc on Instagram
The best way to last all the way through Spring Fair? Caffeine, of course. We’ve invited Baltimore’s favorite coffee purveyor, Zeke’s. The roasters will have a stand set up on Gilman quad, so that you can sip cold brew while perusing the arts and crafts vendors.
2. ‘Ritos and ‘Dillas
Photo courtesy of ritoloco.com
Two of the new vendors this year will be selling Hispanic food. First is Borinquen Lunch Box, a Puerto Rican truck from D.C., which serves empanadillas, cubano sandwiches, and tripletas. We’re also welcoming D.C.’s Rito Loco, which serves up a variety of burritos, including the OG beef burrito, the ribs burrito, and the Mojito burrito. But let’s let the pictures do talking.
3. Comfort foods
Big Cheese
Photo courtesy of bigcheesetruck.com
Want post-concert munchies? Hungover from yesterday? We got you. You might want to stop for some grilled cheese sandwiches at Big Cheese, for the well known cure-all of bread and cheese. Their rotating menu includes Irish Stout Cheddar on Rye, Grilled Gruyere, and Route 11 Chips Grilled Cheese.
Pizza di Joey
Photo courtesy of pizzadijoey.com
If you want only one layer of carbs with your cheese, visit Pizza di Joey. This New York City style pizza vendor will be at fair on Friday and Sunday, selling authentic slices of cheese, pepperoni, or veggie pizza. This pizza is nothing like Pizza Studio, and we think that’s a very good thing.
4. Mediterranean
Photo courtesy of @bmoregreekgrill on Twitter
Two trucks this year will be selling Mediterranean foods on the quad. B’more Greek Grill is a new vendor to fair, but we are glad to welcome anyone who will bring us gyros. Stop by for souvlaki, rice bowls, salads, and sliders. Sara Festivals, an old favorite, sells hummus, falafels, and other Mediterranean foods from their stand.
5. Go Green!
While we know that Spring Fair is for indulgence, sometimes you just want a salad to detox, or at least a lunch with a side of environmental sustainability. This year there will be two vendors to satisfy the inner GECS major within you.
Goganics
Photo courtesy of @goganics on Instagram
Goganics is a truck committed to serving organic and sustainable foods throughout Baltimore. Their menu includes grilled shrimp, chicken wings, and sliders, all made with wild caught or organic seafood and meat.
The Green Bowl
Photo courtesy of @thegreenbowlfoodtruck on Instagram
Our second option for those who want something lighter is The Green Bowl. Highlights of the menu include bibimbap, mofongo, and tostones, and all dishes can be made vegetarian (and the mofongo can be made gluten free).
6. The Regulars
Photo courtesy of @spoon_hopkins on Instagram
No Spring Fair would be complete without the perennial Chicken on Stick vs. Chicken On A Stick debate, the turkey legs fit for a caveman, blooming onions, fried Mars Bars, and more noodles than one person could ever consume. Wild Bill’s Soda is always the purveyor of old fashioned sodas; buy their oversized mugs to fill up all weekend! Not to mention, they make great mixers.
Photo by Asia Coladner
7. Dessert
Remember to leave room for a sweet treat at the end. A & B Soft Serve is the one serving up those instagramable cones and shakes each year.
Photo by Sarina Raman
Visit Gilman Quad for more sugar, including delicious Dolce Italian Ices, and DanJo’s Kettle Korn for sugar covered popcorn. Hopkins’ very own Vocal Chords will also be serving crepes on Gilman, so stop by to support them and eat some lovely french desserts!
You can also make sure you have a handle on all the vendors and the events by downloading the Spring Fair App. Check out the JHU Spoon Instagram for details on the upcoming Instagram contest, and remember to tag spoon and vendors in all your beautiful posts. Whether it’s your first, fourth, or tenth fair, remember to spend time enjoying the best weekend on campus!