What They Say

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Baltimore Sun This dark, cavernous tavern has one of the most innovative menus in Fells Point. Although it is located at the east end of Thames Street, well away from the general craziness of Broadway, John Steven always attracts a large crowd of locals, yuppies and well-informed tourists. On a recent Sunday afternoon, the place was jammed with 20-somethings in college sweatshirts and middle-aged sophisticates enjoying pints of honey-colored beer, steamed shrimp and sushi. Regulars, including the San Francisco transplant who eats at John Steven three times a week, say the steamed shrimp is the best around. Cajun crawfish pie, spinach-stuffed pasta rolls and the safari burger (made of low-cal ostrich meat) are just a few of the many highlights on the reasonably priced menu. About 20 beers are on tap, including several local brews, and all are reasonably priced between $3 and $3.50. Bottled and 16 oz. domestic beers are an even better buy at $2. Bucking a recent trend, John Steven prohibits cigar smoking, even in the bar area, and four smoke eaters eliminate any cigarette smoke in the bar. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating in a pleasant courtyard area. If you drive, consider parking closer to Broadway, as the section of Thames Street near John Steven is paved with mountainous cobblestones. --Alexis Sweeney
Zagats No Fells Point "pub crawl" skips this "traditional sailor's bar", with its "slightly scuzzy" barroom and "tourist"- pleasing patio; go for "succulent steamed shrimp", "funky", Americanized sushi and beer in the bar, or the "imaginative" "Cajun-seafood mix" in the "back room"; service is "relaxed but prompt" and prices are agreeable. Certificate of Distinction
Washington Post On the other side of Broadway, but also on Fleet, walk down to 1800 Thames at South Ann Street and eat at John Steven Ltd., which has some of the best steamed shrimp in Baltimore. Also, try the "American" sushi, featuring cooked seafood. Best bet is the lobster, cucumber and scallion at $9.50. They also serve Woodchuck hard cider. Eat in the bar, or on the back patio.
Best of the Web Most people in Baltimore will name John Steven as the best place to drink in Fells Point. It's a cool bar with a great tin ceiling and a good selection of beers. The bar has a reputation for good food and was included in "Baltimore" magazine's picks for best restaurant. The sushi bar clues me in that this bar may not be for everybody, however, the beer taps include at least one Sierra Nevada, the Brimstone Honey Red, DeGroen's, Newcastle, Young's, Wild Goose, Blackthorne, and several others. Thumbs up. Tends to get crowded though.
Best of the Web John Steven Ltd., 1800 Thames Street (410-327-5561). Located in Fells Point, this is a hopping place with a good, eclectic menu to boot.
The menu at John Steven Ltd. (1800 Thames St., (410) 327-5561) is eclectic and broad, the kind that satisfies just about every eaters’ needs. The need that takes us back time and again is the need for sushi. A far cry from its specialty sushi-shop competition, the offerings here amount to a limited array of mostly rolls, but they’re fresh and they take the edge off a major sushi hankering when there’s no other help in sight. And we’ve always preferred John Steven’s straightforward mussels better than the more famous fancy-schmancy ones a few blocks away.
Mark Stevens, Baltimore Travel Guide 1993 Funky atmosphere. Good steamed shrimp & mussels. Off the beaten path.
Zagat Survey Certificate of Distinction
City Paper Best bar in Canton/Fells Point
Washington Post: Insiders' Guide to Baltimore On the other side of Broadway, but also on Fleet, walk down to 1800 Thames at South Ann Street and eat at John Steven Ltd., which has some of the best steamed shrimp in Baltimore. Also, try the "American" sushi, featuring cooked seafood. Best bet is the lobster, cucumber and scallion at $9.50. They also serve Woodchuck hard cider. Eat in the bar, or on the back patio.
Maryland On Line Network Most people in Baltimore will name John Steven as the best place to drink in Fells Point. It's a cool bar with a great tin ceiling and a good selection of beers. The bar has a reputation for good food and was included in "Baltimore" magazine's picks for best restaurant.