Robin Godwin: New Eggrolls and Tacos Restaurant ‘EAT’ Coming to Locust Point

Local hospitality veterans Doug Campbell, Michael Leeds, and Spike Owen are opening EAT at the former In Like Flynn Tavern at 1371 Andre St. in Locust Point. EAT is an acronym for ‘eggrolls and tacos.’

Campbell and Leeds are co-owners of pizza and whiskey bar Barfly’s in Riverside. Leeds has been in the hospitality business for 30 years. During this time, he started and sold Sean Bolan’s Pub, which had a location in Federal Hill and is still open in Bel Air, and opened Barfly’s in 2011. Campbell, who will be retiring from teaching in January, has worked at Barfly’s for the past 10 years and became a partner in recent years. Owen was a co-founder of Key Brewing and Austin Grill and has worked in the hospitality industry for many years.

Leeds told SouthBMore.com EAT will have a Mexican/Asian fusion menu in a “cantina-style” setting. While the team will be refining the exact concept and menu over the next few months, Leeds said there will likely be steak, chicken, pork, and shrimp egg rolls and tacos, as well as different proteins available as weekly specials.

The menu will also have sushi, appetizers, and a couple of entrees. For dessert, EAT will offer soft serve ice cream and sundaes.

EAT will have a walk-up window on the ramp entrance on E. Clement St. so customers can pick up carryout orders and ice cream. Leeds noted this will be an easy way for people with dogs or strollers to grab their food without having to walk into the bar.

The bar menu will include a large selection of tequilas, margaritas, and frozen cocktails; Mexican, Asian, and local beers; and some Japanese whiskeys.

Leeds said it will not be a sports bar, but there will be many televisions and a projector that will play Orioles games, Ravens games, and other sports. He also noted it will be an English Premier League bar and they will open as early as they can for Saturday and Sunday morning games.

Leeds said he’s had the concept for EAT in his head for years. Owen is friends with the building owner at 1371 Andre St. and approached Leeds and Campbell to see if they’d want to open something together. Leeds said the trio has been friends for more than 10 years.

Leeds, who lives in Riverside, said he loves the EAT location in Locust Point and the number of new homes that surround it. He said it’s not the best location for foot traffic, but hopes it will be popular with the neighbors and will gain popularity through word of mouth.

The team at EAT hopes to open the restaurant in early September, though Leeds noted a number of construction delays that have occurred in recent months.

With the renovation currently underway, Leeds said they are redoing the bar, making some cosmetic changes, putting in transom windows, and adding signs to the exterior. He noted the building looks “beautiful” and they will be keeping the current color scheme on the exterior.

EAT will likely be open for lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and will offer dinner every night. Leeds said the kitchen will likely close at 10pm, but may stay open until midnight on Fridays and Saturday. The team will consider additional lunch hours in the future.