This might surprise people that have seen or heard one of Jimmy’s Famous Seafood’s attention-grabbing marketing campaigns or follow the Dundalk restaurant’s pervasive and often brash social-media content. But John Minadakis, Jimmy’s 38-year-old co-owner—and the son of its late founder and namesake—says he considers himself a social recluse.

“I’m a bit of a hermit myself,” he says softly over lunch one day at his restaurant, before he forks into one of his eight-ounce famous crab cakes.

We’re sitting at a high-top table near the dining-room bar, masks off, finally, one afternoon near the end of April. And ironically, as we eat and talk, Minadakis is cracking open his own shell, so to speak, to talk about the Famous Fund. It’s one of the city’s more uplifting stories of the past year, and Minadakis—who owns Jimmy’s with his younger brother, Tony, both second-generation Greeks—is the guy behind it.

Since January, the Fund—essentially a crowdsourced fundraising effort—has raised roughly $480,000 (and counting) that’s been split among dozens of restaurants and bars across the city that were decimated by the pandemic and the ensuing social-distancing protocols that left stools, seats, and tables empty for months.

In a year-plus marked by widespread fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, owners of city institutions such as Vikki’s Fells Point Deli or Sliders Bar & Grille across from Camden Yards understandably sobbed when they got word they were receiving up to $25,000 in their bank accounts from the Famous Fund, hopefully enough to keep their businesses alive and rent paid until diners could patronize them again.

Jimmy’s has always attracted high-profile customers, especially athletes, so local celebrities, including Super Bowl XLVII hero Jacoby Jones, former Orioles out elder Adam Jones, and many more, delivered the good news in heartwarming live video calls.

In the case of Jones, he broke the announcement of a $10,000 donation to Marie Branch, owner of the Canton breakfast eatery, Simply Marie’s, where he regularly ordered the spicy sausage and eggs when he played here. “Wow, are you serious?” Branch told Jones. “It will pay some bills, keep the doors open.”

It was a common refrain. Jones was so touched with the movement that he gave an additional donation. The extra cash was enough to cover Simply Marie’s rent payments through the summer. The help was the practical kind that became so essential for so many establishments that simply couldn’t make up for lost foot traffic and had to lay off employees or go out of business.

For Jimmy’s to be behind such a noble cause seems a bit incongruent, perhaps. We’re talking about a restaurant, after all, that once made headlines for offering then-free agent slugger Chris Davis free crab cakes for life, got into a Twitter dust-up with animal rights activists a few years ago, and then admittedly went a bit too far going after an Atlanta café that serves vegan crab dishes.

But Minadakis, who says a marketing team handles much of the social-media grunt work for the business (he’s busy enough managing the day-to-day of the popular restaurant), says the lessons he learned as a student at Loyola Blakefield, where he graduated from in 2001, came to bear. “They always taught us to mentor others,” he says.

That said, the idea did receive a jumpstart from someone who is very much not a social hermit, the often-polarizing Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. As marketers go, Portnoy is as shrewd as they come, known for his Boston accent, cult of “Stoolie” sports fans followers, obnoxious personality, and Fox News appearances, among other things.

The style rubs some people the wrong way, but amid the pandemic Portnoy started using his platform and dedicated following for a lot of good and raised money for restaurants and bars around the country—including a few in Baltimore, like Abbey Burger Bistro, Don’t Know Tavern, and Claddagh’s.

Then, in December 2020, with COVID cases rising again, on his first full day on the job, Mayor Brandon Scott shut down indoor and outdoor dining in Baltimore for what ended up being six weeks. For so many restaurants that had survived the initial pandemic outbreak in the spring, “That was the death punch,” Minadakis says.

Most notably, longtime downtown presence James Joyce Irish Pub closed for good.

“People don’t realize how important the holidays are to restaurants,” Minadakis says. “In the same way you can’t catch up on sleep, you can’t make that money up ever. When you don’t have the money to pay your landlord and your bills, you have to close.”

Sensing that many other Baltimore restaurants could meet that fate, Minadakis, a big football fan, got Portnoy’s attention. The week of the Ravens’ mid-January playoff game with the Buffalo Bills, he made Portnoy (somewhat of a Bills supporter since their fans contribute content to his website) an offer he couldn’t refuse. The deal: Ravens win, you donate money to help another Baltimore restaurant. Bills win, we’ll rename our place to Dave’s Famous Seafood for a week on all social media channels. Portnoy bit. But after the Ravens lost 17-3 on a Saturday night in Buffalo, Minadakis woke up the next morning gutted.

You see, in the days leading up to the game, Minadakis had been following the social media buzz over the bet. A few restaurants in particular—The Angle Inn on O’Donnell Street, for one—kept getting nominated as potential recipients of the prize money. “I realized I might’ve just gotten somebody’s hopes up and put the last nail in their coffin without meaning to,” Minadakis says.

Hence the idea for the Famous Fund was born, sort of.

Minadakis made good on the bet, with a wrinkle. He decided to make and sell Dave’s Famous T-shirts, with the proceeds benefitting The Angle Inn, and that idea quickly overshot expectations. Then he decided to start a GoFundMe page with a goal to raise $100,000 for The Angle, Sliders, The Chasseur, G&A Restaurant, and Shotti’s Point Charm City.

In just four days, the effort raised more than $200,000, with the help of publicity, donations, and support from Ravens players like Marlon Humphrey and Ronnie Stanley and Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and his wife Lacie. “It was all organic,” Minadakis says. “That’s the best part.”

At that point, with virality building on social media, Minadakis called in a favor to friend and former Baltimore City police spokesperson T.J. Smith, who was a regular Jimmy’s customer and who Minadakis knew was familiar with many local restaurants.

Smith agreed to take the lead on a broader citywide fundraising effort, alongside friends Paul Goins and Leroy Yegge. Soon after that, former Ravens kicker Matt Stover, who co-founded an organization that supports a lot of past and current Ravens players’ charities, told Minadakis and Smith he easily could do the same for them.

Donations poured in from total strangers, in many cases, as did the applications from dozens of bars and restaurants seeking aid or a “bridge to better days,” as Smith explains.

Smith reviewed the applications, which asked for some expenses and payroll documentation, made site visits, and conceived of how to deliver the good news. Smith spent hours arranging for well-known locals to surprise owners on video, recorded and edited the announcements, and posted them on social media.

As we write, the Famous Fund has helped at least 30 restaurants in various parts of the city stay open. Each has their own story, though their struggle is unfortunately common.

At Woodrow’s Bar-B-Que in Mt. Washington, owner Matthew Piron hadn’t taken a salary in more than a year, while still paying his workers above minimum wage.

“Every week, you worry if you can stay open or not,” Piron said after Ravens Hall-of-Famer Jonathan Ogden told him he was getting $10,000 for whatever he needed with the restaurant. “It’s amazing what the goodness of people can do.”

Minadakis says he wants to keep raising money in the months and years ahead, maybe by hosting regular events to benefit restaurants that still need help (and they still do), or create a college scholarship fund, something near to his heart.

“We’re not letting up anytime soon,” he says. “I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. The pandemic has been tough on any business, much less a small business. If you need the money, we’ll figure it out.”

Whether you’re a new recruit or a diehard fan, there’s no escaping the Ravens hype that washes Charm City in a wave of purple as the NFL season gets underway. Less than a week away from the home opener, the Ravens Flock is hungry for some big wins—and we’re hungry for big specials at some Baltimore’s best restaurants, bars, and tailgates. (With all eyes on Lamar Jackson, try not to get distracted by delicious wings and discounted kegs.) Grab your Ravens gear, gather your squad, and check out these game day deals you won’t want to miss.

Drinks for Days

Fish Head Cantina: Serving up drink specials including $2.50 Natty Bohs, $4 craft drafts, and $5 Crushes, Fish Head Cantina has a lot to offer Ravens fans. Swing by the stylish tiki bar for drink deals, live music—oh, and did we mention the entire game day menu is 25 percent off? Whether you’re loading up on nachos or sushi, this is a can’t miss for foodie fans. 4802 Benson Ave, 410-247-2474.

Grotto Pizza: For fans who love the Ravens and also pizza, Grotto Pizza has the best of both worlds. Grotto’s game day menu features $6 personal pizzas and chili dogs, as well as $7 loaded nachos. And don’t worry—they’ve got drinks covered, too, with $4 Coors Light big beers all day. Plus, if you’re feeling lucky, you can play the Pig Skin Pick ‘Em for a chance to win a $500 Amex gift card. 7075 Minstrel Way, Columbia, 443-583-8200.

Italian Disco: As if delicious pizza and burgers weren’t enough to entice you, Italian Disco celebrates Ravens games with $10 domestic beer pitchers and $8 pizzas or orders of wings. Do some game-day bird watching on any of this chic Harbor East hangout’s flat screens, enjoy the throwback disco vibes, and dig in. 1006 Fleet St., 410-605-0444.

Lee’s Pint & Shell: Lee’s Pint & Shell opened up to its Canton neighborhood about three years ago after a major rebranding, and it’s been packed practically every day since. Game days are no different, except you might notice a higher-than-usual number of patrons decked out in purple. For the Ravens flock, Lee’s serves up $2 Miller Lites and $4 Jack Daniels shots and cocktails, as well as $4 Ravens Bombs (you’ll have to stop for yourself to find out what’s in a Ravens Bomb—we don’t want to spoil the surprise). 2844 Hudson St., 410-327-2883.

Mt. Washington Tavern: If you’re looking for a lunch spot that rewards Ravens pride before game day, look no further than Mt. Washington Tavern’s Purple Fridays. Come for lunch specials, including the Blackjack Burger or the Black and Purple Salad, and stay for the drink deals like $2 Narragansett lager cans, $4 Old Hilltop drafts, and $6 Tito’s vodka drinks. While you’re at it, try your hand at a final scorecard prediction for a chance to win a $25 tavern gift certificate. 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6903.

Pratt Street Ale House: Just a short walk from the stadium, Pratt Street Ale House offers Ravens fans a taste of local brews, with $5 pints from Oliver Brewing Co. The game-day fixture also highlights $5 glasses of wine and a selection of $3 beers to enjoy before, during, and after the game. Plus, satisfy your hankering for wings with 10 for $12, 20 for $23, and 30 for $34. 206 West Pratt St., 410-244-8900.

Sports Bar Scene

Donna’s Tavern: Between the $1 Naturday cans, $2 Bud Lite drafts, and $3 Pinnacle grape bombs, and free shooters after every Ravens touchdown, Donna’s Tavern in Dundalk can keep you busy on a game day budget. And don’t worry, they won’t let you go hungry—take advantage of delicious deals like an $8 crab pretzel. 6607 Pine Ave, Dundalk, 410-633-6677.

Game: Located just a stone’s throw away from M&T Bank Stadium, Game makes birdwatching easy with 25 flatscreens and six 100-inch projection screens. Traditionalists can stick to delicious wings, but go for the crab cakes if you fancy some local flavor. With $10 32-oz. drafts and Orange Crush buckets, and $20 domestic buckets, Game has plenty to offer dedicated sports fans. To show their appreciation, they’ll cover your first round after the game. 1400 Warner St., 410-385-0100.

The Greene Turtle: If you like apps, the Greene Turtle in Fells Point is the place for you, with a range of $5 and $7 appetizers on game day, as well as burger specials starting at $6. And if that’s not enough to float your boat, throw in a bucket of five Bud Lights for $13 or a pitcher for $9. Grab your Ravens gear, get your squad together, and stop by this beloved hangout to turn the Greene Turtle purple. If you’re not around Fells Point, all Greene Turtle locations will offer their own NFL game day deals. 277 South Broadway, 410-342-4222.

Looney’s Pub: With an extensive game day menu, you’ll want to head back to Looney’s Pub again and again to try the different combo specials, like the $17 dozen wings and domestic pitcher deal. If you’re just looking for food, don’t worry—get two footlong hot dogs for $10, or try the buffalo shrimp for $14. If drinks are more your speed, Looney’s has you covered with everything from $4 stadium cup drafts and $12 Orange Crush buckets to the $20 White Claw and Bud Light bucket. 2900 O’Donnell St., 410-675-9235.

Tailgate Checklist

Mother’s Grille: At some point this season, be sure to stop by the legendary Purple Patio tailgate that Mother’s Grille hosts before every Ravens home game. Just a few blocks from M&T Bank Stadium, Mother’s paints the outdoor parking lot to look like a football field—although you might not be able to see the details under a crush of purple-clad partygoers sipping $35 all-you-can-drink beers and Bloody Marys, watching the pregame on one of 65 TVs, or getting amped beneath the DJ booth. 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood: If you’re a tailgate buff, you’ve got to try out Jimmy’s Famous Seafood’s self-proclaimed TailGOAT (that’s Greatest Of All Time) and decide for yourself whether it lives up to the name. At a new location just steps from the stadium, TailGOAT boasts an open bar with eight beer selections, a hand-crafted buffet, and live music to prove that the only season worth celebrating is football season. 333 West Ostend St., 410-633-4040.

Bmore Around Town: BMore Around Town stands as the pioneer of the #PurpleTailgate, organizing blowouts for home games and road trips for the most dedicated fans. This year, #PurpleTailgate patrons will enjoy an open bar with unlimited beer cans and Deep Eddy crushes, catering from All Y’all BBQ and Mother Shuckers oysters, and raffles to benefit the Kamryn Lambert Foundation. 152 West Ostend St., 443-865-5935.

EAT

March 1: Steve Irwin Day

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, 6526 Holabird Ave. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.

This Friday, trade the Inner Harbor for the Australian swamplands in honor of America’s favorite crocodile hunter. During this Steve Irwin-inspired bash, don your best khakis-and-bucket-hat ensemble and spend the day snapping pictures with baby kangaroos and an American alligator, testing your stomach with gator and Foster’s Beer specials, and supporting the Irwins’ Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors cause.

DRINK

March 3: Baltimore Bartenders Guild’s “Ryes Up”

Kimpton Hotel Monaco, 2 N. Charles St. 5-8 p.m. $75.

Although scientists are closer than ever to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis, there’s still about 30,000 people nationwide living with the genetic disorder. Now in its eighth year, this rye whiskey-inspired fundraiser brings some of the city’s top bartenders under one roof to revel in the amber-colored spirit and support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With more than 20 concoctions, eats from 15 local restaurants, and a silent auction, it’ll be hard to tell whether the warm feeling in your chest is from the whiskey buzz or helping to find a cure.

SEE

March 2: Jonathan Van Ness

The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7 p.m. $55-$149.

I mean, can you believe? Star of the Netflix series Queer Eye and the Getting Curious podcast Jonathan Van Ness is gracing Charm City with his spunk, sass, and show-stopping locks for one night at the Hippodrome Theatre. There’s no telling what this stop on the Road to Beijing tour will bring because while he’s happy to set you up with a new do, this grooming guru is always ready to talk politics and social justice. Come for the comedy, and stay for the tea, honey.

HEAR

March 2: Ed Schrader’s Music Beat

Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $13-15.

After a year of touring around the U.S. and Europe, this Baltimore-based, post-punk duo is returning to their roots with a performance at one of city’s most intimate venues. Fans have been hungry ever since last year’s release of the band’s latest album, Riddles. Joined by poet-musician Param Anand Singh and local artist Infinity Knives + Randi, this lively line up has all the makings of a standout show.

DO

March 2: Greater Goods Market

R. House, 301 W. 20th St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

R. House is known for being a one-stop shop for all things delicious, so why not indulge in a trinket or two while you’re at it? After grabbing lunch in the food hall, swing by the garage to browse through this monthly market packed with wares from more than 70 local makers while jamming to tunes by D.J. Discuji from Better on Foot. With a portion of the proceeds supporting the Baltimore Child Abuse Center, this pop-up adventure will keep your shopping impulses heartwarmingly local and completely justified.

There are so many things to love about the annual Baltimore Seafood Festival at Canton Waterfront Park. The end-of-summer tradition, which returns on Saturday, September 15 from 12-7 p.m., offers a blend of live music (this year’s headliners include local favorites The Scotch Bonnets and Honey Extractor), cooking demonstrations, crafters, and family-fun activities against the backdrop of the sparkling harbor. But, at the heart of the five-year-old fête is its wide array of seafood specialties.

With more than 35 area restaurants and food trucks participating this year, the event will have plenty of diverse dishes paying homage to the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Among the purveyors returning is The London Chippy—a can’t-miss food truck (just look out for the massive Union Jack logo) that specializes in authentic fish and chips. Owner Anthony Robinson, who was born and raised in London, says that he was pleasantly surprised by the adventurous palates at the Seafood Fest last year.

“Typically, we get a lot of customers who stick with fried catfish or trout, but at the festival last year people were like, ‘No we want the cod and the traditional fish and chips,’” Robinson remembers. “It was a great feeling knowing that people really understood who we are and what we do.”

Despite potential cloudy skies, Robinson is looking forward to serving up his authentic delicacies to festival-goers rain or shine: “Fish and chips in the rain is very London,” he says with a laugh. “We welcome every single drop.”

Whether you prefer fish, crab, oysters, shrimp, lobster or a sampling of them all, here are a few highlights on the menu this weekend.

CRAB

Flash Crabcake Co.: This mobile crab company prides itself on peddling its signature six-oz. cakes at an affordable price ($10 with saltines and $11 as a sandwich on a potato roll). Flash will also be selling its classic cream of crab soup—an ideal snack to warm your soul in the potentially soggy weather.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood: No Bawlmer seafood event is complete without hard-shell crabs. This Dundalk favorite—which has been particularly vocal about its love of crabs in response to the controversial PETA billboards that recently sprouted up in the city—will be slinging half-dozen orders of premium males while supplies last. Jimmy’s will also feature steamed shrimp and crabby fries for attendees who are down to get their hands dirty.

FISH

The London Chippy: The regional food truck, which makes stops everywhere from Northern Virginia to North Baltimore, will be frying up its signature cod and haddock and serving it alongside crispy “chips” and creamy coleslaw. Specials for the day will include mini lobster rolls, crab fries, and hush puppies.

RA Sushi: Harbor East diners are probably familiar with the colorful rolls at this dimly lit sushi spot. Catch RA at the festival to sample the Rainbow Roll (a classic California roll topped with tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, and salmon) and the Tootsy Maki, which mixes crab, shrimp, cucumber, and crunchy tempura bits and tops it in a sweet eel sauce.

OYSTERS

The Local Oyster: Head to the red, white, and black tent to slurp oysters from this fan-favorite seafood spot headquartered at Mount Vernon Marketplace. The Local Oyster will be shucking Skinny Dippers on the half shell from partner True Chesapeake Oyster Co. farmed in Southern Maryland.

The Urban Oyster: Swing by this local pop-up to visit chef Jasmine Norton, who will be hawking her oysters prepared three ways. Sample them raw, chargrilled, or fried and tucked into a taco with cilantro and lime.

SHRIMP

Nick’s Fish House: At this Port Covington staple, regulars typically start their meals off with an order of the chef’s famous “Boom Boom Shrimp”—crispy fried shrimp in a spicy Sriracha aioli. Try it at the festival alongside Nick’s crab balls and soft shell crab bites.

Southern Provisions: This Canton Square bar will be showcasing its Lowcountry influences with a warm shrimp gumbo over rice. Get your barbecue fix by pairing the gumbo with SoPro’s one-bite pulled pork sliders.

LOBSTER:

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls: Chow down on mounds of Maine meat from this Annapolis favorite, which is widening its Baltimore footprint with a new stall in Belvedere Square and a yet-to-open Inner Harbor location. The brand will feature its classic rolls (chilled lobster salad with mayo and lemon), warm Connecticut-style rolls with butter, New England clam chowder, and signature “lobstah” bisque.

SNACKS

Alexander’s Tavern: Crab tots are an essential part of the Seafood Fest experience, and Alexander’s has some of the best in town. Dig in to the orders of crispy tots smothered in cheesy crab dip, or go handheld with a classic crab pretzel from the Fells Point pub.

Dessert Fantasies: If you happen to save room for dessert, local baker Tosha Williams will have plenty of cupcakes to satisfy sweet tooth cravings. Her Locust Point bakeshop highlights flavors ranging from to classic strawberry shortcake to chocolate fudge cakes topped with Berger cookie bits.