The lines for the ‘Crab Dip Bagel’ at Café Dear Leon (2929 O’Donnell St.) in Baltimore have stretched down the block for nearly six months as customers braved the freezing temperatures in the winter and now the intense heat in the summer for a taste of this viral sensation in Maryland.
The crab dip bagel offers a true taste of Maryland in every breakfast (or lunch) bite, featuring Cajun butter, Old Bay seasoning, corn, cheddar cheese, and, of course, lump crab meat. A reel by @giovannaposce on Instagram has garnered over a million views, spreading the word about Café Dear Leon’s rotating menu and prompting a rush of eager customers since February. The bagel’s popularity has seemed to make it a permanent fixture at the bakery and customers are still lining up down the block for a taste of the bagel (it’s on the July menu).
Per Cafe Dear Leon in February:
Dear Baltimore (and beyond!),
We can’t thank you enough for all the love and support you’ve shown us these past few weeks for our Crab Dip Bagel!
We heard you loud and clear-the CDB is staying on the menu until further notice!!! (Or until SZA comes to try it 09).
Thank you again for being the best. Your love and support keep us going every single day.
Café Dear Leon has recently changed its hours and is now open from Tuesday through Sunday from 6am-4pm. In addition to keeping the crab dip bagel, their rotating menu now changes by the house. Every item is baked at a set time of the day in small batches. The bakery wrote on social media, “Arriving at the listed bake time gives you the best chance of getting what you want!”