Hulu Skewer House in Baltimore: Lebanese Grilled Meat in Fells Point
Hulu Skewer House is a casual counter-service restaurant in Fells Point that specializes in Lebanese-style grilled meats, primarily chicken and lamb skewers cooked over charcoal and served with rice, grilled vegetables, and flatbread. It occupies a modest storefront and operates as a lunch and dinner spot for neighborhood regulars and visitors seeking grilled meat that differs from American barbecue traditions.
What Hulu Skewer House actually is
The restaurant centers on skewers (called shish taouk and shish kebab) grilled over an open flame visible from the dining counter. Orders are built to specification: customers choose their protein, typically marinated chicken breast or lamb, select from sides including saffron rice, grilled tomatoes and onions, and hummus, and receive warm pita or flatbread on the side. The space is unpretentious, with seating for roughly 20 people at a few tables and high-top counter seats, and the kitchen occupies a visible portion of the storefront.
Menu and pricing
A single chicken skewer plate runs approximately $10 to $12; a lamb skewer costs $14 to $16. Combination plates pairing two different skewers range from $18 to $24. Rice, grilled vegetables, salads, and hummus are included with entrées or available à la carte for $2 to $5 each. Sides like falafel and stuffed grape leaves add $3 to $5. Prices should be confirmed directly, as restaurant pricing adjusts seasonally. Portions are sufficient for one meal; two skewers often satisfy a moderate appetite.
How it compares to other Baltimore barbecue
Hulu Skewer House differs fundamentally from Texas-style and Carolina-style barbecue joints in Baltimore. Restaurants like Chaps Pit Beef (a Baltimore institution since 1987) focus on beef brisket and pulled pork smoked for hours in traditional American pits; they operate as sit-down or carryout establishments with sides like corn bread and coleslaw. Hulu's charcoal-grilled skewers cook in minutes rather than hours, and the flavor profile relies on marinade and direct heat rather than smoke. For diners seeking American barbecue tradition, Chaps and similar spots remain the choice. For those wanting grilled lamb or chicken with Mediterranean spicing and faster service, Hulu fills a different niche. Smokehouse Market, another Baltimore option, emphasizes brisket and ribs in a similar sit-down format to Chaps; Hulu's speed and skewer-focused menu set it apart.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Hulu works well for lunch breaks, quick dinners, and anyone preferring grilled meat to smoked meat. The casual counter service suits solo diners and small groups. Diners expecting a full-service table experience with extensive sides or dessert options will be disappointed; service ends when you order and collect your food. Those with preferences for heavily smoked flavors or strictly American barbecue styles should look elsewhere. Families with young children manage fine; the menu is straightforward and portions can be shared.
What the first visit involves
Walk in, review the menu board above the counter, and decide between chicken and lamb. Specify the number of skewers (one or two is typical), your choice of sides, and any add-ons. Pay at the register. Food arrives in 10 to 15 minutes at a small table or counter seat. Eat there or take it to go; most customers finish in under 30 minutes.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Hulu Skewer House operates in Fells Point, a neighborhood dense enough that street parking is standard but often requires circling. No dedicated lot exists. The restaurant typically opens for lunch around 11 a.m. and serves dinner until 9 or 10 p.m.; confirm hours before visiting, as they occasionally shift seasonally. The narrow Fells Point streets accommodate pedestrians and cyclists better than drivers, so consider walking or biking if staying nearby.
Hulu Skewer House occupies a distinct position in Baltimore's meat-focused dining: it cooks with fire and speed rather than smoke and patience, and its Lebanese heritage sets it apart from the American barbecue canon that dominates the city's grilled-meat conversation.
