Thursday, May 19, 2011

Harley's Sandwich Shop

"Harley's Nightshift" oil on canvas (14"x 18") 2011

Who cannot remember, at least one time, eating a Harley Burger very late at night? They cost 69 cents and were just what some of the underage drinkers needed to help sober-up after sharing too many six-packs of bargain beer or Bali Hai wine. In addition to families, Harley’s also served the night shift worker. My friend Al worked until midnight and like clockwork at 12:30 a.m. he rolled his salmon colored Corvette onto the Harley’s parking lot on Rt. 40 W in Catonsville, MD. In fact his timing was so dependable that the ladies at the counter had his favorite pizza waiting for him every week night. Harley’s was brought to you by Baltimorean Harley Brinsfield who in my memory had the best local radio show featuring jazz. Harley’s record collection was fabulous and his dedicated listeners tuned in regularly. His show included adds of course for his sandwich shops - located all over Baltimore.
At the close of each show Harley played "
Sailing Down the Chesapeake." Toot Toot!

9 comments:

  1. Something about a tuna sub at Harley's makes my mouth water. I remember my family going down to the Harley's on Eastern Ave in Essex, near to the Hess gas station another place large in my memory for the Hess trucks. I have not had a tuna sub I have liked as much since then. I also remember tuning my AM pocket transistor radio to the Harley Radio Show. I fall asleep, to the jazz. I would wake later to find out mom or dad shut it off in my sleep. My family moved to Carroll County, in '73. Don't know in the Harley Show left the air before or after we moved to Taneytown, but I did not hear it after that, I still remember and miss hearing the show, and eating at the sandwich shop

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  2. I was a city cop and used to go in the Harley's on Fayette and Park Ave. all the time. The burgers were floating in sauce with onions and they were great! The K-9 officers would take their dogs in there and the guy behind the counter would toss them a burger or two.

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  3. Yes I remember those burgers floating in the reddish sauce and onions. I think after that Harley's closed it became Shane's sandwich shop for many years.

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  4. My Mom worked for Harley's for many years.

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    1. Does she remember any of the recipes ? Like the Harley Q sub ?It would be wonderful if she did !!! Thanks Don

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  5. I remember the onion sauce. I think our local Harley's was on Falls Rd. and W. Coldspring Lane, or maybe Northern Parkway... I also remember the Harley show, too. My brother and I used to listen to it on Sunday evenings. Today, my brother is a jazz musician!

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    1. On Fall Rd above Coldspring Lane it was, just across from Poly/Western HS campuses, and a regular stop for me in the early '70s ;~)

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  6. Yes, there was a Harley's on Fall's Road across the street from Poly Western High School.

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  7. My friend Charlie Shipley I were college students at Catonsville in the late 60's.He was a musician and I learned about the radio show from him, too! Yes, AM Radio!!
    We would love to get a Harley's Sub for our lunch!! Just awesome food and not even a thought about those great juices inside! The best sub I ever had!
    Yes, 50 years ago and I am still ticking! Rocky Sullivan of Finksburg, Md.

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