Weekly reviews of crab cakes around the MD and DC area

Severna Park

Annapolis Seafood Markets is a chain of seafood markets with 3 locations around the Baltimore/Annapolis area.  Their stores offer a variety of fresh seafood and prepared items available for carry out.  Annapolis Seafood tends to be a local's secret, with their seafood being bought and prepared fresh daily.  Friend of the CCR Kerry G. shared this little secret with us, saying that someone in her family who typically hates seafood requests their crab cakes all the time.  While she may be referring to the jumbo lump crab cakes, anyplace with such rave reviews from the non-seafaring types must be good!  So with such high regards in mind, the CCR set sail for their nearest Annapolis Seafood Market with their sights set on crab cakes.  How were they?  Let's find out!

Last week, we reviewed Annapolis Seafood Markets' Backfin crab cakes.  Based on a tip from friend of the CCR Kerry G, we set forth to see just how good this place was.  And when we got there, we discovered that there were two different kinds of crab cakes on offer.  If you missed the review, Annapolis Seafood Markets is a chain of seafood markets with 3 locations around the Baltimore/Annapolis area.  Their stores offer a variety of fresh seafood and prepared items available for carry out.  Annapolis Seafood tends to be a local's secret, with their seafood being bought and prepared fresh daily.  Seeing as how the backfin cakes were really good, we just HAD to try the jumbo lump cakes.  Do they meet or exceed the standards set forth by the backfin cakes?  Read along and find out!

Mar 19, 2024

Bill Bateman's

If you've been anywhere around the area, you've more than likely come across a Bill Bateman's.  They may be a corporate outlet, an express location, or a franchise.  What started out as a single location on Harford Road back in 1987 has exploded into multiple locations around the area.  Mostly known for their wings, they do have a wide variety of items on their menu.  The big banner advertising Crab Cake Night caught our eye, and we just had to stop in.  Should you go with the cakes, or stick with the wings?  Let's find out!

Mar 19, 2024

Brian Boru

Irish pubs aren't what you usually think of when it comes to searching for delicious crab cakes.  Cold, tasty Guinness?  Yes.  Corned beef and cabbage?  You betcha.  But crab cakes?  Color me skeptical.  However, there is a simple explanation for it.  You see, there used to be this restaurant in Annapolis called Little Campus.  Little Campus was one of those colorful local Annapolis haunts that served good food at an affordable price in an environment that is distinctively Annapolis.  But that all changed when Little Campus closed and an Irish bar by the name of Galway Bay took its place.

You see, legend has it that Little Campus employed a lady who was known as Miss Peggy.  And Miss Peggy was known for her crab cakes.  People would flock from far and wide for Miss Peggy's crab cakes.  So when Little Campus closed, the owners of Galway Bay carried on the tradition.  And the crab cakes are so good that the restaurant group that owns Galway Bay also carries her secret recipe at their other locations, the Killarney House and Brian Boru.

We all know what happens when someone buys the rights to something.  Typically it's just a cash grab at making a quick profit on a known, trusted name.  People still go out of their way to try the "brand", but because of the need to maximize profits, the quality suffers and isn't the same as it used to be, what made that name so famous in the first place.  So how has Miss Peggy's secret recipe fared since being taken over by an Irish restaurant group?  Follow along and find out!

Mar 19, 2024

Garry's Grill

Taking fresh, available ingredients and making them into an unexpected, unique dish. Sounds fancy, huh? What if we told you that it's from what has been described as an 'upscale diner' that also has a full bar and offers baked goods and desserts? Enter Garry's Grill. Since 1991, Garry's Grill has been delighting locals with their seasonal menu, as well as taking their cuisine on the road with their catering business. Garry may have retired and headed south, but the restaurant lives on. Were their crab cakes as worthy as their other menu offerings? Read on to find out!