The Charred Rib at The Barn (otherwise known as The Barn), has been many things over the years. A rest stop for farmers heading to Broadway Market, a grocery store, a dance hall and saloon, and nowadays, a tap house, rib shack, and crab house. Recently remodeled in 2013, this location has been known as The Barn since 1980. Having a crab house on site would make us think that the crab cakes are as good as the crabs themselves smell. Read on to find out if they were!

The Crackpot Restaurant has been around since 1972, and was one of the first crab houses to fly crabs in from Louisiana year round. The crab house is termed "retro" for its decor that most likely hasn't changed since they opened. Despite the decor, they have earned numerous awards for their crabs and crab cakes, most recently being featured in 2013 by Towson Magazine and Baltimore Magazine (making their Top 25 Crab Cakes of 2013 list). The Crackpot is also one of the few places in Baltimore who dare to offer flavored crab cakes, as well as claim to have the largest crab cake in town (20oz!). With such history and reputation on the line, we, naturally, had to see if the Crackpot is all that it's cracked up to be. Curious? Read on and see what we thought!

With a name like The Harp, you instantly know that they are an Irish bar. Not just any Irish bar, but one of 2013 Baltimore's Best Restaurants according to Urbanspoon, and was named one of Baltimore's 25 Best Bars by Baltimore Magazine, as well as one of Restaurant.com's top rated restaurants in 2012. Now, Irish bars will generally serve your Irish menu regulars, such as Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips, and a fresh pint of Guinness. While all of your favorites are there, but there are some items that aren't so Irish. Like, for instance, crab cakes! Read on and see if they lived up to The Harp's reputation!

The Peppermill Restaurant, located right off the beltway on York Rd. in Lutherville-Timonium, has been a local institution since they opened back in 1982. While The Peppermill has been on tour radar for a while now, it took the suggestion of Friend of the CCR, Mike A., to convince us to go. He, along with most other online reviews, warned that the clientele is made up of a mostly older crowd, but the younger generation are starting to discover what they have to offer. Will their crab cakes wow and amaze diners of all ages? Let's find out!

Usually when you think of a tavern, you think casual. But when you walk into the Towson Tavern, you step into an environment where casual meets upscale. Located where the Reicher Theater and Rec Room used to be, the Towson Tavern creates a sophisticated, but casual, environment serving regional American cuisine. And what's more regional than crab cakes, right? Follow along and see how the Towson Tavern represents Maryland!