When it involves Maryland meals, everybody instantly thinks of crab. It is sort of a scene from Forest Gump, besides the myriad of crab preparations as a substitute of shrimp. But what are a number of the different should attempt Maryland meals?
When I went to Ocean City, Maryland, I consulted the locals and did numerous experimentation to come back with a shortlist of the most effective Ocean City Maryland meals (and the place to seek out them!) So loosen your belt buckle and neglect about seashore our bodies and prepare to eat.
Must Try Ocean City Maryland FOod
Blue crab a beloved and iconic image of Maryland, with a historical past of crabbing going again to when Native American tribes harvested and consumed the native blue crab. In the mid-1800s, business crabbing grew to become prevalent within the Chesapeake Bay area and the crab business grew in significance all through the twentieth century, with Baltimore changing into a significant hub for crab processing and distribution.
Today, the blue crab is just not solely a staple meals in Maryland delicacies but in addition an vital a part of the state’s economic system and cultural identification, with annual festivals and occasions celebrating the beloved crustacean.
Steamed Crab
If you haven’t ever used a mallet to bust open steamed Maryland crab cooked with loads of Old Bay seasoning and unfold out on a paper tablecloth, it’s essential to change that! In Ocean City, native favorites for steamed crab are the Crab Bag for the “best crabs in Ocean City” and Hoopers Crab House additionally will get excessive marks for its all-you-can-eat crab fest as a “must do”, whereas others really feel it’s previous its prime.
Crab Cakes
Don’t wish to work in your supper? Crab truffles make it simpler and in Ocean City, they make them the proper approach — with loads of chunks of crab and minimal breading. If you might be questioning the place to go, a well-liked restaurant for its “famous” crab truffles is Coins Pub & Restaurant, which additionally gives crab dip and cream of crab soup.
Crab Imperial
Another method to attempt your crab is in Crab Imperial. This basic seafood dish consists of lump crab meat blended with mayonnaise, seasonings, and different substances corresponding to bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning. The combination is then baked in a casserole dish till golden brown and served sizzling.
In Ocean City, eating places usually characteristic their very own variations of crab imperial, including substances corresponding to cheese, peppers, and even lobster meat. We had a scrumptious model at Harrison’s Harbor Watch Restaurant.
Rockfish
Of course, Maryland meals is just not all about crab. Rockfish, additionally referred to as a striped bass, is the official state fish of Maryland, so clearly it must be a should attempt when visiting Ocean City. The fish has a light, candy taste and a agency, flaky texture, making it a well-liked selection for grilling, frying, and baking. Since it may be ready in so some ways, in case you are a seafood love, decide one you want at any of the numerous seafood eating places in Ocean City and go for it.
Thrasher’s Fries
Thrasher’s fries have been tempting Ocean City guests since 1926 and are nonetheless a favourite boardwalk meals created from the only substances…potatoes, peanut oil, apple cider vinegar and salt.
Since french fries are my favourite meals and eating regimen downfall, I used to be crushed that Thrasher’s was closed after we visited within the low season. So get pleasure from a bucket in the summertime, however then run just a few lengths of the boardwalk to work them off.
Fractured Prune Donuts
Fractured Prune Donuts are all the time sizzling and freshly dipped with tasty toppings and they’re all the fashion in Ocean City. Instead of rows of donuts, you decide your taste and so they crank them out and glaze them proper in entrance of you with mouthwatering flavors like OC Sand, S’extra and Peppermint Patty.
Fisher’s Popcorn
Fisher’s is one other boardwalk staple since 1937, specializing in caramel popcorn but in addition providing different flavors like Caramel with Peanuts, Cinnamon Caramel, Butter flavored, White Cheddar and Old Bay.
Smith Island Cake
Smith Island Cake is a dessert that originated in Smith Island, a small island group positioned off the japanese shore of Maryland within the Chesapeake Bay. It is believed to have been created by the ladies of Smith Island, who would bake the truffles for particular events and holidays.
The cake’s recognition unfold past the island, and it was formally declared the state dessert of Maryland in 2008. The cake consists of a number of layers of skinny yellow cake with a creamy frosting in between every layer, sometimes made with a combination of sugar, milk, flour, and butter. The cake is then coated in a chocolate glaze or extra frosting.
While Smith Island is essentially the most well-known place to get the cake, it may be present in varied bakeries and eating places all through Maryland and the Eastern Shore area, together with some places in Ocean City corresponding to The Original Smith Island Cake Company and Higgins Crab Cakes.
Maryland Pit Beef
Maryland pit beef is a novel fashion of barbecue that originated within the Baltimore space, made with thinly sliced beef that’s grilled over excessive warmth till charred on the surface however nonetheless pink and juicy on the within. It is then served on a Kaiser roll with uncooked onions and a spicy horseradish sauce, though different toppings corresponding to cheese or barbecue sauce can also be added. It will not be positive eating however it’s scrumptious.
While Maryland pit beef is mostly related to the Baltimore space, one standard spot to get pit beef in Ocean City is the Bull on the Beach, a neighborhood place with a number of eating places in Ocean City that serves up their very own tackle the basic dish.
Chesapeake Bay Oysters
The Chesapeake Bay is the biggest estuary within the United States and oyster farming and harvesting has been a significant business on this space. These oysters are identified for his or her distinctive taste profile, which might differ relying on the placement and season wherein they’re harvested, however they’re sometimes plump and meaty with a barely briny style and a candy end.
Maryland was really the primary place that I attempted oysters and so they had been a bit too plumb for my style, however I’ve since come to like oysters. When in Ocean City, attempt oyster shooters at Ropewalk and the uncooked bar at Seacrets and BLU Crabhouse and Raw Bar.
Peach Dumplings
If you might be keen to enterprise a bit out of Ocean City, take a day journey to the charming small city of close by Berlin, Maryland. Baked Dessert Cafe makes essentially the most wonderful peach dumplings and so they have been named the official dessert of Berlin. Just get there early earlier than they run out!
Marsh Mud Ice Cream
If you might be up for a aspect journey from Ocean City, the Island Creamery in Chincoteague, VA is so happy with their Marsh Mud ice cream they even made up t-shirts with the flavour on it. This tremendous chocolatey taste is selfmade and a good way to high off a day of pony watching.
Dumser’s Dairyland
Dumser’s Dairyland is a beloved ice cream parlor in Ocean City, Maryland, identified for its scrumptious selfmade ice cream and classic attraction. The retro ice cream parlor first opened in 1939 as a small soda fountain and has since grown to turn out to be a neighborhood establishment.
Today, Dumser’s Dairyland serves all kinds of ice cream flavors, together with classics like chocolate and vanilla, in addition to extra distinctive flavors like blueberry pie and apple caramel crunch. The ice cream is made on-site utilizing recent substances and conventional strategies.
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Photo Credits:Thrasher’s Fries courtesy of BigBirdz on Flickr through Creative Commons License, has been edited for measurement. Fisher’s Popcorn photograph courtesy of Austin Kirk through Creative Commons License and has been edited for measurement. Island Creamery photograph courtesy of Paulo Ordoveza through Flickr Creative Commons License and has been edited for measurement.