It was a good week for Maryland’s Eastern Shore seafood restaurants.
Three Ocean City restaurants were voted in a USA TODAY 10 Best list. The subject? Best crab cake sandwiches in Maryland.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Crab Cake Sandwich in Maryland include:
- Crabcake Factory USA – Ocean City
- Shark on the Harbor – Ocean City
- Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant – Frederick
- Pappas Restaurant – Cockeysville
- Chick & Ruth’s Delly – Annapolis
- Drum Point Market – Tylerton
- Ocean City Fish Company – Ocean City
- Koco’s Pub – Baltimore
- G&M Restaurant – Linthicum Heights
- Box Hill Pizzeria – Abingdon
Johnny Brooks, owner of the Crab Cake Factory, was blown away by the results of the contest.
“I would say we are the 20-year, overnight success. We’ve been at that little location on Coastal Highway and we’ve never received national attention,” Brooks said. “It was certainly an honor competing with the other local places.”
Winning the Best Crab Cake Sandwich in Maryland isn’t the only new and exciting aspect at the Crab Cake Factory. Brooks says the restaurant is about five weeks away from opening up their newest location on 118th Street. Brooks hopes this new found title will help fill their newest location throughout the summer months.
“It’s a new place; family-oriented, big tables, an outdoor deck,” Brooks said. “We’ve definitely outgrown our original location. This is about three times the size and we’re ready for it.”
Voting for the contest was open for four weeks. After four weeks online, a panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts for the contest included 10Best Local Expert, Tawanna Browne Smith, Delaware Wave writer, Hannah Carroll and 10Best Local Expert Shannon Morgan.
Carroll says she was honored USA Today reached out to her for her input.
“I grew up on the Eastern Shore and love seafood, especially crab cakes,” Carroll said. “They are always my go to at restaurants!”
Shark on the Harbor also made the list, along with Ocean City Fish Company, both in West Ocean City.
Jody Wright, owner of Shark on the Harbor, says being placed on the top 10 list among other Maryland restaurants with great cuisine is extremely important to her and her husband Travis.
“Travis and I feel that if our guests are willing to spend their valuable time and hard earned money with us, then it’s our responsibility to offer the very best that we can of everything- including seafood, all proteins, produce, service and atmosphere. We’re fortunate to have some of the best seafood available right here in our community- we can’t imagine why we would want to use anything else.”
Additional nominees for Best Crab Cake Sandwich in Maryland included Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis, Cantler’s Riverside Inn in Annapolis,Duda’s Tavern in Baltimore, Faidley’s Seafood in Baltimore, Fratelli’s Italian Restaurant in Salisbury, Harris Crab House in Grasonville, Nick’s Fish House in Baltimore, Snappers Waterfront Cafe in Cambridge, Suicide Bridge Restaurant in Hurlock and Timbuktu Restaurant in Hanover.
