Just back from OC - food question/rant

Okay, I am a big fan of Ocean City but I have to ask - What is going on with the food? Every year it gets worse. Am I not going to the right places? This year we went on a quest for a good piece of pizza. No luck. We tried PIno%26#39;s (puffy, bland), Tony%26#39;s (flat, bland) and some other place on the boardwalk which might have been decent if it was fresh and not warmed over. My friends liked Lombardi%26#39;s - didn%26#39;t try it.

We went to Bagels N Buns and the muffins were stale with rotten fruit!

We%26#39;ve given up on the restaurants and will make our own meals or stick to the few good sub shops we%26#39;ve found over the years.

On the good side, we did find Tequila Mockingbird to be good this year. And of course, The Fractured Prune was yummy.

Why don%26#39;t more people write a short review on this website about where they%26#39;ve eaten - the good and the bad. I hate to waste good money on bad food at the beach!

Just back from OC - food question/rant

we just came back 2 days ago. I looked up best places to eat before we went and we had good food for most of our time there.

Anthony%26#39;s for subs was wonderful! Nicks ribs had great food. Halls for breakfast was okay, food was good but getting cold on the buffet. Fagers island for lunch was yummy, the fresh mozeralla w/ tomatoes was amazing! We also had a wonderful dinner at the Dunes manor. We always had large portions and leftovers for the next day. We did get some pizza from Pino%26#39;s and it was just ok. We heard Liquid Assets was good but never made it there. We had a seafood buffet at Phillips (lower end of highway) and it was very good, everything was fresh and hot.

I suggest to do a search on best places to eat and write a few down to check out while you are there next time.

Just back from OC - food question/rant

We also just got back from OC. JR%26#39;s Ribs were great, we took them back with us to eat at the condo. Old reliable Papa John%26#39;s Pizza was delivered and it was very hot and flaky crust. Fish Tales was great we eat outside under umbrellas with our feet in the sand by the Bay, great food. Harpoon Hannah%26#39;s was good also, service wasn%26#39;t too fast, but the food was good. This year we tried Bonfire instead of Phillips for a buffet, it was really better, wider selection and we didn%26#39;t feel like we were eating on top of each other, I still think all buffets are over priced though.

Food in OC seems to be expensive, they%26#39;ve got us vacationers. We normally eat breakfast and lunch in the condo and go out for dinner. Sometimes we order in when we are really tired.

Hope this helps

For pizza next time try Mione%26#39;s in West Ocean City located in the White Marlin Outlets. Best pizza in the area.

Can%26#39;t find good food in Ocean City??? That I find hard to believe if you know where to look and are willing to open your wallet. First of all, if your not spending more than 8 to 12 per person for breakfast/lunch and 20 to 25 per person for dinner, then your food quality is going to be sporadic at best, down right horrible at worst. This is my opinion of course. Every restaurant is going to have the occassion good or bad day.

But here is a list of restaurants where I think you can always bet you are going to get what you pay for:

Traditional pizza: Mione%26#39;s (West OC)

Brick oven pizza/Italian: Mancini%26#39;s (Fenwick Island), Carraba%26#39;s (West OC)

Boardwalk: Shenanigan%26#39;s (4th St. oceanside)

Sunsets: Fager%26#39;s Island (60th St. bayside)

Authentic Italian: Ristorante Antipasti (31st St. bayside)

Mexican: Tequilla Mockingbird (130th St. bayside)

Waterfront dining: Seacrets (49th. St. bayside), Mackey%26#39;s (54th St. bayside), Castaway%26#39;s, (64th St. bayside), BJ%26#39;s on the Water (75th. St bayside), Sunset Grille (West Ocean City), Mickey Finn%26#39;s (West Ocean City), Harborside Bar %26amp; Grille (West Ocean City), Fish Tale%26#39;s (22nd St. bayside).

Seafood: Harrison%26#39;s Harbor Watch (at the inlet) Captain%26#39;s Galley II (West Ocean City), Crab Alley (West Ocean City), Harpoon Hanna%26#39;s (Fenwick Island).

Bar food: Buxy%26#39;s Salty Dog Saloon (28th St. bayside), Booty%26#39;s (27th St. bayside),

Subshops: Belly Buster%26#39;s (46th St. ocean side), Anthony%26#39;s (33rd St. oceanside), Tubby%26#39;s (59th St. ocean side), Cefaloni%26#39;s Italian Deli (138th St. bayside).

Intimate: Grove Market, (Bishopville, across Rt. 90 bridge on St. Martin%26#39;s Neck Road)

Romantic: Lighthouse Sound (Bishopville, across Rt. 90 bridge on St. Martin%26#39;s Neck Road)

Eccletic: Galaxy 66 (66th St. bayside), Liquid Assests (94th St. bayside)

That should give you a couple of places to try where I can almost guarantee you%26#39;ll get an excellent meal for your money the next time you are in Ocean City, MD.

Honorable Mentions:

The Plantation House, (West Ocean City)

Greene Turtle West (West Ocean City, not the original one on 117th St.)

Dr. Unk%26#39;s (smoke-free in West Ocean City)

Best Wings: Smitty McGee%26#39;s (West Fenwick Island, DE)

Thanks for the recommendations. We%26#39;re going back in August and will try a few of those places!

My parents just got back and said that the Gallery 2 in west OC was great for lunch, so great they went back for dinner the next night. all I heard was how good the food was there and '; Desserts by Rita were the best';

Im going in August also and can%26#39;t wait to try them out.

Have a great time.

Thanks Mink 66, I%26#39;m gping to print out those suggestions and check some out next month.

I agree, We go to OC every summer. and it gets harder every year to find a nice restaurant,,and problem is, when you do complain, they do nothing...we hit the happy hour places and eat appetisers..then go back to the room and cook real food.!! Cheaper, and better tasting...

Best seafood buffet is the Clarion Horizon on 103rd. Fantastic, don%26#39;t miss it and go before 6pm for $23 buffet worth every penny for kids corner, fresh pasta to order, landlubber prime rib, ribs, juicy chicken and sides, salad bar and nice desserts with terrific coffee.

I had wondered about the ';prune'; place, will check it out next time. We do find eating out expensive and usually eat-in brk and lunch. I don%26#39;t want to break the bank, but I hate eating out and getting a bad meal or just an ok meal for big$$.

The Hobbit is charming and has an early bird, quiet place on 8st, bayside, upscale, good food, service. I don%26#39;t like Pappa John%26#39;s much and also didn%26#39;t have any pizza luck, so will check out your suggestions. Had absolutely terrific burger at Big Pecker%26#39;s. Problem for me is smoke, am asthmatic. If you sit on outer edges with the breeze or not too many people, it%26#39;s ok.

Funny, just had this conversation at work today. All in all I agree. I do have some favorites. Tequila Mockingbird, Bayside skillet. But for pizza you gotta head to DE. for Grotto%26#39;s. My previous favorite rest. has always been Harrison%26#39;s, went a few months ago and got my usual ';World famous Fetticuine alfredo'; they changed the recipe, now it%26#39;s awful, it tastes the same as everyone elses. So now I%26#39;m on a quest for a new favorite!

St. Paddy's Day in OC......

.....wanting to go again this year....it is lots of fun with a big parade %26amp; outdoor live music %26amp; activities, and maybe the only day of the year you can legally walk around outdoors with a beer in your hand.

Anybody else going?

St. Paddy's Day in OC......

The only area you will ';legally'; get away with open containers during St. Patty%26#39;s day is in the area of the 45th St. Village where the parade ends and the Irish Festival begins. The Irish Festival serves beer, food, plays Irish music and usually has a few novelty stands set up.

database

Annapolis in March

Hi,

My wife and I are planning a weekend in Annapolis March 9-11 2007. She will be 6 months pregnant, so all day walking tours are probably not the best idea. We%26#39;ll probably stay at a B%26amp;B State House Inn looks nice--any feedback or other suggestions?

Ani ideas on how to have a pregnancy friendly weekend in Annapolis in March?

Thanks

Annapolis in March

for the evenings, one thing i%26#39;d do is check the schedule at the rams head tavern. i looked....two of the nights you%26#39;ll be there are apparently unbooked at this point. ?

but there are other places to hear live music as well...49 west has jazz, and it%26#39;s a very very nice place.

this might sound really stupid, but during the day....if she%26#39;s never done it before...just drive over the chesapeake bay bridge. it%26#39;s pretty spectacular. a friend of mine from indiana did it for the first time a month ago %26amp; she was flabbergasted. and there ARE some towns on kent island that could have some nice shops to visit....i can%26#39;t swear to that, i%26#39;m always hell bent for leather to get to the beach when i drive that route.

Annapolis in March

Check this site for reviews of the State House B%26amp;B. For the most part it gets very favorable reviews. I know where it is but have never stayed there. Great location and very close to everything....literally outside your door. As you get closer check www.whatsupannapolis.com. It is a monthly publication that contains everything that is going on but they have a web site too.

If you want to drive a less hectic and more scenic route, you can drive to Annapolis from Philly and go on the Eastern Shore, (Route 213 or 301). This way you will cross the Bay bridge (not pay the tolls) and enjoy a better ride than 95. Unless you go into towns like Chestertown, or Easton, there is not much shopping or activity at this time.

Why not book something at a day spa for your wife? There are a couple downtown, one is called Annapolis Day Spa and Salon. I would recommend making reservations for dinner when you come depending on the restaurants you wish to eat at. Some places don%26#39;t take walk ins so when they are booked they are booked. I could give recommendations if you like.

You will be right by the State House (obviously) and you can enter the building for free. It is quite interesting and there is a visitor%26#39;s section there that has brochures and information for the whole state.

Maybe if the weather is favorable they may offer boat excursions, but I don%26#39;t know how flexible the scheduling is for these companies. There are quite a few historic homes that you can tour if that interests you. There are usually places to sit while the guide talks so your wife would not have to be on her feet all the time.

The Naval Academy is also very interesting and has a huge visitors center that is also a mini museum. You just need your Driver%26#39;s Licenses to enter. Hope this helps.

I definitely agree with 6tareg about the drive from Philly to Annapolis ... skip 95 and go do the Eastern shore and over the Bay Bridge to Annapolis. If you stay on 301S, you will make good time. However, 213 is an interesting scenic route. I would especially suggest spending a couple hours in Chestertown.

The Bay Bridge is an interesting ride. However, do not try to go over it east bound at rush hour. There are usually back-ups on Route 50 through Annapolis prior to the Bridge.

Besides the waliking tours, there is also a bus/trolley tour. They do a nice job and might point out a couple of places that you want to explore further. (I took some guest on the bus tour after I lived here 5+ years and still found it informative). They usally leave from the Vistitors Center but it is under a major renovation. So you might want to call the Vistors Center and see where the tour leaves from now.

I would suggest visting some of the historic homes. The Harwood Hammond House and Paca House are interesting.

Be sure to make reservations for dinner a week in advance. Harry Brownes in nice and close to your B%26amp;B.

We%26#39;ve booked at the State House B%26amp;B ( I%26#39;ll review it adter we get back). Thanks for the advice on taking the Eastern Shore route. I%26#39;ve driven on 95 too many times (sister in law went to William and Mary, and her sister liked to go visit. Often.)

Friday, we plan on driving down, stopping en route if there is anything we can%26#39;t resist. I%26#39;ll check out Kent Island, thanks for the tip.

After we check in, I think some shopping, browsing is in order.

She and I like blues, so the group playing the Ram Tavern that night looks good. Can someone explain the seating to me. I looked at their website, and it looks like the band plays ina corner of the restaurant. Since we are just a party of 2 (well, 2.66 at that point), would we need to share a table with another couple? Not too wild about that.

Saturday--The State house and the Academy, then it depends on how long she wants to spend on her feet. The bus tour someone mentioned sounds good. I%26#39;ll check into that. Dinner--somewhere nice (not coat and tie nice), but nice.

Sunday--catch up on what we skipped earlier, then off to home --stopping by the Carter%26#39;s outlet in DE perhaps :o)

Thanks to all who%26#39;ve helped so far and any who suggest things now.

';She and I like blues, so the group playing the Ram Tavern that night looks good. Can someone explain the seating to me. I looked at their website, and it looks like the band plays ina corner of the restaurant. Since we are just a party of 2 (well, 2.66 at that point), would we need to share a table with another couple? Not too wild about that.';

It%26#39;s not really much different than sitting next to people in a theater. I go to the Rams Head fairly often. Almost always sit with people I don%26#39;t know, since most of the tables are for 4 or 6. (There are a couple of tables for 2, but they are the furthest from the stage and I looked for March 9 and they are sold for that night anyway)

Sometimes I end up talking to the other folks at the table, sometimes the only interaction is a nod or a smile when you first sit down. It%26#39;s not a big deal. And you do get separate checks lol.

Don%26#39;t wait too much longer if you want to go on March 9 - there aren%26#39;t many seats left.

IrishFan described the Ram%26#39;s Head shared table environment correctly. You share the table, but since you have bought tickets it is more like theator experience. I hate mingling and small talk (I mean really hate it!), but have never had a bad experience sharing a table at Ram%26#39;s head. Conversation is completely optional before the show and during the show it is a concert environment. Like Irish, I have had some conversations at the table and other times none.

The concert room in the Ram%26#39;s Head is seperate from the restaurant and bar. It is used exclusively for concerts. The have a formal stage and decent sound equipment. You have to purchase a ticket to enter the room and seating assignments are strictly enforced. I would suggest booking tickets early if you want to attend. The accoustics are much better in the main room than the side room (to the far right of the stage).

I don%26#39;t know if you%26#39;ll find too much too do on Kent Island. There are a few stip malls along the highway, and a few shops off the beaten path, but it is not really a destination. If you are going to stop, I would suggest going off the path to a more quaint town like Chestertown or St. Michaels.

Since you mentioned the Carter%26#39;s outlet, there is an outlet mall in Queenstown at the intersection of 301 and 50. You might want to pop in there (you%26#39;ll drive right by it). I think that they used to have a Carter%26#39;s outlet, but I am really not sure.

By the way, Annapolis is a casual town. With so many boaters, the dress in most restaurants even the upscale ones do not require coat or tie. So don%26#39;t limit your choices by this.

By the way, as a previous poster mentioned there are outlets in Maryland right on your way in or out of Annapolis. You don%26#39;t have to go to Delaware unless you want to save the 5% in taxes but then pay for the fuel. Queenstown outlets have a Carter%26#39;s, Gymboree, Gap kids %26amp; baby, OshKosh B%26#39;Gosh, and others that sell baby clothes. They are about 7 miles from the Bay Bridge on the Eastern Shore. Happy shopping.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Any comments on Buddy%26#39;s Crabs and Ribs (www.buddysonline.com) for dinner? My wife wants the fun? of dealing with crabs in the shell.

There are better places to have the ';experience'; but if you don%26#39;t want to leave downtown, it may be your best option. Make sure they have em.

Ocean City or Virginia Beach??

Girls trip in late July. Went to Folly Beach (SC) last year, loved it.

We are from Indiana and want to try different places each year.

Any advice?

Ocean City or Virginia Beach??

They are both great beach resorts . However I definately would head to O.C. Ocean City has a great boardwalk . The amusements,shops,fast food and people watching certainly add to it for me. I have done both and the thing that sticks in my mind most about Virginia Beach is there is NO parking.

Ocean City or Virginia Beach??

OC will be the more lively of the two with more things to do and see and places to eat and drink and have a good time. If this is a girls weekend to relax, party, and let your hair down a bit, then OC is your choice in my opinion.

this subject came up a dozen times before check this link out:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g41298-i101-k66917…

Hands down its OC. Be sure to hit Seacrets in the afternoon. GREAT party atmosphere....the Jim Long Band at 5 PM will have you all dancing in the sand, guaranteed. They get the whole crowd up and involved!

As someone who lives just about in the middle of the 2 - and who has spent quite a few weekends at both - OCEAN CITY, hands down. There is much more to do on the boardwalk, and everything is much more accessible. And you cant beat the shuttle bus for getting around after a few drinks!! We usually park our car and dont touch it again until time to head home.

Hampton Inn - safe area?

Is the Hampton Inn on Dual Hwy (not Maugansville/Peak Circle) in a safe area of town. Not been to Hagerstown before and trying to get a feel for the area. Also, sounds as if feedback for this hotel is good; anybody experienced otherwise? Thanks!

Hampton Inn - safe area?

Hey Cooter, I stay here 2 times a month for the past 3 years. It is very safe and the hootel is excellent and very clean. Bob, The night clerk will bend over backwards to make your stay pleasent, and the breakfast is outta this world. They will even pack you up a hot doggy bag for the road. Been to all the hagerstown Hotels and this is tops!!! Melanie

Hampton Inn - safe area?

Thanks for the info! I feel better now!

Have a great stay. Lotsa nice eateries around there and the folks in Hagerstown are the salt of the earth and very friendly. Enjoy!!1

Yes, the area is safe, though not upscale. I shop in the shopping center across the Dual Hwy from it with never a problem. If you want a great dinner when you check in, I recommend Texas Roadhouse in the shopping center across the street. Good food, great staff and you can throw your peanut shells on the floor...what fun!

Is it impossible to find cheap/at beach/with pool in summer?

My husband and I are planning our first trip to OC (I was there when I was young but don%26#39;t even know where we stayed). There is just the two of us and we basically want to lay by the pool, go to the beach, and then go to the boardwalk at night for dinner and drinks...so we need: To have a pool, to be close to the boardwalk, and we want to be on the beach (ocean view is fine). It doesn%26#39;t have to be a palace but something nasty would be bad. Plus, I was hoping to pay less than $200 for sure (closer to $150 maybe??). Does this exist? I%26#39;ve checked and checked and checked and I%26#39;m starting to get confused. Also, we can go June, July or August..not sure what time is cheapest. I think I might be looking for the impossible. Any thoughts?

Is it impossible to find cheap/at beach/with pool in summer?

Unfortunately it is very difficult these days to find a decent and clean place to stay in Ocean City that is affordably priced. It seems like the hotels in the boardwalk area are either old and dumpy or outrageously priced. Also, many of the nicer independent/family owned and operated motels have been (or might soon be) torn down for condos. What I would recommend is that since it is just the two of you, why don%26#39;t you wait until after Labor Day when it isn%26#39;t so crowded but the shops and restaurants are still open for the season. Prices aren%26#39;t so high then and you can stay at a nice place without spending a fortune.

Is it impossible to find cheap/at beach/with pool in summer?

How is the weather after Labor Day? Still warm and nice? That%26#39;s the big thing...I really want to be able to go swimming etc. That sounds pretty stupid now that i type this...it is warm up here even then!

How long are you planning to stay?

Week ??? weekend????

In general July and August will be most expensive.

Weekends more expensive then weekdays.

You might be able to find something in your price range if you are willing to stay off the Boardwalk or something oceanside or bayside.

In most areas OC is just 4 blocks wide. So even if you stay bayside that puts you four short blocks to the beach.

As for dinner on the Boardwalk you might find some form of fast food or a few places to eat but not many options for having a sit down good meal.

There are plenty of places to eat throughout town that could provide you with a good meal and drinks off the Boardwalk.

After Labor Day the ocean water might be a little cool for swimming and the outdoor pool at your hotel.

July and August would give you the best chance of enjoying the warm weather.

Hope this helps...

As I have suggested many times you might consider looking on this site or others, posting the dates you are planning to travel AND THEN looking into the options you have for those dates.

hotels.com. is another.

This will give you an idea of what your choices are and go from there.

Good luck.

https:/…

This is another site that offers online checking of dates and availibility.

If you punch in the dates you wish to travel you could then check availibility and rates and options.

If you come up with options as to where you can stay then we might be able to direct you to the better options.

September is absolutely the best time....much lower rates and the ocean water is usually warmer than in June. And very few kids except on weekends. If you HAVE to go over the summer June is cheapest but some years June is not quite warm enough for ocean swimming.

I would recommend going before the rates get jacked up and thats mid June. Tidelands, PlimPlaza, and Haven hotel are a few idea for lodging. While you down there check out the area for addition hotels and night life and go back down in September when the ocean water is much warmer and the price comes back down.

The cheapest place on the boards is PlimPlaza, but no ocean front balcony. They do have a nice pool with a pool bar.

Absolutely DO NOT STAY AT THE PLIM PLAZA!!! Read the hotel reviews on this site. My husband and I learned firsthand what a dump the place is (vomit in the hallways and noone to clean it up, leaky roof in our filthy room, I could go on and on but I won%26#39;t....just read the reviews, you%26#39;ll understand). We have stayed at the Flamingo, Dunes Motel (Dunes Hotel too but that is out of your price range) and the Sahara......all old but clean. (Flamingo and Dunes off the boards, Sahara on at about 18th Street). I believe you could stay at any one of those places for under $200. And just to be fair, I will add that the Plim Plaza does have a nice outside bar with really nice bartenders!

I know the Plim Plaza is a dump, but if you want something under $200 on the boardwalk that%26#39;s the place. Everything else from mid June to August is $250 plus. Plim Plaza does have some remodeled rooms but again you get what you pay for. Have you tried Hotel Monte Carlo, it a half block from the boards and real nice. They might not be to expensive .

You could also try the Spinnaker on 18th Street. The hotel isn%26#39;t oceanfront but is just steps to the beach (no busy streets to cross). It has a large outdoor pool and the rooms are clean and not terribly overpriced. The hotel has a webpage at http://www.purnellproperties.com/spinnaker for more info and rates.

I just checked the website for Sahara Hotel which is on the boards (about 18th Street) and you can definately get a room there anytime in the summer (June thru Aug) for under $200. Also checked the rates for Flamingo and Dunes Motel which are off the boards and you can stay there for under $200 also.

acne scars

For Irish Fan

Thanks for you prompt reply. Sorry I was not more clear with my question.

We are interested in seeing some of the sights in Baltimore,not just Inner Harbor. Is it safe to do this?

Thanks

For Irish Fan

It%26#39;s as safe as any other city. What type of sights are you looking for in Baltimore?