Brian OC M.'s Profile

Update: Crabmans is closed and out of business.

Salisbury's *BEST* Mexican Restaurant!
Service is very friendly, and *fast* for a restaurant.  Most of the waiters speak little Engish, but there are a few that are well versed in English.
If you must, simply ask for a server that speaks English well, to help you through the menu.

After being seated, you are served complimentary chips and salsa, with the bonus of a bowl of "salsa blanca", a savory yet cooling white sauce to dip your chips in, along with a nice, fresh salsa.

The red salsa comes in a small bottle that you pour into a bowl, filling it at least 2 times.  You'll run out of chips before the salsa.
I would rate the salsa's heat at just barely medium heat.  For you chileheads out there, ask for the salsa verde!  It's a green salsa, made with tomatillos, and is very hot, with a fresh taste.

The 2 bottles of hot sauce at the table include the venerable Cholula Hot Sauce and El Yucateco's Salsa Picante de CHILE HABANERO, a *very* hot sauce.

Appetizers - we've tried the stuffed shrimp with Monterey Jack... they're awesome, and we like the stuffed Jalapenos too.
One app not to order is the "Tostada con Queso" ($2.75).  You will get ONE 6 inch corn tortilla, with a smattering of queso cheese on it.
If you want a warm/hot cheese to dip into, ask for the "Cheese Dip" (translation= cheese dip). *That's* the queso dip you are thinking of!

Wifey loves the #129 Burro Grande (Big Burrito -$9.95):
   * Large burrito stuffed with grilled beef (or chicken), onions, tomatoes and bell peppers.
   * Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream.
   * Served with rice and beans

I've ordered the #114 Taquitos Mexicanos ($8.50) too many times.
   * 4 fried taquitos (corn tortillas) =
   * 2 shredded beef
   * 2 chicken
   * Served with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream

I wish we had just shared the Burro Grande, as it's enough food for 2, and the grilled beef is sooo flavorful. It has all the flavor of fajitas, already wrapped and ready to eat!
The grilled beef is like tiny beet tips, with all the seasoning and flavor of the fajitas, already assembled and ready to eat, and a few bucks cheaper!

They have Dos Equis (XX) on tap, as well as other boring American brews like Bud, Bud Light, Mich Light, & Coors Light.
In bottles, there's a dozen or so Cervezas and domestics too. All beers are served super cold with a frosted mug, something you don't see often.

Their Margaritas are big and delicious!  I'm a purist, but you can get Margaritas as Strawberry, Raspberry, Peach, Coconut, or Lime.
They offer 3 sizes:
   Regular:
   * 14oz - $4.95
   * 19oz - 6.25
   * Pitcher - 18.95

   Gold:
   * 14oz - 5.95
   * 19oz - 6.95
   * Pitcher - 21.95

They have tons of cheap lunch specials... and are very popular with the local business-lunch crowd.

The Specialties of the House are really varied, with 3 different samplers, fried or soft chimichangas, enchiladas, nachos, chalupas, burritos and much more.

And the Combo Dinners are always a great value ($7.95-8.95).

Sides - Pico de Gallo ($.95) is very heavy on the onion.  Probably not the best pico de gallo I've had.  I guess the Sides are a crap shoot.

Also, there's a Children's Menu @ $3.95 for kids 10 and under for you Mexicana Familias out there.

Located in town on US 50 (Business) and 110 Truitt St, this place is very colorful, always busy, and never disappoints.

We had a great experience at this Outback Steakhouse.  We called ahead for seating (about 20min) and when we arrived, they had our table for 7 ready.  The place was packed, with a few families waiting at the door for an open table.  Do the call ahead, it works!

Service was excellent and prompt.  Our waiter, Rob, was very helpful, and patient with my 80yr old Mom.

I ordered my Ribeye steak "blackened" and it was cooked med just as I ordered it.  Everyone was very happy with their food.  The only negative: the garlic mashed potatoes were a bit runny.

For a chain restaurant, this store does very well and is always busy.
You won't be disappointed here.

Quality of food and service is always good at this location. We've dined at this TGI Friday's 4 times.

Most recently, on a Saturday night, we were there to celebrate our son's 19th birthday. Our server, Russian Jen (they have 5 Jen's serving) did an excellent job of taking care of us.  And of course, the staff comes around to sing their version of Happy Birthday.

We started with some apps:
Crispy Green Bean Fries served with a Cucumber-Wasabi Ranch dip. Delicious!
       Chimichurri Sliders, a trio of mini burgers, topped with provolone and a garlic/herb sauce.  These were just so-so, as there was not much of a chimichurri "hit" to them.
       Friday's Three-For-All, a sampler of 'skins, mozzarella sticks & buffalo wings. Wings were very good.

Their ribs are very tasty and tender, and grilled consistently well.  Both their Jack Daniel's version, and the Friday's version of ribs are excellent.  The Jack Daniel's sauce being more of a thin glaze, and the Friday's sauce a more traditional, thick, sweet sauce.  There is a whole section of their menu that features Jack Daniel's Grill entrees.

The grilled flatiron steak is always juicy and cooked to perfection.  

Their  Shrimp Key West skewers were a disappointment.  Cajun spiced, and grilled then hit with a splash of lime just didn't taste very "key West-y"... Cajun is more like it.

Another dish that just didn't come out as well as it reads on the menu: Sizzling Chicken and Shrimp.  The platter was merely warm, not sizzling (we were thinking fajita hot), and the mashed potatoes were lukewarm.

Next time, we'll stick with the steaks and ribs, as we think that's what Friday's does best.  But we also think TGI Friday's is far better than Appleby's, our previous favorite chain.  And, as I began, service is always good for us at this location.

http://rehobothbeach.m.../
http://www.fridays.com/

We go here to get the best Italian sub in the area...  let me repeat, *the* *best* *Italian* *sub* in the area!  And for you search engines out there, +the +best +Italian +sub .  

Comes on a nice, chewy, Italian roll, stuffed with good meats, oil and seasonings.  At $8.95 for a 12 inch roll, it's not the cheapest around, but it's worth it.

This is a beer, wine and a deli joint.
Small selection of your basic brews, with some of the more popular (i.e. best selling) imports.
Nice wine selections, but a bit pricey - most $8-10 bottles are probably $10-12 here.

They carry Boar's Head meats and cheeses, as well as a wide array of Cento products, like anchovies, peppers, tomatoes and sauces... if you know the Cento brand, they got it.

Side note: this time of year, they offer a cup or pint of their award winning chili... it is awesome.
Their secret ingredient.... believe it or not, is just some & )%#^(*\   with sauce!!!   Now you know... don't tell anyone.

Located in Ocean Pines, at the South Gate, South Side Deli is the go-to place for Italian subs.

Croc's Sports Steakhouse is noisy, typical of sports bars, but their certified Angus Beef steaks are delicious.

Located in the back of the Gold Coast Mall, *and* on the second floor, it's hard to find unless you are looking for it.

As a bar, it's usually filled with locals, shooting pool at the 2 pool tables, or throwing darts at 3 dart boards.  There's also a golf video game, and 2 Megatouch video machines.

With a Comfort Inn right next door, their dining room can get busy with families and golfing parties filling the tables.

We like the Thursday happy hour, with 50 cent tacos, and the Tues raw bar specials, and Wed mini roast beef sandwiches are popular too.

For a great tasting steak dinner, Croc's Angus steaks are hard to beat.  Just be willing to put up with a bit of noise.

03/08/08 Wifey here...Much to our dismay, Croc's has closed its doors....forever. Seems the lease ran out and the owner wasn't  about to sign up for the increase needed to renew, deciding instead to retire after many years of service to the community. Too bad for the locals and the regular out-of-towners. The croc (really, a live crocodile!) has been relocated to a zoo in West Virginia somewhere... (if they don't eat him/her!), and the big fish have found another home as well. As a local, I can tell you that this place will be missed. As Brian says "Things keep changing...... and I hate it!"

Plaza Tapatia serves the only "Authentic Mexican Cuisine" in the Ocean City area.  The kitchen staff is all Mexican, and we think they do a great job with their menu.

The whole dining area is kind of small, but they can accommodate tables as big as 10-12 people.  It's a funky, colorful atmosphere with the usual velvet paintings of bullfighters and ceramic knick-knacks.

You are served a complimentary basket of chips and salsa.  You also get a bowl of "salsa blanco"... a house specialty.  It's chilies, crema, spices, and is a great compliment to the fresh, red salsa.
When I asked for something hotter, they brought out a bowl of hotter salsa made with tomatillos.

We've dined here over a dozen times, and have enjoyed most everything we order... especially the beef burritos, which they make with marinated beef tips, and the chile rellenos.

For the money, you get lots of food.  Their lunch specials are a good value too.  The menu is very extensive, with lots of sides, combos, and entrees.

They have a big selection of Cervezas and make a decent Margarita.

This restaurant is located in a "Sleep Inn" motel, but don't let that sway you... they really do a great job.  And, this is the #1 location of a small, family-owned chain.

There are other locations in Easton, MD, Seaford, DE, Cambridge, MD, Salisbury, MD, and Chestertown, MD.

If you are in Ocean City, and want authentic Mexican food, this is the place.

Voted as Ocean City's "Most Romantic" Restaurant numerous times, Reflections Restaurant is one of Ocean City's finest dining establishments.
We had a wonderful evening there last weekend.  Surprisingly, this fine restaurant is located in a Holiday Inn!  That's right, Holiday Inn Oceanfront, but it truly is intimate and romantic.

After ordering a nice bottle of Pinot-Noir from a very well balanced wine list, our waiter, John, brought us their incredible soft, savory Poppyseed rolls, slathered with a honey glaze, and served with whipped butter.  These things are so yummy and sticky, they provide a finger bowl of warm water with lemon slices for your hygienic pleasure.

We started dinner with an appetizer of seared tuna on a bed of baby greens and seaweed salad, topped with lump crab meat then drizzled with a teriyaki reduction sauce.  It was the first time I really enjoyed rare tuna, as the crust on the outside gave it a smoky, spicy crunch.

I ordered the Original Classic Reunion - a petit filet mignon, 6 oz lobster tail and hickory shrimp.
Wifey had the Steak Diane Flambe, the house specialty prepared tableside.  They also prepare other entrees and their Caesar salad tableside.

While we waited for our entrees, we popped over to the bar area for a smoke, and it was surprisingly busy, with a few locals enjoying a rib-eye steak special ($12.95 includes pint of beer), and a few premium beers on tap.  Also, the bar area had about 2 dozen tables of folks enjoying dinner and appetizers.

Our steaks were incredibly tender, and everything was cooked to perfection.  The seasoned potatoes and savory vegetables on the side provided the perfect complement to our meal.

The service was impeccable and attentive (ask for John), and the ambiance definitely romantic!

Executive Chef Chris Crookston, formerly of Le Bec-Fin in Philly, is a young, energetic man committed to keeping Reflections at the top of the "must try", upscale restaurants in Ocean City.

They also offer 3 different private dining rooms - two that seat 6-10 people (8 comfortably), and one that seats 2-4 people.
Overall, Reflections is at the upper end of the price scale, but worth every penny for that special evening.  We'll be going back.

We love Geckos!
We go there every time we are in downtown Baltimore.  Your host, Nick, is always behind the bar, and welcomes everyone that comes in the door.

Geckos serves Southwestern cuisine and is located in the Canton neighborhood area, on Fleet St, in a converted row house.  When you walk in, the bar is at street level.  In the back, and 1 level down, are pool tables.  But don't let that sway you... this is a great casual dining place, with tables and seating both near the bar, and above, on the second level.

The place is decorated colorfully, with lots of different geckos stuck to the walls ... most donated by appreciative customers and regulars.  Speaking of regulars, Geckos has plenty.  It's obviously a "neighborhood bar", usually very busy, with a mostly 20 to 30-something crowd.

Their Margaritas are TOP SHELF quality, and Nick will make them with any tequila you desire - they have over 30+ kinds of tequila on hand.  They also make their own sour mix for the margaritas.  Very fresh.  We even stopped by on our Wedding night to have a few drinks!  

Their chips and salsa are awesome... as the chips are unlike any we've ever had.  Basically, they are thick, flour tortilla wedges, fried crispy, and dusted with a nice, spicy seasoning.  There are 4 varieties of chips in the basket, blue corn, yellow, red, and white.  Chips and salsa are complimentary with any lunch or dinner order.

Everything we've tried here was delicious.  Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Mango Salsa, Mango Chipotle BBQ Wings, Chilaquiles - Tortilla chips layered with chorizo sausage, black beans, sour cream, Cheddar cheese and salsa cruda... Chorizo! Awesome!

They also offer, fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas - and sandwiches, such as Grilled Portobella, Crabcakes, Cowboy Burgers, and a Tortilla Burger - topped with green chile sauce and Jack cheese and wrapped in a tortilla. Yum!  About a half dozen other wraps, soups, salads - quite an extensive menu.  Nick and his Chef are always offering something special as well, as the menu specials change daily.
On Sunday there's a Southwestern Style Buffet Brunch for $14. It includes Mimosas, Champagne and all non-alcoholic beverages.  Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers are only $2.
Mondays, happy hour runs from 3:30 'til 2 A.M. with 1/2 price apps.

If you are in the Fells Point area, Geckos is about a 5 minute drive away, or if you're in Canton, you can walk to Geckos ... so be sure to check out this wonderful place!

Breakfast in Wmsburg? Throw a rock, you'll hit one! A search on anywhoDOTcom shows 219 listings!

But, my friends, get thee colonial arse over to Five Forks Cafe for an awesome, home-style breakfast!

This place is run by owners/chefs Heidi and Jason Steeg. Heidi's the baker, Jason's on the grill.  

Wifey found the place by searching for "best sausage & biscuits". And indeed they were.  Heidi makes them fresh daily, and they were crispy & light, and slathered in a peppery, creamy, sausage gravy.  Yum!

I had Jason's Garlic, Parmesan, Mushroom, Mozzarella Omelet - and it was killer!  Along with a side of the best patty sausage I've ever had in a diner,  the home fries are crispy, big chunks of potatoes seasoned just right.

The servers were very friendly, service was fast for a busy little place, and Heidi even came over to say hello.

You won't find this incredible breakfast in those big, cattle-call style waffle houses in town.  It's a short drive to the edge of town, and well worth it!