Best Eats In Ocean City Maryland

By Amy Suski

Everyone has their favorite eats at the beach and our family is no exception.  If you're looking for the best of the trendy new upstarts or a undiscovered gem, this is not that list.  Instead, this is our list of time-tested classic beach food favorites that our family returns to year after year.  In fact, we wouldn't think of spending a week at the beach without visiting each of these nostalgic favorites at least once.  And if you have your own suggestions, please share them with us in the comments section.  Ever since the Bay Cafe in Fenwick closed we're still trying to find the perfect shrimp salad!

Waterman's Crabs:   Ambience isn't always the strong suit of a crab house, which is why when we visited Waterman's last summer we were pleasantly surprised to find that the previously dark spot had undergone a full renovation.  The delicious fresh seafood and great piles of steamed crabs are the same, but now you can enjoy them in a bright, cool, and casual dining room.  

Thrasher's Fries: Beach-goers have been flocking to Thrasher's since 1929 for a reason: they are simply the best fries anywhere.  My advice: when eyeing the available bucket sizes, never underestimate the amount your family will eat.  When in doubt, get your own cup and let the kids fend for themselves.  I think Thrasher's fries are best with salt vinegar, but any way you eat them, these rough-cut spuds will leave you licking for fingers for more.  

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Fisher's Popcorn:  If you find yourself on the boardwalk inexplicably drifting towards a delicious smell, you're probably close to a Fisher's location.  Since 1937, this family owned popcorn stand has been hand packing freshly made popcorn in a range of flavors from simple butter and salt to classic caramel.  My motto is more is more when it comes to Fisher's, which is why we always buy at least three tubs of these wickedly addictive kernels: one for the beach, one for the ride home, and one for a REALLY deserving friend.

Dumser's Icecream: You can get a lot of good food at Dumser's Dairyland (fried dough, burgers, french fries, etc.) but the icecream treats are the big draw.  This old fashioned ice cream parlor has been serving up classic soft serve, cones, shakes, floats and sundaes since the 1940s. The secret to their success?  Dumser's makes their ice cream fresh daily.

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Anthony's Hoagies: Yes, its a liquor store but it also has an amazing deli with a huge selection of creative hoagies, sandwiches, and salads.  One of the 12" hoagies can feed 2-3 kids and is perfect for packing a lunch for the beach.  

Dayton's Fried Chicken: There's something about the hot sun and the sandy beach that makes me crave juicy fried chicken.  Actually, come to think of it I crave juicy fried chicken no matter what the place or season is -- so let's just say the beach inspires an extra-strong craving.  Add some potato salad and an iced tea and thats my idea of the perfect beach cooler lunch.  You don't even have to worry about making a mess of yourself because you can just swim it off in the ocean!  

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Layton's Breakfast: Layton's has a great breakfast, a kids menu, and gluten-free pancakes (a must for our family).  Plus, they make their own donuts.  Need I say more??

Alaska Stand's Burgers & Hot Dogs: When the kids just want a burger or hot dog, there's no need for anything more than a quick stop on the boardwalk at the Alaska Stand.  

The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and do not reflect those of the businesses mentioned.  

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