Annapolis Restaurants/Where To Eat 2016/ I-Day CVW Visit Graduation PPW

Burgers.
If you can't face controversy in other threads, and the waiting is driving you crazy, I am sure piling on places to get a good burger will fill the void. Right. And, if your mid says "I need a burger, now," you will have options.

Note: Most bar/grill restaurants in DTA do a good burger. And, sigh, there is no In-N-Out.

In no particular order:

Ram's Head.
Uptown Annapolis. Especially when you get the handmade beer-battered onion rings.

Federal House.

McGarvey's.

Cheeburger Cheeburger.
Festival at Riva, Mall Area. "Frings" = hand cut fries + hand made rings.

Five Guys.

Red Robin.

Fuddrucker's.

Anyone had a burger at Iron Rooster? I am in the chicken and waffles/pot pie/rooster in a biscuit rut there.
 
Speaking of Burgers, there is a place in DTA that I can't remember the name that had a great selection of burgers. I think it was a bourbon bar of some type. They also had great handmade fries and onion rings. This was as of Jan 2015, haven't been back in town since then...
 
Navy92 said:
Speaking of Burgers, there is a place in DTA that I can't remember the name that had a great selection of burgers. I think it was a bourbon bar of some type. They also had great handmade fries and onion rings. This was as of Jan 2015, haven't been back in town since then...
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I know the place. I was just there for a farewell lunch. Can't remember the name. On Main St., used to be a retail store, not a food place.

I just checked: "Dry 85." Not a name that resonates. I liked the food, haven't had a burger yet. Will put on To Try list.
 
Capt MJ said:
I know the place. I was just there for a farewell lunch. Can't remember the name. On Main St., used to be a retail store, not a food place.

I just checked: "Dry 85." Not a name that resonates. I liked the food, haven't had a burger yet. Will put on To Try list.
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That's it. I remember now. I just recall they had "gourmet" burgers that seemed what I might call "off the beatin' path" but were very flavorful. Distinctly remember the fries. We also got to sample the Drink of the Day, or something like that. It was different, but kinda cool that they come up with some concoction regularly. We were there at an odd hour so it wasn't busy yet. Later in the evening when we walked by there lots of folks in there.
 
Vin 909.
Eastport. No reservations, lines out the door the last two times I drove by. Haven't tried it yet, but it is a new hot spot. Website says "farm-to-table," clearly in the trending restaurant style of locally-sourced ingredients, green approach, etc. DH and I are going to try a weekday lunch to test-drive it.
 
The Point Crabhouse and Grill on Mill Creek Rd in Arnold. Waterfront on the Magothy River.
 
murfthesurf said:
+ a new Mission BBQ is going to open soon on the corner at Randall & Dock St.
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Finally something in the old Stevens Hardware building. Should be interesting to see if they thrive there. DTA is a tough restaurant location, especially off-season. Parking is always a problem. If they deliver to Gate 1 and offer mids a discount, they can give Papa John's and others some competition.
 
Thanks for this post! My son is going to cvw April 27-29. Dad and Grandpa are going too. Neither have ever been to Annapolis. Great info!
 
Cheaper but decent eats, on the go, always a challenge in DTA:

Mangia.
DTA. Italian. Owner is from Sicily. It's sit-down, but you can get it all to go, including pizza slices, at the first floor counter. Find a nice bench around the docks and enjoy the view.

Market House concessions.
DTA. There are various take-out concessions inside, though I am not current on what, as there is always turnover. Market House, in some form or another, has stood on that spot across from the harbor dock since colonial times. Kunta Kinte, the historical figure and African slave central to Alex Haley's "Roots," was, sadly, sold in the dock market area. Historical markers there. Can't wait to see the upcoming TV re-make of the original mini-series.

Pip's Dock Street Dogs.
DTA. Take-out. Good dogs. Also burgers.
 
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Great list, thanks for posting. I will print this out for my parents while I'm at CVW
 
Capt MJ said:
Ok, I am starting to see the annual rounds of where-to-eat-Annapolis-during-CVW/visit/I-Day etc., so I am creating a fresh thread with an easily searchable title. There are dozens of posts stashed in various threads, but not necessarily obvious. There was recently a great string of posts about breakfast places, in a Patriot League Swimming thread. Since sometimes I am great at remembering where these posts are, or search well, and sometimes not, I will just go for the pile into the bus approach.

I started a "Hotels Annapolis" and "USNA Parents Club" threads with the same approach, so with any luck they will pop up with logical search terms.

Some of these are on Open Table. Given the reverence paid to crab in this area, whether crab cake or crab bisque or whatever stuffed with crab, assume the crab items are good. A restaurant quickly fails if it doesn't do crab well. Most will have websites for further research. There are A LOT of choices. I have used a rough geographical approach. I look forward to all the posts. I live here, and always enjoy trying a place I have overlooked.

To seed the thread with a few choices in each area:

ON THE YARD.

Drydock, in Dahlgren Hall.
Grill and snack bar open to public. Good basics much cheaper than outside the gates.

Club.
Lunch and brunch, some dinners. Not sure what rules are for using. I am usually there for wedding/funeral receptions.



DTA (DOWNTOWN ANNAPOLIS):

Iron Rooster.
Universal favorite, just a few years in DTA, beloved by locals, visitors and mids. American comfort food done with style and quality. All-day breakfast. House-made pop tarts. Don't ask. Just go.

Buddy's Crabs and Ribs.
Perennial brunch favorite for lots of food and cheaper end of the spectrum.

Federal House.
Good all-around restaurant.

McGarvey's.
Raw bar for those who like it. Long-time Annapolis watering hole for boat people. Good all-around menu.

Middleton's.
Colonial tavern, more upscale menu.

Chick 'N' Ruth's Delly. (they spell it that way)
Annapolis institution. An experience.

Potato Valley.
On State Circle. Hole in the wall for lunch, serving huge baked potatoes with a wide range of toppings that make it a meal.

Pusser's Tavern.
Marriott Hotel restaurant on the water. Typical pricey hotel food, but for a drink on the water and an appetizer, a block to check. There's just something about having a Dark and Stormy on the deck on a summer evening looking out at the boats at anchor that I have to do every so often with DH.

Galway Bay
Castle Bay
the Irish pubs.

Reynolds Tavern.
Another Colonial setting, on Church Circle. Known for afternoon tea and nice dinners.

The Big Cheese.
Well-known for great take-out sandwiches, "Best in Annapolis" for years running. A bit expensive but worth it. Take-out only. You can set up a charge account for your mids. You pay. They eat. "The Annapolitan" - crusty roll from Baltimore's Little Italy, melted Brie, sliced Granny Smith apples. Mmmm



UPTOWN ANNAPOLIS. Along West St. from State Circle to the Spa Road Circle near the Westin.

Ram's Head Tavern.
Micro-brewery gastro pub. A local favorite. Good all-round menu.

Level.
Small plates, very good food.

Red, Red Wine Bar.
Good food too.

Lemongrass.
Thai. Very popular.

Fadò.
Irish pub chain.

Miss Shirley's.
A breakfast/lunch favorite to rival Iron Rooster. Started in Baltimore.


MALL AREA. Includes Westfield Shoppingtown Annapolis ("Annapolis Mall") , the Festival at Riva and The Shops at Parole.

Most of the major chains at every price point.



GREATER ANNAPOLIS AND SURROUNDS.

Cantler's.
Perennial favorite of generations of locals, mids, alumni. Classic crab deck on the water. No reservations. Tuck your napkin around your neck, spread out the butcher paper, grab your crab mallet, and get cracking. All crab decks have burgers, sandwiches, seafood in season, other stuff.

Deep Creek Cafe.
Similar to Cantler's, crab deck on the water. In Arnold.

Mike's on the South River.
Technically in Riva. Another classic old-school crab deck.

Severn Inn.
Upscale place across the water on the Severn River, great view of USNA. Seafood.

Pa Dutch Market, or Amish Market, as most locals call it.
A market co-op only open Thurs, Fri, Sat, run by Amish families from PA. Everything homemade. Eat breakfast, lunch or dinner in the small cafe. Get a just made pretzel wrapped around a sausage or hot dog to eat while wandering around looking at the baked goods (made on premises in an open bakery), produce, pickles and jams, and the meat counters. Always jammed on Sat AM. We love it. Our visitors love it.

Chris' Charcoal Pit.
Hole-in-the-wall in strip mall with Greek food. Many Greek families in Annapolis from the fishing and boating industries going back to the 1800's. West St.

Paul's Homewood Cafe.
Nice Greek restaurant, local favorite. West St.

Giolitti's Deli.
Near Shops at Parole, off West St. My favorite Italian deli for subs on homemade rolls, and hand made pasta. Take out or eat there. Been there for 20+ years.

Mission BBQ.
Local chain spreading rapidly. BBQ is always a source of controversy, as it should be. Dedicated to armed forces and first responders.

Double T Diner.
West St. Starving? Weird time of day? Want breakfast food? Everybody wants something different? Classic diner with massive menu. Open 24 hours.




EASTPORT.
Across the tiny bridge near the Marriott.

Chart House.
A personal favorite. Located in an historic boathouse that built PT boats during WW II. Upscale steak and seafood chain with killer views across the Annapolis Harbor to USNA.

Carrol's Creek Cafe.
Views. Upscale. Seafood.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. The chain.

Lewnes' Steakhouse.
An Annapolis original, same scale as Ruth's, but with been-there-forever charm. Go at least once, to celebrate something.


Over to you!
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Thank you Capt MJ! We had a great 48 hours in Annapolis!
We ate at the Iron Rooster twice...absolutely ridiculous! Pop tarts, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy. Amazing!
Level... Yum! Incredible tuna...fun menu and drinks.
Cantler's...not my favorite but stick to the basics!
Beautiful weather and nice view.
Lewnes'...Classic deliciousness! Pricey but no regrets! My DH and I sat at the bar watching two Miami games (Heat and Hurricanes). Great bartender and host!
The bar at the Westin was great. Nice to use points and stay for free!
Loved our time in Annapolis. Let's hope we get to go back more often as our DS is just boarding the roller coaster! Thanks again!
 
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Café Normandie, DTA, Main St.
I can't believe I forgot this first time around. Classic French country food, an Annapolis favorite for many years. One of our favorites for Saturday morning breakfast for egg dishes and crêpes done right, as well as excellent dinners.
 
We recently ate at Blackwall Hitch in Eastport and it was excellent. Ample parking is a bonus.
 
I've been here in Annapolis for 4 days. Iron Rooster was a new stop for us. Worth it just to get the homemade pop tarts! Boatyard is always my fav place. I think they have the best crabcakes in town! Miss Shirley's was a nice surprise if you're staying at the Westin. It's very close and is a brunch place. The chicken and waffles were amazing! Savory waffles not sweet. Yum! They close at 3. Didn't care for Fido at all. Irish pub, not a fan. Now I must go on a diet!
 
I must admit I did help destroy some pop tarts this weekend at Iron Rooster. Went and visited the USNA room mate and we may both need diets after that adventure. Was delicious.
 
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