Hmmmmm interesting.....

I've never had any of Bella's, Roy's Quik Corner, or Brewsters. Gotta give it a try.

In the little town of Edgewater - just below Annapolis and the South River there's a small restaurant on Mayo Road called "Edgewater Restaurant" (what else??) They really have a great crab cake dinner. If you're in the area give it a try.

I live near D.C. in Northern VA. Last Sunday I bought fresh lump crabmeat and Old Bay's crab cake seasoning mix, plus the small canister of Old Bay's regular seafood seasoning (and ok, I threw in a liitle of Emeril's original seasoning too). I mixed up the crab per the Old Bay crab cake seasoning directions (but only half the mayo, if even that much- just enought to hold the crab and seasonings together), broil them first to get the crab cooked, then roll them in fine bread crumbs mixed w/ the Emeril's seasoning and the addtional Old Bay regular seafood seasoning and quick fry them at high heat in vegetable oil (and I mean quick fry at high heat, just to crisp them up on the outside- do NOT overcook at that point, because the crab will be cooked already). This crisps them up without getting them greasy. Serve w/whatever salad and white wine or beer you want without the restaurant price. Those are the best ones in the D.C. area, IMHO.

The crabcakes at the Robert Morris Inn in Oxford, MD are excellent. That might be a little further than you would like to travel as Oxford is about an hour from Annapolis over on the Eastern Shore.

The absolute <i>best</i> crab cakes?

For over 50 years, <b>Captain Billy's Crab House</b>, on the Potomac River (Popes Creek Road) in Charles County, Maryland. It's worth the journey.

Gekko,

Did you used to live around DC? I would never recommend the hour+ drive to Capt. Billy's to a tourist with limited time, but for locals with 4 free hours (2 hours for eating) it is <b>definately</b> worth the trip. I think I need to make a road trip for some jumbo steamed males. Mmmmm.

The biggest problem with G&amp;M is that they don't use blue crab meat...the crab they use is less expensive and ordered from Asia...similar, but not blue crab. G&amp;M uses baking soda to &quot;puff up&quot; their crab cake, giving the illusion that it is huge when it's not. I know quite a few waitresses from G&amp;M that say that there is a huge rodent and roach problem there and the kitchen is the dirtiest they have ever worked in. Several reasons I won't eat at G&amp;M!!!

I lived on Riverside drive for 5 years and loved the Edgewater Restaurant...yes, they do have good crab cakes!

If you try Brewsters Pub on Furnace Branch Road, it is kind of a biker bar...I've never had trouble there and everyone is really friendly and nice and the service was great...but some people might feel uncomfortable. Worth the trip for one of the best crabcakes around! They also have carry out.

I have lived in the Baltimore area all my life and some of the place that get consistant buisness for such good crab cakes is:

Legal Seafood
Annapolis Seaside
Roys Quik Korner
Romanos
Timbuktu

Topping

The best crab cakes can be found in 2 places in MD...

The Captain's Galley in Crisfield and Ocean City, MD

AND

Jerry's seafood in Lanham, MD. They make the &quot;Crab Bomb&quot;

My personal favorite at Captain's Galley is Crab Imperial! As good as that is, I'm sure their Crab Cakes are 'to die for.' TY for reminding me where the 'other' one is...I keep forgetting about the one in Crisfield.

Polly...I have never had the crab imperial there. I always go for the crab cakes! But I think I will try it next time!

John Steven in Fells Point has a good crab cake. And I see others have mentioned Oxford, MD. Just wanted to say to you all, don't go to the Oxford Inn. I'd try the Robert Morris Inn, if you happen to drive through the town. Oxford Inn has slippery business practices, and they charged me 2 nights even after I had cancelled in writing (twice!). They got their money from me AND they re-booked the room! Take my advice and Stay away!!!!! And I was a bride-to-be, so all brides planning your wedding, stay away from this shady place! Learn from others who have dealt with the headaches....ugh.

Sounds like you used a credit card and if so their terms are different than what they charged you. Go to your credit card company.

This is from the Oxford Inn site.

We require a credit card or payment of a one night cash deposit within five days of making your reservation to guarantee it. We have a 72 hour cancellation policy. All cancellations will be assessed a $25 processing fee. We will accept MasterCard, Visa or Discover. We will be happy to set aside all seven rooms for your event. There is a $100 charge for this service.

Obrycki's was very disappointing when we went today. The New England Clam chowder was inedible and the people who got the crab cakes were suprised that they were not that good.

Funny this thread came up again.
Obrycki's is a favorite and I was
just reading about it in a recent issue of
*DIVERSION* (physician's leisure magazine).

Obrycki's is listed as one of the
top 10 seafood restaurants from coast to coast.
And I quote:
&quot;You can find plenty of crab house
in the area but Obrycki's is the epicenter for the Chesapeake's greatest contribution to American gastronomy.
It also serves superlative crab cakes and crabs and corn chowder.&quot;

How soon can we go? :)

I'm so sorry that O'Bryckie's wasn't up to their normal standards today. They have for so many years served magnificient crab items. Their crab cakes are so well known that even &quot;Oprah&quot; gave them away on a show as the best in the country.

You might try their Maryland red crab soup or their white cream of crab soup as I'm not too sure that they'd be as good preparing a Yankee dish as &quot;New England Clam Chowder&quot;. I hope you'll try it again.

If not you might want to try Bo Brooks or Glenwood Gardens (if it's still there) in Baltimore.

Sorry to late! Today we ate at The Bay Cafe (2809 Boston St) and the people who had crab cakes liked theirs better! Sadly a Bo Brooks was right next door, next time I will eat there.

The Baltimorian (sp?) we were staying with, was very upset we didnt like O'Bryckie's. This thread reinforced the amazing reviews of the place, everyone and place have an off day.

I'm a crab cake fanatic and this thread has me drooling! While the best I've had weren't in DC or Maryland (that title goes to a little place on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach) I do have to say that I loved the crab cake sandwich I had at Legal Seafood at Reagan Airport last week. Overall I was very pleasantly surprised - our flight was delayed so my boyfriend and I decided to sit at the bar and have lunch and this was definitely the best airport restaurant experience I've had! The crabcake was terrific and their fries are amazing - really hot and crisp and sprinkled with a yummy seasoning (maybe Old Bay spice?!)

Glad this was resurrected-may be a repeat but The Narrows on Kent Island has wonderful crab cakes and cream of crab soup. A little more upscale than some of its &quot;crabby&quot; neighbors but great for special occasions. Make reservations.

No need to go all the way to the Eastern Shore IMO..the Metro-29 Diner in Arlington, Virginia, has some of the best crab cakes anywhere..at least we all think so out here!!