This past summer, we shared that two Maryland restaurants (the top two) were featured in Food & Wine magazine’s list of the “Best Crab Cakes in the U.S.” As with any list, the selections sparked both agreement and debate, and with readers still sharing their thoughts nearly half a year later, today we’re highlighting some of the comments submitted about other beloved spots.
Founded in 1978, Food & Wine magazine is widely regarded as a global authority on food and drink culture. “We share and celebrate the best recipes, experiences, and culinary talent in the world, inspiring and empowering curious food-obsessed people to eat, drink, host, and travel better.” The magazine’s list of the “Best Crab Cakes in the U.S.” unsurprisingly placed Maryland establishments in the top two spots.
Faidley’s in Baltimore took the #2 spot. “Damye Hahn runs this family restaurant, founded by her great-grandfather way back in 1886, with her mom, Nancy Faidley. Nancy started making Faidley’s now-famous crab cakes in 1987, and she’s still making them by hand today. The recipe is as consistent (and as secret) as it was back then, and it starts with jumbo lump crabmeat. The cakes are served naked with lettuce, tomato, balsamic, and crackers. And, like Jimmy’s, Faidley’s is also happy to ship you its crab cakes, so long as you reside in the continental United States.”
Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Baltimore claimed the top spot. “This family recipe, which has drawn customers from all over the world, starts with high-quality crab meat (which chef/owner Tony Minadakis sources as locally as possible) and includes finely chopped white bread (no crust), eggs, mayo, wet and dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce and Jimmy’s own seasoning. Can’t make it to the restaurant in Maryland? That’s OK. Jimmy’s ships its crab cakes nationwide.”
While many celebrated Maryland’s representation on the list, some readers suggested other contenders. Here are a few of the comments left on the article via the website and social media:
• Did they try Box Hill, G&M or By the Docks?
• PAPPAS is the best by far….. The diner on Ebeneser has great ones too!!!
• Koco’s is definitely my favorite but when I wanna penny pinch Mo’s have a double crabcake platter for $33.
• Locally, the Grilled Oyster Co. in Kentlands (formerly Potomac) has my favorite crabcake
• Jerry’s crab bomb in Bowie is the best!!!
• Nothing tops O’Donnell’s Market
• What about TimBukTu near BWI ??
THAT’S some amazing crabcakes!!!
• A lot of people are sleeping on Valentino’s on Harford Rd and Northern Parkway. Definitely top top three jumbo lump.
• King Street in Potomac!!
• Not many people know, but when Thaitalian in Cambridge makes crab cakes or a seafood platter for a weekend special, no one makes them better.
• Ever have Lee Lin’s? They are my fav crab cakes. Expensive though!
• I have tried crab crab cakes at well over 100 places in the mid-Atlantic region in the past 20 years. I vote for The Island Green in Westminster. Kocos is my second choice.
• By the Docks Chase, Maryland Eastern Avenue, or Middle River, MD Eastern Baltimore County is the place to be for crab cakes, dip, imperial, chicken chesapeake, Eastern shore doesn’t know squat, and nothing bad bout Luke McFad
• Criswell has been there for darn near a hundred years and has darn good crabcakes
