Canton Dockside

While situated near water and not on a dock (as the name may imply), Canton Dockside is one of Baltimore's newest crab houses. The outside patio is as you would expect with a crab house: wooden picnic tables that get laid down with brown paper before a tray of Maryland's finest are presented before you. Go inside, and the crab house feel takes on a more upscale feel. Family owned and operated, Canton Dockside was listed by the Baltimore Sun in 2011 as one of 15 crab houses that you need to visit this summer. If they know crabs, then one would figure they know crab cakes. Do they? Let's find out!

Sandwich is available on roll or crackers, served with fries, slaw or fresh fruit. Platter is available as a single or double, served with 2 sides. Sandwich was served with tartar, but no cocktail or lemon (although the server did ask if there was anything else I needed). Old Bay shakers are also available at each table.

Crab cake consisted of lumps of crab (none that I would consider jumbo, see definition list in the right side column) along with some shreds and breaded filler. Crab meat has subtle flavor, but only just a whisper. More of the filler flavor comes through, which is saying a lot since there was hardly any spice in the cake (if at all).

The crab cake is at least nice and moist, just not big on flavor. The texture is nice, and while there is a slightly high amount of filler, this crab cake has potential to be really good. If the crab meat had that signature Maryland Blue flavor, then the lack of spicing would be preferable. But without any real flavor from the crab, the spicing needs to be adjusted to balance things out and make it pop. Might be a good idea to have one of those Old Bay shakers handy just in case the flavor depends on when/where the crabs are sourced. (Old Bay fries are a delicious accompaniment to crab cakes anyway!)

Additional Info

Restaurant Name: Canton Dockside
Address: 3301 Boston St Baltimore, MD 21224
Neighborhood: Canton
Restaurant Type: Local
Website: http://www.cantondockside.com/
Review Date: 5/31/2011 1:51pm
Atmosphere: Not Busy
Item(s) Ordered: Crab Cake Sandwich
Cooking Style: Broiled
Other Styles Available: Yes
Available by mail order?: No
Price: 13.45
Order Type: Sandwich
Crab Content: Jumbo Lump
Filler: Average
Spice: None
Overall Impression: Average
Rating (out of 5 crabs):

Rate this item

(2 votes)

Tagged under

More in this category: « Todd Conner's Pacific Coast Dining Company »