Irish pubs aren't what you usually think of when it comes to searching for delicious crab cakes.  Cold, tasty Guinness?  Yes.  Corned beef and cabbage?  You betcha.  But crab cakes?  Color me skeptical.  However, there is a simple explanation for it.  You see, there used to be this restaurant in Annapolis called Little Campus.  Little Campus was one of those colorful local Annapolis haunts that served good food at an affordable price in an environment that is distinctively Annapolis.  But that all changed when Little Campus closed and an Irish bar by the name of Galway Bay took its place.

You see, legend has it that Little Campus employed a lady who was known as Miss Peggy.  And Miss Peggy was known for her crab cakes.  People would flock from far and wide for Miss Peggy's crab cakes.  So when Little Campus closed, the owners of Galway Bay carried on the tradition.  And the crab cakes are so good that the restaurant group that owns Galway Bay also carries her secret recipe at their other locations, the Killarney House and Brian Boru.

We all know what happens when someone buys the rights to something.  Typically it's just a cash grab at making a quick profit on a known, trusted name.  People still go out of their way to try the "brand", but because of the need to maximize profits, the quality suffers and isn't the same as it used to be, what made that name so famous in the first place.  So how has Miss Peggy's secret recipe fared since being taken over by an Irish restaurant group?  Follow along and find out!

Bruce Bitner's has been a family-owned restaurant for over 30 years, and prides itself on being the "Cheers of Bel Air". Not sure if that's anything in comparison to being the Prince, but having a restaurant that produces a warm, cozy environment, a scratch kitchen in the back, and prompt, cheerful service does lend itself to the Cheers experience. All without the trip to Boston! With fresh, local ingredients coming out onto our plates, we couldn't wait to try their crab cakes! Follow along on our journey to see how they turned out!

When you hear the name Bull on the Beach, you instantly think of summertime and, of course, being 'downy ocean, hon!'  If you aren't from around these parts, the Bull on the Beach is a family owned and operated restaurant that first opened up in Ocean City, MD back in 1980. Their boardwalk location has since become an OC institution, and two other locations have followed. If you're ever looking for a taste of the ocean, but don't want to drive 3 hours, then Bel Air might be a lot closer. At least for us, which is a good thing, as they have what we like -- crab cakes! Read on to see if their crab cakes are worth the trip, or just a lot of bull!

You may be more familiar with Little Italy when it comes to Italian restaurants in Baltimore. But up in Bel Air, the Buentempo Brothers provide a slice of Little Italy in Harford County. Located in the heart of Main Street, Buentempo Brothers has been knocking out their famous pizzas since 1991. Fresh dough and great customer service are only part of what makes this place special. So with great Italian food, we were excited to see crab cakes on the menu. Are they as good as the pizza? Let's find out!

Sometimes we come across a place that takes you by surprise. The Bushmill Tavern in Abingdon, MD does just that. The location is a bit off of the beaten path, and the outside decor is fairly basic. But reading the food specials on the board as you walk in the front door indicates that there might be more than meets the eye. The Bushmill Tavern opened back in early 2014 and features cuisine that isn't typical of your local neighborhood bar. Despite the winter menu still being in effect when we went, crab cakes were available, so follow along and see how they were!