Shopping in a grocery store that you've never been to before is always an adventure.  New store layout, new brands that you might not have seen before, and yet another store card to sign up for in order to take advantage of the sale prices.  When touring foreign grocery aisles, I can't help but look and see if there is a new crab cake offering (both fresh or frozen) that may that one secret find that will satiate my crab cake hankerings without having to go to a restaurant (which gets expensive after a while).  One such trip introduced me to Handy crab cakes.  According to their website, they are America's oldest seafood processor, who still maintains a plant in Crisfield, MD.  Being a local seafood company, they should know a thing or two about crab cakes then.  Do they?  Let's find out!

At the base of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge lies Kent Island, known for its abundance of marinas, seafood restaurants, and outlet stores.  Heading "downy ocean, hon" from B'more, DC and Annapolis, you can't miss it.  And for over 50 years, Harris has been delivering fresh seafood straight from the watermen to your plate, offering expansive water views, all you can eat crab specials year round, and plenty of docking should you arrive by boat.

So it comes as no surprise that the CCR would find itself here.  Of course, it wouldn't be our first, either!  Harris is that place you visit when you want seafood but don't want to deal with all of the Baltimore or Annapolis tourists.  And being on the other side of the bridge, it is far enough away that it is an enjoyable drive, without hearing cries of "are we there yet?"  So is their crab cake worthy of going that little extra distance, and paying the bridge toll as well?  Read along and find out!

We're sure you are familiar with the name Heavy Seas (or rather, the Clipper City Brewing Company, its founder Hugh Sisson, or Sissons in Federal Hill). Their beer is everywhere. And, we have it on good authority, it's delicious. Open since February 2012, the Alehouse provides a comfortable space to enjoy food, friends, and of course, beer! Alehouses are typically known for their beer first, and their food second. But once you see/smell one of their monster burgers walking by, you may have to reconsider. So now that Heavy Seas is fast becoming an iconic name around Maryland for quality locally brewed beers, how do they fare with our beloved crab cakes? Read along and see if they have the booty to please the foodies!

Hellas is a local Greek restaurant, located off of Veteran's Highway in Millersville.  But what you may not know is that Hellas is part of that well-connected ring of Greek restaurants that serve some of Baltimore's famous crab cakes, that you may think they all come from the same place.  (We're talking G&M, Timbuktu, and Romano's.)  But, while each may have a similar crab cake, they are all individual establishments, serving their own version of our beloved delicacy, as noted in a MD Gazette article from 2007.  So do Hellas crab cakes live up to the legend?  Let's find out!

What started out as a saloon back in 1889 has now become known as Hull Street Blues.  Located in what is known as Locust Point, the restaurant serves as a testament and honor to Issac Hull, who was a naval hero in the war of 1812 (which is kind of a big deal around Maryland).  If you haven't been in South Baltimore lately, there is a lot of revitalization happening, with new businesses and shopping centers opening up alongside historic locations such as Hull Street Blues.  Accessible by car or water taxi, we'll bet you're wondering if the trip is worth it.  Follow along and find out!