Koco's Pub is one of those establishments that mainly only Baltimoreans will know about. And even then, the locals may not know that Koco's is known for their crab cakes. Even if a tourist happens to hear about Koco's and has an interest, chances are they may get a bit scared making the trek out there (especially if you're coming from downtown). Located in Lauraville (NE Baltimore) since 1985, Koco's has a bit of a following, and is often interjected into discussions regarding where to go for crab cakes in Baltimore. Do all of the accolades and awards reflect the true nature of these mystical crab cakes? Follow along and find out!
Kooper's Tavern first opened their Fells Point location in memory of their yellow lab, Kooper. Connected with Woody's Rum Bar and Sláinte (which the CCR has visited), Kooper's builds their reputation on great food, excellent service, and, of course, plentiful beverages. You may have also seen their Chowhound running around Baltimore. It's their food truck that allows them to bring their famous burgers to different locations around the city. Which, by the way, Kooper's burgers were voted Baltimore's Best Burger in 2011 by Baltimore Magazine, and are listed by Zagat 2014 as some of the "Must-try burgers across the country." So with all of this special attention to beef, we wonder if they can apply the same passion to our favorite crabby crustacean. Read on to see how everything went!
It's hard to believe that Little Havana has been around for 20 years! What was an old abandoned warehouse was transformed into a Cuban getaway right in South Baltimore. Known for their consistency, killer mojitos, and super fun Brunch, Little Havana has quickly become a staple in the Federal Hill neighborhood. So you really don't think of crab cakes when you think Cuban food, but it wouldn't be Baltimore if a crab cake wasn't on the menu. So hop aboard, set sail for South Baltimore with us, and see what we thought!
For over 10 years, Luna Del Sea has been entertaining tourists and locals alike with fresh seafood and sizzling steaks. And the location is prime: right on Pratt St near Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, the Convention Center, a good number of the major hotels in the downtown area, and so forth. If you're like us, you've noticed the place many times, but haven't been able to stop in, either because of traffic, time constraints, or the line out the door on a busy night (they do have a pretty nice outdoor seating area). But despite how fancy the establishment appears, the dress code is casual, so feel free to wear your Oriole's orange or Ravens camo. We happened to stop by after a phenomenal Orioles win one night, and checked out one of the specialties of the house -- crab cakes! Check out the review to see what we thought!
McCormick and Schmick's runs a variety of seafood restaurants across the United States under differing names. The M&S Grill is their take on providing fresh seafood and aged steaks in a more relaxed setting. Located in the Inner Harbor next to the Harborplace amphitheater, you can enjoy views of the USS Constellation, National Aquarium, and watch the hustle and bustle around Harborplace. With the main McCormick and Schmick's around the corner, the CCR decided to sit outside on a nice day, enjoy the sun and a cold beverage, and see how the crab cake at the more causal location fares. Continue on to see how it all went down.