you'll get a ton of these, but G&M is it for me. the best bang for your buck, not too overseasoned and tons of meat. i do know some folks consider them a bit bland though, but all in all they are a pretty big draw to little old linthicum.

My favorite has always been Duda's Tavern in Fells Point. Not much filler,large size,and just the right amount of Old Bay. Ten bucks for the crab cake sammie isn't too bad either.

I'm more or less convinced that my mom makes the best crab cakes around ... does that count? If not, I know Kisling's has a pretty good one.

As a lifelong Baltimorean, I'd say either G&M or Corner Stable in Cockeysville. Dudas is a close third, but I've occasionally gotten some crabcakes there with too much filler.

I led a dining group on a series of DC-to-Baltimore trips last year to determine the answer to your question. We went to 10 different places in the immediate Baltimore area, and G&M in Linthicum was the overall favorite, with Faidley's and the Costas Inn at second and third. Gunning's, The Olive Grove, Timbuktu - those were all really good as well. All these places use good filler, a lot of crab meat, and don't overcook the cakes. Plus, their prices are relatively stable. G&M's were just a bit more predictably good, which is vital for a restaurant's success.

Sadly, my favorite as a Towson State undergrad, Angelina's, was positively awful. Unedible, in fact, and that was stunning considering how expensive they've become. Their cakes have definitely changed for the worse under the new ownership.

However, the place that surprised us all was the Edgewater Restaurant a few miles south of Annapolis. Those things are amazing! Big, tons of crab, perfect filler. We had liked the now-gone Crabcake Factory (under the original chef) in Annapolis, but Edgewater was fantastic.

I like the Hazelwood Inn's crab cakes in Overlea. I think they rank up there with GM and some of the other good places. They might not be quite as large but I like crab cakes to have a lot of lump crab meat, not a lot of breading and I like a hint of mustard in mine. I've heard good things about Timbuktu in Howard County. I'd like to try Faidley's one of these days... Plus, I love a crab cake platter with french fries and cole slaw. That is part of the draw for me too!

G&M's crabcakes have alot of meat but they also have alot of filler. One of the best crabcakes I've ever had came from a stand in the Cross St. market

I have tried the crab cakes at all the above mentioned restaurants, but By The Docks is absolutely the very best. They are located by the old Bengies drive in. It's a must try. They have just the right amount of filling, which is just a little, and the cakes are large and inexpensive.

Koko's.

Haven't been there in about a year, but Koco's Pub on Harford Rd has been my favorite for years. Broiled crab cakes are big, creamy, and have just the right amount of seasoning. G&M is a close second - convenient location on the Beltway; huge cakes; great value for the $. Drawback to G&M is their cakes are a little bland.

I'm an outspoken G&M hater. My crabcakes there were just horrible -- doughy, bland filler and no flavor. It was like eating a dab of crab in a mound of wet Wonder bread.

My top two were Angelina's and Faidleys, but I haven't tried Angelinas since the switch.

I loved your Dining Guide in today's Live section but.....Tatin's and Kali's are wonderful restaurant's but how did they manage to make a list of 40 places with affordable prices??

I think the idea was places that were more than worth the money, even if they were expensive, not affordable prices.

The list should begin and end with Faidleys.

G & M

I drove out to try the crabcakes at By The Docks once after hearing a couple orf rave reviews on chowhound.com. I was not impressed. The crabcakes were large and beautiful, but were lacking in crab flavor. I suspect they may have been using that Asian swimmer crab meat that Phillips has unfortunately inflicted on the Baltimore area.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Faidley's yet. It's not a restaurant, per se, but their jumbo lump (broiled or fried) is just about as perfect as you can want - good texture, just right binder, and the spicing doesn't overwhelm the flavor of the crab.

But don't just take my word for it, they have a bazillion awards from around the world to support this claim.

And, aside from a grandmother's kitchen, there's nothing more quintessentially Baltimore than enjoying one with a tub of beer an maybe an oyster chaser at Lexington Market.

The best crab cake I've had in Baltimore is at a place you'll least expect to find a good crab cake -- J.R.'s Bar and Grill in Locust Point on Hull Street. The crab cakes are huge, full of lump crab meat with just enough filler to keep it together. And the best part is the price -- $10 for a huge crab cake sandwich with fries! Another place that has good crab cakes is Little Havana. I know, seems odd, but they are good and on Thursday nights the crab cake sandwiches are ½ price – that’s only $5 for a yummy crab cake and french fries! I think G&M is way over-rated for their crab cakes although they have great rice pudding! :-)

Okay, I had vowed to not enter this discussion. Then I read Hal's comments and was compelled to say that I agree with his sentiments. In the last ten years or so, we have been introduced to lovely, large, expensive specimen that look wonderful but have no hint of crab flavor. I too lay this phenomenon at the feet of the imported crab meat that has no taste. Couple the crab meat with the 'healthy' broiling and what you have is something that I don't want to pay top dollar for.

Every time I see big beautiful chunks of cream meat floating in soups or atop a peice of fish, I automatically asume that the crab will be tasteless. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised with sweet crab flavor; most times it is just more of that imported stuff.

My solution: I purchase a can of domestic crab meat and make my own. Even crab cakes made from domestic claw meat are better than those tasteless behemoths being foisted upon us.

Rank them! Rank them!

One word - Faidley's! If you're on a budget, get the backfin. If money is no object, get the jumbo lump. Quite simply, it's to die for! I'm salivating just thinking about it....

You definitely have to try the crab cakes at Captain Larry’s!!!! Very little filler, mostly Lump with a bit of back fin for flavor. And they are a very size!!!

Wednesday nights are 1/2 price crab cakes (both the platter & the sandwich) & the sides usually include the home made mac-n-cheese, hand cut fries & ceasar salad. It's the best tasting & best priced crab cake it town!!

1. G&M
2-10 everyone else.

Box Hill Pizzeria has delicious crabcakes. Big lumps of crab and reasonable prices. Their fries are great too. http://www.boxhillpizzeria.com

By far, Captain Larry's is the BEST. I've tried G&M and they are okay, but Capt. Larry's are simply perfect. No filler and done just right. Friendly atmosphere, great crabcakes and a good beer... Captain Larry's is the way to go!

Captain Larry's has the best crabcakes hands down!! And half price on Wednesday nights!!

If you have not tried the crab cakes at Capt. Larrys you are definitely missing out .They are just the right combination of ingredients.Great Fries and side dishes.

Crab cakes, the best; well it depends on your expectations. Try Captain Larry's, they are huge, great flavor and are not compromised in any way by filler, filler, and more filler. (And I think everyone know who I am talking about) Their crab cakes are huge and the whole time you are eating them you'll keep saying to yourself, "I really should not eat all of this". "I should take some home". Guess what you won't!

The crab cakes at Captain Larry's are hands down the best I've had anywhere. They have just the right amount of filler and a generous portion size. They seriously can't be beat.

By the Docks in Essex... They have one of the best crab cakes I have ever had, very meaty, the right amount of old bay and not much filler.

Hmmm... Think someone's shilling for Capt. Larry's? Check the times of the posts! Looks like Patty @ Capt. Larry's was passing the laptop around.

I go to Capt Larry's at least twice a month for their Crab Cakes - I wake up on Wednesday mornings going "It's crab cake wednesday!" Amazing food, great service, friendly people. I dream about these crab cakes.!!

fairfax - maybe you should just try the crab cakes at Larry's for yourself...

By far the best crab cakes I have ever had in a restaurant were at The Prime Rib. They were made with big lumps of sweet crab and just the right amount of filler.

How much they cost, I have no idea.

Born and bred in Baltimore, and have eaten crabcakes from one end of Maryland to the other. I happen to love the ones at The Bowman on Harford Road. Beautiful lump crabmeat, little filler, seasoned and broiled perfectly every time.

Best kept secret for crabcakes -- Hella's in Severna Park/Millersville. Much better then G&M's and a lot less wait!

Patrick's in Cockeysville - these are simply the best. The restaurant is like taking a step back in time.

I am surprised no one has mentioned Gertrude's.... After years of trying crab cakes every where, Gertrude's is on the top of my list! G&M and Olive Grove are all too "processed" for me.

Koko's is by far the best in Baltimore. Big and tasty, broiled and no filler!! Gertrudes is second. Maybe because the Mrs. Tawes is just like my mom's! I don't love G&M.

I'm with Fairfax. When a half dozen people, presumably strangers, use similar verbiage to rave about a restaurant, I get suspicious. Maybe it's just a coincidence that KMS and Krailor both think Captain Larry's crabcakes are the best "hands down." One reccomendation might have piqued my interest. But on the chance that the Cap'n's cronies stuffed the ballot box, I'll disregard their enthusiasm -- and stick with G&M.

I don't think it's not ballot stuffing, I think it's the lack of filling in their crab cakes!! I have had both G&M's & CL's and I prefer the Captains! And Mike G - should I disregard the enthusiasm for G&M since they have also had a half dozen recommendations?

We recently had the crabcakes at the Portside Grill in Port Deposit. Lots of crab, almost no filler - just enough something to hold them together. Combined with the view of the Susquehanna just before it enters the Bay, it was Maryland at its best for the transplanted Pennsylvanian who's lived in Baltimore City since 1969!

Koko's hands down. All jumbo lump and no fillers, they are awesome. I live in South Carolina now and I really miss them. Anyone want to send me one?

well i have to say that it would be the OWL Bar in the belvedere i created them from the best of baltimore i took some aspects of G &M and some of KoKo's and a little idea of my own and to be honnest they all just about have the same things in them but its how you mix everything at the OWL BAR you get 2 eight ounce cakes that are packed with everything that makes maryland about crab cakes

my 2 favorites for crab cakes are CJ on Reisterstown Rd and Glenmore Gardens on Bel Air road. the really best ones are made at my home by me.
thanks

Hands down, my mom's. She uses the McCormic recipie on the back of their crab cake seasoning. They are amazing! One of the greatest questions ever, I can't wait to read the answer.

I have yet to find a crab cake I enjoy as much as Faidley's. The fact that they're in Lexington Market makes it even better. Our Baltimore ex-patriot friends and family always request Faidley's when they visit!

Gertrude's crab cakes are also excellent, but it's an entirely different experience.

Why G&M is so popular is a mystery to me. I find their crab cakes bland and goopy.

Since no else has mentioned it, I'd like to add Woody's Crab House in lovely North East in Cecil County. Plenty of delicious lumps, little filler. And you can buy them as take-out, cooked or uncooked!

I just got a e mail back from the owner of truffles and the owl bar, and we talked about the crab cake war. he said that he would host a crab cake throw down in january at the belvedere and we will envite everyone in baltimore and surounding areas. lets bring the crab cakes and throw our hats in the ring. we can have a panel of judges and i know you can not come ms large but you may be able to tell us some people to call in your place to make great descisions so with that being said i will be meeting him monday morning to start planning the baltimore crab cake throw down. good night and good eating

Chef Joshau Hill

I want to vote AGAINST G&M and By the Dock's 'crabcake-like' creatures. I don't know what they are, but they sure don't fit my definition of crabcakes.

For me, it's Faidley's. I tell people to be prepared for sticker shock, and just to go for the jumbo lump. No one has ever regretted it. My second is a carryout place, Breezy Point Seafood, on Old Philadelphia Road, amazing lump seasoned with amazing crab mustard. In a word, 'amazing!'

I agree that Captain Larry's are the best. I am a big fan of Box Hill also, but sometimes they have too much mayo in them. If you want a huge crab cake with hardly any filler that is consistently great, I would go with Larry's.

OK, so the usual suspects show up year after year in the Best Crab Cake derby. I want to start a new category: Best CHEAP crabcake.
To me there is no place in this world for a 29 cent hamburger but there is a place for a $6.00 crab cake. So, for best cheap crab cake I nominate John's Sub Shop on O'Donnell Square in Canton. A sleeper pick to win a medal is IKEA in Whitemarsh. Yes, you can get a crabcake at a Home Furnishings store and it is actually pretty good. Now, we are not talking heavy duty lump or backfin, but still, a good blue collar $6.00 crabcake is nothing to sneeze at.

I love this idea.

Elizabeth, I came to look at how the voting had been going because I was thinking about how you are going to resolve this quandry on tomorrow's list. I was tickled to find Beerman's suggestion. What a wonderful idea. My mother used to lament the prices for crab cakes at local restaurants. Seniors without deep pockets find themselves in the same predicament as students awaiting parents to come to town and take them to a nice restaurant. When I think about the crabcakes of my very blue collar youth, they were made from claw meat mixed with special grade crab meat with minimal filler and lots of flavor. These have to still be available.

Where is Kokos??? I want to try their crab cakes!

It's Koco's with a C at
4301 Harford Rd
Baltimore, MD 21214
(410) 426-3519

I think Captain Larry's has the best crab cakes. As a Baltimore girl born and raised, I think a CRAB cake should taste like CRAB. Their crab cakes are full of tasty lumps of meat, not the filler like so many others. My friends from the 'burbs are forever wanting to meet us at Larry's, so they can get a crab cake. To me that is a ringing endorsement.

While not in the Bmore area, the best crab cakes in the entire world are hands down found at Stoney's in Southern Maryland. There are 3 locations in Calvert County - the original in Broomes Island (right on the water), one in a strip mall in Prince Frederick and one on the water in Solomons Island. Its a 1.5 or 2 hr drive down there, but the crab cakes are worth it. I have tried every crab cake in Bmore and Stoney's are the best.

CAPTAIN LARRY's are the best crab cakes in Federal Hill. You can have them on crackers, a bun, or atop a delicious salad and the flavor is awesome.

pls stop putting these beautiful photos of these crabcakes on this website!!! I'm from B-mo but living in NC. These folks put everything BUT crabmeat in a crabcake. They think Special crabmeat makes a crabcake!! I make my own from Jumbo Lump - which is cheaper here by the way - but you have me salivating looking at these photos!! Think we'll come home this wkend - just for some crabcakes!!

I have tried crab cakes all over the State and I believe that Koco's is by far the best. I don't get the attraction at G & M they are too bland.

I have lived in Baltimore most of my life, and for years I thought the best crab cake was at Faidley's (Belvedere Square or Lexington Market). My grandmother from Boston, would fly into town and demand her first stop would be Belvedere Square (until they closed down). G&M is okay, but the service is noisy and rude, and way too much ground mustard to cover the blandness. Recently I discovered Jerry's seafood in Seabrook, MD. It is the BEST!!! You have to try the Crab Bomb!

This is the restaurant that's now also at the Metropolitan in Annapolis.