People should know that in the evenings, Macky's turns into a 20's something hangout. My partner and I were treated very rudely there and although their food is pretty good I refuse to go there anymore because of the "age" discrimination.

Fresco's has long been one of my favorites and I also like CG II but I think Bayside Skillet is kind of too much food for too much money and way crowded. And, Grove Market aint hidden any more. They are being overrun by tourists. Good for them, bad for us!

You managed to get on in there I'd never heard of, Elizabeth. Jules sounds nice. We'll check it out if we go downyocean in October. We usually do - it's oyster time!

Best crab cake? It's gotta be Coins Pub!

(The 'i' at the beginning of the third clause of your first sentence in the first paragraph should be capitalized.)

Thanks. The small and capital i look very much the same in the blogware, so if I make this mistake, I usually don't catch it till I read it when it's published. EL

Best coffee - dough roller, Dayton's
Best ribs - J.R.'s
Best Italian Cold Cut - Anthony's

Best happy hour, Bull on the Beach

NotableM... I loved Dayton's too! When I was little I would end up on the walk there to pick up donuts. I am pretty sure whichever adult I was with thought I was an odd child. I was looking at the pretty donuts but constantly figuring out a way to get to the coffee. Thanks for the reminder as I sip my morning cuppa!

Anyone ever try Fish On in Lewes? Was recommended to me while I was down there recently, but I never made it. Menu seemed intriguing.....

Best Wings: Smitty McGees, West Fenwick Island
Best Breakfast: Jimmy's, Fenwick Island
Best Crab Cake: Make your own.

Joyce, yes you're right about mMckey's. After 9pm or so, it's a "bar" crowd, much like fager's or Seacrets.

Call me a purist or a tourist, I don't care. But I do not recognize anyhting west of the Route 90/Route 50 bridges as being "at the beach." When I'm over those bridges and onto coastan highway, I don't cross back until it's time to go home.

Notable M, I haven't been to JR's in about 15-20 years, so I can't really comment on their ribs, but I reccomend that if you like ribs to give Bethany Blues a try up in Bethany. Those are some of my favorite ribs anywhere. Nick's House of Ribs isn't bad either.

As for fried chicken, it's a tie between Dumser's and English's.

I also love me some pit beef "sammiches" at Bull on the Beach.

And my favorite subs/pizza is a place just over the line in Fenwick line called Oceanside.

Nantucket's is a great dining experience, and a bit upscale. Not that there's anything wrong with that. but when I'm down there on vacation, I like to be at more casual places. that said, it's a very, very fine restaurant.

Tony's Pizza? Seriously? Probably the worst pizza I have ever eaten.

Ponzetti's is the place to go for pizza in OC.

EMJ - you're right about Ponzetti's being the place to go for pizza. I'm craving it as I type. YUM!

Best Steamed Crabs: Waterman's

Is Ponzetti's good? I've seen it a number of times but have never tried it.

If it's anything like Grotto's , I'll take a pass. Grotto's is a step down from bowling alley pizza.

Nothing like Grotto's; you'll LOVE Ponzetti's Pizza!

Have to disagree regarding best place for steamed crabs. Have you ever tried PGN on Coastal Hgwy. around 33rd or 34th St. THE BEST - My husband is a steamed crab devotee and he just loves them. Been going there for the past 10 yrs. or so. Goes there once or twice a week during crab season.

I love Ponzetti's. Got to try Waterman's - I've had several recommendations.

Bit of a topic swerve. I'm wondering how Ruth's Chris is doing in OC. Seems like a strange place to think hmmm, let's go out for an expensive steak dinner...

Best crabcake - Watermans on Route 50 just across the bridge. Good Maryland crab soup, and steamed crab too.
I've always been treated very well at Macky's. The food and the drinks are good, and the view and Kate Smith at sunset is priceless. By nine o'clock we've usually staggered across the street to our motel, the Quality Inn.

A good place for breakfast is Anglers down on the dock. Great atmosphere, good coffee and food.
Angler's also offers a dinner special of a free sunset cruise. It's a good value and a nice way.to enjoy the sights.

Blue Coast in Bethany is pretty happening. Lucked out with a table at Grove Market last year (no reservation), and it lives up to its reputation... very impressive, well crafted, food in a shabby, not very chic, setting.

Oh, and I'm a Nick's kinda guy - not JR's.

All of the food in OC is very weak except for Galaxy 66. The rest of seafood and others is a step up from long john silvers. Denova's Pizza in Ocean Pines is the BEST pizza down there although not at the beach so not easy to go get.

I think Nick worked at JRs (or the other way around). I think the ribs are identical.

I don't think all the food in OC is weak but I do agree that Galaxy 66 is pretty stand out.

I think Nick worked at JRs (or the other way around). I think the ribs are identical.

You are correct, Joyce, and I was just about to post that myself. Nick Idonis worked at JRs and created their menu, then left and opened his own joint. All of this was many years ago, but I remember when I was a kid spending summers at the beach, and it was quite the scandal amongst the locals.

Best Donut: Fractured Prune (though now that they have franchised it doesn't seem quite so special)

Best Burgers: Big Peckers

I too feel that the OC food scene is VERY week, with the exception of Grove Market, Blue Coast and Marlin Moon. Iguana Surf, before the change in location and style, was a bench mark as was Nebula. Liquid Assets seem to be a go to for many, but I was not impressed. Half of the dishes my wife and I shared just didn't work. The parts were good but the sum did not work cohesively. Galaxy 66's food tries to wow with a laundry list of elements that rarely pull together into a harmonious dish. I feel that they are, to use a golf analogy, driving for show and not putting for dough.

Best breakfast: Generals Kitchen

Best Cheesesteak: Anthonys or Belly Busters

Best Fries: Alaskan Stand

Jules has been serving the best food in OC for the last couple of years, and their 3 courses for $30 (all evening through the end of June, probably just before 6:30 after) is a great deal. I should have put their soft crab with adobo sauce and wasabi mashed potatoes in the best soft crab list a few weeks ago. Nice wine list, too. Galaxy 66 can be darn good, but I don't think it's as consistent. I've greatly enjoyed Grove Market's food both times I've been, and might even give them top nod, but a) getting reservations, b) driving out to Bishopville, and c) 'tude issues prevent me from doing so. Used to love The Shark (especially their off-season wine dinners), but their new digs (in the commercial harbor area, where the Wedge and second incarnation of Iguana Surf used to be) are just too much of a haul from my place in North OC when summer traffic hits. Best burger is at the relatively new JCs Northside Grill (around 128th, where original Iguana Surf and then Waterman's crab house used to be). For the life of me, I don't understand the love being thrown Ponzetti's way. Even Billy's is better, for pizz's sake. New and notable this year: the crab house wars north of 120th or so, where you'll find Higgins, Bahama Mamas, Old Mill, the Crab Bag, and Phillips in mostly new or expanded spaces

generals kitchen is way overrated for some reason. maybe nostalgia. there's absolutely nothing special about it. yes the creamed chipped beef is tasty but that's hard to screw up.

the best meal deal used to be the fisherman's inn in west OC. it was all you can eat crabs, fried chicken, shrimp, corn, fries, etc for $16.99 during the summer i lived down there ('98). the best part was that it was BYOB. we'd bring a BIG cooler, huck a frisbee around the parking lot while waiting for a table and then spend hours stuffing ourselves with crabs with the cooler under the table.

best appetizer-- seafood skins at bj's.
best frozen drink-- the pain in de ass w/ a 151 floater at seacrets. ahhh memories.

Best Chicken Salad - BJs on the Water
Best French Dip - Kirby's Pub
Best Paninis - Surf's Edge (in Fenwick)
Best Happy Hour - Mother's Cantina

I love the crabs at the Crab Bag. I've been going for years, although I haven't been in about two or three. When I go to the beach, I steer clear of OC and go Bethany or Rehoboth. We'll take a venture down to OC one night, but usually after dinner. I still love the OC boardwalk and feel like a kid again when I see all those lights and rides.

But food wise, yeah, Rehoboth has it hands down.

And Grotto Pizza? Forget it. I'd rather eat sewer rats.

Liquid Assets...94th St. Awesome Food

you missed the best pizza: either Mioni's in West OC or DeVito's uptown.

Best carry out is Smokeys in West Ocean City. They have the best pulled pork sandwiches and sides. Best dine in would be Coins. In the off season they have 1/2 price entrees.

Coins Pub?
The crabcake is pretty good but overpriced. I like Coins and the food, but I think they are overpriced.

Captain's Galley II is real good.

Chris is right about Smokey's for BBQ.

Tony's Pizza on the boards at Division was good when we were high school seniors and they'd serve us pitchers of beer without carding us. The pizza goes great with beer, but its not great pizza.

if its still there, Cluck U had pretty good pizza/subs, up in the 50s blocks.

No love from anyone for Lombardi's Pizza @ 94th? We've been getting our OC pizza exclusively from Vasco & Paulo since the early 60's, when they were on the Boardwalk just north of Talbot. Very traditional NY style, hand-tossed thin crust with just a bit of crunch, and great fresh toppings.
Not only do we eat there at least once every visit, they're the last stop on our way out, when we pick up a couple of their half-baked pizzas to bring home!

JeffS - you are right - forgot about Lombardi's. Their pizza is also very good. And the delivery service used to deliver from there - not sure if they still do or not.

Still no comments about Ruth's Chris - I'm really curious - does ANYBODY go there downy ocean?

Excellent call on Lombardi's for pizza. Hate to burst bubbles on Liquid Assets, which used to be quite good, but their food has spiraled down since the chef left a couple years ago for Solstice in Berlin (since closed and reopening under Fager's management). Still okay for drinks and cheese, but then stroll a few doors down the same strip mall for Lombardi's.

Lombardi's has been our family favorite for years! I worked at Tony's and the pizza is just okay for something on the boardwalk. I used to like Ponzetti's but it is not nearly as good as it used to be.

I miss Granny's pizza and meatball subs!

Best Mexican: Tequila Mockingbird... go there every summer with the family for some Mexican while at the beach!

Amanda,
Yes! Tequila Mockingbird has great Mexican food! Plus, their some of their menu offerings aren't a million calories.

Its my newest "must visit" place while in OC. Gonna make the folks take me there for my birthday dinner when I'm up in September.

Ruth Chris downyocean: It is wonderful for a treat. I have been dwntn. Balto. and to Pikesville and O.C. tops them all. Food and service is excellent and generous enough to share. My friend and I went there two Novembers and had Birthdays in Oct. and they treated us both to an entire dessert. Something I would not have ordered, but it was delicious. Salmon and sweet potatoe casserole (a little sweet for me, but yummy) in portions.

We love the kebob place at the Gold Coast Mall. It is not a full service restaurant, but the food is great and the dining area is pleasant. Also, we like Angelo's .

Yea I use to think ponzetti's pizza was great but this year it wasn't all that , Maybe they changed owners.
Does anyone know if they use to be located on the boardwalk????
Love...sunset grille..iguana surf was my favorite ..couple yrs back.
Heard marlin moon had a good crab cake...but capt. galley not so good anymore.
Not for food ,but if you want a great tiki bar to hang at for happy hr and listen to a band with a great view of the ocean ....beleive it or not the clarion is great. WITH 30-55 crowd lots a fun!!!

I'm glad to see the Old Mill crab house didn't make this list. They call themselves "The best crab house on the Eastern Shore". They lie.

Overpriced and mediocre food at best.

Is there any restaurant on the Eastern Shore that doesn't claim to be the best crab house? I'm pretty sure I saw that sign on a Royal Farm the last time I was over there.

Message to Jill-the food at Fish On in Lewes is fabulous! We loved the white anchovies with sliced almonds and fennel (not currently on the menu) and they always have an interesting dish with scallops (my favorite). Flavors are fresh and clean.

Why has nobody mentioned Antipasti? Does it not fit the criteria for this Top 10? Easily the best Italian food in OC, their Timballo is ridiculously good. I was in Dewey this past weekend and almost drove down just to eat there.