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Where to Make a 'Pit Stop' On the Way to the Maryland-Delaware Shore

Bay Bridge traffic got you down? Stop here

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Ah, the beach. What’s not to love? Well, maybe the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Delaware Route 404, or Route 50, to name a few reasons. If there's holiday beach traffic this Memorial Day weekend, or in the weeks to come, Eater DC can help. There's nothing like a stop or two along the way to keep a trip from going sour.

This map, revamped from last year with even more dining choices, offers a mix of classic pit stops and brand-new destinations. It all adds up to plenty of road trip lunch or dinner options for this annual (or sometimes more than that) trek. Whether it's a cheap and juicy plate of chicken, a growler full of beer, or crab cakes packaged on ice to-go, these are the detours worth an exit — especially when there's horrible gridlock.

Have another favorite pre-beach road trip stop? Share your favorites in the comment section below.

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1 Fish 2 Fish Crabs & Seafood

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The basic law of supply and demand applies when ordering a bushel of crabs at the beach. They can be expensive and hard to find on holiday weekends. For a no-fuss option, head in-land to 1 Fish, 2 Fish in Salisbury, Md. Their rates are reasonable (compared to Ocean City), and they usually have a supply of jumbos on-hand. Just one warning: this crab shack is a 30 minute drive to Ocean City, which means the car (for better or worse) will smell of Old Bay seasoning.

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Bagels And...

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Start the beach trip with a breakfast detour at Bagels And . . . in Annapolis, Md. This is a no-frills bagel shop located in a strip mall directly off Route 50. It will satisfy even the pickiest of bagel connoisseurs. Order the New Yorker: a bagel served with cream cheese, smoked salmon, sprouts and tomatoes.

Baked Dessert Cafe

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Berlin is just outside Ocean City, and it's well worth the detour since it's an extremely walkable, picturesque town with plenty of shopping. The Baked Dessert Cafe is another reason to visit — be sure to focus on the pies, pastries, and miniature cakes.

Bartlett Pear Inn

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For fine dining on the Chesapeake Bay, stop at the Bartlett Pear Inn in Easton, Md. This 30-seat dining room serves up seasonal dishes, including soft-shell crabs from Crisfield, Md. It’s also where you'll find an Easton native, chef Jordan Lloyd. He previously worked in kitchens like Michel Richard Citronelle and Per Se in New York City. Those pressed for time should visit their bakery across the street for their delicious and quick breakfast items.

Ceremony Coffee Roasters

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Along with breakfast bagels, Annapolis has one of the best coffee roasters around — Ceremony Coffee. Head there for a pour-over coffee that will keep a caffeine freak wired all the way to Ocean City.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

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This is a legendary stop for tourists and beer lovers alike. At Dogfish Head Brewery, in the tiny town of Milton, Del., growler fills are permitted and beers can be sampled alongside beer-flavored brats and hop-flavored pickles.

Fisherman's Inn

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Just outside the main restaurant sits the Fisherman's Inn Seafood Market, which specializes in seafood to-go. Crab cakes are a bargain, and the counter assistant will wrap each order and put it on ice. Just be sure to bring a cooler, then fry them up at the beach.

Hopkins Farm Creamery

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One sign that the beach is near: a sign for Hopkins Farm Creamery. But the beach can wait a few because Hopkins is a working dairy farm with an on-site ice cream shop.

It's The Pits

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It's The Pits is a required pitstop for lunch. This place serves classic Baltimore pit-beef sandwiches, as well as oyster poboys, fish tacos, and cream of crab soup.

Jimmy Cantler's Riverside Inn

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If Bay Bridge traffic sucks, stop and spend a few hours picking crabs at Cantler’s Riverside Inn in Annapolis. This popular waterfront restaurant is just beyond the Severn River Bridge. Cantler’s can be crowded, especially on weekends, so call ahead to check on wait times.

Kiwanis Chicken BBQ

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Listen up. This is the real deal for barbecue chicken. Look for the billowing smoke on Seashore Highway — that's where the Kiwanis Club of Bridgeville hosts weekend barbecues from May until September on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). It's near the corner of Route 404 and Route 36. And, order the combo: a mouthwatering, half-piece of chicken with pickles and bread for $7.50.

Lyon Distilling Co.

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Lyon Distilling rum is worth the few extra miles detour off Route 50. The distillery is located in an old flour mill in St. Michael’s, Md. They serve a few styles of rum, including white, dark and aged varieties. Pick-up a bottle before hitting the beach and plan a visit accordingly — owner, Ben Lyon gives tours starting at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on most weekends.

Market Street Public House

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This pub is a great stopping point for lunch, too. The fish and chips and cream of crab soup are particular favorites.

Naval Bagels

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On the way out of Washington, D.C. in the morning, swing-by Naval Bagels for a breakfast sandwich. The lox bagel is a favorite, as is the super egg bagel.

Rar Brewery

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One of the best breweries in Maryland is RAR Brewery in Cambridge. Take a growler to go of their latest beer: House Roast, an Imperial Coffee Cream Ale.

Rock Lobstah

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Chef Patrick Fanning recently opened this essential lobster shack, located in downtown Cambridge. He's from Massachusetts, therefore the restaurant specializes in several types of lobster rolls. There's even a crab roll.

Stevensville Crab Shack

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Kent Island is a stretch notorious for traffic. If the Bay Bridge backs up, head to Stevensville Crab Shack and wait it out with some crabs, clams and oysters.

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t at The General Store

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This is a round-the-clock dining spot offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s located halfway between Easton and St. Michael’s in the town of Royal Oak. The shop has an old-time vibe and is known for a variety of loose-leaf teas and food from regional growers.

The BBQ Joint

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The BBQ Joint comes from Andrew Evans, the same guy who runs the barbecue stall at Union Market. At this restaurant, there are expanded options like redneck nachos and Texas smoked sausages.

The High Spot

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Cambridge locals will tell visitors the High Spot Gastropub is the place for a pint of beer and a burger. Try the duck fat burger with a side of buffalo oysters — oysters that come served with hot sauce and blue cheese.

1 Fish 2 Fish Crabs & Seafood

The basic law of supply and demand applies when ordering a bushel of crabs at the beach. They can be expensive and hard to find on holiday weekends. For a no-fuss option, head in-land to 1 Fish, 2 Fish in Salisbury, Md. Their rates are reasonable (compared to Ocean City), and they usually have a supply of jumbos on-hand. Just one warning: this crab shack is a 30 minute drive to Ocean City, which means the car (for better or worse) will smell of Old Bay seasoning.

Official

Bagels And...

Start the beach trip with a breakfast detour at Bagels And . . . in Annapolis, Md. This is a no-frills bagel shop located in a strip mall directly off Route 50. It will satisfy even the pickiest of bagel connoisseurs. Order the New Yorker: a bagel served with cream cheese, smoked salmon, sprouts and tomatoes.

Baked Dessert Cafe

Berlin is just outside Ocean City, and it's well worth the detour since it's an extremely walkable, picturesque town with plenty of shopping. The Baked Dessert Cafe is another reason to visit — be sure to focus on the pies, pastries, and miniature cakes.

Bartlett Pear Inn

For fine dining on the Chesapeake Bay, stop at the Bartlett Pear Inn in Easton, Md. This 30-seat dining room serves up seasonal dishes, including soft-shell crabs from Crisfield, Md. It’s also where you'll find an Easton native, chef Jordan Lloyd. He previously worked in kitchens like Michel Richard Citronelle and Per Se in New York City. Those pressed for time should visit their bakery across the street for their delicious and quick breakfast items.

Ceremony Coffee Roasters

Along with breakfast bagels, Annapolis has one of the best coffee roasters around — Ceremony Coffee. Head there for a pour-over coffee that will keep a caffeine freak wired all the way to Ocean City.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

This is a legendary stop for tourists and beer lovers alike. At Dogfish Head Brewery, in the tiny town of Milton, Del., growler fills are permitted and beers can be sampled alongside beer-flavored brats and hop-flavored pickles.

Fisherman's Inn

Just outside the main restaurant sits the Fisherman's Inn Seafood Market, which specializes in seafood to-go. Crab cakes are a bargain, and the counter assistant will wrap each order and put it on ice. Just be sure to bring a cooler, then fry them up at the beach.

Hopkins Farm Creamery

One sign that the beach is near: a sign for Hopkins Farm Creamery. But the beach can wait a few because Hopkins is a working dairy farm with an on-site ice cream shop.

It's The Pits

It's The Pits is a required pitstop for lunch. This place serves classic Baltimore pit-beef sandwiches, as well as oyster poboys, fish tacos, and cream of crab soup.

Jimmy Cantler's Riverside Inn

If Bay Bridge traffic sucks, stop and spend a few hours picking crabs at Cantler’s Riverside Inn in Annapolis. This popular waterfront restaurant is just beyond the Severn River Bridge. Cantler’s can be crowded, especially on weekends, so call ahead to check on wait times.

Kiwanis Chicken BBQ

Listen up. This is the real deal for barbecue chicken. Look for the billowing smoke on Seashore Highway — that's where the Kiwanis Club of Bridgeville hosts weekend barbecues from May until September on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). It's near the corner of Route 404 and Route 36. And, order the combo: a mouthwatering, half-piece of chicken with pickles and bread for $7.50.

Lyon Distilling Co.

Lyon Distilling rum is worth the few extra miles detour off Route 50. The distillery is located in an old flour mill in St. Michael’s, Md. They serve a few styles of rum, including white, dark and aged varieties. Pick-up a bottle before hitting the beach and plan a visit accordingly — owner, Ben Lyon gives tours starting at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on most weekends.

Market Street Public House

This pub is a great stopping point for lunch, too. The fish and chips and cream of crab soup are particular favorites.

Naval Bagels

On the way out of Washington, D.C. in the morning, swing-by Naval Bagels for a breakfast sandwich. The lox bagel is a favorite, as is the super egg bagel.

Rar Brewery

One of the best breweries in Maryland is RAR Brewery in Cambridge. Take a growler to go of their latest beer: House Roast, an Imperial Coffee Cream Ale.

Related Maps

Rock Lobstah

Chef Patrick Fanning recently opened this essential lobster shack, located in downtown Cambridge. He's from Massachusetts, therefore the restaurant specializes in several types of lobster rolls. There's even a crab roll.

Stevensville Crab Shack

Kent Island is a stretch notorious for traffic. If the Bay Bridge backs up, head to Stevensville Crab Shack and wait it out with some crabs, clams and oysters.

Official

t at The General Store

This is a round-the-clock dining spot offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s located halfway between Easton and St. Michael’s in the town of Royal Oak. The shop has an old-time vibe and is known for a variety of loose-leaf teas and food from regional growers.

The BBQ Joint

The BBQ Joint comes from Andrew Evans, the same guy who runs the barbecue stall at Union Market. At this restaurant, there are expanded options like redneck nachos and Texas smoked sausages.

The High Spot

Cambridge locals will tell visitors the High Spot Gastropub is the place for a pint of beer and a burger. Try the duck fat burger with a side of buffalo oysters — oysters that come served with hot sauce and blue cheese.

Related Maps