Photography by Turner Photography Studio | Posted on 02.12.18

It’s that time of year again—time to honor the best of Frederick County (and, in some cases, beyond).

It’s probably no surprise that we receive much feedback from readers throughout the year about our annual “Best of Frederick” awards and suggestions on ways we can improve conducting the poll and presenting the results.

Many of the suggestions come down to categories we should add. As a result, you will see some new awards this year in categories honoring distilleries, photographers, dance studios and services for seniors, among others. Even with the removal of the award for best dance club—because, sadly, there just aren’t that many places left to dance—this is the largest “Best of Frederick” in our 26-year history of the contest, with 113 categories. That total doesn’t include our popular “Editors’ Picks,” which are also back this year.

And “Best of Frederick” will likely continue to grow and change. We are always looking for ways to improve the poll and to present the winners in a format that is informative and fun. If you would like to see new categories added next year—or have other suggestions about “Best of Frederick”—please let us know.

Now, on to this year’s winners!

 

OVERALL RESTAURANT: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Madrones

3rd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

 

SPECIAL OCCASION/ROMANTIC: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: VOLT

 

STEAK: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: The Red Horse

3rd Place: Madrones

 

SERVICE: JOJO’S RESTAURANT AND TAP HOUSE

2nd Place: The Tasting Room

3rd Place: Madrones

 

NEW RESTAURANT: WHITE RABBIT GASTROPUB

2nd Place: Taco Bar

3rd Place: Ragin’ Reef

 

SPECIALTY: AYSE MEZE LOUNGE

2nd Place: Serenity Tearoom

3rd Place: Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar

 

ITALIAN: PISTARRO’S

2nd Place: Nido’s Little Italy Ristorante

3rd Place: il Porto

 

PIZZA: IL FORNO PIZZERIA

2nd Place: Pistarro’s

3rd Place: Manalù Italian Restaurant

 

ASIAN: LUCKY CORNER

2nd Place: China Garden

3rd Place: Modern Asia

 

SUSHI: LAZY FISH

2nd Place: China Garden

3rd Place: Old Dominion Grill and Sushi

 

LATIN-AMERICAN: CACIQUE

2nd Place: La Paz Mexican Restaurant

3rd Place: Café Bueno

 

BURRITO: CAFÉ BUENO

2nd Place: La Paz Mexican Restaurant

3rd Place: Chipotle Mexican Grill

 

SEAFOOD: AVERY’S MARYLAND GRILLE

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: May’s Restaurant

 

BREAKFAST: CAFE NOLA

2nd Place: Glory Dough & Diner

3rd Place: Family Meal

 

CRAB CAKE: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: May’s Restaurant

3rd Place: Madrones

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: Alexanders at Buckeystown

3rd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

 

BAGEL: ZI PANI

2nd Place: Beans & Bagels

3rd Place: Panera Bread

 

COFFEEHOUSE: FREDERICK COFFEE CO.

2nd Place: Dublin Roasters

3rd Place: Beans & Bagels

 

CHICKEN WINGS: GLORY DAYS GRILL

2nd Place: Buffalo Wild Wings

3rd Place: Black Hog BBQ & Bar

 

DELI/CARRYOUT: CRABAPPLES NEW YORK DELICATESSEN

2nd Place: a.k.a Friscos

3rd Place: 7th Street Sandwich Shop

 

SANDWICH: CRABAPPLE’S NEW YORK DELICATESSEN

2nd Place: Wag’s

3rd Place: a.k.a Friscos

 

LUNCH: CRISAFULLI’S CHEESE SHOP

2nd Place: Roasthouse Pub

3rd Place: Madrones

 

HAMBURGER: WAG’S

2nd Place: Beef ‘n Buns ‘n Paradise

3rd Place: Black Hog BBQ & Bar

 

HOTDOG: WINDY CITY RED HOTS

2nd Place: North Market Pop Shop

3rd Place: Beef ‘n Buns ‘n Paradise

 

FRIED CHICKEN: ROY ROGERS

2nd Place: Trout’s Market

3rd Place: Giant Eagle

 

OVERALL BARBEQUE: BLACK HOG BBQ & BAR

2nd Place: Mackies Southern Barbecue

3rd Place: PIGS

 

BARBEQUE RIBS: BLACK HOG BBQ & BAR

2nd Place: Famous Dave’s

3rd Place: Madrones

 

CHILI: WAG’S

2nd Place: Beef ‘n Buns ‘n Paradise

3rd Place: Black Hog BBQ & Bar

 

KID-FRIENDLY: ROY ROGERS

2nd Place: Silver Diner

3rd Place: Family Meal

 

WORTH THE DRIVE: BAVARIAN INN

2nd Place: Antrim 1844

3rd Place: Mrs. K’s Toll House

 

BAKERY: THE BUZZ

2nd Place: Stone Hearth Bakery

3rd Place: Cakes to Die For

 

DESSERT: THE MAIN CUP

2nd Place: Cakes to Die For

3rd Place: Madrones

 

ICE CREAM/FROZEN TREAT: MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURT

2nd Place: Yogi Castle

3rd Place: Rita’s

 

CHOCOLATE: THE PERFECT TRUFFLE

2nd Place: Candy Kitchen

3rd Place: Zoe’s Chocolate Co.

 

HAPPY HOUR: BREWER’S ALLEY

2nd Place: Wag’s

3rd Place: Madrones

 

BILLIARDS: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS CAFE

2nd Place: Belles’ Sports Bar & Grill

3rd Place: Orioles Nest 331

 

COCKTAIL: HOOTCH AND BANTER

2nd Place: The Tasting Room

3rd Place: Madrones

 

OVERALL BAR: BUSHWALLER’S

2nd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

3rd Place: Brewer’s Alley

 

SINGLES BAR: FIRESTONE’S CULINARY TAVERN

2nd Place: Brewer’s Alley

3rd Place: Bushwaller’s

 

SPORTS BAR: THE BEACON

2nd Place: Champion Billiards Sports Cafe

3rd Place: Glory Days Grill

 

LOCAL BEER: STEINHARDT BREWING COMPANY

2nd Place: Smoketown Brewing Station

3rd Place: Flying Dog Brewery

 

LOCAL WINE: LINGANORE WINECELLARS

2nd Place: Big Cork Vineyards

3rd Place: Catoctin Breeze Vineyard

 

DISTILLERY: TENTH WARD DISTILLING COMPANY

2nd Place: McClintock Distilling

3rd Place: Dragon Distillery

 

LIQUOR STORE: RIVERSIDE LIQUORS

2nd Place: Ye Old Spirit Shop

3rd Place: Gateway Liquors

 

CATERER: CANAPÉS

2nd Place: Love and Dishes Catering

3rd Place: The Savory Spoon

 

RECEPTION VENUE: CERESVILLE MANSION

2nd Place: Big Cork Vineyards

3rd Place: Antrim 1844

 

FESTIVAL/EVENT: THE GREAT FREDERICK FAIR

2nd Place: Frederick Wine Festival

3rd Place: In The Street

 

CHARITABLE/SOCIAL EVENT: CLUTCH THE FUTURE

2nd Place: Catoctin Affair

3rd Place: Kidstock

 

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: SURELOCKED IN ESCAPE GAMES

2nd Place: Weinberg Center for the Arts

3rd Place: Maryland Ensemble Theatre

 

THEATER TROUPE/GROUP: WAY OFF BROADWAY

2nd Place: Maryland Ensemble Theatre

3rd Place: Fredericktowne Players

 

ART GALLERY: THE DELAPLAINE VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION CENTER

2nd Place: McGuire Fine Arts Gallery & Framing

3rd Place: NOMA Gallery

 

MUSEUM: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR MEDICINE

2nd Place: Rose Hill Manor Park and Children’s Museum

3rd Place: Roads and Rails Museum

 

COVER BAND: THE REAGAN YEARS

2nd Place: Guys in Thin Ties

3rd Place: Vinyl Rhino

 

ORIGINAL MUSIC BAND: HARD SWIMMIN’ FISH

2nd Place: Middle Kid

3rd Place: Sticktime

 

BLOG: DECORATING DATE NIGHT

2nd Place: Housewives of Frederick County

3rd Place: Pursuit of it All

 

RADIO STATION: FREE TALK 930 WFMD

2nd Place: 99.9 Free Country WFRE

3rd Place: Key 103

 

RADIO PERSONALITY: BOB MILLER, FREE TALK 930 WFMD

2nd Place: Dina Carole, 106.9 The Eagle

3rd Place: Tom Whalen, 99.9 Free Country

 

HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND: LINGANORE HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Middletown High School

3rd Place: Gov. Thomas Johnson High School

 

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS: WALKERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Oakdale High School

3rd Place: Linganore High School

 

PARK: BAKER PARK

2nd Place: Gambrill State Park

3rd Place: Cunningham Falls State Park

 

HIKING TRAIL: GAMBRILL STATE PARK

2nd Place: Cunningham Falls State Park

3rd Place: Appalachian Trail

 

SWIMMING POOL: EDWARD P. THOMAS JR. MEMORIAL SWIMMING POOL (BAKER PARK)

2nd Place: Spring Ridge Community Pool

3rd Place: Braddock Heights Community Association

 

GOLF COURSE: WHISKEY CREEK COUNTRY CLUB

2nd Place: Clustered Spires Golf Club

3rd Place: Maryland National Golf Club

 

FITNESS CENTER: IN-FIT STUDIO

2nd Place: Gold’s Gym

3rd Place: Planet Fitness

 

PERSONAL TRAINER: KIP JAWISH

2nd Place: Barbie Markey

3rd Place: Rick Davis

 

YOGA STUDIO: SOL YOGA

2nd Place: Ananda Shala

3rd Place: Yogamour

 

DANCE STUDIO: 24/7 DANCE STUDIO

2nd Place: Dance Unlimited

3rd Place: Elite Feet

 

DAY SPA: THOMAS SCOTT SALON & SPA

2nd Place: NUVO Salon & Spa

3rd Place: New York, New York Salon and Day Spa

 

HAIR SALON: NEW YORK, NEW YORK HAIR SALON AND DAY SPA

2nd Place: Thomas Scott Salon & Spa

3rd Place: Sam Wong Salon

 

NAIL CARE SALON: NEW YORK, NEW YORK SALON AND DAY SPA

2nd Place: Rose Nails

3rd Place: Thomas Scott Salon & Spa

 

PHOTOGRAPHER: KATIE MAIN PHOTO

2nd Place: Davis Studio

3rd Place: Engin Photography

 

BARBER SHOP: WASTLERS’ BARBER SHOP

2nd Place: All About Men Barbershop

3rd Place: Gentlemen’s Choice II

 

TATTOO PARLOR: KEY CITY TATTOO

2nd Place: Time Bomb Tattoos & Curiosities

3rd Place: Marks of the Spark Tattoos

 

CARPENTRY/HOME IMPROVEMENT: TALON CONSTRUCTION

2nd Place: Dorcus Construction

3rd Place: Dorman Home Remodeling

 

DRY CLEANERS: ZIPS DRY CLEANERS

2nd Place: Town Cleaners

3rd Place: Magic Touch Cleaners

 

MEN’S FASHION: HUNTING CREEK OUTFITTERS

2nd Place: Men’s Wearhouse

3rd Place: JoS. A. Bank

 

WOMEN’S FASHION: VELVET LOUNGE

2nd Place: Talbots

3rd Place: LuLaRoe on the MountainSide

 

WOMEN’S SHOES: DSW

2nd Place: Off Broadway Shoes

3rd Place: Boscov’s

 

JEWELRY: COLONIAL JEWELERS

2nd Place: Gold Thumb Jewelry Creations

3rd Place: Yaneth Reyes Jewelry

 

ANTIQUES: EMPORIUM ANTIQUES

2nd Place: Cannon Hill Place

3rd Place: Great Stuff by Paul

 

HOME FURNISHINGS: FABULOUS FINDS

2nd Place: Wolf’s Furniture

3rd Place: Gladhill Furniture

 

BOOKSTORE: CURIOUS IGUANA

2nd Place: Barnes & Noble

3rd Place: Wonder Book and Video

 

COMIC BOOK STORE: BRAINSTORM COMICS & GAMING

2nd Place: Beyond Comics

3rd  Place: Wonder Book & Video

 

GIFT/SPECIALTY SHOP: OIL & VINEGAR

2nd Place: Retro-Metro

3rd Place: The Muse

 

GROCERY STORE: WEGMANS

2nd Place: Common Market

3rd Place: H-Mart

 

FARMERS MARKET: CITY MARKET

2nd Place: Middletown

3rd Place: YMCA of Frederick County

 

GARDEN CENTER: THE DUTCH PLANT FARM

2nd Place: Barrick Garden Center

3rd Place: Thanksgiving Farms

 

FLORIST: EN MASSE

2nd Place: Frederick Florist

3rd Place: Abloom

 

LANDSCAPING: CLEARWATER LANDSCAPE & NURSERY

2nd Place: Haga Lawn

3rd Place: Landscape Concepts

 

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING: N.E. “BOB” WALTZ PLUMBING & HEATING

2nd Place: Frederick Air

3rd Place: Tri-State Home Services

 

ELECTRICIAN: BRANDENBURG ELECTRIC

2nd Place: Provident Electric

3rd Place: Horn Electric Service

 

COMPUTER TECH/REPAIR: COMPUTER ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS

2nd Place: Geek Squad

3rd Place: Mac Business Solutions

 

AUTO REPAIR: CARRIAGE HOUSE AUTOMOTIVE

2nd Place: East Side Auto Services

3rd Place: Fountaindale Auto Center

 

CAR DEALER: FREDERICK MOTOR COMPANY

2nd Place: Shockley Honda

3rd Place: Fitzgerald Auto Mall

 

CAR WASH: FREDERICK SHELL CARWASH

2nd Place: Fredericktowne Auto Spa

3rd Place: The Detail Shop

 

PLUMBING: TRI-STATE HOME SERVICES

2nd Place: N.E. “Bob” Waltz Plumbing & Heating

3rd Place: All Around Plumbing

 

HOTEL: MARRIOTT

2nd Place: Hampton Inn

3rd Place: Clarion Inn

 

DOCTOR: DR. ALI AFROOKTEH

2nd Place: Dr. Kevin Hohl

3rd Place: Dr. Edward Fisher

 

DENTIST: DR. DAVID MORRA

2nd Place: Dr. Amaris Little

3rd Place: Dr. Lori Andochick

 

ALTERNATIVE CARE: HOLISTIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES

2nd Place: Hauser Health

3rd Place: Frederick Meditation Center

 

LAWYER: DAVID WEAVER

2nd Place: Scott Alan Morrison

3rd Place: Arthur C. Crum

 

ARCHITECT: CMW GROUP

2nd Place: Bates Architects

3rd Place: Woodsboro Bank

 

BANK: FREDERICK COUNTY BANK

2nd Place: Sandy Spring Bank

3rd Place: Woodsboro Bank

 

FINANCIAL PLANNER: MCCASKILL FINANCIAL

2nd Place: Murray Financial Group

3rd Place: Key Financial Group

 

REAL ESTATE AGENT/REALTOR: PAUL HUDSON

2nd Place: Stacy Reno

3rd Place: Barbara Davis

 

VETERINARIAN: BUCKEYSTOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL

2nd Place: Linganore Veterinary Clinic

3rd Place: Kingsbrook Animal Hospital

 

PET STORE: PAWS IN THE CITY

2nd Place: Pet Valu

3rd Place: PetSmart

 

PET-FRIENDLY VENUE: BAKER PARK

2nd Place: La Paz

3rd Place: PetSmart

 

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY: HOMEWOOD

2nd Place: HeartFields Assisted Living

3rd Place: Buckingham’s Choice

 

SENIOR LIVING SERVICES: FREDERICK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGING

2nd Place: Frederick Senior Center

3rd Place: Visiting Angels

 

NEIGHBORHOOD: SPRING RIDGE

2nd Place: Walkersville

3rd Place: Downtown Frederick

 

“I WISH FREDERICK HAD …”: AQUATICS CENTER

2nd Place: Trader Joe’s

3rd Place: The Cheesecake Factory

 

“I WISH FREDERICK WOULD BRING BACK…”: FREEZ KING

2nd Place: Xhale

3rd Place: White Star hotdogs