Posted on 02.10.20

It isn’t the intent of “Best of Frederick” to memorialize businesses that no longer exist. In fact, we would rather our annual list of the best things in Frederick County pay tribute strictly to those great things we can still enjoy. But when voting takes place several months before the results are published, things can happen.

That is why the following list of winners and finalists includes a couple names no longer in business. In fact, our readers deemed that Crisafulli’s Cheese Shop was both the best lunch and best sandwich in Frederick County, but that was before Crisafulli’s closed its doors in Downtown Frederick in late 2019.

Like we said, things can happen.

On the following pages you will find what our readers believe are the best things in Frederick County—the best restaurants, the best entertainment, the best services, the best recreational activities and more. As always, the list is open for debate, but the voters have spoken and here are their results.

Now, on to this year’s winners!

Don’t not forget your BOF Bash Tickets! It’s the BESTparty of the year!

 

 

Questions? Please call us at 301-662-8171 Ext. 120.

 

Food and Drink

OVERALL RESTAURANT: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Ayşe Meze Lounge

3rd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

 

STEAK: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: Red Horse Steak House

 

NEW RESTAURANT: FRATELLI’S ITALIAN & SEAFOOD

2nd Place: Hometown Harvest Kitchen

3rd Place: Plaza Mexico

 

SPECIAL OCCASION/ROMANTIC: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: The Tasting Room

3rd Place: The Wine Kitchen

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: Family Meal

3rd Place: Wilcom’s Inn

 

CRAB CAKE: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: May’s

3rd Place: Ragin’ Reef

 

SERVICE: VOLT

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: Madrones

 

KID-FRIENDLY: SILVER DINER

2nd Place: Family Meal

3rd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

 

ITALIAN: MANALÙ ITALIAN RESTAURANT

2nd Place: il Porto

3rd Place: Pistarro’s

 

PIZZA: IL FORNO PIZZERIA

2nd Place: Manalù Italian Restaurant

3rd Place: Pistarro’s

 

ASIAN: LUCKY CORNER

2nd Place: Modern Asia

3rd Place: Sumittra Thai Cuisine

 

SUSHI: LAZY FISH

2nd Place: Old Dominion Grill and Sushi

3rd Place: Sushi Densha

 

LATIN-AMERICAN: CACIQUE

2nd Place: Cafe Bueno

3rd Place: Taco Bar

 

BURRITO: CAFE BUENO

2nd Place: Taco Bar

3rd Place: Fajita Grande

 

SEAFOOD: AVERY’S MARYLAND GRILLE

2nd Place: May’s

3rd Place: Ragin’ Reef

 

SPECIALTY: ISABELLA’S TAVERNA & TAPAS BAR

2nd Place: Lazy Fish

3rd Place: Roasthouse Pub

 

DELI/CARRYOUT: CRABAPPLES NEW YORK DELICATESSEN

2nd Place: 7th Street Sandwich Shop

3rd Place: South Market Sandwich Co.

 

LUNCH: CRISAFULLI’S CHEESE SHOP

2nd Place: The Orchard

3rd Place: Madrones

 

SANDWICH: CRISAFULLI’S CHEESE SHOP

2nd Place: South Market Sandwich Co.

3rd Place: Crabapples New York Delicatessen

 

BREAKFAST: CAFE NOLA

2nd Place: Glory Dough & Diner

3rd Place: Beans & Bagels

 

BAGEL: BEANS & BAGELS

2nd Place: Zi Pani

3rd Place: Panera Bread

 

COFFEE HOUSE: DUBLIN ROASTERS

2nd Place: Frederick Coffee Company & Cafe

3rd Place: Glory Dough & Diner

 

HAMBURGER: WAG’S

2nd Place: Roy Rogers

3rd Place: Beef ‘n Buns ‘n Paradise

 

CHILI: BLACK HOG BBQ

2nd Place: Wag’s

3rd Place: Oscar’s Alehouse

 

OVERALL BARBEQUE: BLACK HOG BBQ

2nd Place: CarterQue BBQ & Grilling Co.

3rd Place: P.I.G.S.

 

BARBEQUE RIBS: BLACK HOG BBQ

2nd Place: Madrones

3rd Place: P.I.G.S.

 

CHICKEN WINGS: IL FORNO PIZZERIA

2nd Place: Buffalo Wild Wings

3rd Place: Glory Days Grill

 

FOOD TRUCK: KNIFE & A KITCHEN

2nd Place: Boxcar Burgers

3rd Place: Blues BBQ Co.

 

DESSERT: THE MAIN CUP

2nd Place: Cakes To Die For

3rd Place: Piece O’ Cake

 

ICE CREAM/FROZEN DESSERT: BEEF ‘N BUNS ‘N PARADISE

2nd Place: Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream

3rd Place: South Mountain Creamery

 

CHOCOLATE: THE PERFECT TRUFFLE

2nd Place: Zoe’s Chocolate

3rd Place: The Candy Kitchen

 

BAKERY: ANGELCAKES

2nd Place: Cakes To Die For

3rd Place: Stone Hearth Bakery

 

LOCAL BEER: SMOKETOWN BREWING STATION

2nd Place: Flying Dog Brewery

3rd Place: Olde Mother Brewing

 

LOCAL WINE: CATOCTIN BREEZE VINEYARD

2nd Place: Linganore Winecellars

3rd Place: Black Ankle Vineyard

 

COCKTAIL: HOOTCH & BANTER

2nd Place: The Tasting Room

3rd Place: Brewer’s Alley

 

LIQUOR STORE: RIVERSIDE LIQUORS

2nd Place: Frederick Wine House

3rd Place: Ye Old Spirit Shop

 

DISTILLERY: MCCLINTOCK DISTILLING

2nd Place: Tenth Ward Distilling Company

3rd Place: Dragon Distillery

 

CATERER: CANAPÉS CATERING

2nd Place: Love and Dishes Catering

3rd Place: The Savory Spoon Catering Company

 

FRIED CHICKEN: ROY ROGERS

2nd Place: Family Meal

3rd Place: Watson’s Carry-Out

 

HOT DOG: BEEF ‘N BUNS ‘N PARADISE

2nd Place: North Market Pop Shop

3rd Place: Wag’s

 

OVERALL BAR: JOJO’S RESTAURANT & TAP HOUSE

2nd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

3rd Place: Brewer’s Alley

 

HAPPY HOUR: FIRESTONE’S CULINARY TAVERN

2nd Place: Brewer’s Alley

3rd Place: Wag’s

 

SINGLES BAR: FIRESTONE’S CULINARY TAVERN

2nd Place: Brewer’s Alley

3rd Place: JoJo’s Restaurant & Tap House

 

WORTH THE DRIVE: ANTRIM 1844

2nd Place: Bavarian Inn

3rd Place: Shamrock

 

Entertainment

SPORTS BAR: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR

2nd Place: Buffalo Wild Wings

3rd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

 

BILLIARDS: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR

2nd Place: Belles’ Sports Bar & Grill

3rd Place: Crusaders Sports Bar

 

RECEPTION VENUE: CERESVILLE MANSION

2nd Place: Morningside Inn

3rd Place: Springfield Manor

 

CHARITABLE/SOCIAL EVENT: LEPRECHAUN LUAU

2nd Place: Catoctin Affair

3rd Place: Soles of Love

 

FESTIVAL/EVENT: THE GREAT FREDERICK FAIR

2nd Place: In the Streets

3rd Place: Frederick’s Oktoberfest

 

ART GALLERY: THE DELAPLAINE ARTS CENTER

2nd Place: TAG/The Artists Gallery

3rd Place: McGuire Fine Arts Gallery & Framing

 

MUSEUM: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR MEDICINE

2nd Place: Rosehill Manor

3rd Place: Roads and Rails Museum

 

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: SURELOCKED IN ESCAPE GAMES

2nd Place: Weinberg Center for the Arts

3rd Place: Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre

 

RADIO STATION: 930, WFMD-AM

2nd Place: 99.9, WFRE-FM

3rd Place: 106.9 The Eagle, WWEG-FM 

 

RADIO PERSONALITY: BOB MILLER

2nd Place: Dina Carole

3rd Place: Tom Whalen

 

COVER BAND: THE REAGAN YEARS

2nd Place: Vinyl Rhino

3rd Place: Guys in Thin Ties

 

ORIGINAL MUSIC BAND: WASTE DOWN REBELS

2nd Place: Jack Funk

3rd Place: Sticktime

 

THEATER TROUPE/GROUP: MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE

2nd Place: Other Voices Theatre

3rd Place: Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre

 

BLOG: DECORATING DATE NIGHT

2nd Place: Housewives of Frederick County

3rd Place: Dream Free Art

 

HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND: OAKDALE HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Governor Thomas Johnson High School

3rd Place: Linganore High School

 

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: OAKDALE HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Urbana High School

3rd Place: Walkersville High School

 

Fit and Fashion

SWIMMING POOL: EDWARD P. THOMAS POOL

2nd Place: YMCA

3rd Place: Spring Ridge Community Pool

 

PARK: BAKER PARK

2nd Place: Gambrill State Park

3rd Place: Heritage Farm Park

 

HIKING TRAIL: GAMBRILL STATE PARK

2nd Place: Cunningham Falls State Park

3rd Place: Sugarloaf Mountain

 

GOLF COURSE: CLUSTERED SPIRES GOLF CLUB

2nd Place: Holly Hills Country Club

3rd Place: Whiskey Creek Golf Club

 

FITNESS CENTER: YMCA

2nd Place: Soldierfit

3rd Place: William R. Talley Recreation Center

 

PERSONAL TRAINER: KIP JAWISH

2nd Place: Quron Lewis

3rd Place: Tim Scaccia

 

DANCE STUDIO: 24/7 DANCE STUDIO

2nd Place: Fred Astaire Dance Studios

3rd Place: Elite Feet Dance Studio

 

YOGA STUDIO: YOGAMOUR YOGA AND HEALING ARTS CENTER

2nd Place: Sol Yoga

3rd Place: Luna Yoga

 

MEN’S FASHION: HUNTING CREEK OUTFITTERS

2nd Place Men’s Wearhouse

3rd Place: Macy’s

 

WOMEN’S SHOES: DSW

2nd Place: Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse

3rd Place: Boscov’s

 

WOMEN’S FASHION: MOLLY’S MEANDERINGS

2nd Place: Pearl Clothing Co.

3rd Place: Velvet Lounge

 

JEWELRY: COLONIAL JEWELERS

2nd Place: Gold Thumb Jewelry Creations

3rd Place: Yaneth Reyes

 

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

2nd Place: Thomas Scott Salon and Spa

3rd Place: Belleza Hair and Nail Studio

 

NAIL CARE SALON: THOMAS SCOTT SALON AND SPA

2nd Place: Belleza Hair and Nail Studio

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

 

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

2nd Place: Thomas Scott Salon and Spa

3rd Place: City Magnolia Day Spa

 

BARBERSHOP: GENTLEMEN’S CHOICE II

2nd Place: Classic Barber Shop

3rd Place: Whittier Barber Shop

 

TATTOO PARLOR: CLASSIC ELECTRIC TATTOO

2nd Place: Time Bomb Tattoos & Curiosities

3rd Place: Key City Tattoo

 

Home and Garden

ANTIQUES: EMPORIUM ANTIQUES

2nd Place: Great Stuff by Paul

3rd Place: Old Glory Antique Marketplace

 

HOME FURNISHINGS: GLADHILL FURNITURE

2nd Place: Wolf Furniture

3rd Place: HomeGoods

 

FARMERS MARKET: FREDERICK CITY MARKET

2nd Place: Field Fresh

3rd Place: Middletown

 

GARDEN CENTER: THE DUTCH PLANT FARM

2nd Place: Stadler Nurseries

3rd Place: Thanksgiving Farms

 

GROCERY STORE: WEGMANS

2nd Place: Common Market

3rd Place: Aldi

 

PET STORE: WAGSMORE

2nd Place: Paws in the City

3rd Place: Central Dogma

 

VETERINARY: BUCKEYSTOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL

2nd Place: Linganore Veterinary Clinic

3rd Place: Glade Valley Animal Hospital

 

PET-FRIENDLY VENUE: LA PAZ MEXICAN RESTAURANT

2nd Place: Greenbriar Veterinary Hospital & Luxury Pet Resort

3rd Place: Baker Park

 

BOOKSTORE: CURIOUS IGUANA

2nd Place: Wonder Book

3rd Place: Barnes & Noble

 

GIFT/SPECIALTY SHOP: OLIVE & BASKET

2nd Place: Retro-Metro

3rd Place: Ec’clectibles

 

FLORIST: CANDLELIGHT FLORAL DESIGNS

2nd Place: Freesia and Vine

3rd Place: Flower Fashions

 

Services and More

DRY CLEANERS: ZIPS

2nd Place: Rainbow Cleaners

3rd Place: Westridge Dry Cleaners

 

PHOTOGRAPHER: REBECCA MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY

2nd Place: Turner Photography Studio

3rd Place: Picture Perfect

 

HOTEL: MARRIOTT

2nd Place: Hampton Inn

3rd Place: Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center

 

COMIC BOOK STORE: BRAINSTORM COMICS & GAMING

2nd Place: Beyond Comics

3rd Place: Wonder Book

 

CAR DEALER: THE FREDERICK MOTOR COMPANY

2nd Place: Shockley Honda

3rd Place: Fitzgerald Auto Mall

 

AUTO REPAIR: CARRIAGE HOUSE AUTOMOTIVE

2nd Place: East County Auto

3rd Place: Brownie’s Auto Repair

 

CAR WASH: FREDERICK SHELL CARWASH

2nd Place: Fredericktowne Auto Spa

3rd Place: Dolphin Car Wash

 

CARPENTRY/HOME IMPROVEMENT: DORMAN HOME REMODELING

2nd Place: Talon Construction

3rd Place: Nysa Construction

 

LANDSCAPING: CLEARWATER LANDSCAPE & NURSERY

2nd Place: Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscape

3rd Place: Landscape Concepts

 

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

2nd Place: Frederick Air

3rd Place: TriState Home Services

 

ELECTRICIAN: PROVIDENT ELECTRIC

2nd Place: Horn Electric Service

3rd Place: Brandenburg Electric

 

PLUMBING: TRISTATE HOME SERVICES

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

3rd Place: All Around Plumbing

 

COMPUTER TECH/REPAIR: ITNEEDSHELP

2nd Place: Computer Enhancement Systems

3rd Place: Rollins Data Systems

 

BANK: FREDERICK COUNTY BANK

2nd Place: Woodsboro Bank

3rd Place: PNC

 

FINANCIAL PLANNER: MCCASKILL FINANCIAL

2nd Place: Betsy Pakenas/The Berkheimer Group

3rd Place: Key Financial Group

 

BUSINESS SUPPORT: MAC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

2nd Place: Business Management Co.

3rd Place: Copy Doc Business Solutions

 

REAL ESTATE/REALTOR: STACY CHAPMAN RENO/CENTURY 21 REDWOOD REALTY

2nd Place: Jim Bass/Jim Bass Group of Real Estate Teams

3rd Place: Jill Coleman/RE/MAX

 

ARCHITECT: PROFFITT & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS

2nd Place: Bates Architects

3rd Place: Caddworks

 

DOCTOR: DR. ALI AFROOKTEH

2nd Place: Dr. Edward Fisher

3rd Place: Dr. Robert Parnes

 

LAWYER: JEFFREY MCEVOY

2nd Place: Scott Alan Morrison

3rd Place: Leslie Powell

 

DENTIST: DR. AMARIS LITTLE, WOODSBORO DENTAL

2nd Place: Dr. Richard Rogers/Yellow Springs Dental

3rd Place: Smile Frederick Orthodontics

 

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: EUPHORIA WELLNESS

2nd Place: Kannavis

3rd Place: Holistic Health Associates

 

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY: HOMEWOOD AT FREDERICK

2nd Place: Buckingham’s Choice

3rd Place: Somerford House Frederick

 

SENIOR LIVING SERVICES: DAYBREAK SENIOR SERVICES

2nd Place: Visiting Angels

3rd Place: Right at Home

 

NEIGHBORHOOD: LAKE LINGANORE

2nd Place: Whittier

3rd Place: Worman’s Mill

 

BEST “I WISH FREDERICK HAD…” TOP GOLF

2nd Place: Trader Joe’s

3rd Place: Cheesecake Factory

 

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

2nd Place: Roller skating rink

3rd Place: Mays Hardware