Posted on 02.01.21

In the nearly three decades we have published the annual “Best of Frederick” list, outside influences have certainly had an affect on the results. From economic shifts to vigorous campaigning for votes, we have seen poll numbers swing dramatically from year to year and category to category.

And then came 2020.

The Year When Everything Happened must’ve left its mark on “Best of Frederick,” especially with so many categories and businesses affected by the COVID-19 restrictions and economic fallout. How, for example, could voters gain a fair knowledge of the local dining and entertainment scene when it was turned upside-down in 2020? Nonetheless, they did, or at least gave it their best effort. On the following pages you will find what our readers believe are the best things in Frederick County—the best restaurants, the best stores, the best professional services, the best recreational activities and a lot more. Sure, the results are open to debate and likely influenced by outside forces. We will leave that for you to decide.

Now, on to this year’s winners.

Epicures and The Hungry

 

OVERALL RESTAURANT: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: Brewer’s Alley

 

NEW RESTAURANT: CUCINA MASSI

2nd Place: Tsunami

3rd Place: Gambrill Mt. Food Co.

 

SPECIAL OCCASION/ROMANTIC: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: The Tasting Room

3rd Place: The Wine Kitchen

 

RESTAURANT SERVICE: TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: Madrones

 

STEAK: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: Red Horse Steak House

 

KID-FRIENDLY: SILVER DINER

2nd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

3rd Place: Pistarro’s

 

ITALIAN: MANALÙ ITALIAN RESTAURANT

2nd Place: il Porto

3rd Place: Cucina Massi

 

PIZZA: IL FORNO PIZZERIA

2nd Place: Pistarro’s

3rd Place: Manalù Italian Restaurant

 

ASIAN: LUCKY CORNER

2nd Place: Modern Asia

3rd Place: Lazy Fish

 

SUSHI: LAZY FISH

2nd Place: Old Dominion Grill and Sushi

3rd Place: Chef Lin

 

LATIN AMERICAN: CACIQUE

2nd Place: Cafe Bueno

3rd Place: Taco Bar

 

BURRITO: CAFE BUENO

2nd Place: Casa Rico

3rd Place: Mexicali Cantina

 

SEAFOOD: AVERY’S MARYLAND GRILLE

2nd Place: May’s

3rd Place: Ragin’ Reef

 

CRAB CAKE: FRATELLI’S ITALIAN AND SEAFOOD

2nd Place: May’s

3rd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

 

SPECIALTY: ISABELLA’S TAVERNA & TAPAS BAR

2nd Place: Cucina Massi

3rd Place: Sumittra Thai Cuisine

 

LUNCH: A.K.A. FRISCOS

2nd Place: Canapés Catering

3rd Place: The Orchard

 

DELI/CARRYOUT: JULIET’S ITALIAN MARKET AND CAFÉ

2nd Place: Crabapples New York Delicatessen

3rd Place: a.k.a. Friscos

 

SANDWICH: A.K.A. FRISCOS

2nd Place: Juliet’s Italian Market and Café

3rd Place: Gambrill Mt. Food Co.

 

HAMBURGER: WAG’S

2nd Place: Brewer’s Alley

3rd Place: Oscar’s Alehouse

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: May’s

3rd Place: Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar

 

BREAKFAST: CAFE NOLA

2nd Place: Glory Dough & Diner

3rd Place: Silver Diner

 

BAGEL: BEANS & BAGELS COFFEE BAR

2nd Place: Zi Pani

3rd Place: Panera Bread

 

COFFEE SHOP: DUBLIN ROASTERS

2nd Place: Baltimore Coffee and Tea

3rd Place: Frederick Coffee Company & Cafe

 

WORTH THE DRIVE: ANTRIM 1844

2nd Place: Bavarian Inn

3rd Place: Old South Mountain Inn

 

OVERALL BARBEQUE: P.I.G.S. (PORK IS GOOD STUFF)

2nd Place: Black Hog BBQ

3rd Place: CarterQue

 

BARBEQUE RIBS: BLACK HOG BBQ

2nd Place: P.I.G.S.

3rd Place: Madrones

 

FOOD TRUCK: BUB-B-QUE BARBECUE AND CATERING

2nd Place: In10se BBQ

3rd Place: Boxcar Burgers

 

CHILI: BLACK HOG BBQ

2nd Place: Wag’s

3rd Place: Canapés Catering

 

CHICKEN WINGS: IL FORNO PIZZERIA

2nd Place: Anchor Bar

3rd Place: Buffalo Wild Wings

 

DESSERT: CANAPÉS CATERING

2nd Place: Gladchuk Bros. Restaurant

3rd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

 

ICE CREAM/FROZEN DESSERT: SOUTH MOUNTAIN CREAMERY

2nd Place: Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream

3rd Place: Sweet Babe’s Creamery

 

CHOCOLATE: THE PERFECT TRUFFLE

2nd Place: The Candy Kitchen

3rd Place: Zoe’s Chocolate

 

BAKERY: ANGELCAKES

2nd Place: Sweet & Savory Bake Shop

3rd Place: Stone Hearth Bakery

 

LOCAL BEER: FLYING DOG BREWERY

2nd Place: Attaboy Beer

3rd Place: Olde Mother Brewing

 

LOCAL WINE: LINGANORE WINECELLARS

2nd Place: Catoctin Breeze Vineyard

3rd Place: Springfield Manor

 

DISTILLERY: TENTH WARD DISTILLING COMPANY

2nd Place: McClintock Distilling

3rd Place: Springfield Manor

 

COCKTAIL: HOOTCH & BANTER

2nd Place: The Tasting Room

3rd Place: Brewer’s Alley

 

LIQUOR STORE: RIVERSIDE LIQUORS

2nd Place: Ye Old Spirit Shop

3rd Place: DJ Liquors

 

CATERER: CANAPÉS CATERING

2nd Place: The Savory Spoon Catering Company

3rd Place: Celebrations Catering

 

FRIED CHICKEN: ROY ROGERS

2nd Place: Watson’s Carry-Out

3rd Place: Trout’s Market

 

HOT DOG: NORTH MARKET POP SHOP

2nd Place: Black Hog BBQ

3rd Place: Beef N Buns N Paradise

 

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: Madrones

 

SINGLES BAR: CELLAR DOOR

2nd Place: Brewer’s Alley

3rd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

 

All That and More

 

SPORTS BAR: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR

2nd Place: Valley Grill Sports Bar

3rd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

 

BILLIARDS: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR

2nd Place: Oriole’s Nest

3rd Place: Belles’ Sports Bar & Grill

 

RECEPTION VENUE: WALKER’S OVERLOOK

2nd Place: Ceresville Mansion

3rd Place: Springfield Manor

 

CHARITABLE/SOCIAL EVENT: CATOCTIN AFFAIR

2nd Place: Soles of Love

3rd Place: Leprechaun Luau

 

FESTIVAL/EVENT: THE GREAT FREDERICK FAIR

2nd Place: Frederick’s Oktoberfest

3rd Place: In the Streets

 

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

 

THEATER TROUPE/GROUP: MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE

2nd Place: Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre

3rd Place: Other Voices Theatre

 

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: SURELOCKED IN ESCAPE GAMES

2nd Place: Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre

3rd Place: Weinberg Center for the Arts

 

COVER BAND: THE REAGAN YEARS

2nd Place: Vinyl Rhino

3rd Place: Guys in Thin Ties

 

ORIGINAL MUSIC BAND: STICKTIME

2nd Place: Words for Hands

3rd Place: The Knight Brothers

 

RADIO STATION: 106.9 THE EAGLE

2nd Place: Key 103

3rd Place: 99.9 Free Country

 

RADIO PERSONALITY: BOB MILLER

2nd Place: Dina Carole

3rd Place: Tom Whalen

 

BLOG: RMNB

2nd Place: Housewives of Frederick County

3rd Place: Out 40

 

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Urbana High School

3rd Place: Walkersville High School

 

HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND: LINGANORE HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Frederick High School

3rd Place: Urbana High School

 

SWIMMING POOL: EDWARD P. THOMAS POOL

2nd Place: Braddock Heights Pool

3rd Place: YMCA

 

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: Sugarloaf Mountain

 

GOLF COURSE: CLUSTERED SPIRES GOLF CLUB

2nd Place: Holly Hills Country Club

3rd Place: Whiskey Creek Golf Club

 

FITNESS CENTER: IN-FIT STUDIO

2nd Place: Planet Fitness

3rd Place: Barre East Fitness Studio

 

PERSONAL TRAINER: KIP JAWISH

2nd Place: Andrew Simpson

3rd Place: Shannon Wallace

 

YOGA STUDIO: SOL YOGA

2nd Place: Yogamour Yoga and Healing Arts Center

3rd Place: Luna Yoga

 

DANCE STUDIO: 24/7 DANCE STUDIO

2nd Place: Elite Feet Dance Studio

3rd Place: Dance Unlimited

 

MEN’S FASHION: HUNTING CREEK OUTFITTERS

2nd Place: Men’s Wearhouse

3rd Place: Macy’s

 

WOMEN’S FASHION: VELVET LOUNGE

2nd Place: Macy’s

3rd Place: Alicia L Boutique

 

WOMEN’S SHOES: DSW

2nd Place: Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse

3rd Place: Boscov’s

 

PHOTOGRAPHER: ENGIN PHOTOGRAPHY

2nd Place: Rebecca Mitchell Photography

3rd Place: Turner Photography Studio

 

JEWELRY: COLONIAL JEWELERS

2nd Place: Gold Thumb Jewelry Creations

3rd Place: Yaneth Reyes

 

HAIR SALON: THOMAS SCOTT SALON AND SPA

2nd Place: New York New York Hair Salon and Day Spa

3rd Place: Belleza Hair and Nail Studio

 

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

2nd Place: Thomas Scott Salon and Spa

3rd Place: Verbena Day Spa

 

NAIL CARE SALON: THOMAS SCOTT SALON AND SPA

2nd Place: New York New York Salon and Day Spa

3rd Place: Belleza Hair and Nail Studio

 

BARBERSHOP: GENTLEMEN’S CHOICE II

2nd Place: All About Men Barbershop

3rd Place: Wastler’s Barbershop

 

TATTOO PARLOR: TIME BOMB TATTOOS & CURIOSITIES

2nd Place: Classic Electric Tattoo

3rd Place: Key City Tattoo

 

ANTIQUES: OLD GLORY ANTIQUE MARKETPLACE

2nd Place: Emporium Antiques

3rd Place: Great Stuff by Paul

 

HOME FURNISHINGS: GLADHILL FURNITURE

2nd Place: At Home

3rd Place: HomeGoods

 

FARMERS MARKET: MIDDLETOWN

2nd Place: Urbana

3rd Place: Field Fresh

 

GARDEN CENTER: THE DUTCH PLANT FARM

2nd Place: Barrick Garden Center

3rd Place: Meadow Farms Nurdery

 

GROCERY STORE: WEGMANS

2nd Place: Common Market

3rd Place: Giant Eagle

 

VETERINARIAN: BUCKEYSTOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL

2nd Place: Kingsbrook Animal Hospital

3rd Place: Linganore Veterinary Clinic

 

PET STORE: RICK’S FISH & PET SUPPLY

2nd Place: Petco

3rd Place: Central Dawgma

 

PET-FRIENDLY VENUE: BAKER PARK

2nd Place: Greenbriar Veterinary Hospital & Luxury Pet Resort

3rd Place: Downtown Frederick

 

BOOKSTORE: CURIOUS IGUANA

2nd Place: Wonder Book

3rd Place: Barnes & Noble

 

COMIC BOOK STORE: BRAINSTORM COMICS & GAMING

2nd Place: Beyond Comics

3rd Place: Wonder Book

 

GIFT/SPECIALTY SHOP: OLIVE N& BASKET

2nd Place: The Muse

3rd Place: Retro-Metro

 

FLORIST: ABLOOM

2nd Place: Freesia and Vine

3rd Place: Ory Florals

 

DRY CLEANERS: ZIPS

2nd Place: Magic Touch Cleaners

3rd Place: Westridge Dry Cleaners

 

HOTEL: RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT

2nd Place: TownePlace Suites by Marriott

3rd Place: Hampton Inn

 

CAR DEALER: SHOCKLEY HONDA

2nd Place: DARCARS

3rd Place: Fitzgerald Auto Mall

 

AUTO REPAIR: CARRIAGE HOUSE AUTOMOTIVE

2nd Place: East County Auto

3rd Place: Bill & Earl’s Auto Services Center

 

CAR WASH: FREDERICK SHELL CARWASH

2nd Place: Auto Spa

3rd Place: The Detail Shop

 

CARPENTRY/HOME IMPROVEMENT: DORMAN HOME REMODELING

2nd Place: Nysa Construction

3rd Place: Talon Construction

 

LANDSCAPING: CLEARWATER LANDSCAPE & NURSERY

2nd Place: Hawkins Landscaping

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

 

PLUMBER: TRISTATE HOME SERVICES

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

3rd Place: All Around Plumbing

 

COMPUTER TECH/REPAIR: COMPUTER ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS

2nd Place: ITNeedsHelp

3rd Place: Geek Squad

 

BANK: WOODSBORO BANK

2nd Place: FCB Bank

3rd Place: PNC

 

FINANCIAL PLANNER: MCCASKILL FINANCIAL

2nd Place: Murray Financial Group

3rd Place: Higher Ground Financial Group

 

BUSINESS SUPPORT: MAC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

2nd Place: Copy Doc Business Solutions

3rd Place: Business Management Co.

 

REAL ESTATE/REALTOR: JIM BASS, JIM BASS GROUP OF REAL ESTATE TEAMS

2nd Place: Charis Realty Group

3rd Place: Peggy Magnanelli, RE/MAX Results

 

ARCHITECT: BATES ARCHITECTS

2nd Place: Proffitt & Associates Architects

3rd Place: ZA+D

 

DOCTOR: DR. ALI AFROOKTEH

2nd Place: Dr. Robert Parnes

3rd Place: Dr. Edward Fisher

 

LAWYER: JOHN HANRAHAN

2nd Place: Craig Habicht

3rd Place: Arthur Crum

 

DENTIST: DR. WILLIAM HALL

2nd Place: Smile Frederick

3rd Place: Opal Ridge Dental

 

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: EUPHORIA WELLNESS

2nd Place: Holistic Health Associates

3rd Place: Namaste Studios

 

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY: HOMEWOOD AT FREDERICK

2nd Place: Buckingham’s Choice

3rd Place: Edenton Retirement Community

 

SENIOR LIVING SERVICES: VISITING ANGELS

2nd Place: Right at Home

3rd Place: Daybreak Senior Services

 

NEIGHBORHOOD: IJAMSVILLE

2nd Place: Lake Linganore

3rd Place: Walkersville

 

WISH FREDERICK HAD: TRADER JOE’S

2nd Place: Top Golf

3rd Place: BGR Burger

 

WISH FREDERICK WOULD BRING BACK: FREEZ KING

2nd Place: Roller skating rink

3rd Place: Mays Hardware