Posted on 02.03.22

Now at 30 years old, Frederick Magazine’s annual “Best of Frederick” list has always been, by design, a popularity contest. Readers vote for their favorites—often to our agreement, sometimes to our chagrin—and we print the results.

We certainly see venerable favorites return year after year. Names like Dutch’s Daughter, Colonial Jewelers, Wag’s and Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital obviously have loyal followings, which is why they have been appearing on the “Best of Frederick” list for decades.

Loyalty even extends to events that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which explains why the Pink Ribbon Gala and Best of Frederick Bash both won honors in the “Charitable Event” category. Neither event took place in 2021 (Best of Frederick Bash was canceled again this year), but we hope both will soon return.

Despite the toll the pandemic has taken on our community, many first-time names appear on this year’s list, including new restaurants, shops and services. One new business, the popular Bakehouse bakery, took top honors in two different categories.

So, do you agree with this year’s list?

 

Eats: Treats and Drinks and More!

 

OVERALL RESTAURANT: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: White Rabbit Gastropub

 

NEW RESTAURANT: UP ON MARKET BISTRO & INN

2nd Place: Gambrill Mt. Food Co.

3rd Place: Thai Meric Eatery & Bar

 

SPECIAL OCCASION/ROMANTIC: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: The Tasting Room

3rd Place: The Wine Kitchen

 

SERVICE: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: White Rabbit Gastropub

 

STEAK: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Madrones

3rd Place: Red Horse Steak House

 

KID-FRIENDLY: SILVER DINER

2nd Place: Mountain Gate Family Restaurant

3rd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

 

ITALIAN: MANALU ITALIAN RESTAURANT

2nd Place: Pistarro’s

3rd Place: Fratelli’s Italian and Seafood

 

PIZZA: IL FORNO PIZZERIA

2nd Place: Pistarro’s

3rd Place: White Rabbit Gastropub

 

ASIAN: LUCKY CORNER

2nd Place: Modern Asia

3rd Place: Sumittra Thai Cuisine

 

SUSHI: LAZY FISH

2nd Place: Old Dominion Grill and Sushi

3rd Place: Asian Bistro

 

VEGETARIAN: HIPPY CHICK HUMMUS

2nd Place: The Orchard

3rd Place: Cafe Nola

 

LATIN AMERICAN: CACIQUE

2nd Place: Mexicali Cantina

3rd Place: Sabor De Cuba

 

BURRITO: CAFE BUENO

2nd Place: Casa Rico

3rd Place: Taco Daddy

 

SEAFOOD: AVERY’S MARYLAND GRILLE

2nd Place: Ragin’ Reef

3rd Place: May’s

 

CRAB CAKE: FRATELLI’S ITALIAN AND SEAFOOD

2nd Place: Dutch’s Daughter

3rd Place: Avery’s Maryland Grille

 

SPECIALTY: SUMITTRA THAI CUISINE

2nd Place: Tsunami

3rd Place: Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar

 

LUNCH: THE ORCHARD

2nd Place: Hero’s

3rd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

 

DELI/CARRYOUT: HERO’S

2nd Place: Juliet’s Italian Market and Café

3rd Place: a.k.a. Friscos

 

SANDWICH: JULIET’S ITALIAN MARKET AND CAFE

2nd Place: Hero’s

3rd Place: South Market Sandwich Co.

 

HAMBURGER: WAG’S

2nd Place: Roy Rogers

3rd Place: Maxwell’s Kitchen

 

HOT DOG: NORTH MARKET POP SHOP

2nd Place: Beef N Buns N Paradise

3rd Place: Maxwell’s Kitchen

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER

2nd Place: Wilcom’s Inn

3rd Place: The Derby Restaurant & Bar

 

BREAKFAST: SILVER DINER

2nd Place: Wilcom’s Inn

3rd Place: Cafe Nola

 

BAGEL: BEANS & BAGELS COFFEE BAR

2nd Place: Pumpernickel + Rye

3rd Place: Zi Pani

 

COFFEE SHOP: DUBLIN ROASTERS

2nd Place: Gravel & Grind

3rd Place: Frederick Coffee Company & Cafe

 

WORTH THE DRIVE: THE CARRIAGE HOUSE INN

2nd Place: Antrim 1844

3rd Place: Old South Mountain Inn

 

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

2nd Place: Bub-B-Que Barbecue and Catering

3rd Place: Black Hog BBQ

 

BARBEQUE RIBS: BLACK HOG BBQ

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

3rd Place: Madrones

 

CHILI: BLACK HOG BBQ

2nd Place: Wag’s

3rd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

 

CHICKEN WINGS: IL FORNO PIZZERIA

2nd Place: Anchor Bar

3rd Place: Glory Days

 

FRIED CHICKEN: ROY ROGERS

2nd Place: Watson’s Carry-Out

3rd Place: Trout’s Market

 

FOOD TRUCK: BUB-B-QUE BARBECUE AND CATERING

2nd Place: In10se BBQ

3rd Place: Authentic Traditional Mexican Food

 

DESSERT: BAKEHOUSE

2nd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

3rd Place: Canapés Catering

 

ICE CREAM/FROZEN DESSERT: ROCKY POINT CREAMERY

2nd Place: South Mountain Creamery

3rd Place: Sweet Babe’s Creamery

 

CHOCOLATE: ZOE’S CHOCOLATE

2nd Place: The Perfect Truffle

3rd Place: The Candy Kitchen

 

BAKERY: BAKEHOUSE

2nd Place: Ed’s Country Bakery

3rd Place: Stone Hearth Bakery

 

LOCAL BEER: OLDE MOTHER BREWING

2nd Place: Rockwell Brewery

3rd Place: Flying Dog Brewery

 

LOCAL WINE: BLACK ANKLE VINEYARDS

2nd Place: Linganore Winecellars

3rd Place: Springfield Manor

 

DISTILLERY: DRAGON DISTILLERY

2nd Place: Tenth Ward Distilling Company

3rd Place: McClintock Distilling

 

LIQUOR STORE: RIVERSIDE LIQUORS

2nd Place: Ye Old Spirit Shop

3rd Place: Mt. Airy Liquors

 

OVERALL BAR: JOJO’S RESTAURANT & TAP HOUSE

2nd Place: Brewer’s Alley

3rd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

 

HAPPY HOUR: HOOTCH & BANTER

2nd Place: Brewer’s Alley

3rd Place: Bushwaller’s

 

SINGLES BAR: CELLAR DOOR

2nd Place: Champion Billiards Sports Bar

3rd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

 

COCKTAIL: THE TASTING ROOM

2nd Place: Hootch & Banter

3rd Place: JoJo’s Restaurant & Tap House

 

SPORTS BAR: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR

2nd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria

3rd Place: The Upper Deck Too

 

BILLIARDS: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR

2nd Place: Belles’ Sports Bar & Grill

3rd Place: All Star Billiards Bar and Grill

 

CATERER: CANAPES CATERING

2nd Place: Celebrations Catering

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

 

Fun: Diversions and Pastimes and More!

 

RECEPTION VENUE: DULANY’S OVERLOOK

2nd Place: Ceresville Mansion

3rd Place: Morningside Inn

 

CHARITABLE/SOCIAL EVENT: PINK RIBBON GALA

2nd Place: Best of Frederick Bash

3rd Place: Frederick Turkey Trot

 

FESTIVAL/EVENT: THE GREAT FREDERICK FAIR

2nd Place: In the Streets

3rd Place: Frederick’s Oktoberfest

 

ART GALLERY: THE DELAPLAINE ARTS CENTER

2nd Place: Griffin Art Center

3rd Place: TAG/The Artists Gallery

 

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: Other Voices Theatre

3rd Place: Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre

 

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: SURELOCKED IN ESCAPE GAMES

2nd Place: Weinberg Center for the Arts

3rd Place: Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre

 

COVER BAND: THE REAGAN YEARS

2nd Place: Vinyl Rhino

3rd Place: Guys in Thin Ties

 

ORIGINAL MUSIC BAND: HARD SWIMMIN’ FISH

2nd Place: Michelle Hannan & One Blue Night

3rd Place: With Satellites

 

RADIO STATION: WFMD-AM

2nd Place: 106.9 The Eagle

3rd Place: 99.9 Free Country

 

RADIO PERSONALITY: BOB MILLER

2nd Place: Dina Carole

3rd Place: Tom Whalen

 

BLOG: DUDE MOM

2nd Place: RMNB

3rd Place: Out 40

 

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: URBANA HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Oakdale High School

3rd Place: Middletown High School

 

HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND: LINGANORE HIGH SCHOOL

2nd Place: Urbana High School

3rd Place: Oakdale High School

 

SWIMMING POOL: BRADDOCK HEIGHTS POOL

2nd Place: Diggs Pool

3rd Place: YMCA

 

PARK: BAKER PARK

2nd Place: Gambrill State Park

3rd Place: Heritage Farm Park

 

HIKING TRAIL: GAMBRILL STATE PARK

2nd Place: Sugarloaf Mountain

3rd Place: Cunningham Falls State Park

 

GOLF COURSE: CLUSTERED SPIRES GOLF CLUB

2nd Place: Whiskey Creek Golf Club

3rd Place: Holly Hills Country Club

 

FITNESS CENTER: IN-FIT STUDIO

2nd Place: Onelife Fitness

3rd Place: Planet Fitness

 

PERSONAL TRAINER: KIP JAWISH

2nd Place: Shannon Wallace

3rd Place: Michael Colella

 

PET-FRIENDLY VENUE: IDIOM BREWING CO.

2nd Place: Rockwell Brewery

3rd Place: Downtown Frederick

 

DANCE STUDIO: 24/7 DANCE STUDIO

2nd Place: Elite Feet Dance Studio

3rd Place: Dance Unlimited

 

YOGA STUDIO: SOL YOGA

2nd Place: Yogamour Yoga and Healing Arts Center

3rd Place: Mountain Spirit Yoga

 

MEN’S FASHION: HUNTING CREEK OUTFITTERS

2nd Place: Men’s Wearhouse

3rd Place: Macy’s

 

WOMEN’S FASHION: VELVET LOUNGE

2nd Place: Talbots

3rd Place: Molly’s Meanderings

 

WOMEN’S SHOES: OFF BROADWAY SHOE WAREHOUSE

2nd Place: DSW

3rd Place: Velvet Lounge

 

PHOTOGRAPHER: PHOTOGRAPHY BY YARA

2nd Place: Turner Photography Studio

3rd Place: Kim Harmon

 

HAIR SALON: THOMAS SCOTT SALON AND SPA

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

3rd Place: Artisinal Hair Company

 

JEWELRY: COLONIAL JEWELERS

2nd Place: Gold Thumb Jewelry Creations

3rd Place: Yaneth Reyes

 

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: Belleza Hair and Nail Studio

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

 

BARBERSHOP: GENTLEMEN’S CHOICE II

2nd Place: Wastler’s Barbershop

3rd Place: All About Men Barbershop

 

TATTOO PARLOR: TIME BOMB TATTOOS & CURIOSITIES

2nd Place: Blue Crab Tattoo & Body Piercing

3rd Place: Key City Tattoo

 

ANTIQUES: GREAT STUFF BY PAUL

2nd Place: Emporium Antiques

3rd Place: Old Glory Antique Marketplace

 

FARMERS MARKET: MIDDLETOWN

2nd Place: Frederick

3rd Place: East Street

 

HOME FURNISHINGS: GLADHILL FURNITURE

2nd Place: HomeGoods

3rd Place: Regency Furniture

 

GARDEN CENTER: THE DUTCH PLANT FARM

2nd Place: Meadow Farms Nursery

3rd Place: Barrick Garden Center

 

GROCERY STORE: WEGMANS

2nd Place: Giant Eagle

3rd Place: Common Market

 

PET STORE: CENTRAL DAWGMA

2nd Place: Petco

3rd Place: Rick’s Fish & Pet Supply

 

Extras: Services and Support and More!

 

VETERINARIAN: BUCKEYSTOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL

2nd Place: Linganore Veterinary Clinic

3rd Place: Kingsbrook Animal Hospital

 

BOOKSTORE: CURIOUS IGUANA

2nd Place: Barnes & Noble

3rd Place: Wonder Book

 

COMIC BOOK STORE: BRAINSTORM COMICS & GAMING

2nd Place: Beyond Comics

3rd Place: Wonder Book

 

GIFT/SPECIALTY SHOP: RETRO-METRO

2nd Place: Olive & Basket

3rd Place: Ec’clectibles

 

FLORIST: ABLOOM

2nd Place: Freesia and Vine

3rd Place: Frederick Florist

 

DRY CLEANERS: ZIPS

2nd Place: Magic Touch Cleaners

3rd Place: North End Cleaners

 

HOTEL: RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT

2nd Place: TownePlace Suites by Marriott

3rd Place: Hampton Inn

 

CAR DEALER: IDEAL BUICK

2nd Place: Shockley Honda

3rd Place: Fitzgerald Auto Mall

 

AUTO REPAIR: CARRIAGE HOUSE AUTOMOTIVE

2nd Place: East County Auto

3rd Place: Frederick Auto Repair

 

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: Anthony Owens

 

LANDSCAPING: CLEARWATER LANDSCAPE & NURSERY

2nd Place: Hawkins Landscaping

3rd Place: Barrick & Sons

 

ELECTRICIAN: PROVIDENT ELECTRIC

2nd Place: Electrical Connections

3rd Place: Brandenburg Electric

 

PLUMBER: TRISTATE HOME SERVICES

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

3rd Place: O’Connor Plumbing

 

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

2nd Place: Thompson Best Heating and Air Conditioning

3rd Place: Frederick Air

 

COMPUTER TECH/REPAIR: COMPUTER ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS

2nd Place: West Main Tech Services

3rd Place: ITNeedsHelp

 

BANK: WOODSBORO BANK

2nd Place: FCB Bank

3rd Place: M&T Bank

 

FINANCIAL PLANNING: MCCASKILL FINANCIAL

2nd Place: RS Will Wealth Management

3rd Place: Four Points Group at Morgan Stanley/Betsy Pakenas

 

BUSINESS SUPPORT: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPANY

2nd Place: LSWG

3rd Place: Copy Doc Business Solutions

 

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

2nd Place: Dawn Long/RE/MAX

3rd Place: Marsh Realty

 

ARCHITECT: BATES ARCHITECTS

2nd Place: Proffitt & Associates Architects

3rd Place: Caddworks

 

DOCTOR: DR. ALI AFROOKTEH

2nd Place: Dr. Robert Parnes

3rd Place: Dr. Edward Fisher

 

LAWYER: MORGAN WHEELER

2nd Place: John Hanrahan

3rd Place: Craig Habicht

 

DENTIST: DR. WILLIAM HALL

2nd Place: Kopit Dental

3rd Place: Monocacy Valley Dental

 

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: HOLISTIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES

2nd Place: Dr. Gary Schreiber

3rd Place: Namaste Studios

 

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY: HOMEWOOD AT FREDERICK

2nd Place: Buckingham’s Choice

3rd Place: HeartFields Assisted Living Senior

 

LIVING SERVICES: VISITING ANGELS

2nd Place: Sunrise

3rd Place: Right at Home

 

NEIGHBORHOOD: LAKE LINGANORE

2nd Place: Urbana

3rd Place: Woodsboro

 

WISH FREDERICK HAD: BGR BURGER

2nd Place: Trader Joe’s

3rd Place: Top Golf

 

WISH FREDERICK WOULD BRING BACK: HORSE CARRIAGE RIDES

2nd Place: One Vast Adventure

3rd Place: Scotty’s Bus

 

Peace Out and Congratulations!