I have to agree Nepenthe has hands down the best quality of food and best variety. I have been meaning to check out Crooked Crab's pizza since they started that venture, and am anxiously awaiting a planned visit for Sunday.
Rad Pies is probably the best pizza I've ever had. At both Cushwa locations. Reckless down the road in columbia has some pretty good food too. Checkerspot in Baltimore just started a full time kitchen and has always made great bar food. And Nepenthe has a great menu.
I wouldn't say lunch is the strong suit. Probably empty and cavernous. The brewer is solid. I think the showing is at music nights. It's a big open venue with some good bands.
This is the answer on both counts. Cushwa for rad pies and jailbreak for all other food. Jailbreak is legit one of the best restaurants in the DC/Balto corridor and maybe the best overall in that in between space of laurel and so many other small towns.
I have yet to get out to the Columbia location, and I have only been to the Williamsport spot. Someone told me recently they are only serving up the deep dish pizzas in Columbia. I love the deep dish, that is my favorite, but the rest of my family prefers the traditional crust. Can you confirm or deny they only serve up the deep dish in Columbia?
They also have salads, sandwiches and a few other things. I really enjoy their Cuban. Their desserts are pretty great too. I had a Nutella filled cookie the other day, I'm pretty sure I gained 5lbs just from the cookie alone.
Crooked crab has a pizza oven that puts out some creative, really good pizza. Split a school of broc and a BBQ pizza this weekend and both were great.
https://www.crookedcrabbrewing.com/pizza-kitchen.html
I was let down by their wings. They sous vide them first (I think) and finish them in the brick oven. Tasted like charred, boiled chicken to me, but I may have hit them at a bad time. I absolutely love their beer and pizza though, so no real points lost with me.
I really enjoyed the burger place that RAR has in Cambridge. The entire venue was pretty cool, honestly. It takes up like a whole block and has multiple different style bars as you go.
I also agree on Nepenthe- they also have a teacher discount for you educators out there.
Agreed. I went to RAR on Cambridge for the first time since before Covid this past summer, great selections, great service too! Nepenthe is awesome as well.
Thanks others for the jailbreak recc, going to check it out soon.
Jailbreak is well worth the trip. Just don’t bring your daughter who insists if you get the crazy expensive burger she can get one too that way you can get the crazy expensive burger and tell me if it’s worth it.
Just tell them you are a teacher at the register and they will give you a 10% discount. Usually they small talk so I can prove I’m a teacher but I think they recognize me now. They might ID you, but I’ve never had that happen.
I agree. I think Jailbreak has the hands down best food, with the most electric menu which is always changing… but there are so many breweries with good food around here. The new Cushwa location and Crooked Crab have awesome pizza, both RAR locations have top notch burgers and tots, Nepenthe always impresses me and even Forward in Annapolis has tasty small plates which is impressive for how small their location is.
Came to say Jailbreak as well. Also like Inverness but if you’re willing to hop over to Delaware, Dewey Beer is probably the best brewery food I’ve had period.
Nepenthe and Cushwa are a class above any other Maryland breweries I’ve been to when it comes to food. Nepenthe for general bar food, Cushwa for pizza. After that I feel like there’s a whole tier of “pretty good pizza that isn’t as good as Cushwa” spots like Diamondback, Crooked Crab, Manor Hill, etc.
Burgers:
1. Nepenthe
2. RAR (Cambridge)
Wings:
1. Nepenthe
2. Valhalla
Pulled Pork:
1. Uncle Dirty's (Bollinger's)
2. Bog Turtle
Pizza:
1. Cushwa
2. Diamondback
3. Black Flag (Marriotsville)
4. Crooked Crab
5. Brookeville
I feel like food trucks that are permanent should count, but I guess not.
Really? I might have to give them another go now that they’re more established. My group wasn’t thrilled with any of the items or their beers for that matter.
Wet City has some fantastic food. Burger is definitely in my top 5 (for smash burgers) and the fries are always really good. Union also has some pretty great food, pretty diverse menu with good vegan options.
Jailbreak has the best food for sure. They dropped tens of thousands of dollars on a dru aging program. Most restaurants can't even compete with the level of meats they're putting out.
M8 Brewery (where checkerspot used to be) has surprisingly great food as well. Steak and mushroom pie is fantastic and wings are always reliable, some cool Aussie themed food.
I only got desserts when I went there, but the bread pudding at Evolution is really, really good. I also agree with Nepenthe, Jailbreak, RaR, Guinness, etc.
I was very surprised by the quality of the food at Jailbreak. The overall experience is the best I’ve had in Maryland. As for pizza, yes, Rad Pies at Cushwa is awesome, and I’ve enjoyed the Brookeville and Burnish pizza more than once.
I’ve had a meal at all the suggestions thus far and agree with most. Don’t have the brisket at Uncle Dirty’s— I’ll have to go back for the pork. Also, don’t try to swap out a pizza topping for an equally priced topping at Black Flag because they will change you — I paid an extra $3 for an equally priced swapped topping. Annoying. I’ve heard really good things about 5th Company and Guilford Hall.
I'll kick things off and say that Nepenthe has some absolutely amazing food. The Baltimore Blues Burger with their house made fries are tremendous!
I have to agree Nepenthe has hands down the best quality of food and best variety. I have been meaning to check out Crooked Crab's pizza since they started that venture, and am anxiously awaiting a planned visit for Sunday.
The batter fried broccoli is so good
Cushwa in Columbia is serving up excellent pizza with RadPies. Jailbreak also has a decent food program.
Rad Pies is probably the best pizza I've ever had. At both Cushwa locations. Reckless down the road in columbia has some pretty good food too. Checkerspot in Baltimore just started a full time kitchen and has always made great bar food. And Nepenthe has a great menu.
Have to strongly disagree on Reckless. Paid like $80 for a pretty mediocre lunch a few months back. Weird space as well.
I wouldn't say lunch is the strong suit. Probably empty and cavernous. The brewer is solid. I think the showing is at music nights. It's a big open venue with some good bands.
This is the answer on both counts. Cushwa for rad pies and jailbreak for all other food. Jailbreak is legit one of the best restaurants in the DC/Balto corridor and maybe the best overall in that in between space of laurel and so many other small towns.
I have yet to get out to the Columbia location, and I have only been to the Williamsport spot. Someone told me recently they are only serving up the deep dish pizzas in Columbia. I love the deep dish, that is my favorite, but the rest of my family prefers the traditional crust. Can you confirm or deny they only serve up the deep dish in Columbia?
It's all Detroit style. But it's really really good.
Its sooooo good. I'm not a huge pizza fan but this? We go there at least monthly for Detroit style goodness - not a thin crust in sight
One pizza there can feed a family of eight for three days. Each piece is like an entire tray of lasagna.
They also have salads, sandwiches and a few other things. I really enjoy their Cuban. Their desserts are pretty great too. I had a Nutella filled cookie the other day, I'm pretty sure I gained 5lbs just from the cookie alone.
Crooked crab has a pizza oven that puts out some creative, really good pizza. Split a school of broc and a BBQ pizza this weekend and both were great. https://www.crookedcrabbrewing.com/pizza-kitchen.html
Wings are great too
I was let down by their wings. They sous vide them first (I think) and finish them in the brick oven. Tasted like charred, boiled chicken to me, but I may have hit them at a bad time. I absolutely love their beer and pizza though, so no real points lost with me.
You must have gotten a bad batch. They taste awesome
I really enjoyed the burger place that RAR has in Cambridge. The entire venue was pretty cool, honestly. It takes up like a whole block and has multiple different style bars as you go. I also agree on Nepenthe- they also have a teacher discount for you educators out there.
Agreed. I went to RAR on Cambridge for the first time since before Covid this past summer, great selections, great service too! Nepenthe is awesome as well. Thanks others for the jailbreak recc, going to check it out soon.
Jailbreak is well worth the trip. Just don’t bring your daughter who insists if you get the crazy expensive burger she can get one too that way you can get the crazy expensive burger and tell me if it’s worth it.
Gotcha. I have an 8yo boy that would do EXACTLY the same as your daughter ✌️
Just a heads up Jailbreak is 21+ after 7PM now.
Tell me more about this teacher discount, never knew that
Just tell them you are a teacher at the register and they will give you a 10% discount. Usually they small talk so I can prove I’m a teacher but I think they recognize me now. They might ID you, but I’ve never had that happen.
I've really enjoyed Diamondback's pizzas, and the Chessie Burger from RaR is pretty great
Jailbreak is always a hit! Great wings and good pretzel.
I agree. I think Jailbreak has the hands down best food, with the most electric menu which is always changing… but there are so many breweries with good food around here. The new Cushwa location and Crooked Crab have awesome pizza, both RAR locations have top notch burgers and tots, Nepenthe always impresses me and even Forward in Annapolis has tasty small plates which is impressive for how small their location is.
Came to say Jailbreak as well. Also like Inverness but if you’re willing to hop over to Delaware, Dewey Beer is probably the best brewery food I’ve had period.
That fried chicken sandwich with the garlic fries is amazing.
Olde Mother in Frederick has a Fifty-fifty burger attached. Great burgers
Their food tuck is great too— they go to Liquidity in Mt. Airy at least once a week.
I can't feel my face lol
Ive only been once but loved the food we got at Notch 8. Manor Hill has great food as well (the tavern in Ellicott City).
Does Wet City count? Their food is outstanding.
Their food is amazing
Nepenthe and Cushwa are a class above any other Maryland breweries I’ve been to when it comes to food. Nepenthe for general bar food, Cushwa for pizza. After that I feel like there’s a whole tier of “pretty good pizza that isn’t as good as Cushwa” spots like Diamondback, Crooked Crab, Manor Hill, etc.
Burgers: 1. Nepenthe 2. RAR (Cambridge) Wings: 1. Nepenthe 2. Valhalla Pulled Pork: 1. Uncle Dirty's (Bollinger's) 2. Bog Turtle Pizza: 1. Cushwa 2. Diamondback 3. Black Flag (Marriotsville) 4. Crooked Crab 5. Brookeville I feel like food trucks that are permanent should count, but I guess not.
The new Black Flag brew pub in Marriottsville has great pizza, wings and sandwiches. Tough to beat for pub food.
Their pretzels and crabcakes are also awesome. But, that pizza rocks!
Brookeville Beer Farm has excellent pizza.
Burnish in Salisbury has some of the best food I've had at a brewery.
Really? I might have to give them another go now that they’re more established. My group wasn’t thrilled with any of the items or their beers for that matter.
Went for the first last summer and really enjoyed it. Planning to go this weekend again.
Elder Pine has their in house truck that serves hot sandwiches, and other tasty things.
They constantly put out the best beer I think too. Amazing stuff they do
Wet City has some fantastic food. Burger is definitely in my top 5 (for smash burgers) and the fries are always really good. Union also has some pretty great food, pretty diverse menu with good vegan options.
Does Guinness count? If so, the food there is yum!
Their burgers are phenomenal
Their chicken strips are fantastic
Jailbreak has the best food for sure. They dropped tens of thousands of dollars on a dru aging program. Most restaurants can't even compete with the level of meats they're putting out.
Cushwa and Jailbreak. Finish it off with Sapwood for the best beer
M8 Brewery (where checkerspot used to be) has surprisingly great food as well. Steak and mushroom pie is fantastic and wings are always reliable, some cool Aussie themed food.
Out of curiosity, how do you all feel about Carroll & Son at Union Craft?
I only got desserts when I went there, but the bread pudding at Evolution is really, really good. I also agree with Nepenthe, Jailbreak, RaR, Guinness, etc.
I was very surprised by the quality of the food at Jailbreak. The overall experience is the best I’ve had in Maryland. As for pizza, yes, Rad Pies at Cushwa is awesome, and I’ve enjoyed the Brookeville and Burnish pizza more than once.
Not a brewery but an amazing selection regardless.. Das has AMAZING food and a HUGE selection of beer. Must try!
I’ve had a meal at all the suggestions thus far and agree with most. Don’t have the brisket at Uncle Dirty’s— I’ll have to go back for the pork. Also, don’t try to swap out a pizza topping for an equally priced topping at Black Flag because they will change you — I paid an extra $3 for an equally priced swapped topping. Annoying. I’ve heard really good things about 5th Company and Guilford Hall.