By The Docks

Pros: VERY clean! Good crabcake. Relaxing atmosphere.

Cons: Everything else-- Slow waitress, bad food (other than the wonderful crabcake).



I am originally from Baltimore, but my family moved away when I was in elementary school. They moved back in 2006 and I came to visit them this weekend. My mom suggested yesterday (9/27/09) that we go get a crabcake each at "By the Docks". I was all excited to get a crabcake! I live in the South now and there is no seafood down there that is not deep fried. So we proceeded to the restaraunt. This restaraunt is conveniently located off of Eastern Blvd. near Lockheed Martin & Martin State Airport. It was easy to find. We had reservations & they were fairly prompt seating us. The restaraunt (and bathroom) was very clean. It's painted a relaxing blue color with white table cloths & candle-lit tables. Our waitress (Sophia, I believe) was VERY sloooooow. She brought my mom and me each a glass of water and then disappeared for a good 10-15 minutes without taking our order. She finally took our order (a single crabcake plater w/ salad & one side, each) & it took another 15 minutes for her to bring out our salad (first course). I could have gotten a better salad at a fast food restaraunt. It was on a small glass plate and consisted of chopped lettuce, about 5 croutons, and ONE wedge of tomato. I believe there was some shredded carrot too but I cannot recall. I only took about 3 bites from it. The waitress finally brought our our meals and she brought us the wrong food. Instead of just politely excusing herself to get the right sides from the kitchen, she stood there trying to justify bringing us the wrong sides by telling us she doesn't write table numbers on her tickets (??why??). We politely reminded her of our order & she brought out the correct sides in a flash. Looking at my plate, there was a mound of beautiful (and delicious!) lump crab meat that looked more like a giant mound of mashed potatoes than a crab cake. It was great! Then on the side of the plate, there was a single piece of lettuce & some dry, spoiled looking shredded carrot. I didn't eat any of that. It seemed like a waste of resources to me though. My side was a baked potato & it was disgusting. It was overcooked & dry. It tasted like they'd left it in the warmer all day. Then our waitress took a long time to bring us our checks.



Pros: VERY clean! Good crabcake. Relaxing atmosphere.

Cons: Everything else-- Slow waitress, bad food (other than the wonderful crabcake).

YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT BUT THE CRAB CAKES ARE WORTH IT. THEY ARE RATHER LARGE WITH JUST ENOUGH FILLER TO HOLD THEM TOGETHER. THE SEASONING IS JUST RIGHT. THE SIDES WERE GOOD BUT THE CRAB CAKE OUT SHINES THEM ALL.