Eats and Drinks
Best Crab House
Bill's Terrace Inn
200 Eastern Blvd., Essex, (410) 687-5994
It's been a hard year for hard crabs, and an even harder one for finding a reliably good crab house with a steady supply of excellent hard-shells. We have a hunch that Mr. Bill, the omnipresent proprietor of Bill's Terrace Inn, is some kind of Mid-Atlantic Tony Soprano, because the man clearly has connections in the under(water) world. The crabs here are of consistently good quality, big and meaty; if they're not, Mr. Bill is the first to warn you. Crustaceans, of course, are the primary consideration, but we also like the house crab seasoning--a sturdy blend of rock salt, red pepper, and spices (we suspect cumin)--and the no-nonsense but friendly waitresses who can whip the brown paper on or off a table for 10 in one graceful motion.
Other Awards for Best Crab House:
L.P. Steamers, 9/16/2009
Mr. Bill's Terrace Inn, 9/17/2008
Gunning's Seafood Restaurant, 9/19/2007
Mr. Bill's Terrace Inn, 9/20/2006
Mariner’s Landing, 9/21/2005
L.P. Steamers, 9/22/2004
Costas Inn, 9/17/2003
Mariner's Landing, 9/19/2001
Mariner's Landing, 9/13/2000
Gabler's, 9/15/1999
Cantler's Riverside Inn, 9/17/1997
Gunning’s Crab House, 9/18/1996
