Best of Frederick 2023
Change, as they say, is inevitable, and our annual poll of our readers’’ favorite things about Frederick County is not immune to changing tastes and styles.
This year’s “Best of Frederick” list includes many new names, including Cugino Forno (first place for New Restaurant), Frederick Social (a finalist in three categories) and That’s Sew Hillary (first place for Hidden Gem).
But many familiar faces are still here, as well. For example, venerable dining establishments like The Tasting Room, Black Hog BBQ and Dutch’s Daughter are once again repeat honorees. (Dutch’s Daughter took top honors in six categories.) Among the retail businesses and services in the county, you will see recognizable names like Colonial Jewelers, The Dutch Plant Farm and Woodsboro Bank.
There were also some curious responses, such as Vinyl Rhino being a finalist in the Cover Band category, despite the not-so-small fact that the group no longer exists. Meanwhile, retailer Robbies Billiards received votes for Billiards, a category usually occupied by local bars; then again, we never specified billiards bar, so shame on us.
The questions and disagreements will never end, which has been the case for “Best of Frederick” for 31 years. Whenever you ask a group of people to name their favorite Asian restaurant, fitness center or coffee shop, there is a decent chance a debate will flare up. It only makes sense, then, that a readers’ poll of more than 100 categories attracts a strong response.
So, look on the following pages and see for yourself. What are your opinions about this year’s winners? Also, feel free to email us at editor@fredmag.com and let us know what categories you would like to see added—and perhaps deleted—for the next “Best of Frederick” poll.
THE YUMMYS
OVERALL RESTAURANT: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER
2nd Place: The Tasting Room
3rd Place: The Wine Kitchen
SPECIAL OCCASION/ROMANTIC: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER
2nd Place: The Tasting Room
3rd Place: The Wine Kitchen
STEAK: RED HORSE STEAK HOUSE
2nd Place: The Tasting Room
3rd Place: Dutch’s Daughter
ITALIAN: MANALÙ ITALIAN RESTAURANT
2nd Place: Fratelli’s Italian and Seafood
3rd Place: Cucina Massi
ASIAN: MODERN ASIA
2nd Place: China Garden
3rd Place: Lucky Corner
SPECIALTY: JERK N’ JIVE CARIBBEAN KITCHEN
2nd Place: Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar
3rd Place: Analia’s Cafe
LATIN AMERICAN: CAFE BUENO
2nd Place: Cacique
3rd Place: Mariachi Restaurant
SEAFOOD: AVERY’S MARYLAND GRILLE
2nd Place: May’s Seafood Restaurant
3rd Place: Ragin’ Reef
CRAB CAKE: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER
2nd Place: Fratelli’s Italian and Seafood
3rd Place: Avery’s Maryland Grille
DELI/CARRYOUT: HERO’S
2nd Place: Juliet’s Italian Market and Café
3rd Place: a.k.a. Friscos
HAMBURGER: BEEF N BUNS N PARADISE
2nd Place: Wag’s
3rd Place: Oscar’s Alehouse
SUNDAY BRUNCH: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER
2nd Place: Madrones
3rd Place: Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar
BAGEL: ZI PANI
2nd Place: Beans & Bagels
3rd Place: Panera Bread
WORTH THE DRIVE: OLD SOUTH MOUNTAIN INN
2nd Place: Bavarian Inn
3rd Place: Antrim 1844
BARBEQUE RIBS: BLACK HOG BBQ
2nd Place: P.I.G.S.
3rd Place: Carterque
CHICKEN WINGS: IL FORNO PIZZERIA
2nd Place: Anchor Bar
3rd Place: Buffalo Wild Wings
FOOD TRUCK: GRILLED CHEESE PLEASE!
2nd Place: Boxcar Burgers
3rd Place: In10se BBQ
BAKERY: BAKEHOUSE
2nd Place: Stone Hearth Bakery
3rd Place: Ed’s Country Bakery
CHOCOLATE: ZOE’S CHOCOLATE
2nd Place: The Perfect Truffle
3rd Place: The Candy Kitchen
LOCAL WINE: LINGANORE WINECELLARS
2nd Place: Black Ankle Vineyards
3rd Place: Springfield Manor
LIQUOR STORE: RIVERSIDE LIQUORS
2nd Place: Old Farm Liquors
3rd Place: Brown’s Liquors & Deli
HAPPY HOUR: BREWER’S ALLEY
2nd Place: JoJo’s Restaurant & Tap House
3rd Place: Oscar’s Alehouse
COCKTAIL: THE TASTING ROOM
2nd Place: Hootch & Banter
3rd Place: JoJo’s Restaurant & Tap House
THE GROOVY
SPORTS BAR: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR
2nd Place: Belles’ Sports Bar & Grill
3rd Place: Valley Sports Grill
CATERER: CANAPÉS CATERING
2nd Place: The Savory Spoon
3rd Place: Renaissance Chef Catering Co.
CHARITABLE/SOCIAL EVENT: CATOCTIN AFFAIR
2nd Place: Alive @ Five
3rd Place: Delaplaine Gala
ART GALLERY: THE DELAPLAINE ARTS CENTER
2nd Place: TAG/The Artists Gallery
3rd Place: NOMA Gallery
THEATER TROUPE/GROUP: MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE
2nd Place: Other Voices Theatre
3rd Place: Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre
COVER BAND: THE REAGAN YEARS
2nd Place: Guys in Thin Ties
3rd Place: Vinyl Rhino
RADIO STATION: KEY 103
2nd Place: 106.9 The Eagle
3rd Place: 99.9 Free Country
BLOG: HOUSEWIVES OF FREDERICK COUNTY
2nd Place: RMNB
3rd Place: Out 40
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: WALKERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
2nd Place: Oakdale High School
3rd Place: Middletown High School
PARK: BAKER PARK
2nd Place: Heritage Farm Park
3rd Place: Gambrill State Park
GOLF COURSE: CLUSTERED SPIRES GOLF CLUB
2nd Place: Musket Ridge Golf Club
3rd Place: Holly Hills Country Club
PERSONAL TRAINER: KIP JAWISH
2nd Place: Shannon Wallace
3rd Place: Michael Colella
YOGA STUDIO: SOL YOGA
2nd Place: Yogamour Yoga & Healing Arts Center
3rd Place: Roots & River Yoga
WOMEN’S FASHION: TALBOTS
2nd Place: Velvet Lounge
3rd Place: Alicia L Boutique
PHOTOGRAPHER: TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
2nd Place: Davis Studio
3rd Place: 5th & Market Photography
HAIR SALON: NEW YORK NEW YORK HAIR SALON AND DAY SPA
2nd Place: Thomas Scott Hair Salon & Spa
3rd Place: Belleza Salon & Day Spa
NAIL CARE SALON: NEW YORK NEW YORK SALON AND DAY SPA
2nd Place: Belleza Salon & Day Spa
3rd Place: Thomas Scott Hair Salon & Spa
TATTOO PARLOR: KEY CITY TATTOO
2nd Place: Time Bomb Tattoos & Curiosties
3rd Place: Classic Electric Tattoo
HOME FURNISHINGS: GLADHILL FURNITURE
2nd Place: HomeGoods
3rd Place: Bailey’s Treasures
GARDEN CENTER: THE DUTCH PLANT FARM
2nd Place: Barrick Garden Center
3rd Place: Meadow Farms Nursery
PET STORE: RICK’S FISH & PET SUPPLY
2nd Place: Wagsmore
3rd Place: My Pet Store and More
DIG IT
VETERINARIAN: GLADE VALLEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2nd Place: Kingsbrook Animal Hospital
3rd Place: Yellow Springs Veterinary Clinic
BOOKSTORE: CURIOUS IGUANA
2nd Place: Wonder Book & Video
3rd Place: Barnes & Noble
GIFT/SPECIALTY SHOP: DANCING BEAR TOYS AND GAMES
2nd Place: Retro-Metro
3rd Place: Ec’clectibles
DRY CLEANERS: ZIPS CLEANERS
2nd Place: J&M Cleaners
3rd Place: Magic Touch Cleaners
CAR DEALER: THE FREDERICK MOTOR COMPANY
2nd Place: Shockley Honda
3rd Place: Fitzgerald Auto Mall
CAR WASH: THE AUTO SPA
2nd Place: Rosemont Car Wash
3rd Place: The Detail Shop
LANDSCAPING: CLEARWATER LANDSCAPE & NURSERY
2nd Place: Hawkins Landscaping
3rd Place: Metro Landscape & Construction
HEATING/AIR COND.: N.E. “BOB” WALTZ PLUMBING & HEATING
2nd Place: Frederick Air
3rd Place: Warner Service
COMPUTER TECH/REPAIR: COMPUTER ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS
2nd Place: ITNeedsHelp
3rd Place: Clark Computer Services
FINANCIAL PLANNING: MCCASKILL FINANCIAL
2nd Place: Key Financial Group
3rd Place: RBC Wealth Management
REAL ESTATE/REALTOR: JIM BASS GROUP OF REAL ESTATE TEAMS
2nd Place: Marsh Realty
3rd Place: Impact Maryland Real Estate
DOCTOR: DR. EDWARD FISHER
2nd Place: Dr. Robert Parnes
3rd Place: Dr. Ali Afrookteh
LAWYER: ARTHUR CRUM
2nd Place: Morgan Wheeler
3rd Place: Craig Habicht
SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY: HOMEWOOD AT FREDERICK
2nd Place: Buckingham’s Choice
3rd Place: Edenton Retirement Community
NEIGHBORHOOD: LAKE LINGANORE
2nd Place: Downtown Frederick
3rd Place: Spring Ridge
WISH FREDERICK HAD: TRADER JOE’S
2nd Place: Cheesecake Factory
3rd Place: Top Golf
NEW RESTAURANT: CUGINO FORNO
2nd Place: Frederick Social
3rd Place: Thai Meric Eatery & Bar
SERVICE: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER
2nd Place: The Tasting Room
3rd Place: Red Horse Steak House
KID-FRIENDLY: MOUNTAIN GATE FAMILY RESTAURANT
2nd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria
3rd Place: Frederick Social
PIZZA: IL FORNO PIZZERIA
2nd Place: Pistarro’s
3rd Place: Bellisario’s Pizza
SUSHI: LAZY FISH
2nd Place: Old Dominion Grill and Sushi
3rd Place: China Garden
VEGETARIAN: THE ORCHARD
2nd Place: Hippy Chick Hummus
3rd Place: Frederick Social
BURRITO: CAFE BUENO
2nd Place: Cacique
3rd Place: Plaza Mexico
CRAB CAKE: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER
2nd Place: Fratelli’s Italian and Seafood
3rd Place: Avery’s Maryland Grille
LUNCH: CANAPÉS CATERING
2nd Place: a.k.a. Friscos
3rd Place: Dutch’s Daughter
SANDWICH: CRABAPPLES
2nd Place: Juliet’s Italian Market and Café
3rd Place: a.k.a. Friscos
HOT DOG: NORTH MARKET POP SHOP
2nd Place: Beef N Buns N Paradise
3rd Place: Five Guys
BREAKFAST: SILVER DINER
2nd Place: Dublin Roasters
3rd Place: Cafe Nola
COFFEE SHOP: DUBLIN ROASTERS
2nd Place: Frederick Coffee Company & Cafe
3rd Place: Beans & Bagels
OVERALL BARBEQUE: P.I.G.S.
2nd Place: Black Hog BBQ
3rd Place: CarterQue
CHILI: WAG’S
2nd Place: P.I.G.S.
3rd Place: Canapés Catering
FRIED CHICKEN: WATSON’S CARRY-OUT
2nd Place: Giant Eagle
3rd Place: Roy Rogers
DESSERT: DUTCH’S DAUGHTER
2nd Place: Bakehouse
3rd Place: Canapés Catering
ICE CREAM/FROZEN DESSERT: SOUTH MOUNTAIN CREAMERY
2nd Place: Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream
3rd Place: Beef N Buns N Paradise
LOCAL BEER: FLYING DOG BREWERY
2nd Place: Idiom Brewing Co.
3rd Place: Attaboy Beer
DISTILLERY: TENTH WARD DISTILLING COMPANY
2nd Place: McClintock Distilling
3rd Place: Dragon Distillery
OVERALL BAR: BREWER’S ALLEY
2nd Place: Firestone’s Culinary Tavern
3rd Place: Bushwaller’s
SINGLES BAR: FIRESTONE’S CULINARY TAVERN
2nd Place: Cellar Door Restaurant
3rd Place: Bushwaller’s
BILLIARDS: CHAMPION BILLIARDS SPORTS BAR
2nd Place: Belles’ Sports Bar & Grill
3rd Place: Robbies Billiards
RECEPTION VENUE: MORNINGSIDE INN
2nd Place: Ceresville Mansion
3rd Place: Springfield Manor
FESTIVAL/EVENT: IN THE STREETS
2nd Place: Frederick Greek Fest
3rd Place: Greek Festival
MUSEUM: ROSEHILL MANOR PARK & MUSEUMS
2nd Place: National Museum of Civil War Medicine
3rd Place: Roads and Rails Museum
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: WEINBERG CENTER FOR THE ARTS
2nd Place: Sky Stage
3rd Place: Surelocked In Escape Games
ORIGINAL MUSIC BAND: HARD SWIMMIN’ FISH
2nd Place: Silent Old Mountains
3rd Place: With Satellites
RADIO PERSONALITY: BOB MILLER
2nd Place: Dina Carole
3rd Place: Tom Whalen
HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND: OAKDALE HIGH SCHOOL
2nd Place: Middletown High School
3rd Place: Walkersville High School
SWIMMING POOL: EDWARD P. THOMAS MEMORIAL POOL
2nd Place: YMCA
3rd Place: Diggs Pool
HIKING TRAIL: CUNNINGHAM FALLS STATE PARK
2nd Place: Gambrill State Park
3rd Place: Sugarloaf Mountain
FITNESS CENTER: ONELIFE FITNESS
2nd Place: Planet Fitness
3rd Place: Barre East Fitness Studio
DANCE STUDIO: 24/7 DANCE STUDIO
2nd Place: Dance Unlimited
3rd Place: Elite Feet Dance Studio
MEN’S FASHION: MEN’S WEARHOUSE
2nd Place: Kohl’s
3rd Place: Jos. A. Bank
WOMEN’S SHOES: OFF BROADWAY SHOE WAREHOUSE
2nd Place: DSW
3rd Place: Velvet Lounge
JEWELRY: COLONIAL JEWELERS
2nd Place: Gold Thumb Jewelry Creations
3rd Place: InBloom Jewelry
DAY SPA: THOMAS SCOTT HAIR SALON & SPA
2nd Place: New York New York Hair Salon and Day Spa
3rd Place: Verbena Day Spa
BARBERSHOP: GENTLEMEN’S CHOICE
2nd Place: All About Men Barber Shop
3rd Place: Wastler’s Barber Shop
ANTIQUES: GREAT STUFF BY PAUL
2nd Place: Old Glory Antique Marketplace
3rd Place: Emporium Antiques
FARMERS MARKET: MIDDLETOWN
2nd Place: Frederick City
3rd Place: Thurmont
GROCERY STORE: WEGMANS
2nd Place: Trout’s Market
3rd Place: The Common Market
PET-FRIENDLY VENUE: BAKER PARK
2nd Place: Idiom Brewing Co.
3rd Place: Downtown Frederick
COMIC BOOK STORE: BRAINSTORM COMICS & GAMING
2nd Place: Beyond Comics
3rd Place: Wonder Book & Video
FLORIST: FREESIA AND VINE
2nd Place: Flowers by Jim
3rd Place: Flower Fashions
HOTEL: RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT
2nd Place: TownePlace Suites by Marriott
3rd Place: Clarion Inn
AUTO REPAIR: CARRIAGE HOUSE AUTOMOTIVE
2nd Place: Dynamic Automotive
3rd Place: East County Auto
CARPENTRY/HOME IMPROVEMENT: DORMAN HOME REMODELING
2nd Place: Talon Construction
3rd Place: Nysa Construction
ELECTRICIAN: HORN ELECTRIC SERVICES
2nd Place: Brandenburg Electric
3rd Place: Provident Electric
PLUMBER: N.E. “BOB” WALTZ PLUMBING & HEATING
2nd Place: Mick’s Plumbing & Heating
3rd Place: Charles F. Murphy
BANK: WOODSBORO BANK
2nd Place: FCB Bank
3rd Place: PNC Bank
BUSINESS SUPPORT: WOODSBORO BANK
2nd Place: Copy Doc Business Solutions
3rd Place: Business Management Company
ARCHITECT: BATES ARCHITECTS
2nd Place: Proffitt & Associates Architects
3rd Place: Caddworks
DENTIST: KOPIT DENTAL CARE
2nd Place: Gilbart Dental Care
3rd Place: PearlFection Dentistry
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: HOLISTIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES
2nd Place: Namaste Studios
3rd Place: Hauser Health
SENIOR LIVING SERVICES: HEALTHY HOME LIVING SOLUTIONS
2nd Place: Visiting Angels
3rd Place: Sunrise of Frederick
HIDDEN GEM: THAT’S SEW HILLARY
2nd Place: Il Forno Pizzeria
3rd Place: Surelocked In Escape Games
WISH FREDERICK WOULD BRING BACK: FREEZ KING
2nd Place: White Star hot dogs
3rd Place: Bowling alley