Counting the ballots…
Counting the ballots…
“Sure, crab cakes have their place, but you can make those in Ohio, Montana, or wherever. Sitting down for two hours and picking crabs? That's uniquely Maryland.”
“Community. Freshly steamed crabs are poured on the table covered with brown paper. It takes time to pick the crabmeat. Best part is the conviviality with your friends and family.”
“The best are when you buy raw from some random guy you know and cook them yourself.”
“Chaps pit beef is a legend. I order deconstructed sandwiches to bring home to Arizona all the time. Love the horsey sauce”
“Have never had them in any other state with Old Bay and accompanying artifacts: butcher paper, wood mallets. May's Seafood in Frederick.”
Maryland's ballot is a Chesapeake argument. Crab shows up three ways: the broiled Crab Cake, a table of Steamed Blue Crabs under spiced seasoning, and Rockfish crowned with crab imperial, with Chesapeake Bay Oysters on the half shell. The rest is Baltimore. The Pit Beef Sandwich on a kaiser, Coddies on saltines, the Lake Trout Sandwich that is actually whiting, Boardwalk Fries from Ocean City, Snow Balls, and ten-layer Smith Island Cake. What Maryland is famous for comes out of the Bay, seasoned heavily. So what is Maryland's official state dish? Ten dishes, one vote.