BOOG’S Barbeque & Drive-thru – “Slow Food” fast…
With the recent opening of Boog’s Barbeque & Drive-thru at the foot of the eastbound US Rt. 50 Bridge just adjacent to the Park & Ride heading into Ocean City, our town has struck a second ‘home run’. With this street-side location added to his already popular Boardwalk eatery even more hungry beach visitors can enjoy really tasty ‘slow food’, fast. Based on recipes developed over the years by the famed Baltimore Oriole baseball great, Boog Powell, the ubiquitous barbeque beef, chicken and ribs take on a whole new dimension. As all serious 
barbeque fans know, allowing ample time for the ‘smoke’ (with the addition of rubs and sauces) helps develop those always desired deep, rich layers of flavor. This is also true of the Brunswick Stew served at Boog’s: a medley of fresh garden vegetables, bits of tender meat and spices all cooked down to a resulting “WOW”. There is a list of ‘sides’ to please any eater including sweet potato fries, greens and salads – all made fresh. Also, featured on this extensive menu is homemade Key Lime pie, a perfect 
sweet-tart ending to any meal. In addition, this Boog’s offers platters, meats by the pound and ‘party packages’ with catering. At this new location, parking is a snap and the drive-thru will guarantee fast, ‘slow food’ service (although calling ahead for any large order is a good idea.)
For more information or to place your order phone 410-213-PIGS or visit the dedicated website at http://www.boogsbbq.com
To enlarge any photo, just ‘click’!
RIPPONS SEAFOOD MARKET & CARRY-OUT
As a long time (since 1985) fixture of the Ocean City Maryland scene, RIPPONS Seafood Market & Carry-out has always stood for dependable quality and freshness in carryout seafood. This day was no different… Stopping by for lunch, we selected the shrimp salad sandwich. It was very good – actually better than that! Served on a soft, potato roll the large, whole shrimp contained within were de-veined, expertly cooked and dead-on fresh! With only chopped celery and a bit of mayonnaise – the real flavor of the shrimp was allowed to shine. No other seasoning was necessary! It’s seldom that happens – this from a shrimp salad eater of many years!!! While waiting for the sandwich to be prepared we perused the menu and the large cold case containing 
an extensive variety of fresh seafood. The rockfish fillets were exceptionally appealing – large, plump and very shiny – which tells me again, fresh! It was the same for the nice tuna loin and salmon. Other fish varieties and soft crabs were also available along with a long list of shellfish including mussels, sea scallops, oysters (in season) and clams. Whole Maine lobsters sat in a live tank ready to be steamed for just $1.00 additional. And, of course there is the famous Rippons Bros. Crabmeat – all varieties including Cocktail Fingers in one-pound containers. With such a large menu of fresh seafood one would think the cooked offerings would be slight…not so! Platters, sandwiches, baskets, soups and sides – even large party platters compete for menu space. 
And, I suspect that if the shrimp salad is any indication – its all-pretty tasty stuff! If we have any complaint, it is the location of this shop – officially listed as being on 120th Street, bayside, it is actually on the north facing side of a large square building housing a 7-11 and a real estate office – adequate parking available. It does face 120th, not Coastal Highway. RIPPONS opens at 10 am each morning and is open weekends until 11pm. Carryout only. Nationwide shipping is available. Visit the RIPPONS website at www.ripponsseafood.com for more information or telephone 410-723-0056.
CRABS-TO-GO…a movable feast!
Located at the junction of Rt. 589 and Ocean Gateway (US Rt. 50) eastbound CRABS TO GO makes a big statement. The “shack” that houses this movable feast boasts a bright red exterior with flags and signs galore is hard to miss…although located between a filling station and an outdoors wood furnishings market. Once tried however the destination is unforgettable.
First, this is the only Ocean City MD area seafood house we’ve encountered that offers that old-time Baltimore favorite – the Fried Hard Crab! A sizable steamed crab with the upper shell discarded, the remainder 
cleaned and re-stuffed with huge lumps of lovely, lightly seasoned crab meat…then dipped in spiced batter and deep fried to a golden, very crispy, brown! Being from Baltimore – the folks at Crabs To Go know how to do this just right! And, even for the most adventuresome – one of these gigantic treats is probably enough! Of course there are the choice fill-ins like fresh corn on the cob, crisp slaw, and onion rings, fries, potato and macaroni salads for the not fully satisfied! There is soup – crab, of course, both creamy white and spicy red available! Then there are platters, baskets and sandwiches – your choice, mix and match all 
beginning with yummy things like clams, scallops, shrimp, soft crabs, fish and oysters. This is the cooked stuff! Also offered is a complete line of FRESH seafood, raw or steamed including lobster and stone crab claws sold by the pound, dozen or pint or bushel at market price. As you can see Crabs To Go has it all – even including party platters and nationwide shipping! Sorry, no “dine in” available – a truly “movable feast”!
For more information telephone 410-641-9379 or visit the website where you will find the complete menu at www.crabstogo.com.
ANTHONY’S – Here’s the BEEF!
At the corner of 17th Street and Philadelphia Avenue (ocean side) stands a little one-story building; the big sign outside says ANTHONY’S. This is the only one around and is not to be confused with the multiple locations in Ocean City MD of Anthony’s Beer & Wine. That being said, this is the place where for the last 35 years through the ownership of two families, you could get beef, or even ham, 
stacked to the sky as a sandwich or a sub, with cheese or without, dressed any way you desire. Looking at the menu one sees an array of breakfast selections and pizza and fried chicken however, it’s the roast beef and ham that draws us. Big loins and huge hams sitting on a cutting board literally disappear before your eyes with deft carving. Seating is casual, a couple of interior booths with several picnic tables outdoors, street side, set under a bright blue canopy. Despite the heat this day, we were comfortable with the outside seating. And, did I mention that Anthony’s offers soft serve ice cream? After all, this unique little spot began as a Tastee Freeze back in 1954 and has 
carried forth that tradition still serving handmade shakes, Smoothies, sundaes as well as the popular twirling cone. But it is the piled high, juicy, real roast beef and tender ham sandwiches that we came for and it is those which will bring us back.
Anthony’s is open from 6:30 am until midnight extending hours to 1:00 am on weekends. Telephone number for carry out is 410-289-9193
