The ORIGINAL Smith Island Cake Co. – a famed treat!
Traveling by car and then by boat from Ocean City MD in a west-south-westerly direction for approximately 2 ½ hours one comes to Smith Island situated in the Chesapeake Bay along the Maryland/Virginia border – the reputed origin of the famed, ten-layer Smith Island Cake recipe. A most delectable dessert, this cake may now be found (and enjoyed), freshly baked, just minutes from our town at a location within the White Marlin/Ocean City Outlet Shopping Center located just along US Route 50 – Ocean Gateway. 
Upon entering this bakery/café, situated right beside the SAKURA restaurant, one is first greeted with the seriousness of this endeavor. Sparkling clean cases and racks of tempting treats are surrounded by cozy tables; obviously set up for the patron to enjoy his purchase. The aroma of good coffee further extends the invitation.
This intricate, six to 12 layer concoction, sometimes termed, “Frosting with the Cake”, here, is served by the slice or may be purchased whole! There are cupcakes and mini-cakes, which may be enjoyed as well, even some of those local specialties, sweet potato biscuits. The 
cakes come in many, many flavors…although the ‘original’ yellow with chocolate frosting is my favorite. However, there’s a peanut butter/chocolate that runs a close second! Noting a sign posted in this shop, we saw that in celebration of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday, a few new flavors will be available including: Irish Cream, “Green” Velvet and Nutty Irishman! Wow!
Recently, the Maryland State Legislature voted to name the Smith Island Cake as the Official State Dessert of Maryland – and from personal experience I can deem it most worthy!!! Try it and see if you agree!
For more information on this cake and where it may be obtained visit…
http://www.original smithislandcakeco.com
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DOLLE’s – a Centennial Party for an Ocean City favorite!
On February 1st this important celebration begins…for the sweet favorite, DOLLE’s CANDYLAND. Two thousand, ten marks the 100th anniversary for this now fourth-generation, family-run business here in Ocean City, Maryland. Known for traditional salt-water taffy, fine chocolates, caramel corn and fudge, Dolle’s enjoys a special place in the memory of millions of visitors over the years to our famed family seaside resort. Today, in addition to the original south Boardwalk location, Dolle’s has expanded to include a modern shop in North Ocean City at the Ocean Square Shopping Center on 120th Street and a shop some miles south of here on Chincoteague Island in Virginia.
The folks at Dolle’s are going all out to celebrate and say they will begin 
running ads for special promotions and activities relating to their long history following a brief January vacation. There will be a book showing photos of ‘the old days’ and a special commemorative candy box will be available throughout this year. Also, among the other planned festivities will be special days when prices will be rolled back to a specific decade; 50 cents for some candy or a box of popcorn for a quarter!
Always a meeting place for locals and vacationing visitors alike, Dolle’s now has a website to expand that feeling of community and where more information on this celebration may be found…visit http://www.dolles.com and join the party!
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RITA’S Italian Ice…some very Cool treats!
With two convenient locations along Coastal Hwy it’s pretty hard to miss the signature red and white candy-striped canopy of Rita’s Italian Ice when visiting Ocean City Maryland. Rita’s offers some very cool treats. There is, of course, the Italian Ice…blended from real fruit and ice – which means it’s fat-free! And we found out recently when we visited one of the beach locations that 
Rita’s makes a grand frozen custard too. It is rich and refreshing and may be blended with Italian ice in several different ways to make other frozen treats such as the Misto, Blendini and Cream Ices and Gelati. The custard can also be eaten plain just piled high in a cup or cone. Sugar free iced treats are also served. While Rita’s is a franchise, each store makes the ices and custards fresh daily and while all of the fine 
Italian ice flavors are not available every single day, over several visits you should be able to find your very favorite. Ocean City Maryland locations are 4101 Coastal Hwy and 6909 Coastal Hwy. Both of these are attached to the also familiar gray and white buildings housing the Dough Roller restaurants. Telephone numbers in Ocean City are 410-524-2875 and 410-524-5743. For additional information you may visit the national Rita’s website at www.ritasice.com.
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DOLLE’S – In Ocean City since 1910!
For nearly 100 years the Dolle family has been making quality salt water taffy, caramel corn, fudge and other fine candies at 500 S. Boardwalk at Wicomico Street in Ocean City Maryland. I think they have it about perfect by now. The taffy is grand…with the peanut butter filled being our very favorite. Too, they now make chocolate covered salt-water taffy! Another super treat are the mellow mint sticks…lovely
little individually wrapped lengths of creamy, pastel colored fondant flavored with real oil of peppermint. All are available in the 1 lbs. takeaway box…great as gifts! The caramel popcorn, plain or with peanuts, is available in plastic tubs of all sizes or cheerful painted tins. For the really daring there are the Caramellows…fresh marshmallows dipped in rich homemade 
caramel or the Homemade Brittles…made daily with cashews or peanuts – your choice. Can’t forget to mention the fudge… I think I’ve said enough – you get the idea. Dolle’s has two locations, one at the south boardwalk and a sweetaholic’s delight shop in the Ocean City Square Shopping Center – it’s located behind ‘Your Doc’s In’ at the rear of the square building. For more info visit the website at www.DOLLES.com or telephone 410-289-6000
ICE CREAM …everywhere at the beach!
Amongst the special “fun food” treats such as caramel popcorn, salt-water taffy and Thrasher’s French Fries available to you while visiting Ocean City MD, ice cream stands out – the leader by far. It is nearly impossible to walk 
anywhere in town without seeing someone happily digging into a dish or licking a cone! It is also served in some form at every restaurant – “a dip on the side, please”. However, what makes ice cream in Ocean City so special is the abundance of specialty 
shops devoted exclusively to the preparation and serving of this universally beloved treat. In selected list below we hope that you may find you’re very favorite whether it be traditional hand-dipped, frozen custard, hard or soft frozen yogurt or frozen ice – it’s good anytime!
Cold Stone Creamery – 13115 Coastal Hwy. 410-250-2929 www.coldstonecreamery.com
Dippin’ Dots – Boardwalk & various other locations – 410-208-1922
www.dippindots.com
Dumser’s Dairyland – Various locations throughout Ocean City -
www.beach-net.com/dumsers/index.html
Ice Cream Castle – 12207 Coastal Hwy. 410-250-5003
www.icecreamcastle.com
Julia’s Ice Cream – 1103 Atlantic Ave. – 410-289-7727
Kohr Bros – (frozen custard) Two S. Boardwalk locations.
www.kohrbros.com
Maggie Moo’s – Ocean City Factory Outlets (Rt. 50) – 410-213-2333
Boardwalk “Fun Food” – Yes, you can go back!
It’s been said, “you can’t go back”… Not true, you CAN during a visit the south end of the boardwalk in Ocean City Maryland! Early one July morning we went in search of some famous oceanside “fun food” landmarks. Landmarks, which bring forth memories of traditional aromas and flavors which in turn may quickly take you back to age 8, holding hands with your Mom or Dad or age 16 – you’re first independent outing with old friends to look for new friends…or later looking down at the smiling, sticky face and fingers of your child or grandchild.
For me the special Boardwalk treats or “fun foods” have always played a huge role in these fond memories…caramel popcorn, taffy, soft ice cream and fries!!! Many of us may remember our first experience with Thrasher’s French Fries…sizzling hot and crispy, with tender insides, sprinkled with salt and vinegar, NEVER ketchup! 
How about a bucket of warm Fisher’s caramel popcorn…with or without peanuts? It’s still difficult to resist breaking the seal on that extra “gift” bucket earmarked for the folks back home! And, remember those ever-popular cold treats; the homemade ice cream from Dumser’s Dairyland…and the frozen custard from Kohr Brothers…having to twirl that cone 
and lick fast to keep it from dripping onto your hands? Oh, and remember the taste of a juicy burger from the Atlantic Stand? So, good! What about the visits to Dolle’s Taffy stand…still later quickly sorting through the box to find your favorite flavor?
These memories and more are still available today when you visit the Boardwalk in Ocean City MD.
Candy Kitchen – Oh, so sweet!
Recently a bit of nostalgia and a big craving for something sweet and gooey drove me to stop at the familiar white painted shop front with the raspberry colored, circular logo which has become a tradition for folks visiting Ocean City Maryland for 70 years…Candy Kitchen! Long known for the best homemade salt-water taffy (love those flavors) and fudge, I found that Candy Kitchen has expanded! 
Assorted chocolates by the pound and the “penny” candies (no longer a penny!) sit side by side with Beanie Babies and Webkinz – “hot” and collectible stuffed animals. And, to the delight of many, most of the 22 shops located along the Ocean City and the Delaware beaches now serve ice cream; cups, cones and specialty sundaes.
