Here is my personal selection of the top ten restaurants in Hagerstown, MD. I find myself a bit of a restaurant connoisseur, as I have eaten at many restaurants both here in Hagerstown and in areas abroad. I love dining out, and so I want to share my experiences with others. The main reason for writing this piece is to let you know which restaurants are the best without having to try them all out first like I did.
In David Letterman style, I will go from 10 to 1, with 1 being the best restaurant in Hagerstown:
10. Ruby Tuesday’s. Ruby Tuesday’s is one of the top ten restaurants in Hagerstown, MD for a couple of reasons. The main reason that this restaurant makes the list is because of their incredible salad bar. You can find everything on this salad bar. Most salad bars just have lettuce, croutons, tomatoes, cucumbers, and the usual salad vegetables. You might find something extra, like some fruit salad or even hard-boiled eggs. But at Ruby Tuesday’s, in addition to having all kinds of vegetables including broccoli, you will also find ham, at least two different types of pasta salad, apple butter and cottage cheese, and even chips and salsa! You definitely can make a meal of this salad bar! The main entrees are also generally of high quality. The fish is great here as well as the ribs. The blondie dessert also takes the cake. For more about this restaurant, see http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/226872/restaurant_review_ruby_tuesday_in_hagerstown.html .
9. House of Kobe. This restaurant is great fun for everyone, hence forwarding it to number nine on the list. I immensely enjoy watching the hibachi chefs cook my meal. No matter how many times I go here, I always have a great time. I can’t get enough of this place. I like the quality of food used here, such as for the steak and shrimp which I usually choose for my entree. The salads come with a ginger dressing that is memorable. In addition to getting to watch your meal prepared, you also share a table with other people. This gives you a chance to meet new people while dining. For more on House of Kobe, see http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/223294/restaurant_review_house_of_kobe_in.html .
8. LJ’s and the Kat Lounge. This restaurant in Hagerstown swung itself to number eight on the countdown. I picked LJ’s due to its ambience. It has a classy modern feel, which I haven’t found anywhere else in Hagerstown. It makes me feel like I am eating in New York City or Miami. Also, the menu items are very different from what you will find in Hagerstown. Each menu item is crafted by the chef and comes out on the plate in a great design. Incredible attention is given to design of the dish and to the table settings. This restaurant strives for perfection in everything. See http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/212604/ljs_and_the_kat_lounge_top_of_the_line.html .
7. Oliver’s. This restaurant has great quality food, and they are consistent in being able to produce this high quality of food. I have never eaten there and had to say that I got a bad cut of steak or my food was cooked incorrectly. The atmosphere is pleasant, with a bar area right next to the main dining area. This is a local hotspot, so if you are from Hagerstown you will probably see someone you know (an added bonus for me). See http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/224686/restaurant_review_olivers_restaurant.html .
6. Fireside. The Fireside gets in at number 6. Why? You dine by a fireplace, which is very cozy and romantic. The ambience is laid back but classy. The food is also of high quality, and the servers are always very friendly. If you become a regular, everyone knows your name (like Cheers). They have a decent salad bar that usually has fresh strawberries and Maryland crab soup. The prime rib, my favorite steak, is to die for. It always tastes delicious! See http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/219238/fireside_restaurant_in_hagerstown_md.html .
5. Number 5 is Red Lobster. Red Lobster is awesome. I love to go there as often as I can. At this restaurant, I can find my choice of seafood, which I love! I particularly enjoy the Snow crablegs, the broiled flounder, and the coconut shrimp. Red Lobster also has a great unique dessert that I have never found elsewhere- vanilla bean cheesecake. It is quite exquisite. The atmosphere in Red Lobster brings me back time and time again, with a laid back setting. I like to sit in the “boat” area. There is a sideroom that is more secluded and romantic, or open areas for groups of people. This place is where you come to enjoy family and friends, or for a romantic date. For more about this restaurant, visit http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/223308/restaurant_review_red_lobster_of_hagerstown.html .
4. Number 4, we’re getting closer! The restaurant at this spot is the Grille at Park Circle. This is a local restaurant located by the City Park. The location gives it an edge, because you can go stroll through the park before or after dining. Also, the food is incredible in quality with prices that are lower than the quality dictates. I always get a half rack of ribs with a side of spaghetti and salad, which is only $11.99! Any meal I order in this restaurant is about the best of that food I have found. The ribs are in the top five of any ribs I’ve eaten. Once they had a special for Valentine’s Day that was a pasta with a marinara sauce and sausage. I still think about that meal to this day. The ambience is incredibly romantic when you choose the nonsmoking side. The lights are dim and the decorations include things from the past, like an old trumpet sitting beside you on the ledge and wall posters of historic events. For a review of this restaurant, go to http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/217338/the_grille_at_park_circle_in_hagerstown.html .
3. For the third choice, I place the Red Horse steakhouse. We now get into places that have incredible food and incredible service. This place is impeccable. You will get such high quality food and service that you will consider yourself royalty. Read more at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/224946/restaurant_review_red_horse_steak_restaurant.html .
2. In second place the award goes to Nick’s Airport Inn. Nick’s, like Red Horse, has a wonderful reputation in the community for excellent food and service. I place Nick’s above the Red Horse because there is a bit more selection of menu items and I like the ambience better. Nick’s has a sunroom area where the walls and ceiling are made of glass, which gives the restaurant a nice touch.
1. First place goes to the Outback steakhouse. This restaurant has the best steak in the whole world. This is because they use 17 spices on each piece of meat. The flavor is wonderful, and you will never have to use A-1 steak sauce to eat your steak! The quality of steak is always consistently incredible. And, the Outback has other great food. The grilled shrimp on the barbie is the best grilled shrimp I have ever had. The salads are scrumptious because the Outback makes its own salad dressings, and they are all delicious. Then you get to the desserts- the chocolate sauce is made on premises, and is so mouth-watering. It tops the sundae and the brownie, two awesome dessert choices. The atmosphere is incredible- it is casual in that everyone is friendly, but it is also semi-professional. The servers at this establishment go through some rigorous screening before being hired! This restaurant wins in many categories, so it makes number one on the list. I could eat here a couple of days a week and never grow tired of it. See more at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/220783/outback_steakhouse_5_star_restaurant.html .
