It’s hard to believe, but we (yes you, our readers, together with What’s Up? Media) have reached a milestone. The 20th anniversary of the annual Best Of balloting contest. This year marks two decades of campaigning, voting, vetting, and celebrating the best businesses in our hometowns. All chosen by readers of What’s Up? Media publications since 2004!
This year, more than 3,500 Central Maryland ballots were entered online during the months of January and February. In March, the editorial team tallied the results and arrived at this year’s Best of Central Maryland winners!
There are approximately 104 awards overall, divided into the group categories of Food & Dining, Health & Beauty, Home & Garden, and Retail & Professional Services. It’s an astounding number of votes and a remarkable class of winners! What’s Up? Media thanks you for providing your opinions of who provides the very BEST customer experiences of the region.
Enjoy perusing this year’s list and, hopefully, many of your personal favorites have won!
Legacy Winners
Legacy businesses that won in Central Maryland’s first Best Of contest in 2012 and this year’s include: Hunan L’Rose, Ledo Pizza, Mamma Roma, Little Treasury Jewelers, and David’s Natural Market. (Not photographed: Lures, Atlantic Lighting & Irrigation, and Cheaper Than a Geek.)
Barbeque
The Hideaway – 1439 Odenton Road, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-874-7300; hideawayodenton.com
Breakfast
Grump’s Café – 2299 Johns Hopkins Road, Gambrills, MD 21054; 443-292-4397; grumpscafe.com
Brewery
Pherm Brewing Company – 1041 Route 3 N., Gambrills, MD 21054; 443-302-2535; phermbrewing.com
Brunch
Ashling Kitchen & Bar – 1286 Route 3 S., Ste. 3, Crofton, MD 21114; 443-332-6100; ashlingco.com
Burger
Oversea Distillery – 9315 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia, MD 21046; 667-240-2033; overseadistillery.com
Chef
Blackwall Barn & Lodge / Neal Langermann – 329 Gambrills Road, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-317-2276; barnandlodge.com
Chinese Restaurant
Hunan L’Rose – 1131 Annapolis Road, Odenton, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-672-2928; facebook.com/HunanLRose
Crabcake
G&M Restaurant & Lounge – 804 Hammonds Ferry Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090; 410-636-1777; gandmcrabcakes.com
Cream of Crab Soup
The Hideaway – 1439 Odenton Road, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-874-7300; hideawayodenton.com
Cupcakes
Sugar Butter Love – 1723 Tarleton Way, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-310-1983; sugar-butter-love.com
Desserts
Blackwall Barn & Lodge – 329 Gambrills Road, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-317-2276; barnandlodge.com
Farm-to-Table Menu
Harvest Thyme Modern Kitchen & Tavern – 1251 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD 21035; 443-203-6846; harvestthymetavern.com
German Restaurant
Old Stein Inn – 1143 Central Avenue, Edgewater, MD 21037; 410-798-6807; oldstein-inn.com
Happy Hour
Buck Murphy’s Bar & Grill – 378 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-674-7000; buckmurphys.com
Ice Cream
Daily Scoop / Always Ice Cream – 3201 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD 21122; 410-437-2667; alwaysicecreamcompany.com/daily-scoop
Indian Restaurant
Namaste Fine Indian Cuisine – 2510 Conway Road, #109, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-721-5654; namastemaryland.com
Irish Restaurant
Killarney House – 584 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD 21035; 410-798-8700; killarneyhousepub.com
Italian Restaurant
Mamma Roma – 8743 Piney Orchard Parkway, #102-103, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-695-0247; mammaromas.com
Mexican / Latin Restaurant
Lime & Salt – 8395 Piney Orchard Parkway, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-874-6277; limeandsalt.co
Neigborhood Restaurant
Rams Head Dockside – 1702 Furnace Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21060; 410-590-2280; ramsheaddockside.com
Outdoor Dining
Lures Bar & Grille – 1397 Generals Highway, Crownsville, MD 21032; 410-923-1606; luresbarandgrille.com
Pizza (Chain)
Ledo Pizza – Locations in Crofton, Millersville, Severna Park, and more; ledopizza.com
Pizza (Local)
Mamma Roma – 8743 Piney Orchard Parkway, #102-103, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-695-0247; mammaromas.com
Ramen / Pho
Akira Ramen & Izakaya – 1417 S. Main Chapel Way, Ste. 108, Gambrills, MD 21054; 301-968-2182; waughchapelakiraramen.com
Romantic Restaurant
Galliano Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar – 2630 Chapel Lake Drive, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-721-5522; gallianoitalianrestaurant.com
Seafood Restaurant
Crafty Crab Seafood – 6800 Race Track Road, Bowie, MD 20715; 240-245-3715; craftycrabrestaurant.com
Southern Restaurant
Rip’s Country Inn – 3809 Crain Highway, Bowie, MD 20716; 301-805-5900; ripscountryinn.com
Steakhouse
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – 1110 Town Center Boulevard, Odenton, MD 21113; 240-556-0033; ruthschris.com
Steamed Crabs
The Crab Galley – Locations in Odenton and Bowie; crabgalley.com
Sushi
Otani Japanese Cuisine – 1153 Route 3 N., Ste. K, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-721-7338; otanijapanesemd.com
Thai Restaurant
Thai at Waugh Chapel – 1406 S. Main Chapel Way, #102, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-415-1004; thaiatwaughchapel.com
Wine Selection
Harvest Thyme Modern Kitchen & Tavern – 1251 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD 21035; 443-203-6846; harvestthymetavern.com
Wings
The Hideaway – 1439 Odenton Road, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-874-7300; hideawayodenton.com
Acupuncture
Chesapeake Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine – 1370 Odenton Road, Ste. B, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-694-7217; chesapeakeaim.com
Bootcamp
Future of Fitness – 2101 Concord Boulevard, Unit A, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-0258; future-of-fitness.com
Children’s Fitness Class
Crofton Yoga – 2431 Crofton Lane, Unit 11, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-1625; croftonyoga.cowtinker.com
Chiropractor
The Joint Chiropractic (Waugh Chapel) – 1404 S. Main Chapel Way, Ste. 108, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-541-1109; thejoint.com
Cosmetic Injections
Center for Dermatology & Skin Care of Maryland / Dr. Lisa Kates – 2200 Defense Highway, Ste. 201, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-5500; dermofmd.com
Dance Studio
Hunt School of Irish Dance – 2431 Crofton Lane, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-212-7955; huntschool.org
Gym
Future of Fitness – 2101 Concord Boulevard, Unit A, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-0258; future-of-fitness.com
Hospice Care
Hospice of the Chesapeake – 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122; 410-987-2003; hospicechesapeake.org
Laser Skin Treatment
O’Donnell Vein & Laser – 166 Defense Highway, Ste. 101, Annapolis, MD 21401; 877-461-1564; odonnellveinandlaser.com
Life Coach
Committed Change Health and Wellness / Courtney Capece – 301-646-0927; committedchangehealth.com
Manicure / Pedicure
Amberie Nail Spa – 1153 Route 3 North, Gambrills, MD 21054; 443-454-4364 or 443-852-3415; amberienails.com
Massage
Giving Massage & Wellness – 1153 Robert Crain Highway, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-897-2388; givingmassagewellness.com
Mental Health Services
CPE Clinic – 130 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Ste. 103, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-979-2326; cpeclinic.com
Nutritionist
Excellence In Fitness – Locations in Millersville and Annapolis; 410-266-6688; excellenceinfitness.com
Permanent Makeup
Lash Moi – 1166 State Route 3 S., Ste. 108, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-721-5274; lashmoi.com
Personal Trainer
Excellence In Fitness – Locations in Millersville and Annapolis; 410-266-6688; excellenceinfitness.com
Physical Therapy
Integrated Fitness & Rehab – 2101 Concord Boulevard, Unit A, Crofton, MD 21114; 443-980-4650; integratedfitnessandrehab.com
Pilates Class
Crofton Yoga – 2431 Crofton Lane, Unit 11, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-1625; croftonyoga.cowtinker.com
Resort with Spa
Turf Valley Resort – 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042; 410-465-1500; turfvalley.com
Salon for Hair Coloring
Intrique Hair Salon – 537 Ritchie Highway, Ste. D, Severna Park, MD 21146; 410-544-7251; intriquehairsalon.com
Swim School
Goldfish Swim School – 989 Waugh Chapel Way, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-413-7065; goldfishswimschool.com
Teeth Aligner Specialist
Labbe Family Orthodontics – 2630 Brandermill Boulevard, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-451-7202; labbefamilyortho.com
Waxing
Sunflower Skincare, LLC – 1153 Route 3, Gambrills, MD 21054; 240-286-8498; sunflowerskin.care
Weight-Loss Program
Excellence In Fitness – Locations in Millersville and Annapolis; 410-266-6688; excellenceinfitness.com
Yoga Studio
Crofton Yoga – 2431 Crofton Lane, Unit 11, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-1625; croftonyoga.cowtinker.com
Appliance Store
ADU, Your Appliance Source – 1823 George Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-267-7110; adu.com
Architect
Purple Cherry Architects – 1 Melvin Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-990-1700; purplecherry.com
Fence & Deck Contractor
Cypress Glen Outdoor – Serving Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard counties, and beyond; 443-707-2846; cypressglenoutdoor.com
Garden Center
Patuxent Nursery – 2410 N. Crain Highway, Bowie, MD 20716; 301-245-3899; patuxentnursery.com
Gutter & Siding Contractor
Fichtner Services – 1872 Betson Avenue, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-519-1900; fichtnerservices.com
Home Remodeling Services
C. Clary Contracting – Serving Anne Arundel County and beyond; 410-849-2641; cclarycontracting.com
Home Security / Alarm Systems
Petitbon Alarm Company – 2151 Priest Bridge Drive, #41, Crofton, MD 21114; 800-284-CRIME; petitbon.com
Interior Design Service
Purple Cherry Architects – 1 Melvin Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-990-1700; purplecherry.com
Irrigation Contractor/Service
Atlantic Lighting & Irrigation – 1392 Defense Highway, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-721-4070; atlantic-irrigation.com
Landscaper
Ciminelli’s Landscape Services – 18301 Central Avenue, Bowie, MD 20716; 410-741-9683; ciminellislandscape.com
Lawn Service & Treatments
On the Green, Inc. – 777 Annapolis Road, Gambrills, MD 21054; 888-349-9245; onthegreeninc.com
Luxury Home Realtor
Vaneska Adams | eXp Realty – 410-989-5220; vaneskaadams.exprealty.com
Pest Control
Old Bay Pest Control – Serving Anne Arundel and Howard Counties; 443-603-5651; oldbaypestcontrol.com
Plumber
W.L. Staton – Serving Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard counties, and beyond; 410-705-6181; wlstaton.com
Pool Design / Build
Coastal Pools – Serving Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and beyond; 443-249-7907; coastalpoolbuilders.net
Pool Maintenance
Coastal Pools – Serving Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and beyond; 443-249-7907; coastalpoolbuilders.net
Real Estate Team / Brokerage
The Murray Home Team of Compass – 1 Park Place, Ste. 12, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-429-7425; themurrayhometeam.com
Residental Realtor
Mia Anderson / Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty – 77 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-693-3354; miamovesyou.com
Roofing Contractor
Prime Roofing and Siding – Serving Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard counties, and beyond; 443-232-1776; goprimepros.com
Stone / Tile / Granite for Kitchen / Bath
Absolute Design Studio – 740 Generals Highway, Millersville, MD 21108; 410-697-3396; absolutedesignstudio.net
Title Company
Velocity Title – 2200 Defense Highway, Ste. 309, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-7100; velocitytitle.com
Water Treatment Service
Hague Quality Water of Maryland – 814 East College Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21409; 888-214-2419; haguewaterofmd.com
Window & Door Contractor
Fichtner Services – 1872 Betson Avenue, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-519-1900; fichtnerservices.com
Accountant
Integrity Tax and Small Business Solutions – 1610 Professional Boulevard, Ste. G, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-451-3663; integritytaxsbs.com
Auto Repair
Choisser Automotive Services – 551A W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD 21035; 410-216-5494; choisserautorepair.com
Bank
Shore United Bank – Locations in Crofton, Severna Park, Annapolis, and more; 877-758-1600; shoreunitedbank.com
Beer, Wine & Liquor Store
424 Wine & Spirits – 2046 Davidsonville Road, Crofton, MD 21054; 410-721-0490; 424wineandspirits.com
Computer Services
Cheaper Than a Geek – Serving Anne Arundel County and beyond; 410-774-5180; cheaperthanageek.com
Financial Advisors
Prostatis Group – 7580 Buckingham Boulevard, Ste. 180, Hanover, MD 21076; 410-863-1040; prostatisfinancial.com
Furniture Store
Showman Furniture – 2431 Crofton Lane, Crofton, MD 21114; 410-697-5881; showmanfurniture.com
Insurance Agent / Company
Tammy Counts / State Farm – 1416 Annapolis Road, Ste. C, Odenton, MD 21113; 410-647-8756; tammycounts.net
Interactive Game Experience
Mission Escape Rooms – Locations in Gambrills, Hanover, and Annapolis; ; missionescaperooms.com
IT Solutions for Business & Home
Cheaper Than a Geek – Serving Anne Arundel County and beyond; 410-774-5180; cheaperthanageek.com
Jeweler
Little Treasury Jewelers – 2506 New Market Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-721-7100; littletreasury.com
Law Firm
The Jaklitsch Group – 14350 Old Marlboro Pike, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772; 866-586-6079; jaklitschlawgroup.com
Nonprofit Organization
HOPE For All – 122 Roesler Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060; 410-766-0372; hopeforall.us
Nonprofit Sporting Event
“Annual Charity Golf Tournament” by Bello Machre – 443-702-3000; bellomachre.org
Party Vendor
Tangled Balloons – 401 Headquarters Drive, Ste. 208, Millersville, MD 21108; 443-260-9573; tangledballoons.com
Pet Boarding & Daycare
Crownsville Canine – 2007 Lineage Lane, Crownsville, MD 21032; 410-451-1110; crownsvillecanine.com
Pet Grooming & Services
Perfect Pet Resort – 840 W. Bay Front Road, Lothian, MD 20711; 410-741-0000; perfectpetresort.com
Pet Training (Dog)
Perfect Pet Resort – 840 W. Bay Front Road, Lothian, MD 20711; 410-741-0000; perfectpetresort.com
Pet Walking / Sitting
Higgins and Friends Pet Sitting – Serving Crofton, Severna Park, and Annapolis; 443-994-7795; higginsandfriends.com
Retirement Community (Active Living)
Residences at Vantage Point – 5400 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD 21044; 410-964-5454; vantagepointresidences.org
Senior Living Facility
Residences at Vantage Point – 5400 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD 21044; 410-964-5454; vantagepointresidences.org
Speciality Grocer
David’s Natural Market – 871 Annapolis Road, Gambrills, MD 21054; 410-987-1533; davidsnaturalmarket.com
Unique Gifts
Heirloom Blooms Floral Preservation – 410-231-6139; heirloombloomsdesign.com
