Friday was a(nother) fun train trip up to Baltimore for an Orioles/Nationals game. Monday through Friday the MARC train leaves Union Station in DC and drops you off literally next to the warehouse by the park. So easy.One of the quests was to revisit the "best crab cake we ever tasted" (BCCWET). Seriously. The BCCWET was at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Easily. Here's a photo of the delicious find from previous years:
This year, we were determined to try a street vendor's wares alongside the ballpark version for a proper taste test. We ventured around the sidewalks perusing the tents and booths. Sausages, burgers, hot dogs, peanuts, souvenirs, but not a crabcake to be found. Upon asking the folks selling other foodstuffs, they all said the same thing: the crabcake guy is on the corner one block over. Time to make a trip.
A deep fryer for crabcakes, plus a grill for other yummy varieties was found. We placed our order, and began the tasting. The vendor's was far too breaded (but understandable giving the outdoor fryer and wanting to keep the thing whole for the walking masses). Virtually no lump crab here, just stringy (and hopefully) crab meat. Chris asked for his with cheese, and the vendor proclaimed he never heard of anyone get one with cheese before. Come on, it's CHEESE, it goes with everything! Sadly, the sidewalk crabcake vendor could not compete with The BCCWET.Next on the docket was inside the park. We make our way to the spot, and are flabbergasted to see "Big Mario's Pizzeria" on the signage. Wh-wh-wh-WHAT????
We inquire where the crabcakes went to. Luckily, the elderly ladies there knew what we were talking ahout and said they are now on the 2nd level. Whew. So we make our way to the proper escalator to get to our seats, and they are "Club Level". Chris bought "best available" online, but didn't realize they were Club Level. Luxurious spacious innards, with lounges, bars, restaurants, private box entrances, and all-around spoiling of the ticketholders by the attendants. James was floored. We can get used to treatment like this!!!
The Diamond Bistro Restaurant inside was our destination for our next crabcake. Less breading, lump crab involved, but overall...not enough lump crab as the stringiness aspect was present more than we liked, and the breading was still a little too much. I don't want a breading sandwich, I want a CRABcake sandwich! Better than outside, but even the Club Level cannot rival the BCCWET. Next time we go to Camden Yards, we'll mingle with the "common folk" and try to find the proper crabcake stand on the 2nd level. Always good to have an excuse to go back.
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