Pigtown sources tell me that they will reopen soon in the strip across Wilkens Avenue from St. Agnes Hospital, just down from Kibbys. Can't wait to have an Unburger with da woiks and then stroll around the corner to Rheb's for dessert!

Fonio is an African grain, so you will find it at Afro-centric markets like All-in-One on Harford Road, Afro-Tropical Market on York Road or Heritage International Market on Liberty Road in Randallstown. Roots organic markets used to carry it, but no longer does.

Harris Teeter in Columbia, MD, carried it, but we found we prefer the spreadable honey from Trader Joe's and it's a little cheaper.

We no longer go there after the article in the Baltimore Sun from 2010. Now we make the trek over to the Broadway Diner on the east side of town.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010...

Weaver's Restaurant and Bakery in Hancock has long been one of our family favorites. They aren't fancy and have basic comfort food but they are clean, friendly and their desserts (especially their raisin cookies and pies) are incredible.

I'm by no means an expert, but Andy Nelsons and Kloby's Smokehouse are both good to me. I was not impressed by Chubby's.

A & H Gourmet and Seafood Market on Bethesda Avenue in Bethesda, MD, has all things Spanish/Portuguese. They are next to the Bethesda Crab House.

http://www.anhmarket.com/anhaboutus.html

Broadway Diner on Eastern Avenue (MD 150) in Baltimore is good, Greek family-owned. Just west of I-95 at Exit 59. Really good Greek dishes, meatloaf, goulash, terrific baked goods.

I agree that Red Rooster is not the chicken joint it once was. Years ago I would've put it at the top without question. Still a "good" selection. Plus you have Jimmie Cone just up the road for dessert.

Actually, I've always been a big fan of the FC at Royal Farms stores. There is one in Glenelg on Ten Oaks Road. Fresh out of the pressure fryer it ain't too shabby, either.

Good - Red Rooster, Damascus
Better - Henny Penny Fried Chicken at the Forest Diner, Ellicott City (While/if you can still get it)
Best - Harvest Fried Chicken, Woodbine (Great sides, as well).

First Sighting for 2012 - Good old dependable MARS Supermarket on 40 West in Ellicott City. $2 per bag,

That's a tough one. Can you be more specific geographically? Was it nearer to the beach or the Maryland line? Was the alternate route off of 404 or 50? Did you come in north or south of Rehobeth, etc. That would help narrow it down. Pizza Empire in Henderson, MD, near the state line certainly meets that description and they have good pizza. The road it is on does become "Old Sandtown Road." Might be worth a google street view.

Pizza Empire
24700 Goldsboro Road, Henderson, MD

If you ever find yourself in Ellicott City (Howard County), Kolache Kreations on MD 144 (Frederick Road) makes some mighty tasty kolaches, both sweet and savory.

I think I read it will open some time in February on Plum Tree Drive, next to Serafinos.

Depends on what you're after - that's kind of like asking "Which American restaurant is best." The best article I've seen on the topic is one from the HowChow blog:

http://howchow.blogspot.com/2011/01/k...

My favorites are Kimko Seafood for the lunch buffet and the soondubu at Lighthouse Tofu, both on US 40 West. Shin Chon is probably the largest and "classiest" of the restaurants.

Skip all of the usual suspects at Kent Narrows and go to the Kentmorr Restaurant south on MD 8, just on the other side of the Bay Bridge. Best seafood on the island, casual atmosphere.

www.kentmorr.com

Ellicott City had a Fractured Prune franchise for about eight or nine months a few years ago that never caught on. Guess it's just an OC thing.

The old Hendler's Creamery still stands (or did last time I drove by) at 1100 E. Baltimore Street. It's a very cool piece of old architecture.

Handmade candy from Rhebs or Wockenfuss, depending on which side you're on.

Hostess is out with a limited-time offer for the holidays - Gingerbread Spice Donettes. So delicious.

Weis Markets carry many Usinger's products - I have bought their knackwurst and summer sausage and they are both very good. They are located in N Montgomery, Howard & Frederick counties.

We have a house at Chincoteague and get there as often as we can. For breakfast and lunch Bill's on S. Main Street is good, but we no longer go there for dinner since they have gone "black tie & white tablecloth." Etta's on Eastside Drive is a better bet and has great waterfront views and terrific crab dishes. Ray's Shanty is on the road from the mainland to Chincoteague (VA 175) and has good crabcakes, shrimp and excellent softshells in season. Other than the steamed shrimp, they are heavy on the fried seafood. If you go to Ray's, go early because the wait can be awful. Sadly, we can no longer recommend the former Island Family Restaurant on Ridge Road in its latest incarnation as "Mr. Baldy's." We also like J&B Cold Cuts (S. Main) for subs and the Sea Star Cafe (N. Main) has good sandwiches and salads. There are two good ice cream places on the island, Island Creamery on Maddox Boulevard (homemade, hand-packed) and our favorite, Mr. Whippy (soft-serve) also on Maddox. Also on Maddox at the circle is Woody's BBQ & Chicken shacks w/ good pulled pork & ribs with different sauces (NC, Memphis, etc.) and fried chicken. Famous Pizza is OK, and Saigon Village on N. Main Street is an interesting change of pace, but can't recommend the Chinese or Mexican in town. If you go to the Carnival Saturday night an oyster or clam fritter sandwich is a delicious tradition.

The seafood market next to Fresh Pride supermarket on Cleveland Street has good crabs. His & Hers Seafood on Maddox has terrific fresh shrimp and fish. The produce stand out at T's Corner (next to the entrance to Food Lion at the intersection of US 13 and VA 175) is good - hit it on the way into town. In town, there is a good little stand sometimes open on Chicken City Road and Circle Drive depending on how much they have to offer. There are a couple on Maddox that I've never really been impressed by.

Have a great time!

H&A Supermarket in the old Hechinger Plaza Shopping Center near the intersection of University Boulevard and Riggs Road has them. It rivals H-Mart and Lotte as far as selection goes.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/h-and-a-super...

-----
H-Mart
800 N Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD

I think almost all of the SuperFresh stores in MD/DC/VA are now closed. I have bought Wright's at the Columbia Harris Teeter, I'm guessing it can be found in the other HTs in the area..

Just remember Pita & Rye closes at 4 pm on Friday and all day Saturday for observance of the Sabbath.

The Jungle Grille in the strip center behind Town Hall Liquors (8145 Baltimore Avenue) has good burgers, wraps and salads. Lots of vegetarian choices. http://www.junglegrille.com/

Sardi's Pollo a la Brasa has terrific charcoal broiled chicken and sides (10433 Baltimore Avenue, just north of the Beltway in Beltsville). http://www.sardischicken.com/

Plato's Diner on Route 1 is OK, but keep it simple - a club sandwich or chili and a grilled cheese. They often fail miserably when it comes to entrees. Most of their breakfast stuff is pretty good.

Mama Lucia's at the intersection of Route 1 and Cherry Hill Road is decent Italian, but for pizza I second Ledos at Route 1 and Knox Road.

-----
Plato's Diner
7150 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Jungle Grille
8145 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Treuth & Sons in Ellicott City/Oella on Oella Avenue is a good beef retailer/wholesaler. They have a retail store in the front of their slaughterhouse.

Apparently they closed in January, blaming a rent increase. While I never thought they were particularly good (especially after changing from Broadway to Hollywood), they were an alternative to the equally mediocre Silver Diner down the Pike. Hadn't been there in a long time but the reviews of late were not complimentary.

Broadway Diner at Eastern Avenue and I-95 is a cut above your usual shiny diner. Don't let the fact that it was on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives dissuade you. Boulevard Diner on Merritt Boulevard at Holabird in Dundalk is decent, open 24-hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Either gets my vote over the ubiquitous Double Ts around the region.

-----
Broadway Diner
6501 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224

Boulevard Diner
1660 Merritt Blvd, Dundalk, MD 21222

Danny's Tindahan on Wisconsin Avenue in Tenleytown.