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A new Costco will open in October in Owings Mills, MD. I am looking forward to the $1.50 hot dog & soda combo, as the BJ's Warehouse nearby (along with all locations) dropped the food court for a Dunkin Donuts outpost. I don't get to D. C., often, but will surely stock up on booze at their location. I have had the Kirkland 18 y o Highland Single Malt, and it is excellent.

I am a big fan of Pioneer Pit Beef. I love how they give you a sample slice of what you order so you know it's the correct doneness. The little shack and one or two picnic tables make for a great experience. They truly are not interested in ambiance, only excellent pit beef. My only small complaint is that if you get off on Security Blvd, there's no easy way back to 70 West. You have to take Rolling Road to Rt 40. But it's a small price to pay for some of the best pit beef around.

O'Lordan's Pub, just south of Main St on Rt 27 is owned by the Johanssen folks and is very good.We've had the fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage, and the huge appetizer plate of steamed shrimp (easily a dozen two-bite shrimp). Tuesday thru Friday they have happy hour 3-7, when the very reasonably priced shrimp got from $12.50 to $6.50 and the 1/2 pound Blarney burger (w/ cheese and bacon and a side of waffle fries) is a steal for $4.50, with $3 and $4 pints of various Irish brews. They may have added Saturday as well. http://www.olordansirishpub.com/

Had an excellent meal back on Friday, Jan 29th. Not overly crowded as it was cold and getting colder with a snow forcast. After being seated, we were brought a plate with two small pieces of bread, though it was no trouble to get a few more pieces of the excellent bread. We started with the grilled prawns entree as an app, choosing this over the 'deviled' eggs and the always great scallops. The prawns were flat-out excellent. For entrees, we had the special cowboy steak on the bone, and the hangar steak. Both cooked perfectly as ordered and served with the large sides of mashed potatos and spinach. The only small dissapointment was the Key Lime Pie. While it was very good, the waiter said it was now made in house. I really loved the pie I had way back when at both the Viginia and Silver Spring locations. The crust was the best I have ever had. While the house made crust in Silver Spring was good, it just wasn't as good as the old crust. Yes, yes, a VERY minor complaint. As always, Ray's strives to provide excellent food at very fair prices and didn't miss the mark.

I will give an emphatic second to Pioneer Pit Beef. Can't add much more than HowChowBlog said, except bring your own napkins as they don't give you too many, and the ones they give are kind of chincy.Other than that, my favorite Pit beef place of all, and when they give you a slice to taste, rare IS rare. Definitely worth the trip.

Is Thrasher's in Ocean City now providing ketchup? A friend was told by a co-worker they had ketchup at Thrasher's, but I find this hard to believe. They may have been at the Rehobeth location, but either way, I'd be surprised if any location has begun serving ketchup.

It seems the Columbia Fatburger is open, though I've not yet been.Fatburger Columbia 6630H Marie Curie Drive Gateway Overlook Shopping Center Elkridge, MD 21075 P: 410-312-3100

Ditto on the barbecue sandwich, though I like to add the coleslaw along w/ the Texas Pete.

When I was there, the menu listed it as pan-fried (which it was) and it was excellent. Order the chicken AND another entree and have a great lunch the next day. Thanks, Eric

Like the bartenders at PX, "STILL shakin it here, Boss." Eric

Excellent snack over the weekend of small cod, single chips and a fried snicker bar. Will have to get back again for a batter sausage and/or burgher. Sarson's Malt vinegar is bonus over the usual Heinz. Thank you, Eric

Definitely hit the previously mentioned White Spot for a One-Eyed (fried egg) Gus Burger.Eric

As slarochelle noted, you must pay attention to the restrictions. I bought a $25 certificate for $4 (60% off promo) and when we went, I asked the server what restrictions applied and what we had to do. At meals end, the server returned with the bill & certificate and said the manager told him we couldn't use it because of what we ordered. The manager came over and I stated that we had asked the server repeatedly about all restrictions and were told both entrees were okay. The manager said one was a 'special' and thus excluded. I said we hadn't just orderd 2 entrees only but apps, drinks and a dessert, and even suggested the manager simply charge the extra $3 the entree would have usually cost (some special ) but he said no and refused the certificate. We paid full price and left. I called restaurant.com and they voided the certificate and emailed a new one for a different restaurant, which I later used with no problem. I recommend restaurant.com (and the on-line transaction is as safe as any), just scrutinize the restrictions and double check when you get to the restaurant so there are no post-prandial surprises. Eric

It seems the link upthread for the coconut cake touted by Joe H is no longer available. The link below has the recipe (#3) and I can agree, having had the cake in NoLa, that it IS the best piece of cake I have ever eaten. Thanks, Eric http://www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/m1122M04.htm#3

It's in most bigger stores, right next to the kosher shrimp Eric

The only thing I'd like to know is do they slaughter the pigs traditionally, or simply lead them into the shower to get shanked? And I agree Ribsters has horrible ribs. Eric

I don't think Hooter's is any worse than the Heart Attack Grill (though I've never been to the Heart attack Grill). Back when I played rugby, not only did Hooters doante prize money to a tournament, but also allowed us to check off how many of the 30 some-odd pitchers of beer per each keg we bought had been consumed. At the end of the post game party, they actually let us carry obver the remaining pitchers (THAT stopped after a few months ). They do indeed have a good scheme going and I'm sure most waitresses there make good money. They did when I was treasurer of the rugby club. Thanks, Eric http://www.heartattackgrill.com/

If anyone is interested in an additional night next week, please PM or email hillvalley.There may be quite a few who could go next week but presumed since hillvalley didn't post about it, it can't be done. Thanks very much, Eric

Lileons was great, though I always thought the onions were never done enough for me. Always lots of cops getting cheesesteaks and hoagies in there.As MC Horoscope noted, South Street is just a block or so up Rt 1 toward Riverdale on the former 'Vous side of Rt 1. There used to be a Sonoco gas station there. Easy walking distance from Marathon. Thanks, Eric

I'll agree with Daniel & HM's posts. The rolls make the sandwich at South Street and the Amoroso's are better than anything in the D.C. area. Service was painfully slow, but if you've never been to Philly where they crank 'em out asap, it might not seem that bad. Also stopepd at Marathon Deli for the first time in years and the gyro was as good as I remembered. Thanks, Eric