Bobby's Crab Cakes, Bob Bloch's Wonderful Crab in Rockville Town Square - Closed

[Michael Landrum]

Another sign of the decline of fine dining: arguably, if not hands-down, the best crab cakes and lobster roll in the DC area are to be found at this casual brain-child of long term veteran of the DC restaurant scene and friend, Bob Bloch. Certainly, and without a doubt, the best value.

A near perfect crab cake of pure, sweet (mostly) East Coast (in winter!) and (some, in the off-season only) Gulf Jumbo Lump, 5 oz, no shred, no filler, no bread crumbs, perfectly seasoned and broiled. (Mind you, this 5 oz cake has more Jumbo Lump than any 8 oz stems and seeds cake that you pay 250% more for downtown). Only flaw--the homemade tartar sauce is a bit too sweet from sweet pickle. Otherwise perfect. Better than my Crab Royale (better crab, better recipe, better execution), and at least on a par, arguably better, than the Crab Bomb at Jerry's and the Crab Imperial at The Prime Rib-- to my mind, the only other true examplars of crab excellence in a market where every chef and his publicist is expected to trot out his "signature" crab cake to prove his commitment to regional blah blah blah and local blah blah blah and passion for blah blah blah and to tell the story about the inspiration and life-lessons blah blah blah of summers fishing with Paw-Paw on the blah blah blah and how his children now blah blah blah.

And also the best lobster roll outside of New England/New York/Long Island whose only sin is too much lobster bursting out of the twice-toasted bun and not quite enough mayonnaise. Also, the bun could use a little more butter (but I say that about Maria Schneider too).

Bobby is a true food purist and it shows in his exacting reverence for both the ingredients and the heritage, traditions and authenticity of these iconic specialties.

Also excellent: a delicious but not overly decadent mac and cheese with elbow macaroni, maytag blue, Parmiggiano Reggiano and aged Vermont cheddar; an achingly, hauntingly traditional New England Clam Chowder; and a bracingly refreshing, perfectly earthy cole slaw.

The fries are perfectly executed--both cured (!) and double-fried (p-nut oil)--and best in class, if suffering a bit from bitterness in the skin, more of which should have been trimmed off before cutting. But I think fries and the attention paid to them reveal the weakness in American dining, and I think all of the fries in this country pretty much suck (except, oddly enough, at the Georgetown Cafe--more on which later, should the subject ever come up).

But here's the real kicker--his key lime pie beats mine. No contest. Gasp. Sigh.

The website is bobbyscrabcakes.com and maybe one of you technologically gifted marvels can link it and/or post the menu so that everyone can see how shamefully, shockingly non-contemptuous his prices are.

[ol_ironstomach]

Holy crap, it's in Rockville Town CenterSquare. And open every day for lunch and dinner. Activate the RPLCsignal, Chief O'Hara!

[Michael Landrum]

I should point out that they just raised their prices on the lobster roll and crab cake by a dollar, and that the crab cake on the menu above is the 4 oz version, which they still offer, but what I was describing was the recently added, larger 5 oz cake, which I believe is $14.

[DonRocks]

I went this evening and had the crabcakes, fries, and slaw, and agree with Michael, all the way down to the tartar sauce having too much sweet pickle.

The top portion of the menu - the part labeled "Bobby's Crabcakes" - has 4-ounce and 5-ounce portions as of yesterday, priced as follows:

Crabcake Sandwich ($10.95 / 13.75)

Crabcake Sandwich Platter ($13.95 / 16.75)

Crabcake Platter ($12.95 / 16.75)

Two Crabcake platter ($24.50 / $29.95)

A small beer selection is available, about the best of which is a Newcastle Brown Ale ($4.25).

They also deliver free of charge, for a minimum order of $20.

A gentleman I assumed was Bob Bloch told me that in recent weeks, his supplier is supplying less-and-less Chesapeake (!) crab, and now a larger percentage is coming from the Gulf. No surprise there.

This place is going to do well - the big question I have is how they'll manage volume, and how many Bobby's Crabcakes there will be in five years: the gentleman seemed hopeful this wouldn't be the last one, so my advice is to catch it now while the catching is good.

Cheers,

Rocks.

P.S. Dave, it's in Rockville Town Square, not Rockville Town Center.

[ol_ironstomach]

I went this evening and had the crabcakes, fries, and slaw, and agree with Michael, all the way down to the tartar sauce having too much sweet pickle.

...

P.S. Dave, it's in Rockville Town Square, not Rockville Town Center.

Edited to correct, and somebody should let Bob know; I copied "Center" off his website.

Was going to go there myself tonight, but Gubeen is a bit under the weather so I stayed home and fed her instead.

[collije]

Oooooh, I'm there. Can't wait to try this out.

[Toby]

Just got back from dinner at Bobby's. The crab cake, the chowder, and the fries were excellent - rivaling home made. The slaw was not to my taste, too sweet and with a dominant onion flavor. Adding vinegar and salt helped. This will definitely be on our regular rotation.

[JeffC]

Had lunch there today. The crab cake sandwich was as advertised, the best I've had. I'm not an expert on crab cakes, but I could really learn to love this place....and likely will, since I work in Rockville. The fries were terrific--I've been waiting for fries like this, perfectly crispy, not even a hint of grease, and the portion was generous, to say the least. I could come to Bobby's just for the fries.

And Michael is right about the key lime pie. That pie is dangerous, it's so good.

[hm212]

Does anyone know if they will sell uncooked crabcakes for frying at home?

[collije]

Just got back from lunch there.

Completely agree with everyone's comments above. Crabcake sandwhich was very very good, fries are as well. Slaw looked and tasted very fresh. Shame that they didn't have the Key Lime pie available when I ordered [but allows me something else to try the next time].

Met Herbie, who delivered your order to your table [when you place an order, they provide you with a #ed flag to place at whatever table you choose to sit at]. Chatted up with him, nice fella.

Will be back to try some more things in the menu.

[deangold]

Just got back...

Good clam chowder but the clam pieces were a little alrge therefore a little tough. Great with the addition of black pepper from the grinder on each table and a few drops of tabasco.

Fries, in a word, superb. Would love to see a garlic version.

Coleslaw was bland except for the oniony component. A bit of a miss for me.

Crabcake was full of crab, no filler and very nicely done, but a little bland. The crab tasted a tiny bit fishy. I am not a crabcake person so I am not the best judge.

Lunch with no beverage was $20. Great service. I agre with Amit that a few tweaks here and there and it might really sing. Not being much of a crabcake lover I might still be more often found at Bob's Shabu Shabu 88.

[xcanuck]

Wow...so much effusive praise. I just had to check it out, so I went for lunch today with some of the RPLC crowd (Dean and Porcupine).

We started with the New England clam chowder, which I thought was perfectly done. I don't mind slightly chewy clams and I appreciated the fact that it wasn't drowning in cream. Very tasty and a nice start to the meal.

The crab cake was much as advertised - large pieces of jumbo lump crab, no filler - just minimal binder. I passed on the far too sweet tartar sauce and had my sandwich plain. It definitely could have used a little more seasoning (I admit to being a salt freak) and possibly more lemon juice to help bring out the flavour. I was disappointed in the cole slaw. While it was very fresh, it also lacked flavour. I prefer a spicier slaw with things like fennel seed and more of an acid kick (e.g. cider vinegar). Not to say that the cole slaw at Bobby's was bad. It just wasn't to my liking. On the other hand, the fries were wonderful!! Almost perfect and served with malt vinegar.

Nothing to complain about when it comes to the service or the prices. Everyone was very polite, friendly, and helpful. The value behind the prices are self-evident.

Good, but not great, would be my conclusion. Then again, I'm not a native MD-er and wouldn't know a good crab cake from a fantastic one. So YMMV.

[collije]

Wow...so much effusive praise. I just had to check it out, so I went for lunch today with some of the RPLC crowd (Dean and Porcupine).

We started with the New England clam chowder, which I thought was perfectly done. I don't mind slightly chewy clams and I appreciated the fact that it wasn't drowning in cream. Very tasty and a nice start to the meal.

The crab cake was much as advertised - large pieces of jumbo lump crab, no filler - just minimal binder. I passed on the far too sweet tartar sauce and had my sandwich plain. It definitely could have used a little more seasoning (I admit to being a salt freak) and possibly more lemon juice to help bring out the flavour. I was disappointed in the cole slaw. While it was very fresh, it also lacked flavour. I prefer a spicier slaw with things like fennel seed and more of an acid kick (e.g. cider vinegar). Not to say that the cole slaw at Bobby's was bad. It just wasn't to my liking. On the other hand, the fries were wonderful!! Almost perfect and served with malt vinegar.

Nothing to complain about when it comes to the service or the prices. Everyone was very polite, friendly, and helpful. The value behind the prices are self-evident.

Good, but not great, would be my conclusion. Then again, I'm not a native MD-er and wouldn't know a good crab cake from a fantastic one. So YMMV.

Yeah, the slaw was bland tasting to me as well. I'm not a slaw fan by any means, but I've had what similar slaw in the past that I've been told was good slaw [but, not a real appreciator of the stuff]. Should have included that above, but didn't want my general non-appreciation for slaw to taint anyone reading

Gotta give that Lobster Roll a try sometime.

Oh, and I can't believe that I missed Dean & the others today. Didn't have access to a computer since last night so I didn't see the arrangements. Funny that I got there around 11:20 a.m. [was in the area & my will broke and just had to try it out today], must have juuuuust missed you guys [would have stayed for awhile longer and chatted]

[bookluvingbabe]

BLBaby and I stopped in for a quick bite today. (I didn't get a chance to see if anyone could join us as we were driving in circles while he napped...)

The crabcake was good, not great. Too much cartlige/shell/something crunchy for me to rave. I skipped the fries (dieting) and the coleslaw (not a big fan) so I was a little hungry after my sandwich. I might have ordered more but a little boy was too entranced by the two tvs to stay any longer.

Will be back but probably for carryout--not sure if there is any place to sit that he couldn't see a tv and the booth was a little too tight to nurse. (Of course Starbucks was too sunny and busy for his highness... Got to love 9 month olds!)

Besides they didn't have any key lime pie--have to try that and the lobster roll at a minimum!

The staff was very nice and helpful. I hope they do well. It was a total deadzone while we were there.

Jennifer

[porcupine]

Although I wasn't overwhelmed, the crabcake was very good. But more importantly, this is an in independant shop in a sea of mediocre industrial feed centers, and therefore I will make a point of dining there frequently.

According to rockvillemd.gov, the following restaurants are in Rockville Town Center (as they're calling it):

Austin Grill

Cosi

Five Guys

Fractured Prune

Gordon Biersch

Greystone Grill

Jerry's Subs and Pizza

La Tasca

Lebanese Taverna

and a few others that might be independants, too. And a few not yet open, including La Flor de la Canela. If it's an offshoot of the Gaitherspatch restaurant of the same name, there's hope.

[dinwiddie]

Are the crabcakes fried, or is it possible to get them broiled? And they will have to be pretty darn good to be better than the ones you can get at, of all places, El Napalito in the Plaza del Mercado shopping center.

[The Doctor]

Will attempt to have dinner here tonight. Is there any trick to getting to this place? The website says 101 Gibbs Street, but the map there, as well as on Mapquest, ends with directions on E Middle Lane. Are they one and the same?

[DanielK]

Will attempt to have dinner here tonight. Is there any trick to getting to this place? The website says 101 Gibbs Street, but the map there, as well as on Mapquest, ends with directions on E Middle Lane. Are they one and the same?

The Rockville Town Center parking map makes things a lot clearer.

FYI - I plan on being here at 7:45p tonight with my kids in tow to check it out. Though my intent is Lobster Roll, not crabcake!

[alan7147]

Are the crabcakes fried, or is it possible to get them broiled? And they will have to be pretty darn good to be better than the ones you can get at, of all places, El Napalito in the Plaza del Mercado shopping center.

I believe Landrum stated they were broiled in his initial post

[The Doctor]

The Rockville Town Center parking map makes things a lot clearer.

FYI - I plan on being here at 7:45p tonight with my kids in tow to check it out. Though my intent is Lobster Roll, not crabcake!

Thanks, that map is very helpful. For once I might be able to get in on the ground floor of a new restaurant craze! I am leaning towards the lobster roll as well. My plan is to be charming enough to steal a bite of my companion(s)' crabcakes.

[dinwiddie]

I believe Landrum stated they were broiled in his initial post

That he did. Much better.

[DanielK]

Had an excellent dinner there tonight with the kids and a friend. This will definitely be on the rotation, as it's just a few minutes from my house.

Started with a bowl of Chowdah. Plenty of plump, sweet clams, chunks of potato and other goodies, and just enough cream and flour to make a thick but not gummy soup.

The Lobster Roll is first class - huge chunks of lobster, just enough mayo to hold it all together, a hint of spices just to wake up the sweetness of the lobster, and a lightly toasted, split-top bun.

The 10-year-old ordered the burger, and it was definitely a two-hander, served with a veritable mountain of fries. The burger was cooked a minute or two past the requested medium rare, but was still juicy. The fries were fantastic, somewhat "boardwalk" style, but crispy rather than soggy, and perfectly salted. They really didn't need accompaniment, but they went fine with either ketchup or malt vinegar (both on the table.)

The 7-year-old originally wanted mac-and-cheese, but it's pre-made with blue cheese in the mix, so she opted for a cheese quesadilla instead. She ate most of it, but it wasn't great. Tasteless tortilla, and nothing but plain mild cheddar cheese in the middle, so no flavor there. It was served with a flavorful homemade salsa, but a better tortilla, a more interesting cheese blend (sharp cheddar? jack?) and perhaps some sour cream would improve this immensely.

They were out of key lime pie (another had been prepared, but still needed a few hours in the chiller), so we walked over to Fractured Prune instead for dessert.

I didn't taste the crabcake or slaw, so I'll have to post on that another time.

[eating out]

Had an excellent dinner there tonight with the kids and a friend. This will definitely be on the rotation, as it's just a few minutes from my house.

Started with a bowl of Chowdah. Plenty of plump, sweet clams, chunks of potato and other goodies, and just enough cream and flour to make a thick but not gummy soup.

The Lobster Roll is first class - huge chunks of lobster, just enough mayo to hold it all together, a hint of spices just to wake up the sweetness of the lobster, and a lightly toasted, split-top bun.

Ohhhhh boy this is exciting. I can't wait to try it myself. Thanks for checking it out and posting Daniel! Happy Holidays everyone

[The Doctor]

I wish I lived closer to this place. It fills a void I never had really considered before. Where else can you walk up to a counter and order a cheap lobster roll or crabcake, with equally delicious side dishes?

The lobster roll was fantastic. I lost track of how many totally intact claw pieces were in the meat mixture.

And like Michael in the first post, it takes a pretty good french fry to get my attention. These were great.

The only weak spots were the aforementioned slaw and tartar sauce. The slaw is an enormous portion (note it only comes with crabcake platters, not the others), but it was too heavy on the green onions. Also, platters no longer include a beverage as seen in the image above.

I sampled the crabcake, but not enough to make a judgment. It was a tasty piece, though!

[Ishaak56]

I haven't figured out how to use this yet, so please disregard the duplicate of someone else's post that I sent.

[ol_ironstomach]

But here's the real kicker--his key lime pie beats mine. No contest. Gasp. Sigh.

It took me a couple of visits to catch up to the legendary and usually-sold-out pie, but we stopped by for dessert after another cheap and restorative run to Pho 75. Michael is right. Bobby's key lime pie kicks much, much ass. Tangy filling, sweet but not excessively so, and very lightly baked...just enough to set the texture without turning the top into cheesecake. Traditional graham crust, deep-dish, again lightly baked, kicked up with some crumbled walnut pieces. The first pie I've had in the DC area that captures the authentic filling texture, and with excellent flavor. Good-enough-for-Key-West good, seriously.

Bobby is agnostic on the meringue-vs-whipped-cream question, as the pie is served without either. He'll also sell you a whole pie to go for $32 if you give him a coupla days notice.

The food is good, although a couple of items like the cole slaw will not appeal to cautious diners who want "safe" instead of what Bobby likes. For the record, I like the spring onion-laden cole slaw. I also think the crabcakes are pretty good (great crab flavor, and not cheapened with filler), although they're not to the level of the no-longer-available "Cadillac crabcakes" that River Falls used to cook-to-order at lunchtime. But moreover, each visit so far has been like this: you find the owner working onsite, and eventually he comes out to say hi and wants to know what you thought of each dish. Not a perfunctory "was everything okay?", but a serious, honest query. Not that I'd expect him to custom tailor each dish to meet individual tastes, but it's disappointingly rare around this area that you see such a hands-on approach from a chef/owner in a casual neighborhood joint. I'm an instant fan.

[Sthitch]

Friday found me having to take a dinnertime trip to Rockville, a real chore since 270 was closed because of some truck on car violence, and so I decided to give Bobby's a try. After wandering aimlessly around the Rockville Town Center (or whatever it is called), I finally found it. I really enjoyed the taste and texture of the crab cakes, but found myself wishing that I had forgone the sandwich and just ordered the regular platter. The bread is good, but it got in the way of the delicate flavor of the crab cake. Unlike some of the earlier posters I was not put off by the sweeter version of tartar sauce, I have always found that a little tartar sauce goes a long way on a good crab cake and the sweetness worked when used sparingly. The fries were also a delight, on the thin side, but I like fries like I like women in all shapes and sizes.

you find the owner working onsite, and eventually he comes out to say hi and wants to know what you thought of each dish. Not a perfunctory "was everything okay?", but a serious, honest query.

This can be a double edged sword, I really don't care if the owner or chef speaks to me, but if they walk around to all of the other tables and ignore you it can be rather annoying. That was the case with me on Friday.

[bookluvingbabe]

I went back on Christmas Eve for lunch and really enjoyed the lobster roll. And the key lime pie is better than Michael's. Not as sour. The owner and other staff remembered me (or more likely BLBaby) from the previous visit and were very warm and welcoming.

[Heather]

What a terrific crabcake. The slaw is a little sweet, but a couple of shakes of sea salt and a drop of tabasco took care of that. Loved the fries, and Michael is absolutely correct in his assessment of the key lime pie. I will definitely be back to try the lobster roll.

(A little off topic, but most of the Rockville Town Square restaurants just infuriate me. It was nice to sit down in an independent place after walking by mediocrities like La Tasca, Austin Grill, and Lebanese Taverna.)

[JeffC]

A colleague told me that key lime pie is her favorite dessert, so I took her to lunch at Bobby's today. She agrees that this is the best she's ever had, including the real deal in Key West. She also gave high praise to the chicken salad.

My crabcake sandwich, fries and pie were--as always--terrific.

[MC Horoscope]

We've been a couple of times now and loved the crabcake and lobster roll sandwiches, and the fries! I tried the broiled hamburger this time and found that I liked it but not as much as at Sunshine Grocery on 97 north of Olney at about half the price. The burger platter was a special. It just didn't stay warm very long. Next time I want to try the shrimp salad. We're glad to go to this place.

[MarkS]

Does Bobby's have beer or wine.

It's my birthday Friday and Bobby's may be a safe bet for my two teenage boys my wife and myself Their diet is burgers, steaks, Pizza and Chipolte. Since they both finish playing ice hockey at 5:30, it might be wise to grab food at Bobby's before heading home.

Mark

[Sthitch]

Yes they have beer and wine, I did not look at what they offered, I had root beer.

[JLK]

$32 for a pie?

[hillvalley]

It's damn good pie

[JLK]

At that price, it had better be!

[DanielK]

Cutting a pie into 8 pieces would probably be generous slices - you might get 10 or 12 slices out of a pie. He charges $4.25 for a slice, so even at 8 slices, he's getting $34/pie now...

[collije]

Had lunch there yesterday, to continue my tour of the menu.

Based on the comments above, tried the Lobster Roll [not the platter this time]. Toasted bread, large very flavorful chunks of lobster [bobby told me it was a mixture of knuckle & claw meat I believe], binded with mayo/lemon juice and his touch of spices. Reminded me of the ones I've tried in Maine over the years.

Happily the Key Lime pie was available again, so had that for dessert. Echoing what ol_ironstomach said above: great comination of texture, tangy/not too sweet, deep graham crust. Ate it slowly & in small bites to savor it. Bobby, whereever you're sourcing that, keep it

Washed everything down with water just so I concentrate on the flavors.

Talked with Herbie who was providing service on the floor [really pleasant guy], and chatted with Bobby for a bit. I believe he mentioned that he's looking into adding entree-like dinners to the menu. More & more challenging with sourcing quality crab. Oh, and suggested I give the chicken salad a try. [one of his favorites, and its he makes it lol]. Maybe chowdah and the salad next time.

[wysguymd]

I've eaten here too and wasn't really that impressed. The fries were good, but everything else was just okay. This was back in early November, so perhaps they weren't up to speed yet.

Overall, I thought it was overpriced for an order-at-the-counter eatery. Haven't had any desire to go back.

[cha_charoni]

I've been there twice now, once back in November when we did take-out and once after Christmas when we dined in. The first time the crabcake was delicious and was a good crabcake. My wife really enjoyed the mac n cheese and thought it was done wonderfully although I didn't care for the onions in it.

The second time I went with some friends and we all felt that the crabcake tasted a little fishy. The fries were great both times. I think its something that I will go here and there but it's a little overpriced for what you get.

[lackadaisi]

Why were we the only people there tonight at 7:30???

This place is great! We tried the lobster roll, crab cake sandwich, fries, coleslaw and key lime pie (splitting everything so that I could keep to my diet - poor Jlock suffers for my prior lack of restraint). I really liked everything a lot, and I would go here at least once a week if I lived closer. It was so good, in fact, that we very, very briefly discussed moving to Rockville as we were leaving (damn DC schools, how dare you make us think like that even for a second!).

Despite our extremely fond feelings towards the place, there was room to nitpick. Although the crab cake was superb, the chipotle (?) in the tartar sauce seemed to be an unnecessary distraction. The lobster roll was very good, but had a slight bit too much black pepper flavor. The bread on both was perfect, however. And, the french fries were great - best with vinegar, not ketchup. We really liked the cole slaw, even if it was not completely traditional. I have no complaints at all about the pie, it was wonderful; I just wish that I were not on this stupid diet so that I could have a piece all to myself.

The place was larger and newer-looking than I expected. But, very welcoming. I really wished that we had time to sit and enjoy a beverage, but Violet insisted that we move on with our chores of the evening without lingering. But, we will be back, and very soon I hope.

[DanielK]

Why were we the only people there tonight at 7:30???

Because you didn't warn any DR folks who live up that way that you were venturing out of the city. I almost went to Bobby's last night, but we landed up at Urban Burger instead.

[lackadaisi]

Because you didn't warn any DR folks who live up that way that you were venturing out of the city.

Next time. This time we were trying to fit it into a trip to the baby store - didn't know ourselves whether we would actually make it there until we entered, and ran as soon as we were done.

[wysguymd]

After reading all the positive comments on this board, went back to Bobby's for a second try. My opinion didn't change - if anything, it was worse this time than the first.

I had a grilled chicken sandwich platter. The chicken was severely over-cooked (and/or reheated) to the point that the ends were so hard the weren't edible. It was drowned in mayo. Luckily the generous portion of fries were excellent!

My campanion had the large crab cake platter. He thought it was "okay", rather small and expensive. He said he's had better and named Clydes and RedRockCanyon locally. He also didn't eat the coleslaw, but thought the fries were good.

After two disappointing trips, unfortunately I don't think I'll be going back. We were also there at 6:30pm on a Friday night and the place was pretty empty (as was all of Rockville Town Square - how are these places surviving?)

[DanielK]

My campanion had the large crab cake platter. He thought it was "okay", rather small and expensive. He said he's had better and named Clydes and RedRockCanyon locally. He also didn't eat the coleslaw, but thought the fries were good.

After two disappointing trips, unfortunately I don't think I'll be going back. We were also there at 6:30pm on a Friday night and the place was pretty empty (as was all of Rockville Town Square - how are these places surviving?)

I think that Clyde's makes a decent crabcake (I personally think Bobby's is better), but if your friend thought Bobby's was expensive, what does he think of Clyde's? At Bobby's the 2 crabcake platter is $25; at Clyde's it's $30. At RRC it's also $25; I think they're trying to position themselves as an Outback kind of chain, but the one time I was there, the food reminded me more of TGIF. Blech.

And which Rockville Town Square were you in? At 6:30 on Friday night (pretty warm for a DC January), the surface lot was nearly full, and there were tons of people in the courtyard and outside the main restaurants on Maryland Ave. Now, why Bobby's is empty while there are waits at Greystone, Gordon Biersch, etc is a different question...

[wysguymd]

if your friend thought Bobby's was expensive, what does he think of Clyde's?

Funny you should ask, because when he said "Clydes are better", he mentioned them having a crab cake special (for $15) and that they hadn't done it in awhile. In general, I think Bobby's is expensive because of the atmosphere. If the prices are going to be the same as "real" restaurants, then they shouldn't have counter service. If I'm going to pay $25 for an entree, I want a nice relaxing dinner with service - not to have to get up and get my own refills.

And which Rockville Town Square were you in? At 6:30 on Friday night (pretty warm for a DC January), the surface lot was nearly full, and there were tons of people in the courtyard and outside the main restaurants on Maryland Ave.

I guess like opinions on food, I had a different view of "full". We had no problem finding parking, only noticed a handfull of kids skateboarding outside the Library. The restaurants we walked past on the way to Bobbys all were nearly empty (Taverna, Mo's, Stonefish, 5 Guys,etc.). We didn't go on the other street where Greystone/Gordons are. Seems like everytime I've been over there that entire area is desolate - but I hope I'm wrong and that the area takes off.

[JeffC]

In general, I think Bobby's is expensive because of the atmosphere. If the prices are going to be the same as "real" restaurants, then they shouldn't have counter service. If I'm going to pay $25 for an entree, I want a nice relaxing dinner with service - not to have to get up and get my own refills.

Whoever is working the floor will usually take care of this. My wife was pleasantly surprised the other night when the guy noticed her almost empty glass and asked if he could get her a refill. I've also noticed that the same person will come to the table periodically to see if we need anything.

[DanielK]

Funny you should ask, because when he said "Clydes are better", he mentioned them having a crab cake special (for $15) and that they hadn't done it in awhile.

They do it once a year as a loss-leader, but it's the single, not double, crabcake for $15. Since Bobby's single platter is $14, even on sale he's still cheaper. Their crabcakes aren't "cheap", because you don't really want to be eating a crabcake made from "cheap" crab. I'll lay down a substantial bet that Clyde's and RRC don't go exclusively domestic non-pasteurized crab as Bobby's.

Maryland Ave is the main drag in the Center, and they do need to figure out how to get traffic to the side streets and north end. The parking lot I was referring to is the surface lot sandwiched between the RTC and the Regal theater strip.

[hillvalley]

Whoever is working the floor will usually take care of this. My wife was pleasantly surprised the other night when the guy noticed her almost empty glass and asked if he could get her a refill. I've also noticed that the same person will come to the table periodically to see if we need anything.

For $1.75 I hope the refill is free. The take away cup is what every other restaurant considers a small I got the lobster roll to go and it held up very well. There was the usual happy amount of claw meat with tail meat to fill in. The only thing that would improve the fries would be the ability to eat them on a beach. They are divine-the perfect answer for a french fry craving. Can you tell I am craving french fries? Even cold they were good.

I don't know what "good" key lime pies is supposed to taste like, but this one is pretty damn good.

I should note, usually when people go on and rave about the newest place around here, it is not unusual for me to feel the reviews are a little better than I read. I attribute a lot of that to my palate and my tendency to not trust anyplace new. But Bobby's was the rare exception that lived up to expectation and I understood what everyone was going on and on about. It was worth the drive out there.

[bookluvingbabe]

This afternoon we had a sleeping baby in the car at 1pm and zero desire for fast food (this was before I read the Roy's thread...)

I casually mentioned that there was a place in Rockville Town Square that did lobster rolls and crab cakes. Mr. BLB could hop out while I drove around the block.

We had two lobster rolls. Not easy to eat while driving but there are a lot of red lights on 355 up there. We both enjoyed. He also picked up a slice of the key lime pie and thinks that Michael Landrum is nuts if he thinks this is better than the pie at either Ray's.

I had also stopped in earlier in the week. I think part of what enchants me is how NICE the staff is. Now I think that BLBaby is pretty darn cute but it is always gratifying when others think so too. The staff seems delighted to see him and take turns making him laugh. (Other places do this too-none are as close by as Bobby's...) It makes eating out with a 9 month old a smidgen easier.

Edited to add: My darling husband now wants his own account --he denies saying Michael was nuts...

[wysguymd]

Bobby's was reviewed in the Washington Post Montgomery insert today. Here's the link the the review:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...8012301852.html

[Heather]

If the prices are going to be the same as "real" restaurants, then they shouldn't have counter service. If I'm going to pay $25 for an entree, I want a nice relaxing dinner with service - not to have to get up and get my own refills.

Hm. We placed our order at the counter yesterday but had full table service once we sat down.

My lobster roll was very, very good and nothing like the one described on the Post. Nothing but sweet claw meat with a minimum of goo and fuss, piled in a crisp bun. My friend's crab cake had a shade too much butter, but was still very fresh with a minimum of binder. The fries are addictive.

I can't believe anyone would choose RedRock Canyon Grill over Bobby's. That place is mediocre in every way.

[Lydia R]

This piece by Nancy Lewis illustrates why TS doesn't comment on restaurant architectural elements much:

Tucked away on the secondary street of the faux old-town development, Bobby's Crabcakes looks like the classic crab shack it is destined to become. The walls are red brick, punctuated with crisp black-and-white photographs of watermen. The floor is tiny black and white octagonal tile. There are about 50 seats spread among a couple of booths, a banquette that stretches along one wall and a bar-height counter that rings two more walls. The tables are marble and the chairs are wood, the traditional library style.

<snip>

He had hoped to open last spring, with the first wave of restaurants, but the time-consuming detail work of the interior design pushed the opening to Oct. 27, not prime crab cake season.

Even this piece catches that the design is deliberatly NOT crab shack. Maybe a Back Bay Bistro or Chophouse, but Florshems not flip-flops. That said, I'd feel comfortable walking in, weather permitting, in sandals, shorts and SPF 45. Very nice staff and good newspapers. I would NEVER have made the effort to find this place without the encouraging input from DR folks.

Has anyone tried the Chili?

[Heather]

Has anyone tried the Chili?

We tried it yesterday. Ground meat with beans, tomatoes and a few carrots tossed in. A little sweetness, good heat & flavor, but the meat was too chewy.

[TinDC]

Forgot to post that we tried Bobby's on Friday night. We were up in Rockville around dinner time, so picked up an order to go. We got a 2 crabcake platter and a lobster roll with fries to split. I loved the crabcakes. Very light and sweet. I also really liked the tartar sauce, even if others have found it to be overly sweet.

The lobster roll was my husband's favorite. Our's had little to no mayo, just chunks of lobster. I grew up spending summers on Cape Cod and so I *liked* Bobby's version, but I feel I am too spoiled to say that I loved it.

The fries are awesome. We'll be sure to go back when we are up that way again.

[californiasushi]

To echo what everyone else has already said, the food here is indeed very worthwhile. The descriptions in this thread are very accurate. The lobster roll is very good and is loaded with meat and not much of anything else. The crab cakes are much the same way and the tartar sauce is on the sweet side, but they do go well together. The cheeseburger I ordered was done just a little more than I would've liked, but was still very juicy and good. The fries are AMAZING! They are the best fries in the area, hands down. However, they are best served in the restaurant where they are still crispy. We got food to go a couple times and the fries really lose their crispy texture and end up a lot more soggy after being packaged up for a while. The key lime pie is delicious and the crust is outstanding. The cheesecake is pretty good, but is nothing to write about. The biggest problem is the lack of seating, albeit this has only been a problem once, but a problem that might be worse in the future as Bobby's becomes busier. Our party of three had to sit at the bar-type seating (on stools) since there were no tables available. We got a table once one opened up, but it kinda sucked to wait around for one.

[MarkS]

An issue is pricing. My son's hamburger was $11, the large crab cake was like 4 bites, etc. I do not see the attraction and why it was packed. Mt wife and son ate there last Friday for like $60 with no Alcohol... The portions were tiny and some folks kept opening the door to create a draft.

[Sthitch]

An issue is pricing. My son's hamburger was $11, the large crab cake was like 4 bites, etc. I do not see the attraction and why it was packed. Mt wife and son ate there last Friday for like $60 with no Alcohol... The portions were tiny and some folks kept opening the door to create a draft.

My small crab cake was more than four bites, but then again I chew my food and take the time to enjoy the taste.

[DanielK]

An issue is pricing. My son's hamburger was $11, the large crab cake was like 4 bites, etc.

The large crabcake is 5 oz. - if you can cram 1.25oz of crab into a single bite, the circus is looking for you to replace their sword swallower. With fries and slaw, that large crabcake is under $17, and the smaller 4 oz. cake is $14. If you know of a cheaper place in the area to get an all-blue-crab-no-filler cake, please let us know...

[Heather]

I think it's expensive if you walk in expecting fast food prices. Bobby might want to rethink the counter service - with full table service the prices might not be as objectionable to some.

As for tiny portions... the crab cakes appear to weigh what the menu says they should weigh, so I am not sure what the complaint is there. Four or five ounces is pretty standard for a crab cake without much filler. The sandwiches come with a fair portion of cole slaw and a big heap of fries, large enough that I haven't been able to finish the sides after eating a crab cake sandwich or a lobster roll. Can't comment on the burger.

I did have a minor service issue the last time. The young woman at the counter didn't seem to know that the macaroni & cheese was gone before she rang up the order and I paid, making it necessary to void and redo the order. The mac & cheese was still listed outside and on the board. I might be nice if the person taking the orders was made aware as soon as things run out.

[MarkS]

My comment was that the prices seem high for the Atmosphere. I think the prices for a glass of wine seemed steep if I recall and there was no side salad option only a 7 or $8 entree salad. When I make crab cakes at home mine are about the same size except that I serve two per portion. The 5 oz one was a tease.

The place will do well but this is certainly not Ray's with the cowboy steak.

[Heather]

My comment was that the prices seem high for the Atmosphere. I think the prices for a glass of wine seemed steep if I recall and there was no side salad option only a 7 or $8 entree salad.

Are the other side portions the same size as the cole slaw? I would be annoyed to pay $5 for a half cup of creamed spinach. I agree about the atmosphere, although I have certainly eaten more expensive food in worse surroundings.

No, it's not a value like Ray's. I imagine the rents at Rockville Town Square are at a premium, and crab is very pricey.

[wysguymd]

An issue is pricing. My son's hamburger was $11, the large crab cake was like 4 bites, etc. I do not see the attraction and why it was packed. Mt wife and son ate there last Friday for like $60 with no Alcohol...

I agree with your opinion. I've tried Bobby's a few times and haven't been impressed either - and the price definitely factors into that opinion.

In reading threads on this board, it seems many people take it personally and get defensive when someone doesn't like a place they like. Everyone needs to remember opinions on a restaurant are purely subjective. There isn't a right or wrong review.

[Lydia R]

My comment was that the prices seem high for the Atmosphere.

Rockville Town Square's gentle pricing $10 lunchtime event this coming week includes Bobby's and ten other restaurants:

Bobby's Crabcakes

Crabcake Sandwich or Chicken Salad/Tuna Salad/Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich and cup of soup

[ulrath]

My wife and I went yesterday. Overall we were very impressed. We tried the crabcake sandwich and the lobster roll. Both were good but we preferred the crabcake. Nothing against the lobster roll but lobster is lost on us. The fries are top notch, done perfectly.

We also tried the key lime pie and it was very good. I told my wife that I was not sure that it was better than Ray's and I would have to go back to Ray's to compare the two. Strictly in the interest of science.

A special shoutout to the food server who worked the lunch shift yesterday. Some of the most polite and attentive service we have had. Especially noteworthy because it is not a full service place.

[smokey]

Went for lunch yesterday, shared a double order (regular size) crabcake sandwich with a friend. I thought they were great (as others have noted). The fries were also fantastic. It was a much nicer space than I expected. Didn't get any sides or dessert. Friendly service.

Would definitely return.

[Lydia R]

Here's a quick take on Bobby's from new dad Todd Kliman. When is local crab season?

... Putting your name up on a restaurant takes guts. Not because a proprietor could always hide behind the name of his kid (the option for a lot of high-end chefs who aim to assuage the guilt of their long working hours) or slap up one of those single word titles that are meant to imbue the place with exoticism (mostly, because no one's ever heard of an oyamel or a ceiba). No, it takes guts because it's so little in fashion. Also, because it's so plainspoken and blunt. Call your place of business Bobby's Crabcakes (101 Gibbs St. Rockville; 301-217-0858), as restaurant vet Bobby Bloch has, and you're not leaving yourself a lot of wiggle room. Those crabcakes had better be good.

Well, they are. All lump, little binder, smartly seasoned, and broiled, not fried (and with a minimum of butter atop, the better to preserve the sweet delicacy of the crabmeat). RIght now, the meat is coming from the Gulf of Mexico; in warmer months, Bobby's is going to be getting its crab from closer in to the Chesapeake.

Prices are good, too. Thirty bucks for a platter of two six-ounce crabcakes, with fresh coleslaw and boardwalk-style fries -- long, skin-on and done to a golden, crispy turn. One way Bobby's keeps the costs down is by eschewing a wait staff. Which isn't to say that someone won't come by and refill your drink if the place isn't slammed. And it isn't to say that Bobby's is bare-boned. The order-at-the-counter set up is belied by the handsome brick walls, the classic fish house flooring, three kinds of soft light (including a wrought-iron chandelier), a couple flat screen TVs, and good bop on the sound system.

[bioesq]

Here's a quick take on Bobby's from new dad Todd Kliman. When is local crab season?

It starts in Virginia on Monday, and April 1st in Maryland.

[JAC13]

After weeks of hearing my parents rave about it, I tried Bobby's for the first time last night with my boyfriend and his grandmother. The owner's greeting was so warm and friendly, I knew immediately I was going to be a fan of this place. We started with the shrimp cocktail and the vegetarian split-pea soup. The soup was wondefully tasy, garnished with a bit of parm. cheese (I could have done without this personally) and some toasty croutons. Truthfully, I was surpised at how tasty and satisfying I found it because I grew up on my grandma's split pea, which was def. not vegetarian. All three of us also got crabcake platters and WOW. I can't understand how people can complain about the prices- the prices are in line with what most good restaurants charge for a crabcake platter and unlike most of those restaurants, here it was pure jumbo-lump crab- virtually no filler. While I usually shy away from fries, they were too good to pass up and I don't regret it for a moment- perfectly fresh and crispy and not greasy at all. They were out of the key-lime pie but we got a cheese-cake and brownie sundae for the table. Both were good but not great- the brownie was def. my favorite of the two because of the dark chocolate sauce, which was devine. I can't believe I am saying this but the cheesecake's crust almost had too much butter in it- after two bites I had had enough. The service rounded out the experience. The owner's friendliness set the tone for rest of the staff and the service was nothing like what I expected for a casual place where you place your order at the counter. The staff was so attentive- we never once got up for our own refills and they removed our plates the moment we finished. Overall, we all left very full and very impressed.

[seanvtaylor]

Dinner at Bobby's on Friday evening was really enjoyable. It was our first time there, and my impression of the place is that Bobby's Crabcakes is to traditional crab shacks as Eamonn's is to traditional fish & chips places.

That is to say, both feel like they've taken the elements of a good crab shack (or a good fish & chips place) and improved upon them for their local environment. The restaurant space doesn't feel like a crabhouse (nor should it, for Rockville Town Center, in my opinion). Our crabcakes were delicious, hearty, and a good meal. The fries, once properly salted, were really enjoyable. As mentioned above, the key lime pie is a great dessert--the crust stands up well against the filling, and that filling is lime sour but has a short-lived aftertaste. For me, really a perfect dessert. It would be great to see a few more interesting beers on the chalkboard, but I didn't mind having a diet coke with my dinner at all.

Others have commented on the ordering/food delivery system. We had no issue with it, and the service was very affable. The owners circulated around the room and were very friendly.

[dinwiddie]

My wife and I stopped by Bobby's to see what all the fuss was about (my son had been there and liked it a lot.) We both ordered crab cake platters, the regular (4oz) for her, the large (5oz) for me. While the crab cakes were excellent, I thought they were overpriced for an over the counter place. I've had crabcakes at a couple of local sitdown restaurants that were as good, and no more expensive. The fries were pretty good, but a little to brown for my tastes, and the cole slaw while bland, was still better than many places, and not blender chopped to the consistency of confetti.

On the other hand, I was very impressed with the fact that the few wine selections )about 8 in total I think) were all wines that even a wine snob like me wouldn't turn his nose up at. Not that it would impress, but there wasn't a Woodbridge or Fetzer in the lot. (In fact, one of the whites was a Conundrum California for $10 a glass or $42 a bottle, not excessive for MoCo)

[hm212]

I did have a minor service issue the last time. The young woman at the counter didn't seem to know that the macaroni & cheese was gone.

Go back and get the macaroni & cheese. I had a crabcake sandwich with the mac & cheese for dinner tonight. The cheese is creamy but not overkill, with nice flavor.

I know that everyone raves about the key lime, - Get the cheesecake, made fresh in store and very sweet. The perfect topping for this meal.

[DanielK]

I had my first non-great meal at Bobby's last night. It was good, just not great.

First of all, the NE Clam Chowder was outstanding last night. There was barely room for the broth with all of the clams and vegetables piled inside, perfectly seasoned, and bowl cleaned in moments flat.

I got the 4 oz. crabcake sandwich. Now, the crabcake was great, as were the fries and slaw. But I must have gotten the runt of the litter - there's no way that was 4 oz. of crab. My wife got the 5oz., and mine was far more than 20% smaller than hers.

The lobster roll, which had previously been a highlight, was not that good last night. The bun was way overtoasted, near burned, which does not pair well with the delicate sweetness of lobster. Worse, the lobster was ever so slightly fishy, and there was no seasoning to be found - I had to add salt and pepper.

Both of the kids' meals were overcooked - the chicken fingers to the point of dryness, and much more seriously, a medium-rare burger showed up well done.

I will also admit that I am not as big of a backer of the much vaunted key lime pie. The crust was too thick, and the filling, while properly tart, was too light and mousse-like in consistency. Landrum, you have nothing to fear - yours is better (speaking as a former resident of South Florida.)

I will certainly return, as the crabcakes are still great and reasonably priced, and my experiences in the past show that this off-night was an aberration, not the norm.

[The Doctor]

This is a report on my 4/19 visit. Just one quibble: It was 1 p.m. on a Saturday, and the mac and cheese had run out. However, this led me to try the creamed spinach, which was very good.

I think I enjoyed this visit (my second) more than the first. I ordered the jumbo sized crabcake sandwich. This was a plump and meaty piece of work. No flaws at all. I do wish, though, that you could work other sides besides the french fries/slaw combo into the platter option. But the "sandwich" allows for this, I guess, since it just means a bun comes with it and that doesn't really alter the cost of a standalone crabcake.

My companion also raved about the Lobster Roll, which I had enjoyed the previous time.

And this time the Key Lime was in stock! And well worth the wait. The flavor might not have been better than Ray's (can't really remember, to be honest), but it was a generous portion with lots of filling.

[Al Dente]

Very groovy joint. I loved the Mac&Cheese, crab, and the best fries I've had in ages. My wife doesn't like crab (surprise, surprise) so she had the excellent burger.

I think they're onto something here. It's a great concept, so get there soon and often before they go the way of 5 Guys-- I think Bobby's has "FUTURE CHAIN" written all over it.

[The Doctor]

Even though I rarely get to Rockville, I found myself at Bobby's twice in the last two weeks.

The first visit was perfection. I tried to order the shrimp salad, but they were out. (So I was "forced" to get the lobster roll.) But they did have both the key lime pie and the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese is excellent, and definitely unique. The lobster roll had so many intact claw pieces I lost count. Had some cole slaw, too. And the only problem I previously had with it -- too much green onion -- has obviously been rectified.

My visit today was a slightly different experience. When my party walked in, one of the staff actually escorted us to a table and acted as our waiter. This was the first time I've experienced this here. And it actually served to our detriment -- our order of mac and cheese got lost in the shuffle. It didn't come with our entrees, but since they arrived well before the 20 minute cooking time of the mac and cheese, we figured it was on its way. When we were nearly done and inquired about the lost dish, we discovered that the order had never been placed. Not wanting to wait another 20 minutes, we had them take it off the bill.

But the shrimp salad was in today, and it was good. However, the roll surrounding it was just OK (too chewy).

[Sthitch]

My visit today was a slightly different experience. When my party walked in, one of the staff actually escorted us to a table and acted as our waiter.

OK, this explains something my father told me the other day. He paid his first visit to Bobby's this past week and called to tell me about it. He told me how much he loved his server, and while it perked my interest what he meant me got to talking about something else so I forgot about it. But I wondered why he described having a waiter. Now I know.

[pizza man]

I ate there once, just over a month ago. There was a guy who greeted us at the door and waited on us at the table. I just assumed that it was the norm. The crab cakes weren't bad.

[hm212]

Had crabcake with mac and cheese tonight. I was in comfort heaven.

Only issue was that they were out of cheesecake.

[smokey]

I ate there once, just over a month ago. There was a guy who greeted us at the door and waited on us at the table. I just assumed that it was the norm. The crab cakes weren't bad.

Hmm. I went once in mid-August for dinner. No server, no waiter to take order. Ordered at counter (same friendly guy as a Sat. lunch many months ago), food brought out fairly fast. Again, I liked it quite a bit. Tried the key lime pie this time and really liked it, but I don't claim to be an aficionado of key lime pie.

[DanielK]

There seems to be no pattern as to when there is a server, and when there is not. The food comes just as quickly whether you order at the counter or from a server. The tea and soft drinks are in the dining area anyway, so it becomes a question of whether someone gets refills for you or not (or takes an order for another beer or wine rather than going back to the register.)

It's nice when the server is there, but it doesn't detract from the experience for me if they're not. If having one there only sometimes (though it doesn't seem to be tied to busy periods) is what makes the business model work for Bobby, bravo.

[rbh]

Was here on Friday for lunch.... I'm going to have to break down and get a burger here sometime or one of the sandwiches, but I so rarely get a good crabcake that it's hard to pass up. Anyway, I ordered at the counter and the food was quick... but when I tried to get my soda I was shooed away by the friendly guy who told me he'd take care of it and just asked what I wanted... then he got me a refill also, which was nice.

[seanvtaylor]

Was here on Friday for lunch.... I'm going to have to break down and get a burger here sometime or one of the sandwiches, but I so rarely get a good crabcake that it's hard to pass up. Anyway, I ordered at the counter and the food was quick... but when I tried to get my soda I was shooed away by the friendly guy who told me he'd take care of it and just asked what I wanted... then he got me a refill also, which was nice.

Kind of a quiet night here, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We split an order of very good, perfectly fried fries, then each had crabcakes and the three cheese mac and cheese, which only took a few extra minutes to prepare and was the perfect stomach warming and tasty complement to our crabcakes on a cold night. We were too full for the key lime pie, unfortunately, but once again had a nice meal at Bobby's.

[ol_ironstomach]

It's springtime, and change is afoot at Bobby's. For starters, there's now table service. The counter and menu boards are still unchanged for take-out service, but there's now a dinner menu for dining-in, although you can still order off the original menu. The new menu began a few weeks ago and is still undergoing some tweaking; it'll be a couple more weeks before the news makes it to his website.

Fried Ipswich clams were medium-sized, and spot-on. Served whole-belly, battered with an appropriately thin cornmeal batter. At first I wondered if the clams weren't very slightly gritty, but I'm certain now that it was the use of whole cornmeal. They come with housemade tartar and cocktail sauces; we both thought the former could have used a little less sweet pickle in it.

He's also offering a fish and chips plate (cod only), but ran into a few snags tonight and promises to have the kinks worked out in another week or two. It looks like he'll be dishing up a conventional filet (and not the luxurious slab that Eamonn's uses) but I snagged a taste of the "failed" piece and it was still very promising. A substantial batter, not the ubiquitous characterless beer-batter, applied in a thin coating and fried up to a nice crispness. I thought it was appropriately salty; Gubeen thought he could go even crazier with the seasoning. We'll find out in a couple of weeks.

A platter of four jumbo crab-stuffed shrimp seem a bit dear at something like $26 if I remember the menu correctly, but each shrimp is basically supporting an individual crab ball of high quality lump blue crab meat. It's kind of hard to tell from the picture, but that's a full-sized dinner plate...these things are big.

I'm mainly excited about the fried clams, and the prospect of decent fish and chips out this way. Oh yes.

[seanvtaylor]

Dinner at Bobby's on Friday night suggested that they are still working out the kinks a bit on the table service and on the dinner menu, but we still really enjoyed our evening. The service was initially a bit confused and slow, but smoothed out after our orders were taken. I ordered the fish and chips off of the dinner menu, only to have our server return to tell me that they were out of fish. So, I went off the seafood grid, so to speak, and ordered the burger. It was great--not up there with the Palena burger, in my opinion, but very solid and something that I will definitely order again.

The entrees on the dinner menu (outside of the fish and chips) don't really wow me, but I'm happy that you can still order everything off of the 'regular' (now lunch) menu. That said, it seems like what they do at Bobby's they always do well, so I anticipate that it will all be at a high standard.

[youngfood]

Softshells here. As good or better than the crabcake, the fries, and the coleslaw which were all excellent. Huge, fresh, jumbo, simply sauteed.

[ol_ironstomach]

A few updates: No more cornmeal on the fried clams; the grit was confusing other folks too. The issue with the fried fish has been solved, and it's very good. You can't compare it to the luxurious hand-cut chunk at Eamonn's nor even the dead perfect British delight from Brooklyn's Park Slope Chip Shop, but it's a superb example of the usual pub-style plate of cod and chips, and better than what you'll find at pretty much any of DC's would-be pubs. The tartar sauce has also been adjusted, and is pretty close to perfect now.

The next rumor I need to investigate is that Bobby is now searing up a good steak. Stay tuned.

[Michael Landrum]

The next rumor I need to investigate is that Bobby is now searing up a good steak. Stay tuned.

I wouldn't doubt it. Not one bit.

That being said, has no one yet noticed the striking resemblance between Bobby and Squidward Q. Tentacles? Kinda strange, no?

[collije]

The next rumor I need to investigate is that Bobby is now searing up a good steak. Stay tuned.

About 2 weeks ago I saw Bobby having such a steak in the dining room. Looked quite tasty.

[DanielK]

On that block this evening dining elsewhere, I glanced at the chalkboard with specials. Didn't see a steak, but did see Softies (sauteed or fried), Fish & Chips, and Whole Bellied Ipswitch Clams.

[BookGuy]

On that block this evening dining elsewhere, I glanced at the chalkboard with specials. Didn't see a steak, but did see Softies (sauteed or fried), Fish & Chips, and Whole Bellied Ipswitch Clams.

I was there last night and they were out of the soft shells, fish and chips, and the clams. We did quite well with the crabcakes, scallops, and fried shrimp, topping it off with key lime pie. The staff was quite accommodating and friendly and the place is certainly worth a side trip although we haven't quite figured out the parking. We did get a meter down the street.

[DanielK]

I was there last night and they were out of the soft shells, fish and chips, and the clams. We did quite well with the crabcakes, scallops, and fried shrimp, topping it off with key lime pie. The staff was quite accommodating and friendly and the place is certainly worth a side trip although we haven't quite figured out the parking. We did get a meter down the street.

They just completely redid the parking on that street. It's a one-way, and there used to be a walkway on the right with meters on the left. They seem to have removed the walkway and put the meters on the right. If you don't want to take your chances on the meters, coming west on Middle, don't turn right on Gibbs. Just past Gibbs on Middle there's a garage.

[collije]

I typically park in the Govt.-owned garage on 215 N. Washington [since it's free after 7 p.m. & on weekends]

[ol_ironstomach]

They just completely redid the parking on that street. It's a one-way, and there used to be a walkway on the right with meters on the left. They seem to have removed the walkway and put the meters on the right.

Also bafflingly, they also added these great huge f*n concrete planter boxes on the left that now occupy roughly the left half of each parking space. I guess they figured they didn't really need the pedestrian area while all that re$idential space overhead goes unoccupied. WTF Rockville?

[DanielK]

Also bafflingly, they also added these great huge f*n concrete planter boxes on the left that now occupy roughly the left half of each parking space. I guess they figured they didn't really need the pedestrian area while all that re$idential space overhead goes unoccupied. WTF Rockville?

I think they're trying to say don't park in those spaces, since there are now meters on the right.

Though they need to move the bushes that are right up to the curb on the right, because you can't park at those meters and get out of the passenger side of the car right now.

collije - that's the garage I'm referring to in my previous post. You can enter on N. Washington, but there's also an entrance on Middle, just past the corner where Bobby's and the Chevy Chase Bank are.

[collije]

Sorry yeah I thought so but knew I had a handy webpage w/ a map to the local garages & perhaps some folks would want a visual representation [in case they're coming from Rt. 28 for example].

I should've clarified that.

[ruslev]

Stopped by Bobby's yesterday @ 4pm. They were out of the soft shell crabs, but I had a crab cake sandwich platter. Everyone tasted great. I think their cole slaw is quite unusual. Large chucks of cabbage in a very creamy slaw sauce. It tastes like a little blue cheese in there?

[baczkowski]

I think their cole slaw is quite unusual. Large chucks of cabbage in a very creamy slaw sauce. It tastes like a little blue cheese in there?

It is unusual. To me it's at best ok, but it is worlds better than the previous recipe they used which was even more bland and really a waste of produce. It's never made sense to me how everything else is so good and that coleslaw has always been bad.

By the way, I've always wanted to say this: The male server with the long braids makes us smile everytime we go there simply b/c he's such a nice dude. I wish I could be that pleasant and chill.

Pax,

Brian

[DanielK]

By the way, I've always wanted to say this: The male server with the long braids makes us smile everytime we go there simply b/c he's such a nice dude. I wish I could be that pleasant and chill.

Agreed. One of the best servers we've ever had.

[bookluvingbabe]

Herbie. I've missed him more than the food since we haven't been in a while. (And I really like the food!) Hoping to head over soon to check out BLToddler's tolerance for the splash fountain.