When it comes to food, “Charles County is the epicenter of Maryland barbecue and the rib shack”, according to a Washington Post newspaper article. So come, relax and enjoy the tastes that Southern Maryland is famous for – hot steamed crabs, broiled fish, stuffed ham and BBQ chicken and ribs!
Indicates
preferred providers and members of the Charles County Visitors Bureau.
PRIVATE ROOMS AVAILABLE:
A Public House Eatery at Hawthorne Country Club • Route 225 • LaPlata • 301.609.7900
The club’s dining room, which is open to the public, offers guests a view of the rolling hills and sand traps of the golf course. The menu includes an array of beef, pork and seafood specialties. On-site catering for special occasions and events is also available.
Captain Billy’s Crab House 11495 Popes Creek Road • Newburg • 301.932.4323
This crab house is now owned by Celene Graves and has been in business for 
over 50 years. Captain Billy’s serves lunch and dinner and has a varied menu from seafood to steak. Everything is made fresh. Maryland Blue Crabs and the seafood platter are favorites here. Experienced service and quality await you with no reservations required. They can also accommodate groups up to 150.
Captain John’s Crab House and Marina 16215 Cobb Island Road • Cobb Island • 301.259.2315
This casual waterfront restaurant has been in business for over 40 years and is owned by Jack and Christine Yates. They offer good and tasty American and seafood dishes and their customer¹s favorite pick is steamed crabs. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and reservations are accepted but not
required. They can cater to a party of up to 60 people. Child menu available.
Rip’s Country Inn of Waldorf 2111 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.645.7900
Bill Burgess invites you to his casual dining restaurant, open everyday for lunch and dinner and breakfast on the weekends. This restaurant’s home cooking includes steak and seafood. Plenty of parking for motorcoach buses and RVs. Child menu available.
The Crossing at Casey Jones Restaurant 417 East Charles Street • LaPlata • 301.932.6226
Owners Paul and Lisa Bales have successfully operated this gourmet American fare restaurant for nearly 10 years. The ingredients are eclectic and the seasons best offerings are gathered for their dishes such as; homemade pasta, crab cakes, fresh seafood and the chicken portobello burger. The Bales serve lunch and dinner in the outdoor café, the pub or the elegant “arts and crafts” style dining area known as The Crossing. Reservations are recommended and required for holidays and special events. Child menu available.
GROUP SEATING AVAILABLE:
Golden Corral 2800 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.893.8790
Family-style dining featuring the Sunrise Breakfast, Golden Choice and Great Steak Buffets. Bus groups welcome.
Great American Steak & Buffet Company 3135 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.638.0181
This family-style buffet restaurant offers scrumptious home-style dishes, hand-carved meats and fresh bakery items. Bus groups welcome.
Old Country Buffet Festival Shopping Center • 2916 Festival Way • Waldorf • 301.645.0860
Wide selection of food and traditional “home cooking” served buffet style in a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. Lunch and dinner served daily; breakfast offered on weekends. Bus groups welcome.
ADDITIONAL DINING EXPERIENCES:
Amano Trattoria 6810 Crain Highway, La Plata, MD 20646
301-392-5101
Authetic, handcrafted Italian cuisine
Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar 3610 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.645.2217
A casual dining restaurant featuring moderately-priced food.
Apple Spice Junction ● 6750 Crain Highway ● La Plata ● 20646 ● 301.934.0034
Asiana 2570 Business Park Court • Waldorf • 301.870.6182
This Chinese/American restaurant has been serving local families for over 15 years. Chef Lin prides himself for not putting MSG in his dishes. Fresh ingredients make the flavor. Some favorites here are dragon and Phoenix and General Tso’s shrimp and chicken. This restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The party room here can accommodate 75. Child menu available.
Benedict Marina Restaurant 19311 Wilmott Drive • Benedict • 301.274.2882
David and Stephanie Davidson have owned this waterfront seafood restaurant for over three years. They serve up scale food at lower scale prices with friendly service. Lunch and dinner are offered everyday and breakfast is available on weekends. There is an outside deck and karaoke and a DJ on Friday and
Saturday nights. Seafood platters are a favorite item. Child menu available.
Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern 35 St Patrick’s Drive • Waldorf • 301.638.4200
Here you’ll find something to suit any mood served in a pub-style atmosphere.
Benny’s Chinese 12536 Mattawoman Drive • Waldorf, 301.932.8777
This Chinese restaurant has been in business in Waldorf for more than 14 years, offering a variety of Chinese dishes.
Bob Evans Restaurant 2355 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.645.6475
Located on the north side of Waldorf, this family restaurant serves up hearty, home-style meals including classic breakfast favorites. Motorcoach and RV parking are available at this location.
Bob Evans Restaurant 3345 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.885.2144
Located on the southern end of Waldorf, this family restaurant serves up hearty, home-style meals including classic breakfast favorites. Motorcoach and RV parking are available at this location.
Brewhouse Coffee ● 103 Centennial St ● La Plata ● 20646 ● 301.934.7929
Chili’s Southwest Bar & Grill Festival Shopping Center • 2960 Festival Way • Waldorf • 301.932.9609
Enjoy a distinct, fresh, healthy mix of grilled American favorites here.
Curry of India 131 Smallwood Village Shopping Center • Waldorf • 301.632.6999
Exotic Indian cuisine featuring vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood dishes served in a family-friendly environment. Reservations are not necessary but are recommended for large groups.
Damon’s Waldorf Holiday Inn • 45 St Patricks Drive • Waldorf • 301.374.9605
A full-service casual dining restaurant located within the hotel. Featured items include grilled steaks, chicken, seafood, salads and Damon’s award-winning ribs.
Denny’s Crain Highway Route 301 North • Waldorf • 301.843.8280
This family restaurant offers a diverse number of items on its menu including breakfast served around the clock and the popular, original “Grand Slam”.
Don Savinos Piano Bar & Grill 2427 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.893.8338
This Italian-American piano bar has been expanded to a full menu. Some dishes are in a family cookbook written by Linda Campanelli and her mother, which is available at the restaurant. Don Savino’s offers lunch and dinner inside or outside on a patio. Popular dishes include prime rib, stuffed oysters, and stuffed peppers with goat cheese. “We make the best crab dip in Southern Maryland.” Catering on site for up to 60 people is available.
Eldorado Restaurant ● 316 Charles St ● La Plata ● 20646 ● 301.934.3970
Fish Tales Bar and Grill 17045 Cobb Island Road • Cobb Island • 301.259.2600
Sue Shymansky owns this bar and grill which has been in business for over five years. This establishment has a relaxing “Cheers” like atmosphere that is open for lunch and dinner. Specialties include crab cakes, soups, and butterfly shrimp. The menu offers plenty of country style cooking. On the menu you’ll find seafood, beef, chicken, and fresh vegetable dishes. Special steak/prime rib night is every Friday from 5:00 until 9:00 pm and once a month 
is Senior’s night. Child menu available.
Gilligan’s Pier Seafood & Steakhouse 11535 Popes Creek Road • Newburg • 301.259.4514
Owner Art Jolliffe has been in business for nearly five years. This seafood and steak restaurant is situated on the bank of the Potomac River and is open for lunch and dinner. Popular items at Gilligan’s include crabs, steak and seafood such as shrimp and king crab legs. During the summer live bands play
and a tiki bar is open. Gilligan’s can cater for 25-150 people on site. Child menu available.
Great Wall Restaurant St Charles Town Plaza • 1302 Smallwood Drive West • Waldorf • 301.843.7780
Enjoy a number of authentic Chinese dishes in a family-friendly environment.
Grinders Seafood 4665 Indian Head Highway • Indian Head • 301.743.7344
A variety of seafood can be found here.
Herb’s Restaurant 2794 Old Washington Road • Waldorf • 301.645.2620
This landmark family restaurant has been around for 40 years and it shows in the restaurant’s family-style cooking. The restaurant is owned by Myrtle and Donald Skinner, who offer breakfast starting at 4:30 am, lunch, and dinner. The most popular menu item here is “everything, but hamburgers are ordered
the most.” Child menu available.
Hunan Star III Hawthorne Center • LaPlata • 301.932.2622
Alan and Susan Cheng have owned this delightful Chinese seafood restaurant for over 12 years. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The lunch buffet is from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm for $5.95. Some popular items are General Tso’s chicken, fried rice, hunan shrimp and chicken, and crispy shrimp.
International House of Pancakes 2190 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.843.1233
Family-style restaurant specializing in pancakes, omelets and other breakfast items served anytime.
Johnny Boy Ribs 7530 Crain Highway • LaPlata • 301.392.3086
All starting with his famous Mama Sophie¹s sauce, John Katsouros has been selling ribs from this LaPlata location for more than 23 years. Offering both a carry-out rib shack, as well as a new full service, eat-in restaurant, he is most famous for his open-pit method and of course his famous secret sauce. Katsouros offers an assortment of sandwiches, platters, slab ribs, chicken, and side orders. All meats are smoked with wood over an open pit and basted with their special sauce.
LaTolteca Mexican Restaurant Berkley Square Shopping Center • Waldorf • 301.705.5353
The owners invite you to experience real Mexican food here. Menu items include taquitos, tacos, chalupa, chile rellenos, beef burritos, enchiladas, Mexican fried ice cream and more.
Ledo Pizza LaPlata 9375 Chesapeake Street • LaPlata • 301.934.1862
A Southern Maryland fixture, this pizzeria offers a variety of pizzas, pasta, subs and salads.
Ledo Pizza Waldorf Festival Shopping Center • 2956 Festival Way • Waldorf • 301.645.5336
A Southern Maryland fixture, this pizzeria offers a variety of pizzas, pasta, subs and salads.
Lefty’s Bar-B-Que 2064 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.374.6554
Walter and Margaret Nash own this family-style restaurant which has been in business for over four years. Good old American BBQ is the specialty for lunch and dinner. Specialties include North Carolina pork BBQ, fried whiting filet or grilled sliced beef. Child menu available.
Legends of Waldorf 1290 Smallwood Drive West • Waldorf • 301.645.0855
The Rucci family has owned this supper club for over 12 years. They serve “the best slow cooked prime rib in Southern Maryland” as well as seafood, pasta, chicken, and a seafood steamer bar. Plenty of entertainment is offered like dancing, karaoke, and a DJ.
Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon 11075 Mall Circle • Waldorf • 301.870.0949
A full-service, casual dining restaurant with a Texas roadhouse ambiance serving Texas-sized portions of mesquite grilled steaks, ribs, chicken and fish.
Longhorn Steakhouse 3315 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.632.6300
A Texas roadhouse style restaurant that features fresh cut steaks as well as salmon, chicken, ribs, pork chops, prime rib and burgers.
Loredo’s Restaurant and Lounge 10598 Middleport Lane • White Plains • 301.870.7680
This fun restaurant offers an extensive selection of authentic Mexican food, including appetizers, soups, salads, and ala carte entrees. Mexican fare includes tostada grandes, fajitas, chimichangas, enchiladas, burritos and more. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Child menu available.
Mama Mia’s Pizzas Pinefield Shopping Center • Waldorf • 301.843.7272
Rocco Caniglia and his family have owned and operated this Italian restaurant for over 26 years. They serve lunch and dinner and offer daily lunch specials from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. “We make the best pizza in town because we make our own dough and sauce.” Other specialties include lasagna and the steak and cheese sub.
Mama Stella's Pasta House Restaurante ● 7075 Indian Head Highway ● Bryans Road ● 20616● 301.375.6105
Marie’s Family Restaurant 6325 Crain Highway • LaPlata • 301.932.6884
This home-style family restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Specializing in home-cooked-style meals, this restaurant 
is a favorite among Charles County families.
Marsh Hall 2075 Marshall Hall Road • Bryans Road • 301.283.5438
Bob and Nancy Speake own this seafood restaurant and crab house that has been in business for over
15 years. “Where they cater to your homemade cookin’ taste buds.” Offerings for dinner include crabs, seafood, steak, and chicken. Their most famous menu items include the fried shrimp, oysters, and
steamed crabs in season. Large parties are asked to call ahead. Child menu available.
Mexico Restaurant Festival Shopping Center • 2936 Festival Way • Waldorf • 301.374.2567
This family-owned restaurant offers traditional Mexican fare.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 3620 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301. 374.9311
Experience the flavor of authentic Italian cuisine served family style.
Outback Steakhouse 3020 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.645.4120
A casual dining steakhouse with an atmosphere suggestive of the rustic Australian outback. Call ahead sitting and curbside takeaway are both available.
Ouzo’s Greek and Regional Cuisine 68 Drury Drive • LaPlata • 301.392.9500
Mina Gressis, owner and chef, prepares and serves a delightful selection of authenic Greek cuisine. Open six days a week, this restaurant is smoke-free and also offers catering services.
Pancakes Plus Crain Highway Route 301 North • LaPlata • 301.934.1740
A LaPlata fixture renowned for its breakfasts. Be prepared to stand in line on weekends.
Panera Bread Festival Shopping Center • Waldorf • 301.374.2760
Soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries and sweets served in a bakery-café atmosphere.
Port Tobacco Tiki Bar and Grill ●7536 Shirley Blvd ● Port Tobacco ● 20677 ● 301.392.0007
Randy’s Ribs Route 5 North • Hughesville • 301.274.3525
This restaurant offers roadside dining at its best! Located next to the Izaak Walton Hall in Hughesville, this BBQ shack is a favorite of many. With lots of tables outside, people line up year round for tasty BBQ sandwiches and platters. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Catering is available, including a whole pig roast!
Ray’s Pier 18170 Desoto Place • Benedict • 301.274.3733
One of many popular restaurants in Benedict, this family restaurant sits right on the Patuxent River and offers a beautiful view. Ray's Pier is owned by Ray and Pat Bowling and has been in operation for more than 22 years. Ray’s Pier is open for lunch and dinner and offers a full menu of seafood selections. The crab cake dinner is quite popular here.
Red Hot and Blue Waldorf Shoppers World • 3350 Crain Highway • Waldorf • 301.705.7427
A Memphis pit barbecue restaurant featuring smoked meats and a blues music theme. Off-site catering also available.
Red Lobster 11035 Mall Circle • Waldorf • 301.705.7440
A casual seafood restaurant famous for calamari, snow crab, hush puppies and popcorn shrimp.
Red Robin America’s Gourmet Burgers and Spirit 11645 Berry Road • Waldorf • 301.374.2290
This newcomer to the Charles County area serves up 22 different mouth-watering gourmet burgers as well as a variety of entrees, soups, sandwiches and salads. Child menu available.
Robertson¹s Crab House 11455 Popes Creek Road • Newburg • 301.934.3300
This restaurant is a landmark on the crab house map of Southern Maryland for over 50 years, and is owned by Billy and Candy Robertson. This family restaurant serves lunch and dinner and boasts, “the most beautiful sunsets in Southern Maryland.” Steamed crabs are a favorite here as well as rockfish
topped with crab imperial and seafood kabobs over rice. Mother’s and Father’s Day buffets are featured. Child menu available.
Royal Tea Room ● 110 Charles St ● La Plata ● 20646 ● 301.392.1111
Ruby Tuesdays St Charles Town Center • Waldorf • 301.843.4020
A casual dining restaurant with a signature salad bar, sandwiches, burgers and platters.
Sakura Japanese Steak and Seafood House and Sushi Bar 3205 Plaza Way • Waldorf • 301.870.1666
Here food is prepared with great care and beautifully presented. The freshest ingredients are combined in ways that delight the eyes as well as the taste buds. Some of the menu items to choose from include tuna and spicy tuna; squid; California, Philadelphia, spider and sunshine rolls.
Secrets Restaurant and Lounge 63 Glymont Road • Indian Head • 301.743.6700
This local restaurant offers full menu items, daily lunch specials and a salad bar. Also featured is an
all-you-can-eat buffet on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Catering services, meeting rooms and take-out are also available.
Shymansky¹s Dockside 16320 Cobb Island Road • Cobb Island • 301.259.2221
Butch and Patricia Shymansky have owned this seafood restaurant for over 20 years. Their specialties are the crab melt sandwich and chicken imperial. Steak is also a favorite here. The average cost of an entrée is $16.00. Shymansky¹s is open for breakfast only on Sunday and lunch and dinner the rest of the time. Summer specials include steamed crabs. Child menu available.
Silver Skewers 2788 Old Washington Road • Waldorf • 301.396.5758
Open since 2001, this restaurant offers a variety of kabob s cuisine ranging from beef, chicken and lamb that have been specially cut into cubes, marinated and grilled over flamed charcoal and served with grilled vegetables, rice and salad.
Swan Point Country Club 13505 Swan Point Road • Issue • 301.259.0047
This restaurant is open from 9:30 am until 8:00 pm, most days, and offers a menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and burgers. Friday nights you will find a more extensive menu with chef’s specials, steaks, seafood, and chicken dishes. It’s a great place to eat before or after a round of golf, or for those who want to take a scenic drive to Issue, MD. The surroundings are beautiful and the golf is the best around!!
Szechuan Garden Waldorf Shoppers World • Waldorf • 301.645.9390
This Charles County favorite has been around since 1977 and serves Chinese and Szechuan cuisine seven days a week.
The Crab Boat 9425 Berry Road • Waldorf • 301.645.2722
This establishment has been operating for over 12 years and is owned by Leroy and Dottie Tice. They serve seafood and steaks for lunch and dinner. Steamed crabs are a favorite here. Child menu available.
The Green Turtle ● 6 Saint Marys Ave ● La Plata ● 20646 ● 301.392.9119
Topolino Pasta and Grill Festival Shopping Center • 2901 Festival Way • Waldorf • 301.870.1499
The menu here includes something for everyone who loves Italian fare. But don’t fret. There are dishes available for those who would rather bite into a burger or steak.
Town Mouse Café Colonial Station • 6390 Crain Highway • LaPlata • 301.934.7955
This little café offers a variety of quiche, salads, soups and made-to-order sandwiches. Check out the gourmet delicatessen items available for sale.
Twin Kiss Drive Inn 7415 Crain Highway • LaPlata • 301.934.4025
This restaurant, which took its name from its creation of the first double-flavored soft-served ice cream: the half-vanilla, half-chocolate swirl, has been serving Southern Maryland for nearly 50 years. Here you can enjoy hand-scooped and soft ice cream, burgers, chicken, and famous fries. It’s a family favorite and a Charles County tradition.
