I have eaten at Barbara Fritchie Restaurant often and for meals at various times of the day. However, this time I had to be a little more observant.
Located on the far end of West Patrick Street, the freshly painted bright candy cane located out front is a Frederick icon. The restaurant has been on this spot since about 1960.
Patriotism and nostalgia are highly evident at Barbara Fritchie Restaurant. Just inside is a small area devoted to Barbara Fritchie, the Civil War Heroine. A flag embellished menu lists other important people who have a national reputation, and have lived or worked in the Frederick area, such as Francis Scott Key and Maryland’s first governor Thomas Johnson.
Also, if you dine at night, be sure to notice the 50 lights along the front, believed to be put in by the former owner to symbolize the 50 states.
The restaurant is long and not too wide, and taking up most of one side is an oval serving counter. The preparation area is in the middle and the counter is flanked by old-fashioned red vinyl swivel top stools. A green ceramic milk shake mixer sets behind the counter. Scenes from my childhood came flooding back. This was the norm when I was growing up.
Walls are decorated with vintage photos of movie stars.
Booths, accessible from both sides, run down one length of the dining area. There are a few tables for service, also. Tables are covered with an attractive print that matches the valances at the windows. Pink walls and booth backs create a bright atmosphere.
As our party of four sat eating in one of the booths, we enjoyed happy pansy faces peering in at us from the window boxes outside the building.
Owners John Burner and Mark and Patty Rimel are coming up on a one year anniversary in August. They have upgraded the menu with some great meals. They buy locally so the food is fresh, and still cook the turkey and roast beef themselves.
These are hands-on owners. The night we were there, Patty was doing everything from seating people to making sundaes.
Barbara Fritchie offers daily specials. If you are on a budget, this is the best buy.
Two in our party took advantage of the half roasted chicken, with a choice of two vegetables and a dinner roll with butter ($9.95). The chicken was gently herb-seasoned and was fall-off-the-bone tender (I hate to fight for my food).
The stewed tomatoes were excellent, as were the ‘‘real” whipped potatoes.
My side salad was not only large, but fresh and full of vegetables.
Additional daily specials included meatloaf, lasagna or chicken Alfredo with broccoli, pork chops, fried haddock fillet, salmon cakes, Barbara’s favorite crab cake sandwich, and chicken with dumplings.
All dinners, including sides and a roll with butter, are under $12.
My husband received a large serving of meat loaf with a side of whipped potatoes and Harvard beets ($8.95).
Our male companion had told us en route that Barbara Fritchie’s offered ‘‘some of the best creamed chipped beef in town.” He made his own creation by requesting two fried eggs on top of the chipped beef, with home fries underneath. The meal must have lived up to his expectations. I noticed he was scraping his plate at the end.
Breakfast, available all day, offers every conceivable breakfast item from B (banana bread) to T (Texas French toast), and everything in between.
I must mention that during breakfast hours, the restaurant offers freshly squeezed orange juice. It is absolutely delicious and worth the trip alone.
Traditional American food is available for lunch and dinner. Entrees are grouped in categories of sandwiches, sandwich platters, homemade soups, salads, sides, dinner platters, Barbara’s Favorite dinners, and a la carte vegetables.
One of my favorite salads — fruit and cottage cheese — is on the menu for $4.25. Soups of Yankee bean and homemade broth with noodles are $2.75 for cup and $3.75 a bowl. My all time favorite comfort food, macaroni and cheese, is available as a platter for $4.25. Baked turkey pot pie with pepper slaw is $8.95. Everything else is reasonably priced, with all-meat lump crab cakes the most expensive at only $17.99.
We have taken our grandchildren to the restaurant and find they love the choices on the Kids’ Menu (all $4.25 or less).
Be still my heart. Desserts take up the whole back page of the menu.
Apple dumplings, tapioca, fresh baked fruit and cream pies, cheesecake, ice cream, sundaes, sodas, shakes, malts, and floats don’t have to be consumed at meal time. You can stop in anytime for a delicious cool treat.
The restaurant is known for its great pies. I ordered a slice of cold, creamy coconut cream pie, and my husband had a slice of delicious blueberry pie.
The restaurant was full at 6 p.m., so they are certainly doing something right.
Barbara Fritchie Restaurant
1513 West Patrick Street
Frederick
301-662-2500 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Handicapped accessible
Most major credit cards
