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Hungry? Head east to Liberty Road Steak and Seafood - "Home of the best-tasting seafood in Maryland."
Look for a large sign on the south side of the road sporting a boat steering wheel with a perky crab at the controls.
All-you-can-eat specials include fried chicken or clam strips, Western beef strips, roast beef, steamed clams or mussels, steamed and fried shrimp, hard shell crabs, crab legs, and oysters either fried, steamed or half shell. Also included are coleslaw, macaroni salad, fries, hush puppies, Maryland crab soup and, new to the restaurant, England clam chowder.
Hungrier now?
The restaurant suggests you call ahead or come in to see what specials they are offering on a particular day. The night we dined there, the all you can eat special was crabs. Since many seafood items are seasonal, if you are looking for a favorite, it is best to call ahead to check the availability.
The restaurant is bright and cheerful. Décor is in keeping with the seafood theme, with large fish on the walls, a crisp crab decal on clean, shiny windows between dining rooms, and brown paper table coverings for "messy eating."
The restaurant's logo boasts that Liberty is "home of the world's largest crab." I wondered if that meant any of the staff, but, in our experience there, we found that absolutely not true.
We arrived at about 5 p.m. From that time on, the restaurant was packed, with a large party seated in the middle dining room. Many tables were stacked with crabs ready to eat, along with piles of shells. You could hear the clicking and pounding all around the restaurant. Happy diners abounded. With fresh seafood, friendly service, and attractive surroundings, it is understandable. We enjoyed sitting and looking out at the pretty farmlands across the busy highway.
Debbie and Marvin Curtis are the current owners, but the restaurant has been an institution in Frederick County since 1956, when owned by Clark and Marie Smith and known as Smitty's.
Seafood and steaks are the main attractions.
You might like to start your meal with homemade vegetable, cream of crab, Maryland crab, oyster stew, or New England clam chowder, or choose from a nice selection of starters.
Platters of crab imperial, crab cakes, broiled flounder — plain or stuffed, and assorted seafood including fish, scallops, oysters and shrimp to name a few, are on the menu. Surf and turf and stuffed lobster are also listed.
Platters are served with two sides from a nice list of possibilities. Roll and butter are available upon request.
Much of the fried food is hand breaded, and many of the spices used are a special blend made by the Liberty Road staff.
The short order portion of the menu offers crab legs, steamed shrimp, oysters — steamed or on the half shell, mahogany clams and baskets of fried chicken tenders, shrimp, oysters, and clam strips.
The landlubber, which includes my husband, has not been forgotten. Fried or grilled chicken, a large rack of BBQ pork ribs, and steaks cater to these folks.
If you prefer, sandwiches and salads are other choices. Choose from tossed, shrimp or grilled chicken salads, while sandwiches include burgers, roast beef, crab cake, overstuffed fried oyster, soft shell crab, grilled chicken breast, fried fish and homemade shrimp salad.
Fried butterfly shrimp, onion rings, and a garden salad was my choice for dinner. The salad was huge and full of veggies. The large shrimp and onion rings were nicely browned and moist inside.
My husband ordered chicken breasts with honey mustard topping, green beans and fries. He was served a large portion of tender chicken, and he said the sauce was delicious.
Kids' meals, for $5.95, include a choice of a grilled cheese, hot dog, hamburger, fried shrimp or clam strips and chicken tenders all with one side.
Happy Hour at Liberty Road Seafood and Steak is held from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday with food and drink specials available.
Liberty Road Seafood and Steak prides itself on serving "The Best Tasting Seafood in Maryland."
Sea for yourself.
Liberty Road Seafood and Steak
10524 Liberty Road (7 miles east of route 15)
Frederick
301-898-3181
Summer Hours:
3-9 p.m. Monday through Friday
1-10 p.m. Saturday
1-9 p.m. Sunday
Sandwiches, light fare: $4-$10
Entrees: $10-$40
All major credit cards
Handicapped accessible
