I hear you.  “Ok, ‘Food and Travel Guy’, when are you going to talk about food?”  Well, today’s your lucky day.  Although I often complain about the lack of variety and choices of casual dining restaurants in Hagerstown, there are some solid choices out there for a weeknight or weekend meal.  I’m not talking about chains, now.  Sure, go slobber over the salad and breadsticks at “Olive Garden” if you want to, but these restaurants are doing it pretty well every night on their own – and not taking their cue from some corporate office. The other question I get is “what do you mean by “casual dining?”  I mean a place where there is probably a seating host/hostess, you sit down to a waiter or waitress, there’s a full bar, and there are appetizers, entrees, and desserts on the menu.  These are also different from taverns, ethnic cuisine (think Mexican or Asian), or diners (which I think are in separate categories and will be covered in future blogs).     Here are five of my picks for casual dining in Hagerstown:

Foster’s On The Point

1437 Salem Ave  Hagerstown, MD  21740

Always reliable, this west-end restaurant offers some surprising menu items, like braised pork belly and fried green tomatoes.  Mussels, duck sliders, and comfort fare like beef bourguignon round out a menu that has something for everyone.

The Grille at Runways

18421 Henson Blvd  Hagerstown, MD  21742

If I want to impress out-of-town guests, I always try to snag a table at Runways out at the Hagerstown Airport on the north side.  Sandwiches like the Cuban Reuben and Southern BLT are always good, as well as entrees like the Pork Ribeye or Baked Gnocchi.  Plus, you never know when a small plane might pull up and park right outside, full of diners looking to get a good meal, just like you.

Rik’s Café

1065 Maryland Ave  Hagerstown, MD  21740

A south-end staple, Rik’s is known for good food, friendly service, and great drinks.  Try the Blackened-crab grilled cheese, Ahi tuna tacos, or BBQ scallops.  Always busy, you’re sure to run into someone you recognize while dining there. 

Hoffman’s All-American Grille

18203 Mason Dixon Rd  Hagerstown, MD  21740

Often overlooked, this restaurant is serving up some solid fare on the State Line.  There’s plenty of craft beers on the menu, and the food offerings are tasty and fresh.  Try the “bang-bang” shrimp or the drunken mushrooms for appetizers.  There aren’t many signs for this place off the highway, but any cellphone or navigation system can find it for you.

Veva’s on Potomac

38 South Potomac Street  Hagerstown, MD  21740

Formerly “Bulls and Bears”, this downtown restaurant (right across from the Maryland Theatre) is working hard to change their image.  There’s a new chef onboard and it shows in the food coming out of the kitchen.  They offer a “meat of the week”, which is locally raised, and the booze is also local, coming from the distillery next door.  I recently had a blackened pork chop here that ranked in my top three – ever.  They also offer a Sunday brunch.

If you’re hungry for “American” fare and have some time to sit down and enjoy a nice lunch or dinner, these five options won’t disappoint.

Drop me a line in the comments and let me know your local favorites!