There is no better place to get shipwrecked in Ocean City than Dead Freddies Island Grill on 64th Street bayside. Life-sized pirates provide excellent photo opportunities for kids and adults at the island-themed restaurant, which presents several dining areas. The sprawling venue includes indoor dining, an outdoor deck bar and dining, a stage and dance floor, unbelievable bayfront views, and arcade games and a pirate ship for children to play.
    The food at Dead Freddies is exceptional. Seafood lovers indulge in fresh recipes with unique twists—like the Captain’s Chicken, a heaping plate of two grilled chicken breasts topped with crab dip, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and smothered in a Maryland-style cream sauce over smashed red potatoes. Sound good? The Chesapeake Rockfish is another delectable menu option, featuring fresh rockfish sautéed in a creamy Chesapeake sauce with lump crabmeat & jack cheese.
    This week, I ate dinner at Dead Freddies with my longtime friend, Kristi Kruger, who has accompanied me on many “best bites” in the past. We agree that Dead Freddies serves food that is leagues above many restaurants, and presents a fun, Caribbean atmosphere that is a guaranteed good time. We often arrive at Dead Freddies for afternoon football, stay for dinner, and dance the night away to live music and hot deejays until last call.
    This week, Tara—a happy-go-lucky manager with an infectious smile—greeted us and sat us at a comfortable two-top table in a pleasant section of the restaurant that seems worlds apart from the lively kid-friendly dining areas. She welcomed us back to Dead Freddies and told us that one of her top favorite servers, Stephen, would take care of us. Tara has mastered the art of combining a carefree disposition with the utmost professionalism. She returned to our table several times throughout our meal to ensure our satisfaction.
    Our server, Stephen, also boasts a colorful personality. His abundant enthusiasm for the menu at Dead Freddies is contagious. For appetizers, he recommended the Crab Dip and Wings with homemade sauce. At Dead Freddies, the Crab Dip is topped with melted cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, and scallions, and served with a baguette and celery. Stephen also told us that the Tuna Tempura is his personal favorite. A bit spicy, the tempura-battered tuna is served sliced with a light wasabi crème & chili sauce. Kristi and I took Stephen’s advice and ordered the appetizer, prepared rare. As promised, it’s good to the last bite.
    The fresh catch of the day was Grilled & Blackened Grouper, served with a steamed vegetable medley and smashed red bliss potatoes. Dead Freddies alternates a new fresh catch of the day throughout the week, and past selections have included tropical Wahoo and Teriyaki Salmon.
    For our entrées, Kristi and I decided to share a Crab Melt and a Seafood Quesadilla. What is a Crab Melt? It’s a refreshing combination of two petite crab cakes served atop fresh tomato slices on a toasted English muffin, lightly drizzled with honey mustard, and covered with provolone cheese. This dish was Kristi’s favorite portion of the meal.
    Other innovative entrées at Dead Freddies are Tomato Basil Rockfish and Chicken Caprese, which is two grilled chicken breasts topped with lump crabmeat and sautéed with diced tomatoes over a tomato basil sauce with a hint of fresh basil. Freddies Bay Pasta is an irresistible plate of lobster, baby shrimp, sautéed lump crabmeat, tomatoes, mushrooms, and Old Bay seasoning in a garlic cream sauce over linguini. Also, try the Black ‘n’ Bleu Sirloin for a Cajun-spiced sirloin steak topped with sautéed onions, mushrooms, and crumbled bleu cheese over smashed red bliss potatoes on a bed of demi-glaze. Fish & Chips, Steak & Cake, Blackened Tuna, Pasta Primavera, and Crab Cake Platter are just a few more remarkable entrées on the menu at Dead Freddies.
    Lobster, shrimp, lump crabmeat, green onions, tomatoes, Jack cheese, and Cajun butter sauce comprise the Seafood Quesadilla, which is grilled and served with a Cajun remoulade for dipping. Stephen confirmed that it’s the best of the best. Other delicious Grilled Quesadillas include Cheese, Chicken, Southwest, Jerk Chicken, and BBQ Chicken—chicken basted with tangy barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, onions, tomatoes, and mushrooms with Ranch dressing.
    Dead Freddies is proud to serve half-pound, 100% Angus beef burgers on a brioche roll. Try one blackened, Cajun, or with mushroom & Swiss. The Chesapeake Burger is topped with lump crabmeat, tomato, lettuce, and cheddar cheese. For a healthier option, try any of these flavors with a Chicken Breast sandwich. Crab & Shrimp Wrap, Blackened Tuna Wrap, Seafood Wrap, and Rock Wrap are just a few of many Wrap selections.
    A plethora of Soups and Salads are available, including Strawberry Field—fresh strawberries and candied pecans tossed with romaine lettuce in a poppy seed vinaigrette. Mediterranean Chicken, Black & Bleu, Caesar, and Low Cal Raspberry & Walnut Chicken are a few more healthy salad creations at Dead Freddies.
    Children delight in an extensive Kids Menu, including many healthy meals and smoothies. New this year, Dead Freddies boasts a soft ice cream machine and a reinvented dessert menu. Try the Funnel Cake Sundae for a little taste of the boardwalk that kids simply love. Hot Fudge Cake in a goblet is enough to feed a family of four. Despite the fact that it’s bikini season, Kristi and I indulged in a Mint Brownie Sundae. A rich fudge brownie with a middle layer of mint ice cream, topped with chocolate ice cream, this dessert tastes similar to a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie—my favorite.
    For a tasty adult treat, order the new Shipwreck—a 30-ounce frozen margarita with an upside down Corona and tequila floater. Arrr! Happy Hour takes place from 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with food and drink specials and live acoustic music. Mark your calendar for Bike Week in September, when Dead Freddies invites you to ride a mechanical bull. Plus, with football season just around the corner, Dead Freddies—a Ravens bar—features countless flat screen, high definition televisions in every direction.
    I’ll be getting shipwrecked again at Dead Freddies very soon, and I hope to see you there enjoying its best bites.