The famous crab and seafood dishes at Jerry's are legendary. Photo by Ann Evankovich.

Reaching New Heights

Sponsored by Jerry’s Seafood

By Ann Evankovich

Favorite of local seafood aficionados, Jerry’s Seafood continues to find new ways to delight customers. In addition to their restaurants in Lanham and Lewes, in January Jerry’s Seafood made Annapolis the third home of their famous Crab Bomb.  

Moving into the space previously occupied by The Metropolitan on West Street, Jerry’s Seafood, blends the elegant style of The Metropolitan with the hearty portions of high quality seafood that have made Jerry’s Seafood famous. The new location brings the Jerry’s experience to new heights, adding rooftop dining to its repertoire.
 
Patrons of the newest Jerry’s will be delighted to reserve a table for lunch or dinner.  Jerry’s Seafood restaurants have fiercely loyal customers who have considered the no-reservation policy at the original restaurant part of the experience, lining up for often longer than an hour on the weekend.

“You meet so many interesting people in line,” long time customer Wayne Donelly of Annapolis said of the Lanham restaurant. Donelly uses Jerry’s on-line shipping to dazzle his famous clients, including Oprah Winfrey and Howie Long, with Jerry’s famous Crab Bombs and Bisque. “The best seafood is not by the coast, but at Jerry’s,” Donelly brags.  “The service is consistently extraordinary because of its family foundation.”

The original Jerry’s Seafood restaurant opened in 1983, when Jerry Gainey bought the restaurant he had been supplying from his fresh seafood truck. Gainey’s service and style drew accolades and customers from around the beltway. In 1983, Gainey sold the business to his nephew, Philip Gainey, and long time employee, Jason Lee.

Despite their newness, the service at Jerry’s in Annapolis is spectacular. Much of the staff continued on from the previous restaurant, eliminating the frenetic training period many new restaurants can’t avoid. Waiter Dimitri Fedotov’s knowledge of the wine selection and menu steered our party toward excellent pairings. Owner Jason Lee continues the commitment to customer service, ensuring superlative dining experiences with the high staff to customer ratio.

“We’re finding everything we can make better and getting right on top of it,” bartender Jeff Zak of Severna Park explained.

Start your meal with the crab ball appetizer, a crispy puff of heaven. The crabmeat Caesar salad is so generous that you will undoubtedly run out of Romaine before you have eaten all the crabmeat. The famous 10 ounce Crab Bomb, with virtually no filler, is available as a Baby Bomb for smaller appetites. If you order the Firecracker Bomb, electrified with black pepper, pair it with the sweet stewed tomatoes to soften the gastronomic explosion.  

Jerry’s is known for its generous portions, “so you have something to take home with you,” explained Lee. Be sure to take advantage of their excellent wrapping before you are too full for dessert. Their Key lime pie is sublime and seven layer chocolate cake almost requires a trip to confession for its richness.

Although Jerry’s prices may at first lead you to believe it is a restaurant for special occasions, Jerry’s consistently delectable recipes will tempt you to join the legion of Jerry’s regulars. Becoming a regular is easier than ever, with three restaurants, take-out dining, catering services, and on-line ordering. 

The upscale, modern decor at the new Annapolis based Jerry's Seafood. Photo by Ann Evankovich.