Frisco Taphouse and Brewery: 50 Beers on Tap

Frisco Taphouse and Brewery in Columbia features the potent ales and lagers of Maryland microbreweries. Regulars praise the extensive beer selection here. With 50 different brews on tap, along with a “beer engine” that pumps from a cask in the eatery’s cellar, you could sample for days and not get halfway through Frisco Taphouse's offerings!

Of course, you need snacks to go with your beer, and the menu here delivers well-esteemed bar bites. The “Ken’s Chorizo-Queso Obsession” is a popular choice, featuring melted cheese and sausage ideal for dipping chips. The fire-grilled wings with ancho chile glaze is also a good bet. For larger plates, the cornmeal-dusted chicken sandwich with pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayonnaise wins raves, as does the spicy steak sandwich brushed with Thai chiles.

Frisco Taphouse and Brewery
6695 Dobbin Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-4907
www.friscogrille.com
www.yelp.com/biz/frisco-taphouse-and-brewery-columbia

Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico: Throw The Dough

There are plenty of places to get solid pizza in Columbia, but if you ask locals the top of the heap is Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico. With three locations in Howard County, this locally-owned micro-chain focuses on high-quality, homestyle Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients. The pies here are New York style, with a thin, durable crust that isn’t too puffy, quickly charred in the oven. Tomato sauce is made fresh and they pile plenty of cheese on their pizzas.

The calzones here also win raves from regulars – they’re stuffed with delicious, creamy ricotta cheese. They also offer a variety of traditional Italian dishes, including a veal Parmigiana that diners rave over. For lunch, the sub sandwiches are a popular choice.

Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico
8630 Guilford Road
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 381-1256
www.facebook.com/pages/Trattoria-E-Pizzeria
www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-e-pizzeria-da-enrico-columbia

Try the Reuben Sandwich at Joe’s Place

Joe's Place is a Columbia, Maryland deli that has been serving awesome sandwiches for over a decade. In 1997, they were the first restaurant in the area to win a “Healthy Howard” award for offering health-conscious menu choices.

Regulars have a few sandwiches that they recommend. Try the classic Reuben sandwich with hot leaned corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut on toasted rye, or get it with hot turkey breast instead. The October Road is also recommended: hot ham, melted Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and dijon mustard on a pretzel roll. Or you can try the hot roast beef sandwich, which melds hot roast beef, Swiss cheese, and spicy-sweet tiger sauce on a soft kaiser roll.

Portions are large, and prices are relatively inexpensive, with a sandwich costing around $8. Visit Joe's Place's website to learn more about this Columbia restaurant!

Joe's Place
7130 Minstrel Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-7880
www.joesplacedeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/joes-place-columbia

Bertucci’s: Brick Oven Pizza and More

The most important thing in the world of pizza is the oven. Your crust can be perfectly formed, your sauce can be tangy and delicious, but if your oven can’t get hot enough to cook it, the pizza may not turn out right. The key to Bertucci’s success is the brick oven at the heart of the restaurant, which gets each and every pizza perfectly crisp.

This is an excellent casual Italian chain that delivers high-quality food at reasonable process to Columbia locals, and it’s usually quite packed, especially on weekends. Some of the most popular dishes include the Ultimate Bertucci pizza, which is divided into quarters, each with a different flavor profile – meatballs, chicken, ham, and pepperoni. The eggplant Panini is also quite good, and the calzones are hearty and satisfying. You can choose your own ingredients, letting you tailor the meal to your liking!

Bertucci’s
9081 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 312-4800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bertuccis-brick-oven-restaurant-columbia

Red Pearl Restaurant: Classic Chinese Cuisine

If you’re looking for delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine in a gorgeous, scenic setting, make a reservation at Columbia’s Red Pearl. Located on the banks of Lake Kittamaqundi on the Columbia waterfront, this restaurant has been wowing local foodies for years with a bevy of astounding dishes. The staff here knows how to make dishes that draw from both Cantonese and Mandarin traditions, and some favorites include the Mandarin shrimp, which comes in a remarkably robust and complex sauce, as well as the Peking duck. On weekends, go for traditional dim sum service, where the staff brings out appetizers on the little carts and you pick and choose depending on what looks good. Some hits on the dim sum service are the steamed pork buns, which are flavorful and juicy, as well as the steamed water chestnut cake, which is a must-try. Service is low-key and prices are fair.

Red Pearl Restaurant
10215 Wincopin Circle
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 715-6530
http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-pearl-chinese-restaurant-columbia

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery: A Popular Sandwich Shop

Stop being disappointed with your brown bag lunch and head over to Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery. This Columbia sandwich shop is serving some of the best sandwiches in town. All the sandwiches come on fresh baked bread. You can see the bakers working hard making the bread when you go to the counter to order your sandwich.

The London Broil, piled high with beef, lettuce, red onion, mayo, and mustard, is one of the most popular sandwiches but regulars say you can't go wrong with any of the fresh creations. If you're feeling especially hungry get a side of the couscous or potato salad. Homemade soups, fresh baked breads, and pastries are also available.

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery does get busy during lunch, so arrive early to avoid a crowd.

Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery
6945 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 290-3434

Stanford Grill: Good Food Done Right

Sometimes you just want to eat classic American cuisine ably executed. If that’s the case, stop in at the Stanford Grill for hearty, satisfying food made with great ingredients and served in sizable portions. This local institution has earned raves from locals for its exceptional service as well, which is professional and courteous. But it’s really the food you’re visiting for, and some of the top dishes include the spectacular steaks – the prime rib is exceptional, as is the filet mignon. Other good selections are the rotisserie chicken, which is cooked slowly so it remains moist and delectable. The sides are also quite good, with the buttery mashed potatoes earning special raves and the macaroni and cheese being big enough to be a full meal. For dessert, don’t miss the bread pudding, which regulars rave about. Stanford Grill also hosts regular jazz brunches with live music that draw big crowds.

Stanford Grill
8900 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-0445
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stanford-grill-columbia

Trattoria E Pizzeria: From The Crust Up

This casual Italian restaurant is regarded by locals as one of the best pizzerias in Howard County, for a number of reasons. The first and most important thing is their pizza crust, which is hand-tossed and fired to get to the perfect balance of chewy and crispy. The sauce is made with fresh tomatoes and has a great balance of sweetness and acidity without overwhelming the crust, and the range of toppings is very diverse. Regulars recommend that you keep your pizzas simple, however, with Italian sausage and broccoli both being favorites. The best thing about these pies, however, is how refreshingly light they are. At Trattoria E Pizzeria, the high-quality ingredients make for great pies. If you don’t feel like a slice, Trattoria E Pizzeria offers a variety of other dishes, from baked pastas to satisfying calzones.

Trattoria E Pizzeria
8630 Guilford Road
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 381-1256
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/31/352678/restaurant/Baltimore/Trattoria-E-Pizzeria-Columbia
http://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-e-pizzeria-da-enrico-columbia

The Ale House Columbia: Tasty Comfort Fare

The Ale House Columbia is a great spot to enjoy a casual dinner, relax with friends over drinks, and watch the game on one of the 30 big screen TVs. With a spacious outdoor patio and three indoor bars, there is room for everyone. Start with a drink from the bar. Over 50 different types of beers are available, including local, global, and house brand beers. Cocktails and wine are also available. The menu is full of modern American fare like Burgers, Salads, Flatbreads, and Tacos. Indulge in some comfort food like the Mac & Cheese, Braised Short Ribs, and Honey Sriracha Wings. Check out the regularly held events like beer tastings, happy hour, and live music. Open for lunch and dinner every day.

The Ale House Columbia
6480 Dobbin Center Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(443) 546-3640
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ale-house-columbia-columbia

Cafe de Paris: Beloved French Cuisine in Columbia, Maryland

Columbia diners have long loved this delightful French restaurant, not only for the ambience but for the quality of the food and service. What other restaurant in the area has the owner walk diners to the door when they’re finished, inquiring about their meal? With that kind of attention to detail, you’re not going to be surprised to learn that the food is held in very high regard by regular diners.

Escargot, a French food specialty, is presented well here, paired with butter and garlic and cooked til tender. Order a cheese and bread plate to start, and sample the simple pleasures of French cuisine. The crepe bar, open only on Saturday afternoons, draws a number of diners to this Columbia restaurant. Regulars rave about the crème brulee, too.

As a side note, Café de Paris closes relatively early—9 p.m. on weekdays—so if you want to check it out, don’t wait. You might not be able to get a table if you arrive after 8!

Café de Paris
8808 Centre Park Drive
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-3904
www.cafedepariscolumbia.com

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