It was an epic summer for the MacPhersons. Why? The food.
From crab in everything in Ocean City, MD to nothing but the cleanest, tastiest foods of Whole30 (stay tuned for another post), man, did I gain a new perspective and appreciation for food.
After kicking the summer off with an impromptu Dave Matthews Band concert with the entire family (yes, kids and all) in Noblesville, IN, we road-tripped it to Ocean City, MD for a week. The food choices were as incredible as catching waves with my son.
Growing up in Delaware, the DE and MD beaches are where I spent most of my time in the summers. Needless, to say, the nostalgia was undeniable throughout the week. Hell, it had only been 20+ years since I've been back to OC.
The food. Oh my god, the food! Take a look at some of these incredible dishes:
We must have eaten at the 45th Street Taphouse Bar & Grille three times that week. Crabby Balls. Crab Avacado. Crabby Pretzels. All-day-crab-everything, people! It's a yes, for me! It was so freakin' delicious.
BREAKFAST
MD/DE breakfast. For those of you who know, creamed chipped beef and scrapple is a staple. General's Kitchen delivered. It brought back so many childhood memories. The connection we have with food is similar to music. It immediately takes me back to certain places in time with vivid memories. And man, syrup on scrapple is the only way to go. You know what I mean?
THE MEMORIES
Speaking of memories, there were two places that were 'a must.' Two places that I was so excited to go to not only from a selfish perspective, but so my wife and kids could experience them. No fancy dishes. Rather, staples to one of the top beach towns in America (yes, look it up).
French fries and pizza.
We all have our all-time favorites. Mine? Thrasher's French Fries and Grotto Pizza. (I'm realizing that my childhood friends really need to read this blog - what up, peeps!). What's the big deal about Thrasher's Fries?
Since 1929, Mr. Thrasher perfected the French fry. Thick cut. In a bucket. Crispy. And the kicker? Vinegar and salt. I'm serious, y'all. The best fries in the world. S/O to my best friend Kay Eaton. Love you.
Grottos. Oh, Grottos, how I long for you. If you don't know, you don't know. The memories are as good as this slice of perfection. I may (or may not have) had Grottos every day that week. It was vacation so it's ok, right?
Like going to a DMB concert (you feel me Matt B.?), food brings back memories. The food we grow up eating becomes a part of us. It becomes our history. I was fortunate enough to share my childhood food and music experiences with the ones I love. I highly encourage you to do the same.
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