Jerry’s Seafood – * * * 1/2
9364 Lanham-Severn Road
Lanham 20706
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $20-$35 average entree
Money Saver: Go for lunch, opt for the
crab cake instead of the crab bomb.
If you splurge one time in your college career, splurge at Jerry’s. Beg your parents, sell your books, do whatever you have to do to try this restuarant.
Jerry’s Seafood, tucked away in an unassuming Lanham strip mall, has never advertised, yet there is always a line. A sign on the front door warns the wait may be long, but it’s worth it.
A basket of rolls is brought to the table immediately. The rolls are warm and so are the waiters who serve them. A fully stocked bar is hard to miss – it takes up almost a whole corner of the restaurant.
A rule of thumb is to order anything crab, and you won’t be let down. Start with the cream of crab soup ($7.50 for a cup). It’s warming and hearty, but the best part is the heap of sweet and meaty jumbo lump crabmeat on top.
For the main course, there is only one way to go. Order the trademarked Crab Bomb – Jerry’s version of a crab cake. It’s an enormous bundle of jumbo lump crabmeat with just the right amount of Old Bay seasoning, broiled to perfection – and absolutely no filler. The tender and juicy meat falls apart with the poke of your fork. Bombs come in two sizes, regular (10 ounces) or baby (6 ounces). You may want to share because prices are hefty ($33.95 for a regular bomb and $25.95 for a baby). If you can handle spice, opt for the peppery firecracker version.
Another way to save money is by ordering the crabcake ($18.95) off the lunch menu. The crabcake is not as big as the baby bomb, but nearly equivalent in taste and quality.
All crab orders come with two sides. My favorites were the homemade applesauce with hints of cinnamon and vanilla and the crisp, fresh coleslaw. Stewed tomatoes were a bit too soupy and sweet, and broccoli, the vegetable of the day, was rather soggy.
Chances are you’ll be too full, but try to save room for a slice of the fabulous coconut cake ($6.50 a slice) which is moist but light. The strawberry shortcake ($6.50 a slice) is also excellent. It tastes homemade, but, surprisingly, all of Jerry’s desserts are ordered in.
The downside of Jerry’s is the decor. Shelling out so much cash, you’d expect better surroundings. From the outside, Jerry’s looks dingy, and the inside bears more resemblance to a camp dining hall than to an expensive restaurant.
Nevertheless, your eyes will adjust and your stomach will never be able to thank you enough.
