Last Thursday I was at an event for Leadership Washington County and I was talking with Kent Reynolds about some of our favorite restaurants in the area. Kent and I found that we had something in common; we prefer local, privately-owned restaurants over franchises and chains.
We are fortunate to have a decent number of great, privately-owned restaurants in Hagerstown and the surrounding area. It’s important that we support these restaurateurs; they are our friends, neighbors, family, and they are a critical piece of our local economy.
Below is a list of some of my favorite restaurants in Hagerstown, if only for the benefit of getting the word out there and letting people know that there are nice, friendly and original places to eat with exceptional food and great service.
Schmankerl Stube – German
GG’s (Gourmet Goat) – American
Laila’s Kitchen – Afghan/Middle Eastern
Bulls & Bears – American
Rhubarb House – American
The Plum – American
Durango – Mexican
LJ’s – Amercian
Hempen Hill – American
Palettie – Mixed culture
Black Eyed Susan – American
Mr. D’s – Wings, Sandwiches, Ribs
Red Curry – Asian Fusion
House of Kobe – Japanese
Sakura – Japanese
There are also cities outside of Hagerstown with some fantastic options as well. Shepherdstown, Frederick and Gettysburg, to name a few.
See, now you can cancel your reservation at Olive Garden tonight and try something new! Don’t forget to tell your friends and co-workers about it too! Viral marketing, baby! Cheap, simple, effective.
What are some of your favorite locally-owned places to eat?
House of Kobe – Japanese
Sakura – Japanese
My wife and I were just in Durango’s last night. The service was great as usual. We always go to local places, never chain restaurants.
I try and shop with local businesses as much as possible and I usually get a better value. Where I really see this is in auto care. I take my car to a local guy that owns H&S Automotive on N. Potomac, he always gives me great service, something I find lacking if I go to one of that national chains for service.
Todd Groesbeck | September 15, 2009 at 10:35 am