Ocean City Free Time

Bahama Mama's enjoys a terrific view of the Ocean City MD waterfront by virtue of umbrella-sheltered tables right on the pier at Wicomico Street near South Philadelphia Avenue. Whenever possible, patrons should sit outside.

In or out. When it comes to the restaurant's menu, the choices seem at first blush to be similarly limited.

Other Bahama Mama's reviewers rave about the place's steamed-to-perfection crabs covered with Old Bay seasoning. Much of its remaining fare is pedestrian by comparison: burgers, salads, and so on. So what's a diner to do if he craves crabmeat but wants to avoid the mess produced by shelling crabs?

One satisfying alternative: the Bahama Mama Melt sandwich.

In its melt, the kitchen has created a seafood Monte Cristo. Crab imperial (a mixture of shelled crabmeat cooked with light diced onion and seasoning) is topped by sliced tomato and shredded cheese. That's stuffed between two thick slices of white bread, dipped in egg batter and fried like french toast. The resulting sandwich is plated with ridged potato chips and sliced pickles.

It's tasty, although it tends to get soggy quickly because of juices from the crab, tomato and pickle. Eat up, and try not to get any on your shirt. If sloppiness overcomes you, reach for the roll of paper towels found in a plastic bucket at every table.

All around you, as you dine, you'll hear the sound of mallets thwacking away at crab shells littering other tables. Ignore them. With the Bahama Mama Melt you get the benefit of crab without the work.

Our party of two had a late Monday afternoon lunch at Bahama Mama's during August 2008 for about $25 total. Business was slow at the time, but it took longer than expected for the hostess to seat us. Wait staff was pleasant and attentive.

Bahama Mama's
Rated 2.7 out of 5.0, 23 reviews
221 Wicomico St
Ocean City, MD 21842
(410) 289-0291