Maggie Ellison

Complete profile

Ocean City has layers. Order accordingly.

I grew up here, taught generations of Shore children, and have watched restaurants come, go, renovate, and rediscover themselves. I write restaurant and dining reviews for the Beach Blog because a meal is not separate from its setting. A dining room can tell you something about the town, the season, and the people who have kept showing up to serve guests well.

That does not mean I believe everything old is sacred. Some traditions deserve a fresh look, and a beautiful memory cannot season a bland plate. But I do value continuity, good manners, and places that understand the difference between a remodel and erasing the room’s character.

What I notice at the table

I begin with the greeting. Are guests acknowledged? Does the server know the menu? Is the room clean and comfortable? Does a classic space still feel cared for? Manners are a seasoning, and they affect everything that follows.

Food matters just as much. I enjoy crab soup with real depth, broiled seafood, a sensible lunch special, and pie that tastes homemade because it was made with care, not because the menu says “homestyle.” I do not require a restaurant to chase every new trend. I do expect it to do what it promises with attention and generosity.

I often contribute to Beach Blog’s Ocean City restaurants, food and drink, seafood restaurants, and Berlin pages. I am a useful companion for readers looking for classic OC rooms, downtown lunches, longtime favorites, and restaurants where service is part of the meal.

A local’s sense of season

Summer is lively, crowded, and sometimes worth the effort. Winter is when locals see which kitchens still take pleasure in feeding their neighbors. I recommend visits differently depending on the season, because the same restaurant can offer a different experience in July than it does on a calm weekday in January.

I have opinions about Boardwalk eras, Inlet changes, and “locals’ secrets” that are mostly marketing. Still, history belongs in a review only when it helps you choose a restaurant. I will not manufacture lore about a building or claim a story I cannot support. The town has enough real character without that.

How I write

My reviews are story-forward, but I keep the story tied to the plate and the practical experience. I describe what a place does well, who will enjoy it, and what to consider before going. If a restaurant has changed, I try to explain the change fairly rather than treating it as a betrayal.

I write with warmth and clear standards. Local businesses that offer good food and genuine hospitality deserve to be celebrated. Places that rely on reputation alone need an honest nudge. Not everything new is an improvement, and not everything old is sacred. That is a useful rule for restaurants and for Ocean City itself.