Some meals end with a full plate pushed aside and a dessert menu left unopened. Just outside Baltimore, near the runways of BWI, one dining room has turned that problem into a local tradition.
The crab cakes here are so large that people compare them to snowballs, and the dessert case keeps tempting guests who swear they have no room left. Travelers on long layovers, families celebrating a weekend, and locals who have been coming since childhood all end up at the same tables.
The menu is huge, the parking lot fills fast, and a baklava cheesecake has quietly earned its own fan club. Keep reading for the story behind this Maryland favorite, the dishes worth ordering, the sweet finish people talk about, and the practical tips that make a visit easy to plan.
A Maryland Address With a Big Reputation
Crab cake fans have a habit of plotting road trips around one particular stop. G & M Restaurant sits at 804 N Hammonds Ferry Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090, in the United States.
The spot is a casual seafood restaurant known above all for its generously sized crab cakes. Steak, pasta, and plenty of other seafood dishes share the menu too.
Linthicum Heights lies close to BWI Airport, which explains a lot about the crowd. Hotel guests staying near the airport find their way here before early flights.
Locals point friends and family toward the place as a first taste of Maryland. Some folks have been coming since they were kids and still send out-of-towners here first.
The numbers back up the buzz. With more than 15,000 public ratings averaging 4.4 stars, this is not a hidden secret.
Crab cakes earn thousands of mentions on their own, far ahead of anything else on the menu. Still, the dessert case is where this story is headed, so keep a little appetite in reserve.
The Snowball-Sized Crab Cake Legend
Ask around Baltimore about the city’s best crab cake, and this name comes up quickly. The reason is simple: these crab cakes are packed with lump crab meat and very little filler.
Many people describe them as snowball sized. That is not a joke, either.
Diners who claim they dislike crab cakes have been known to change their minds after one bite here. Others call it the best crab cake they have ever had and come back mainly for it.
Portion choices help with planning. A 4 oz option suits smaller appetites, while the platter brings a bigger serving to the table.
A single cake is often enough for first-timers. Some guests order a double and quickly learn that ambition has limits.
The crab cake also shows up in other forms. A crab cake sandwich on a brioche bun is popular, and a steak with crab cake combo pairs a NY Strip with the house specialty.
Fans also mention the baked crab imperial version topped with a rich cream sauce. Either way, the crab is clearly the main event, and the rest of the plate plays backup.
Beyond Crab Cakes on a Very Long Menu
Here is a fun challenge: try reading the whole menu before your server returns. It is extensive enough that taking a few extra minutes is normal.
Cream of crab soup ranks among the most talked-about items after the crab cakes. Some find it excellent, while a few think it leans salty, so it can split the table.
Crab stuffed shrimp is another favorite. The shrimp arrive so loaded with crab that they look a lot like crab cakes themselves.
Crab egg rolls earn steady praise too. Stuffed mushrooms, grilled octopus, oysters on the half shell, and scallops also turn up on happy tables.
Big appetites may eye the Chesapeake Club sandwich. It stacks a 4 oz jumbo lump crab cake with shrimp salad, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and lemon aioli on white bread.
Non-seafood options round things out. Burgers, Wagyu beef sliders, fish and chips, California chicken, jambalaya, and French onion soup all appear on the menu.
Sides draw mixed opinions, with potatoes generally faring better than the vegetables. Plan your plate around the seafood, and you will be in good shape for what comes next.
The Sweet Finish Everyone Almost Skips
Plenty of guests leave G & M with one regret: they were too full to try dessert. The dessert display looks lovely, and many people admit they simply ran out of room.
That is where a little strategy pays off. Ordering the smaller 4 oz crab cake leaves space for the sweet stuff.
The baklava cheesecake is the dessert with the biggest following. It earns more than twenty mentions on its own, which is impressive in a place ruled by crab.
Bread pudding is another option, and it can be served warm. Opinions on its texture vary, so it suits folks who already love a soft, custardy style.
Sharing is a smart move here. One dessert and a few forks can turn a heavy meal into a tidy finish.
The staff even encourages it. Guests who skipped dessert are told it will be waiting next time, which sounds like a promise worth keeping.
Old-School Dining Rooms and a Classic Bar
Size matters at this restaurant, and not just on the plate. The building is huge, with lots of seating spread across several areas.
The main dining room sits in front and has a traditional, old-school feel. It is the kind of room that grandparents tend to love.
Toward the back, a bar and lounge area has a piano-bar style setting with dim lights. Several entrances make it easy to come in from the front or the rear lot.
Noise in the main dining room stays reasonable. Conversations can happen without anyone raising their voice, even when the place is busy.
Some guests call the space elegant, while others feel it is starting to look a bit dated. Both views can be true at a long-running local favorite.
Dress is relaxed overall, though a few people feel slightly underdressed in the nicer areas. Casual clothes work fine, and the focus stays firmly on the food anyway.
Who Fills the Tables
Travelers with time to spare are a big part of the crowd. Airport layovers have turned into crab cake missions for more than one hungry passenger.
Hotel guests near BWI often get pointed here before an early flight. It is a handy way to see more of Maryland than a terminal food court.
Families make up another large group. Parents, kids, and teens can all find something, since burgers and steak sit next to the seafood.
Locals are loyal, too. Some call it a mandatory stop whenever they are in the Baltimore area.
Service gets plenty of warm mentions, with staff who greet guests at the door and check in through the meal. A few people find it hit or miss, but the team is generally described as friendly and well trained.
Bar staff are known to guide first-time crab cake eaters through the menu. That kind of help makes newcomers feel like regulars by the end of the meal.
Hours, Parking, and Takeout Tips
Timing can make or break a visit to a popular spot. The doors open at 11 AM every day.
Monday through Saturday, the restaurant stays open until 9 PM. On Sunday, it closes earlier, at 8 PM.
Arriving right at opening usually means no wait and plenty of parking. A late lunch or early dinner can also land during a quieter stretch.
Most parking is behind the building. When the main lot fills up, an overflow lot nearby handles the extra cars.
Prices run on the higher side, which many people feel is fair given the portion sizes and the amount of crab. Expect to spend a bit more than at a typical casual eatery.
Takeout is available, and crab cake platters travel well. Coleslaw can leak in the container, so keep that in mind on the drive.
Out-of-town fans have another option. The restaurant ships fan favorites, and its website, gandmcrabcakes.com, is the place to check details.
Why This Crab Cake Landmark Earns a Return Trip
Few restaurants can count thousands of fans who all mention the same dish. That kind of focus says a lot about what this kitchen does best.
The crab cakes are the clear reason to go. They are large, full of lump crab, and light on filler.
Not every side dish lands, and the space shows its age in spots. Those small issues rarely stop people from planning their next visit.
The best plan is simple. Order a crab cake in the size that fits your appetite, add a starter like crab egg rolls if you are hungry, and leave room for the baklava cheesecake.
Close to BWI and easy to reach from Baltimore, it works for a layover, a family dinner, or a first taste of Maryland. The hours are generous, and parking is plentiful.
So go for the crab, stay for the sweets, and do not let a full stomach win this time. Dessert has been patiently waiting.
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