Well folks, I have enjoyed this place since we held our wedding reception there, 22 years ago! (It…read morewas still known as Sander's Corner back then.) We moved to AZ 7 years ago and quickly learned that there is no such thing as a good crabcake outside of Maryland. A few years after our wedding, the restaurant changed hands and became McFaul's Ironhorse Tavern. Initially, we were a bit concerned but that concern proved to be unfounded! With every trip back to MD, we always tried to stop into McFauls for - yup, a Maryland Crabcake (broiled), an ear or two of MD sweet corn and a cold Natty Boh! (My Dad used to work for National Brewing Co., so the beer choice was nostalgic, but honest! There is NO Natty Boh west of the Mississippi!)
Anyway, nostalgia played a role in our choice of dining at McFaul's - but only ever so slightly! Until last night! We arrived at 5:30pm and had our choice of seating. It was a bit too warm to dine outside, so we chose a table for four near the fireplace. Two other tables were being served and the entire restaurant had not hit it's peak customer load! I settled in for my latest crabcake dinner. I chose the single crab cake with two sides. (Dinner: $35.00) but I am getting ahead of myself.
Service was slow, waters only came right out and then the wait began. 10 minutes later, our server arrived to take our drink order. Of course, I ordered a can of Natty Boh. I also asked for a glass for my beer. 8 minutes later, the beer arrived (no glass.) Other drinks wandered in, but still no glass for the beer. I drank my water (which was also served in a beer-type glass) and waited. Our server returned to take our dinner order (still no glass!) Orders now placed and my can of Boh still needing a glass, I finished my water and poured (properly, of course) my Natty Boh into my empty, but still cold water glass. I enjoyed the first sip! Ahhhhh! Table talk proceeded and I started to dream of my cake! (BTW - no choice of broiled or fried!) Our server returned with a menu adjustment for one of our guests - kitchen was out of something. Oh yeah, my frosted glass finally arrived. (Too late!)
Here's the sad part... our dinners were just so so. My small crabcake was surronded by about 25 fries and a mini Caeser's Salad. I had asked for two cups of cocktail sauce - I received one cocktail sauce and one tarter sauce. I have seen bigger crabcakes in the frozen food section of Giant Food. I was even served a cake twice as large at Camden Yards - of all places - for $28.00! One of our guests that ordered Fish & Chips received a full plate Caeser's Salad and about 50-60 fries (for way less money!)
Here's my rap... I was not even mildly impressed by our food, service or ambiance! My, how the mighty have fallen. I will now remove McFaul's (with great sadness) from my "Must Visit When in MD" list! Reasons are as above, but for those that don't like to read all the dastardly details - Mediocre Food, Slow Unattentive Service, and A Tavern Ambiance that sorely needs a refresh!
Sorry Folks, but Baltimore has WAY better to offer! SMH!