This Delaware Shore Restaurant Serves Crab Cakes Locals Say Could Fool A Marylander

I’ve eaten my way through more crab cakes than I care to admit, from fancy waterfront restaurants in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to paper-plate servings at backyard cookouts along the Chesapeake.

So when someone tells me there’s a Delaware spot serving crab cakes good enough to fool a Marylander, I naturally show up with my skepticism—and my fork—ready. But Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill proved me completely wrong in the best way possible.

One bite in, and I understood the hype: perfectly seasoned lump crab, barely any filler, golden edges, and that unmistakable taste of coastal pride that keeps people coming back.

Meet the Spot That Started the Buzz

Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill sits at 1904 Coastal Highway like it owns the block, and honestly, it kind of does. This place isn’t fancy or pretentious; it’s the kind of spot where sand on your flip-flops is totally acceptable and nobody blinks twice.

Locals have been whispering about one menu item for years: a jumbo-lump crab cake that supposedly rivals anything Maryland throws down. Walking distance from the beach, Woody’s has that come-as-you-are vibe that makes you feel instantly comfortable.

Open year-round from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., it’s become the name people drop when out-of-towners ask where to find authentic Chesapeake flavor on the Delaware shore.

The Maryland Recipe They Borrowed and Perfected

Here’s where things get interesting. Woody’s doesn’t hide the fact that they’re using what they openly call “our very own MD recipe” on their to-go menu.

That means jumbo lump crab, barely any filler, and a broiling technique that keeps every morsel sweet and tender instead of greasy. Marylanders guard their crab cake secrets like state treasures, so when a Delaware restaurant nails the formula, people notice. The texture alone tells the story: big, beautiful lumps of crab that don’t fall apart but hold together just enough.

It’s Chesapeake Bay cooking without the Bay address, and that’s exactly why it fools even the pickiest critics from across the state line.

All Jumbo Lump, No Apologies

Walking into Woody’s and ordering the crab cake feels like making a pact with the ocean itself. You’re getting jumbo lump crab, period. Not the shredded stuff, not the mystery blend, but the premium chunks that cost real money at the seafood counter.

I’ve seen crab cakes where you need a magnifying glass to find actual crab. Not here. Every bite is a reminder that someone in the kitchen respects the ingredient enough to let it shine.

Filler is kept so minimal it’s practically a rumor, which means you’re tasting the sweetness of the crab instead of breadcrumbs pretending to be seafood.

Broiled to Buttery Perfection

Forget the deep fryer. Woody’s broils their crab cakes, and that choice makes all the difference between good and unforgettable.

Broiling locks in moisture while creating a delicate golden crust on top, so the crab stays tender and sweet instead of soaking up oil. It’s a gentler cooking method that treats the seafood with respect. When my plate arrived, I could see the slightly caramelized edges and smell that buttery aroma before I even picked up my fork.

One bite confirmed it: this wasn’t fried boardwalk fare. This was a crab cake cooked the way grandmothers along the Chesapeake have been doing it for generations.

What Locals and Tourists Can’t Stop Raving About

Reviews for Woody’s crab cake read like love letters written in all caps. People talk about the size first, because these cakes are generous enough to make you wonder if they’re showing off.

Then comes the texture praise: “no filler,” “huge lumps,” “just like Maryland.” Sure, a few folks wish for bolder seasoning, but the overwhelming consensus is that this crab cake sets the standard at the Delaware shore. I read through dozens of comments on Tripadvisor and Yelp before my visit, and the pattern was clear.

When both locals and tourists agree on something this enthusiastically, you know it’s the real deal.

How to Order Like You Know What You’re Doing

You’ve got two moves here, and both are winners. Go for the Crab Cake Sandwich if you want that brioche bun cradling all that jumbo lump goodness, or order the Crab Cake Platter for a full six-ounce broiled beauty with your choice of sides.

Regulars love pairing it with crabby tots or a bowl of chowder, and a cold beer doesn’t hurt either. I went platter style on my first visit because I wanted nothing between me and that crab.

Either way, you’re getting the same star ingredient cooked the same careful way, so pick based on your hunger level and mood.

The Practical Details You Actually Need

Let’s talk dollars and logistics. The crab cake platter runs at market price, while the sandwich typically lands in the mid to high twenties. Carry-out is available at Woody’s 2 Go right across the street, and you can even grab Take & Bake crab cakes to cook at home if you’re feeling ambitious.

Peak summer weekends get busy, so ordering earlier saves you from a wait. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., year-round, which means you can satisfy a crab cake craving in January just as easily as July.

That consistency matters when you’re chasing quality seafood on the shore.