The Old Mill In Delmar Is Nothing Like It Used To Be

Even though we live just down the street from this restaurant we do not frequent it for numerous reasons. The main reason is during the prime time of the season, trying to get a seat used to be almost impossible. Today things are quite different.

Under new ownership we called in advance to ask if we need to make reservations. When I was asked how many was in our party I replied, four. They said, not tonight.

We arrived about 15 minutes in advance and checked in. We were put on a list so I asked how long they thought our wait would be. They replied, probably 30 minutes or so. The couple that was going to meet us was running late so when they called my name we walked up and they noticed it was only two of us, so far. The woman told me they could NOT seat us until everyone arrived. HMMMMMM!

We were then forced to go back and wait. There's a large bar in the waiting area but it was closed. I asked why and they said they don't serve this time of year, yet there were quite a few people waiting and since I was in the business I truly can't imagine why they wouldn't have someone there just to pour draft beer but that's their problem.

I want to go back to the beginning for just a second because one of the things that really struck me when we first arrived was the overpowering stench of human waste. Their septic system, (or holding tanks, more than likely) was obviously overflowing, or at least maxed out. We got the same impression when we were leaving, NOT a good way to end your very expensive meal, that's for sure. For years I had noticed septic companies every Monday out there clearing out their system but Saturday night it was just unreal.

Moving forward, I was the only one who chose to order All You Can Eat Crabs. Not once did they bring me a full tray of crabs. It was a small basket of crabs and I'd have to wait for more. The Waitress would come around fairly frequently but what blew my mind after knowing I was paying $34.95 for my meal she'd say, WOULD YOU LIKE MORE. HELLO! In my honest opinion she should have brought them out as fast and as often as possible until I said I've had enough.

As for the quality of the crabs, they tasted like vinegar and very bland. There was Old Bay on them but they must be cooking them so fast these days nothing sinks in, flavor wise. When your paying $34.95 I expect one hell of an experience and I truly cannot believe Eastern Shore resident tolerate such crap. Maybe there's so many come here's that they've forgotten what good crabs are all about. One thing I can assure you of is, I get the best crabs of the year whenever I go to one of those fundraisers where the crabs were cooked earlier and the old bay marinades into the meat.

I would expect this kind of crap in the transient atmosphere of Ocean City, not out in the boonies where we know how things are made here on the Eastern Shore. I'm constantly amazed at how many vehicles are outside this restaurant on weekends, especially in the middle of the summer.

So all in all the cost for four people to eat dinner ran us about $150.00 total. Two of the meals were 8 oz steaks, again, a complete joke, especially for the price they were charging. Hard seats, people almost yelling at most of the tables, you know, a complete redneck environment where most just wanted to be recognized. Some bitch about little kids making too much noise in a restaurant but in my honest opinion, adults making even more noise is far more annoying.

So I believe this will be our last trip to the Old Mill in Delmar. I'm just not Redneck enough for such crap.