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Crawl Street Tavern- Where Everyone Feels Like a Local

As you drive to the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Wicomico Street, youโ€™ll come across an ocean blue building accompanied by an ocean blue sign reading โ€œCrawl Street Tavern.โ€ Adorned with beachy palm trees on either side of the door, the tavern seems small on the outside, but the inside is something you donโ€™t want to miss!

crawl street tavern
Where everyone feels like a local.

From 2020 Until Now

Trimper Family California Hamburger
After some research, Wendy found out some amazing family connection to the building.

Wendy and Tony Dibuo took over Crawl Street Tavern in 2020 then officially bought the restaurant in 2022. The owners of The Cork Bar had seen the property day in and day out. Wendy, a 6th generation of the Trimper family, had a special feeling about the place. When the bar first went up for sale, Wendy did some research and ironically she learned that at one point the place used to be owned by her great-great-great-grandparents, Daniel and Margaret Trimper! Even more research revealed that her grandmother, Matilda, was even born there! It seemed too good to be true with a full circle moment for Wendy and her family history.

Research revealed Wendy and Billy’s grandfather with his partner opened up the bar in 1964. Later it was owned and operated by Wendy & Billy and their parents, Martha and Gordon Wilkins. It is now owned and operated by Martha & Gordon Wilkins’ children Wendy Di Buo and Billy Wilkins.

Being new owners, Tony let Wendy take the reins on the decorating and picking paint colors. She wanted a โ€œfeels like home, want everyone to feel like a local, leave happy place.โ€ And thatโ€™s exactly what was designed. The small restaurant can hold up to 207 people with 14 tables, bar seating, and other seating in various places including near the pool tables and stage near the back of the bar. While Wendy and Tony take care of the business part, son Thomas works as the bar manager.

A Real Covid Comeback

crawl street tavern
Bar and table seating is available at CST!

As mentioned earlier, Wendy and Tony bought the bar in 2020. Opening on St.Pattyโ€™s day weekend, the couple knew exactly what was needed for a successful opening. And that it was! The place was packed with everyone sporting their Irish green and emerald beads, while drinking their green beer. Crawl Street Tavern was thriving- for six days anyway. And then the government announced that everything was closing including restaurants and bars- which included Crawl Street Tavern. โ€œI canโ€™t say it wasnโ€™t scary. Everyone was struggling at that time, especially with us opening up a brand new place. However outdoor seating that was allowed weeks later really helped to boost and save our business.โ€ Between The Cork Bar, The Bearded Clam, and Crawl Street Tavern, tables were set up for patrons to dine while masked. And thatโ€™s not all! They came for the music, too!

Music on Her Mind

Years before Wendy was in the restaurant business, she was also an avid musician/singer. She knew the importance of music to a community. During Covid, Wendy still booked performers to sing and entertain but during times when people were dining. The 6-9pm crowds came and masked up while listening to good music once again. Everyone came to hang out, listen to music, eat, and were gone by the mandated 10pm.

Breakfast First

crawl street tavern
Egg and meat platters hit the spot with a hot cup of coffee before the beach.

crawl street tavern

As one of the only places downtown to serve breakfast, Crawl Street Tavern offers several options that are under $10! With a goal to have affordable pricing for customers, the Dibuoโ€™s goal is for patrons to be able to eat here several times a week without breaking the bank. Some popular plates include eggs and meat platters, creamed chipped beef (which looks delicious), and pancake platters that are only $6.99. Breakfast hours begin at 8am and end at 1pm. If youโ€™d like a mimosa or a bloody mary to start your day, the full bar opens at 9am.

Lunch and Dinner Begin at 11am

crawl street tavern
Cooked just the way you like them wings!
crawl street tavern
Loaded tot drizzled with cheese, bacon. and topped with sour cream.

The team at Crawl Street Tavern really pride themselves on their food. The crab cakes are top notch, steamed shrimp are cooked to perfection, and the wings- crisp and tasty. If youโ€™re in the mood for a thick juicy burger, you must try their signature charbroiled burgers.

Fan Favorites

crawl street tavern
A broiled crab cake goes perfectly with a cold beer.

Crawl Street Tavern has an extensive menu with many favorites that people return for. One of their fan favorites is their crab dip that comes in a bread bowl! Now that sounds divine. Other mentionable favorites are the Build Your Own Nachos and Tots. And we can not forget to mention their Maryland Flat Bread which is topped with crab, shrimp, smeared with an Eastern Shore Old Bay base.

E-A-G-L-E-S

Fly Eagles, Fly! Wendy and husband, Tony, are avid Philadelphia sports fans. They will be promoting themselves as a Philadelphia Sports Bar airing all Philly Basketball, Baseball, and of course Football! Crawl street tavern will be offering the NFL Sunday Ticket every Thursday evening and all day on Sunday. Along with showing the games, they will also be offering drink and food specials during the games. If youโ€™re not a Philly fan, donโ€™t worry! You can still come and watch other games (like the Ravens).

What To Look Forward to Here

As summer begins to wind down for other restaurants, things are just picking up here. During the evenings during Oceanโ€™s Calling, Crawl Street Tavern will be one of the only places that patrons can go to after concert hours. Tickets will be available for Stephen Kellogg, who will be kicking off the Oceanโ€™s Calling Festival at Crawl Street Tavern on September 28th. Doors will open at 7:30, tickets are only $25, and they are expected to sell out and fast. The other evenings of the festival, the tavern will host local and regional bands, which drawn enormous crowds on a regular basis. Other performers include Harbor Boys and DJ Magellan during Oceanโ€™s Calling.

Other notable events include comedy nights as well. The next comedy night will be August 27th. And we canโ€™t forget to mention Bike Week music events that will be coming as well. See links for more details.

What Makes Crawl Street Tavern a Must Visit?

crawl street tavern
Come for the music and the local feel of a downtown restaurant and bar.

โ€œBeing on a block filled with family-owned businesses is extremely important to us. Everyone around here wants to bring a family friendly environment with a feel like a local scene.โ€ If youโ€™re in the area and would like a sit down family breakfast, a quick stop before the beach lunch, or a relaxing dinner with great music, Crawl Street Tavern is the place to be.

Be to check out Crawl Street Tavern on Door Dash!

Katie Ruskey
Katie Ruskeyhttp://kruskeyauthor.com
Katie Ruskey is a local author, splitting her time between Baltimore and Ocean City. Her debut fiction novel, Marlin Week, was released in August 2022 based on three captains that fish in the infamous White Marlin Open. Her first children's book, The A B Seas of Ocean City, Maryland takes young readers on a tour of OC. For more information on how to purchase her books, visit her website www.kruskeyauthor.com or follow her on IG/FB at Katherine Ruskey Author.

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