5 spots to stop to eat on the way to the beach

When driving to a Maryland or Delaware beach, most of us are itching to put our toes in the sand as fast as possible. But there’s no reason why your next trip to the beach can’t take a delicious detour for a bite to eat.

These restaurants and delis just off the highway will put some fuel in your tank — and ensure you won’t be tempted by fast food.

Love Point Deli,Love Point Deli, Stevensville

Just over the Bay Bridge, the Love Point Deli serves a mind-boggling array of killer sandwiches and subs. With almost 30 different custom sandwiches, various overstuffed subs and 13 different wraps, the Love Point Deli is sure to satisfy the most discriminating sandwich snob.

Try the Chesapeake, a sub made with peppermill turkey, Genoa salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and vinaigrette on an Italian roll, or the Raven’s Wrap made with smoked turkey, roast beef, Swiss, lettuce, tomato and veggie cream cheese in a flavored tortilla.

109 Main St.
Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
410-604-2447, lovepointdeli.com

Sugar Buns Café,Sugar Buns Café, Easton

Most travelers wouldn’t dream of finding old-fashioned home cooking at an airport. But at Sugar Buns Café in the Easton Airport terminal, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time to Grandma’s kitchen. The breakfast staples, fresh baked goods and comfort food are a welcome respite from the buzzing highway a stone’s throw away. The café is also known for having the best eggs Benedict for miles.

At lunch, watch million-dollar jets land as you dine on tarragon chicken salad, lobster rolls or the crabzilla, a crab cake piled high with bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion rings. Be sure to taste the signature sugar buns that give this homey café its name.

29137 Newnam Road, Easton Airport
Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
410-820-4220, sugarbuns.com

Cindy’s Eastside Kitchen, Cambridge

Cindy’s Eastside Kitchen isn’t fancy. In fact, it’s a modest roadside diner that boasts “Eastern Shore Style Home Cooking.” And that’s exactly what you’ll find at this down-home joint filled with a steady stream of locals that wait staff address by name.

Come hungry and feast on the specials like chicken and dumplings, fried catfish, hot roast beef sandwiches, and house-made desserts such as strawberry pie and coconut cream pie.
Cindy’s also serves up the best breakfast in Cambridge with pancakes, omelets and classics like creamed chipped beef.

3127 Aireys Spur Road
Mon.-Sat., 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 6-11 a.m.
410-228-3830

Bay Country Bakery,Bay Country Bakery, Cambridge

You know you’re in for a treat when you find a scratch-made bakery right on the highway — with a drive-thru window. An enormous donut painted on the side of the building is the first sign a sweet surprise awaits at the Bay Country Bakery. Inside, owners Dave and Gena Levy are cooking up 33 different kinds of bread and more than 30 kinds of donuts daily.

The homemade coffee rings with different crumble choices, muffins, pastries and scones are sure to appeal to your sweet tooth. Don’t overlook the Bay Country Bakery’s savory menu selections of flank steak or curried chicken salad sandwiches or the spicy marinated pork with apple butternut squash slaw, each served on your choice of freshly made bread.

2951 Ocean Gateway
Mon.-Wed., 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thurs.-Fri., 6 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sundays. Breakfast served until 11 a.m. and lunch until closing each day. Sweets, doughnuts and breads are available all day.
410-228-9111, baycountrybakery.com

The Farmer’s Wife Eatery and Farm Market, Hebron

The Farmer’s Wife gets its name from owner Sharon Harcum, the chef, baker and — you guessed it — farmer’s wife. Sharon and her husband, Ralph, opened the eatery in July 2013 as a way to showcase her culinary skills and the abundance of produce from their 1,800-acre farm. All food is made fresh and features straight-from-the-farm produce.

On a recent visit, Sharon was cooking beef dumplings with kale greens, homemade French onion soup and pulled pork. Her dinner specials change weekly, with stick-to-your ribs entrees like meatloaf and stuffed peppers.

The extensive menu has a range of breakfast fare, paninis, overstuffed sandwiches and wraps, homemade soups and seafood favorites like oyster po’boys and soft-shell crab sandwiches. Enormous salads are served with every topping imaginable, including homemade croutons, and fresh produce grown just outside the door.

27000 Ocean Gateway
Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. during the summer season.
443-859-8738

By Katie Riley