Let's talk about food: pizza / bagels / bread (Salisbury, Ocean City: transplants, how much)

[retiredperson]

I'm dabbling with the idea of maybe moving to the Eastern Shore for my next chapter of retirement. Not directly on the shore, closer to the mainland to be closer to good hospitals etc, since I'm in that 'old' age range.

Big concern is that I not be in a food desert. Is there enough of an Italian and Jewish population on the Eastern Shore that you have authentic pizza and bagels and an appreciation of bread. (My point of reference is New York-style pizza.) Where I am now (Kentucky) is a food desert for these items. Sadly, there are just not enough Italians here, I think, that can either provide this kind of food or recognize when they are offered Italian food that is clearly sub-par. There is no appreciation of a fine crusty roll--here, rolls mean like King's Hawaiian. (In my book, rolls are not squishy and sweet.) I've lived most of my life in the NY/NJ area, so my tastes follow along what is typical for that area.)

I know you guys have great seafood and that's certainly a big draw. How about the staples of life: pizza, bagels, etc.

Thanks!

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by retiredperson

I'm dabbling with the idea of maybe moving to the Eastern Shore for my next chapter of retirement. Not directly on the shore, closer to the mainland to be closer to good hospitals etc, since I'm in that 'old' age range.

Big concern is that I not be in a food desert. Is there enough of an Italian and Jewish population on the Eastern Shore that you have authentic pizza and bagels and an appreciation of bread. (My point of reference is New York-style pizza.) Where I am now (Kentucky) is a food desert for these items. Sadly, there are just not enough Italians here, I think, that can either provide this kind of food or recognize when they are offered Italian food that is clearly sub-par. There is no appreciation of a fine crusty roll--here, rolls mean like King's Hawaiian. (In my book, rolls are not squishy and sweet.) I've lived most of my life in the NY/NJ area, so my tastes follow along what is typical for that area.)

I know you guys have great seafood and that's certainly a big draw. How about the staples of life: pizza, bagels, etc.

Thanks!

There are only a few regular posters from this forum who live on the Eastern Shore, so I am not sure how much specific feedback you will get.

In general, you are not moving to an area where Jewish or Italian people settled in great numbers, nor are you in New York. So, I would not expect anything close to the type or 'quality' of food you are used to there. Your best bet IMO to find something passable is the more touristy areas, meaning closer to the resort towns. Those places cater to a tourist crowd, and lots of people come from our north.

[marlinfshr]

Definitely not a food desert as the seafood on this side of the Chesapeake can be quite good with plenty of nice restaurants but you're not going to find the number and variety of Jewish and Italian places you'll find in the City's.

There are a couple of good Italian restaurants in Ocean City that I'll judge by knowing upscale boat owners from NY/NJ who state how good they are. And there is a NY style pizza place in West Ocean City as well that is owned/run by transplants from NYC.

Bread? Over here its white bread for your crab cake to rest on. Anything fancy can be had from the local Walmart!

Bagels? Ummm!? We have doughnuts! They are round with a hole in them!

[NJ2MDdude]

The drive to NJ or Philly isn't that bad from the ES.

[kjg1963]

Bagel Bakery Cafe, Salisbury, MD
Fratelli's Italian Restuarant
DePietro's New York Pizzeria


We have relatives that live close to Salisbury. They like these places but take these recommendations with a grain of salt. They are born and raised Marylanders. I don't know if they've ever had "authentic" NY pizza and bagels.

[G1..]

Originally Posted by retiredperson

I'm dabbling with the idea of maybe moving to the Eastern Shore for my next chapter of retirement. Not directly on the shore, closer to the mainland to be closer to good hospitals etc, since I'm in that 'old' age range.

Big concern is that I not be in a food desert. Is there enough of an Italian and Jewish population on the Eastern Shore that you have authentic pizza and bagels and an appreciation of bread. (My point of reference is New York-style pizza.) Where I am now (Kentucky) is a food desert for these items. Sadly, there are just not enough Italians here, I think, that can either provide this kind of food or recognize when they are offered Italian food that is clearly sub-par. There is no appreciation of a fine crusty roll--here, rolls mean like King's Hawaiian. (In my book, rolls are not squishy and sweet.) I've lived most of my life in the NY/NJ area, so my tastes follow along what is typical for that area.)

I know you guys have great seafood and that's certainly a big draw. How about the staples of life: pizza, bagels, etc.

Thanks!

Eastern Shore is a big area, if you can't find it there, I know it's in Delaware.

[skeddy]

Southern Delaware has had a large influx of retired NY/NJ people move into the area. Plenty of good choices. The bread and bagels don't match NY/NJ, a number of deli's/restaurants have their bread delivered daily from Jersey.

https://www.capegazette.com/article/...y-beach/256295

[jmking]

Sussex County, Delaware, southern Delaware. A couple of places in Rehoboth, Lewis, OC Maryland that I like.
https://www.rosenfeldsjewishdeli.com/rehobothbeach
https://www.casapullassubs.com/
https://www.mrppizza.com/
https://ledopizza.com/about/?_ga=2.6...OTUwNS4wLjAuMA..

Like Chinese?
https://rehobothfoodie.com/reviews/c...inese-cuisine/
https://saketumisushi.com/

Good Maryland seafood? Try all the restaurants on Golf Course, Road, Ocean City, Maryland
https://www.google.com/search?client...H8QjGp6BAgHEAw

[james777]

I know the feeling because I am also a northerner of Italian descent and like the same foods. I also like the Eastern Shore because of the ocean and countryside. I suggest you move to New Jersey, either on the shore, or close to the shore. You will get everything you want there. The property taxes will be higher, but if you buy into an over 55 community, they are not bad at all, for NJ at least.

Thanks for the above recommendations. I am very surprised there is a Jewish deli in Rehoboth Beach. I am going to have to pay it a visit soon.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by retiredperson

I'm dabbling with the idea of maybe moving to the Eastern Shore for my next chapter of retirement. Not directly on the shore, closer to the mainland to be closer to good hospitals etc, since I'm in that 'old' age range.

Big concern is that I not be in a food desert. Is there enough of an Italian and Jewish population on the Eastern Shore that you have authentic pizza and bagels and an appreciation of bread. (My point of reference is New York-style pizza.) Where I am now (Kentucky) is a food desert for these items. Sadly, there are just not enough Italians here, I think, that can either provide this kind of food or recognize when they are offered Italian food that is clearly sub-par. There is no appreciation of a fine crusty roll--here, rolls mean like King's Hawaiian. (In my book, rolls are not squishy and sweet.) I've lived most of my life in the NY/NJ area, so my tastes follow along what is typical for that area.)

I know you guys have great seafood and that's certainly a big draw. How about the staples of life: pizza, bagels, etc.

Thanks!

No matter where you go, it will NOT taste the same.

Even if the cooks came from where you were and use all the same ingredients, etc, because of the water,

I run across this all the time where I live.