By the Scoop Ice Cream Parlor

In the previous review I mentioned that one of the best things about visiting Wal Mart were the trips to Original Fish and Chips after all of the shopping was done. The only thing that can top the dinner is taking approximately 23 and 1/2 steps to the right and entering into By the Scoop Ice Cream Parlor. If you can think of something more satisfying than eating hot, salty, fried seafood and following it up with delicious sweet, creamy ice cream I'd love to hear it. Seriously, you'll have to fill me in, because what I just described is nirvana as far as I'm concerned.

By the Scoop isn't your typical ice cream parlor. After you walk in and take in the cool 50's parlor vibe you'll notice all of the unique flavors of ice cream they offer. I've seen German chocolate cake ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, Berger cookie ice cream, lucky charm, and even fluffernutter flavored ice cream. There is something here for everyone no matter how picky they might be.

As good and interesting as the flavors I mentioned might sound, the picture above is their piece de resistance. What you're looking at is their Ultimate Peanut Butter. I remember back in the day when playing Unreal Tournament you'd be referred to as "godlike" once you made a certain amount of consecutive kills. That's what this ice cream is. It's godlike because By the Scoop kills it every time with this one. A lot of times when you get a peanut butter ice cream you end up getting bombarded with Reese cups or chocolate chips and they get in the way of the ice cream. Not in this case. The ice cream is the star just like it should be.

There are a million places you can get ice cream, but if you're looking for something truly unique give By the Scoop a shot. It's delicious.

Price: Cheap
Recommendation: Visit ASAP
What to order: Ultimate Peanut Butter or Berger Cookie

Original Fish and Chips

Just like about every other couple in America, Deana and I find ourselves in need of a Wal Mart run every 2 or 3 weeks to stock up on the necessities of life. More and more frequently we find ourselves choosing the Wal Mart location on Carroll Island because the crowds aren't quite as bad as the others nearby. After trying Original Fish and Chips (located right across the street from the Wal Mart) last week my guess is that this Wal Mart has become our default from here on out.
Original Fish and Chips is a small take out establishment (they did have two small outdoor picnic tables), that I've been meaning to try ever since I moved to this side of Baltimore County. Heading in I wasn't quite sure what to expect because I don't eat fish but it turned out not to be a problem. The manager asked me what I like and when I mentioned shrimp he promptly pointed out all of the different options I had.

Not knowing that I was going to be served shrimp the size of of my hand, I ordered the 5 fried shrimp platter. I'm a pretty big eater and would probably opt for the 3 shrimp platter next time the shrimp are so big. Not only were they huge but they tasted very fresh and were fried just right. They obviously knew what they were doing when it came to frying the seafood and that made it all the more disappointing when I tried the chips. They were ample size but not crunchy enough to be considered chips. However, they more than made up for it with some excellent hush puppies. The puppies had a bright yellow inside and were nice and sweet with a tasty onion flavor in the background. I'm not sure if you can order a side of hush puppies, but if it's possible I think passing on the chips for more hush puppies is the way to go.

For the fish lovers out there, fret not, for my girlfriend tried the fish and loved it. She is a woman of few words but she mentioned at least 3 times throughout the meal that the fish was "great" and that she would visit again to try the fish any time. If it was so good she spoke up that often you can take it to the bank. The fish must be good!

Original Fish and Chips might be a little out of the way for some of you, but it's definitely worth the drive. The prices are rock bottom cheap, the portions are huge, and they know how to fry some seafood. If find yourself looking for a good piece of fried fish make Middle River your destination.

Price: Cheap
Recommendation: Visit ASAP

What to order: Fish and Hush Puppies or Shrimp