If you haven’t been to Julep in Annapolis yet, run! I mean it, this is Southern comfort food done right, and I walked out a full-on fan. Julep’s the sister restaurant to The Hideaway in Odenton and Buck Murphy’s, so I had a feeling the food would be good, but the smoked fried chicken and those piping-hot biscuits took it to another level.
It sits in the Parole area near Annapolis Towne Centre, there’s easy free parking in the plaza, and my friend Minje and I worked our way through a whole spread. Short answer, it’s so, SO good, and the smoked fried chicken alone is worth the drive. If you love proper Southern cooking, Julep needs to be on your Annapolis list.
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What Makes Julep A Standout Spot for Southern Food in Maryland
Annapolis has no shortage of seafood and crab, but a Southern kitchen this dialed-in is a different kind of treat. Julep comes from Bob and Mike Krohn, a father-and-son team of lifelong Annapolitans who also run The Hideaway and Buck Murphy’s, and it opened back in 2019 in a former Bertucci’s space in Parole.
What sets it apart is the care in the details, like chicken that’s smoked over pecan wood for three hours before it ever hits the fryer, and a bourbon list that runs deep (55-plus bottles, if you’re counting). If you’re building an Annapolis dinner list, Preserve is another spot worth a visit for a nicer night out, and Julep’s my pick when you want big, hearty plates.
What to Order at Julep
We went a little overboard, in the best way. Here’s the full rundown.
Smoked Fried Chicken ($22)
The show-stopper. Their chicken’s smoked over pecan wood for three hours, then fried, and you get a breast, thigh, wing, and drumstick, so it’s a serious amount of food. You gotta order it with the dry hot rub, then slather everything in their blackberry chipotle sauce, which is honestly the MVP of the whole table. We got ours with hushpuppies (YUM) and mac and cheese. At $22 for all of that, it’s a great value!
2 Biscuits ($7)
Do not skip these. They came out PIPING hot (you can literally see the steam in my video, lol), and they’re served with homemade honey butter and pepper jelly. So ridiculously good. You HAVE to start with a basket, trust me!
Fried Green Tomatoes ($13)
A beautiful way to kick things off. They’re crusted in cornmeal and fried crisp, then topped with fried shrimp and a tangy remoulade. Such a good starter.
Shrimp & Grits ($24)
Really solid. I wouldn’t call it my favorite shrimp and grits in Maryland, but it was still delicious and worth getting if you’re a fan. Just know the fried chicken’s the one that really stole the show.
Apple Crisp ($9)
A yum way to end the meal. The apples were tart, which played really nicely against the sweet crumble and caramel. If you like apple pie, you’ll be into this.
Already on my list for next time: their Southern egg rolls, the pecan-smoked wings, and the burnt ends.
Is Julep Related to The Hideaway and Buck Murphy’s?
Yes, all three are part of the same family. Julep, The Hideaway in Odenton, and Buck Murphy’s are owned by the Krohn family, with Julep opening in 2019 as the Southern-leaning sister to The Hideaway. If you’ve been to any of the others, you already know the deal, generous portions, a strong bar, and food that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s why I trusted Julep would deliver before I even sat down.
The Vibe and Experience
Julep’s tucked into a Parole shopping plaza across from Annapolis Towne Centre, which sounds unassuming, but it works in your favor because there’s tons of free parking, which is a real win in Annapolis. It’s got a proper bar (bourbon lovers, this one’s for you) and a patio for nice days, so there’s room for whatever kind of outing you’ve got planned. They also do a Sunday brunch, and if you want another easygoing Annapolis breakfast spot by the water, Bread and Butter Kitchen is worth a look.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍2207 Forest Dr, Unit 2, Annapolis, MD, in the Parole area near Annapolis Towne Centre
- Hours: Sun 10am to 9pm, Mon to Thu 11am to 9pm, Fri and Sat 11am to 10pm
- Brunch: Sunday brunch runs 10am to 2pm
- Happy hour: Monday to Friday, 3pm to 6pm
- Prices: starters around $7 to $13, mains in the low-to-mid $20s
- Drinks: a big bourbon list, craft cocktails (the Naptown Punch is a fun one), and Whiskey Wednesdays for a discount
- Good to know: free plaza parking, a patio for warm days, reservations accepted, and dine-in, carryout, and curbside all available
- Website: julepannapolis.com
Would I Go Back to Julep?
Absolutely, and soon. If you’re after real Southern comfort food in Annapolis, Julep’s one of the best I’ve found, and the smoked fried chicken is reason enough to make the drive. It earns the trip for the biscuits, the bourbon, and that smoked fried chicken. For more Annapolis comfort food, Chick & Ruth’s is a classic diner worth a stop.
Have you guys been to Julep yet? Let me know what you order in the comments, Nomsters, and if you go, get the biscuits and that smoked fried chicken for me. Save this one for your next trip to Annapolis!