Savoring Summer at Hightopps

Editor's Note: Have you eaten at Hightopps? What did you think? Tell us in the comments. 

Summer has an unnerving way of seemingly ending right after it begins. It may be just as long as every other season when it comes to the number of days, but it inevitably always feels like five minutes compared to Maryland’s interminable winters.

As such, I’ve made it my mission this year to not miss summer as it flies by, but instead to savor each sticky day and every sultry night.

And now that the dreaded countdown is on, and summer is rapidly approaching its close, I know I’m not alone in this mission.

To my delight, I’ve found an answer to this dilemma.

It won’t stop time, but an evening on the deck at Hightopps Backstage Grille (2306 York Rd.) is the perfect way to drink in a mellow summer evening as fall approaches.

Ever since my college years, I had heard friends talking about the wonder that is Hightopps, and from York Road, I couldn’t see what the big deal was. It looked like a bar—a big bar, but still, just a bar.

When I finally visited a couple times for happy hour over the winter, I still wasn’t seeing the big deal.

But dinner and drinks on a breezy summer’s eve changed my mind about Hightopps.

My friend and I arrived with the intention of sitting outside to enjoy the weather, but the deck had an hour-long wait. I could see why—aside from the clear sky and perfect temperatures, Hightopps manages to transform the back of the building into a beachy haven, allowing guests to imagine that they’re not actually in a parking lot off York Road, but instead a beach shack.

Hungry, we decided to have dinner inside and sat in the sports bar, another spot that looks like a place you might find off Coastal Highway in Ocean City.

I was craving some greasy, not-so-good-for-you food, and Hightopps delivered. The signature cheese steak ($10) made with sirloin, fried onions, Provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise definitely hit the spot. It was hot and savory and the bread tasted fresh. Substituting the hand-cut French fries ($1.50) for the potato chips was another choice I was glad I made.

My friend ordered the hand-cut flat iron ($16), a 10-ounce charbroiled steak seasoned with herbs and served with sautéed vegetables and rice. Despite the large portion, it was tasty enough that she finished every bite on her plate.

After digesting for a bit, we decided to catch up outside. With a pair of sweet and creamy pina coladas, live music in the background, and the sun going down, it was easy to feel like we were on vacation on the Eastern Shore, if only for a few hours.