Good food but way over-priced. Hard to justify a $400 bill for a family of 6 eating country style.

My last visit was around 8-10 years ago. Stopped going due to decreasing quality. Went this past week to try it again. We were hugely disappointed. The crab cake was tasteless yellow mush. Way too much filling! The chicken was good, but the two piece consisted of one piece that was barely bigger than my thumb. Service was fair. Waited 10 min for someone to return for empty glasses on the table. Came on a week night and there were only a handful of tables seated at the time. I've called and left two messages asking for a manager to call back. Both times they were busy dealing with customers and I never received a call back. Guess maybe they are too busy with customer complaints? Drove 45 min to go, but should I have stayed home and eaten a frozen dinner. My biggest complaint is the lack of response from management. read more

Friendly Farm - Seafood Near Me - Upperco, Maryland

My eggplant Parm had too much sauce in the dish Their crab cakes aren't the best ( Box Hill North can't be bet) Very over priced

Wonderful experience, great service, affordable, big portions! Fried chicken and crabcakes were delicious and sugar biscuits are sinful!

Limited, but ample, selection of entrees and sides - if you absolutely must have Calamari, Corned Beef, Guacamole, or the perfect Appletini, don't bother. This has been a dependable place for a great meal, especially for families, for all of my life. read more

I debated between 2 or 3 stars. The location and farm setting make for a nice view out in the country. It feels like a fun experience with the family-style service and lots of families enjoying a meal together. This counts for an extra star. As for the food, some of the entrees can be decent. But how much better it could be if they took some time and care with the sides. Fresh country vegetables can be delicious. These are not. They use obvious canned green beans with flecks of ham in them. Canned corn. Cottage cheese. Basic rolls (the sugar rolls are tasty). It feels like this place coasts on its location when it could be so much better. read more

Have gone here many times over the years with the extended family. I have never had a bad meal here. Everyone's favorite is the warm sugar rolls -excellent. read more

Today, we took a leisurely drive to the country to go to a luncheon with our Harley Owners Group chapter at Friendly Farm in Northern Baltimore County in Upperco/Hereford, Maryland. This restaurant really is a farm on about 200 acres with three ponds including ducks. It is such a lovely setting for a restaurant - you feel like you stepped into another world. They have been going strong since 1959. Our group had the entire banquet hall with commanding views of the pond. They had a buffet set up for us that included sugar biscuits, dinner rolls, cottage cheese, apple butter, peaches, homemade Coleslaw, homemade mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn, along with their famous Fried Chicken and Roast Beef (top round) sliced in gravy. We were lucky - because it was a buffet, we could go back for seconds. I thoroughly enjoyed the Fried Chicken - fresh and crispy. They had unlimited beverages as well. To finish our delicious meal, we had Hershey's hand-dipped vanilla ice cream with nuts and chocolate sauce. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and the staff was so friendly and welcoming. read more

We had not been to Friendly Farm in years and years. I used to think it was so good, but now I realize it's just mediocre. We got there when they opened so we were seated immediately. Our nice waitress was really quick with getting us drinks and the starters. I got the sweet tea and it seemed a little weak to me. I always went there for the crab cake, which I got again today, and yes, that is still good. Hunks of lump crab meat with practically no filler and a light dressing mixed in that has a good flavor. I just read where another reviewer on here mentioned how their crab cake seemed slightly "off" and the first couple of bites of mine did seem a little odd to me. In fact, I remember taking another bite and trying to discern if it was bad or not. But further bites tasted fine, so I ate it and I didn't have a problem later. It was good. But I realized, really looking at everything, that most of the stuff is canned. You can tell. The sliced peaches are obviously from a can. Our daughter had never been there before, and she assumed, from the name, that everything you got was grown there on the farm! LOL. The sides that you get with your meal, the french fries, my hubby likes, the corn and the green beans are obviously from a can. I think I always just really liked the crab cake in the past, so I overlooked everything else. Our daughter was treating my husband for his birthday and Father's Day, so he got the filet mignon and ordered it medium well. Medium well means slightly pink in the center. It was well, well done. In fact, it was dry. I tasted a bite. He had to use steak sauce, and he never uses steak sauce. I knew he was using it to help moisten it to get it down. We kept telling him to send it back, and even the nice waitress told him to send it back, but for some reason he just wouldn't do it. I don't know if he was embarrassed or not, but for the price our daughter paid... Then you get the little dish of ice cream. No, of course the ice cream isn't homemade. I think it's Hershey's and it was pretty good. They have several flavors to choose from. We always end up getting seated by the windows where you can look out over the farm, see the ponds and the docks, and it is a beautiful setting. The place is still really popular, and it got more and more crowded. I think that when people hear "all you can eat", they associate it with good food. However, when you think about it, the crowds that this place feeds, they do food for what I call "food for the masses". Other than the main entrée that you choose, the sides are like cafeteria food. It would be hard for them to make everything that they serve from scratch to this many people. I have a feeling, though, that we won't be back after this. read more

Interesting place located on a farm with nice views. You order dinner at the entrance and then sit where you wish. All sides, drinks, appetizers, and ice cream and sherbet are included. The place is very clean and the service is excellent. The chairs and tables are basic cafeteria style. FOOD is BASICALLY BUFFET brought to the table. The fried chicken, appetizers and sides are all standard buffet quality. I've had better fried chicken at KFC overseas. The side dishes taste like canned food. The eggplant parmesan is good. They serve QUANTITY OVER QUALITY. The ice cream is Hershey and it's good, and was the highlight of the dinner. We are glad we tried it for the experience. For location and experience 4 stars however we go to restaurants for food so 3 stars, 2.5 if you consider it was almost $50 with tip for two. read more

This place is phenomenal. I don't know how they can serve an entree with seven side dishes at a reasonable price. Four of went to dinner here yesterday and ordered the chicken entree. That's five pieces of chicken, rolls, apple butter, string beans, French fries, apple slices, cole slaw and cottage cheese along with your drink and followed by a serving of ice cream. The service is great and the space can accommodate groups large and small. Looking forward to our next visit here. read more

Not what I remember. Crab cakes were bland, pork chops dry, and no need for all the canned sides. Don't care for the pay ahead process and won't be back read more

Food is vile. there is nothing fresh here. All vegetables are canned. Nothing healthy to eat here as well. Not sure why people rave about this place. Ugh! read more

Save you're time an you're money hour wait turns to 2 hours foods bland not fresh nothing comes locally or fresh better off with McDonald's

Me and my family celebrated our Grandfathers 90th birthday here and the food was amazing. Our waitress (I forgot her name) she was great. No complaints. Food and sides were very good! Will be returning! read more

Friendly Farm - Soft Shell Crab Dinner - Special for $31 - Seafood Near Me - Upperco, Maryland

Absolutely disgusting. The entire restaurant had an absolutely foul smell, and the food was terrible. Don't waste your money. Trust me.

Enjoyed carryout from Friendly Farm last weekend. We ordered an assortment of fried chicken, fried shrimp, coleslaw, french fries, and sugar biscuits. The only subpar item was the french fries (under-seasoned and limp) but could partially be attributed to the nature of takeout food being a little cold by the time you get it home. Everything else was phenomenal! Especially the sugar biscuits. YUM! read more

The bread was good, corn had not a pat of butter or seasoning, green beans were bland, coleslaw was actually the best because it was fresh, crab cake was horrible, filet had no taste at all, chicken was edible, my kids liked their fried shrimp, my almost 2 year old said she didn't want the chicken and she LOVES chicken. Lastly the ice cream was freezer burnt. The staff was extremely pleasant and nice! however, I would never return, it was not worth what we spent for a family of 5. I'm really confused by the reviews. read more

Come out to the country! Love the fried chicken! Unlimited sides and coffee and ice cream is a nice ending!

I believed the hype and was let down. I think I wasn't super encouraged to try it, the let down wouldn't have been so hard. The food was okay, but nothing to really brag about . It's a family style dining restaurant which is nice. Everyone selects their own entree but the sides are all the the same for everyone. French fries, corn, slaw, peas. The ice cream was super yummy though. read more

Friendly Farm - Chicken and Crabcake - Seafood Near Me - Upperco, Maryland

I have always had a soft spot for Friendly Farms! In the warmer months you can take some of your rolls and go feed the geese and ducks after your meal, they have baked goods for sale, and they have a great store that you can buy little knick-nacks in! We had such great service provided by Debbie Marie! She is truly a star. Our drinks were not empty once and she was so attentive! You pay first, which is a Friendly Farm tradition. I always get the fried shrimp and my family usually gets their crabcakes. For sides, you get a wonderful variety! Some of my favorites are the cole-slaw; the sweet rolls; the corn! Yum! And they're bottomless. For dessert they offer a wide variety of ice creams and sorbets. I always go with the moose tracks and you can never go wrong with that! read more

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Better left as a childhood memory. I came here many times throughout my childhood. Now 45, I was here earlier today and ordered the incredibly overpriced eggplant parmesan. For almost $22, I got a plate of freezer burnt eggplant with an obnoxious amount of cheese on top. It was inedible. I took 3 bites and that was more than enough. I don't understand the hype around this place. Cost almost $100 for 3 people to eat lunch. The sides are negligible and not fresh, not worth what they charge. I'll keep the childhood memory and dine elsewhere. read more

Food is terrible! 3/4 of it is canned. All vegetables and fruit they sell are in season and yet they still serve canned Meats are not fresh and we aren't even sure if the pork was real meat. The great reviews must be from the massive amounts of old and dying people in the restaurant that don't have tastebuds anymore. The ONLY reason to come here is for the sugar rolls. Don't bother. read more

Everything the other reviewers assert is true. Yes, the meal opens with a generous serving of canned sliced peaches, cottage cheese, sugar beats, celery and pickles, fries, apple and cranberry sauce. Very family-style rural, and very Americana. Their format is somewhat unconventional: guests are required to place their entree orders with the cashier in advance of entering the dining area. The space is large and rectangular and the furnishings are dining-hall functional. It reminds me of an Elk's lodge or a Kiwanis club room. I must admit that they serve one of the best crabcakes I've ever had. In it are hardly any fillers, just bite after bite of verifiable crab meat. The old bay seasoning was applied delicately so as to not muffle out the inherent flavor of the crab. The fillet mignon was choice, grilled to medium rare as ordered. The staff is extraordinarily friendly and accommodating. There's also a gift shop at the far corner of the property. It's staffed by only one lady and she appears to enjoy listening to NPR. read more

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Everything was fantastic however the crab cakes are to die for! The restaurant was really busy but we couldn't even tell because our waitress took great care of us. We will definitely keep coming back. read more

The shrimp were very big and tasteful. The sides are UNLIMITED and desert is included. It was worth the travel the chicken wings are small and natural. I will return in the future read more

Friendly Farm - Seafood Near Me - Upperco, Maryland

So many of my memories are housed in the walls and grounds of Friendly Farms. I have been coming here since 1969 (when I was 2) and would eat here every day if I could. From special occasions like birthdays, or just time to get together with family and friends. I would always recommend Friendly Farms. First word of warning, on Mother's Day, Easter and other special days, come early, or expect a wait. And if you have family in town for the Christmas holidays, know that they close for two weeks to allow the staff to have time with their families. That being said, family is important to Friendly Farms. My Grandmother and Great Aunt brought us here and introduced us to the warm and wonderful staff, the ducks on the ponds that you can feed, and, oh, did I mention the food? COME HUNGRY since everything but the entree are served family style. Once you place your order, your table is seated overlooking the farm and the ponds. The first thing you will receive are the heavenly sugar rolls (and regular rolls, which I save for the ducks). Don't neglect them when they are warm from the oven. Try to save one in the basket for each of your fellow diners - you can get more : ) While I see there are other items on the menu, I have NEVER ordered anything but the crab cakes. As I often say when I see diners eating fried chicken or ham, I have to remark (they sell chicken? ; ) As a Baltimore born girl and lifelong Marylander, I take my love of crab cakes VERY seriously. I have tried others, but nothing (not even in Baltimore, or down de ocean Hun) can even COME CLOSE. These jumbo lump crab cakes are HUGE (but get two - one to savor later) are BROILED. No fried junk full of filler. These are the real deal. You will thank me later. You also gets family style sides - two veggies, home cut fries, cole slaw, cottage cheese and apple butter (try them together - trust me). Endless drinks, and ice cream for dessert. The other great part of the experience is the warm, welcoming staff. Some of the Wilhelm family, who own Friendly Farms, are still here from my childhood. You will be treated like family members who come by for a meal and fellowship. NOTE: one thing you will NOT find at Friendly Farms is alcohol - they do not sell it. If you "need" a drink with dinner, keep driving. But I could forgo anything for the sweet rolls and the double Crab Cake meal.... If only it wasn't 2 hours from my home in Charles county, Maryland... read more

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Was always a great place to take the family on a Friday night. Friendly staff and great service.

If you like over priced food out of a can this is the place for you. They only offer one vegetarian (eggplant parmesan) and they were out of it at 4:50pm. So the lady offered me something called shared dish; 7 plates of sides. Beetroot, cottage cheese, canned peaches, cannes corn, canned greenbeans, tasty apple butter, and rather bland coleslaw. And this costs you $12, before tax. My kids got a very rubbery  ham and the rather bland broild fish. Although roast beef was moist and cooked well. Our server was nice but not awfully attentive. As twice we had to ask another server to replenish our drinks. So over all, I  think the food was worth $15-20 max. But we end up paying $51.25. Second time we are leaving this place unsatisfied and probably will not come back again. read more

After coming here a few times within the past decade, i have realized this restaurant is a cash grab. You get about ten choices of an entree, no less than $20. You get fake appetizers which are just bread dumped in sugar, coleslaw, apple butter, and cottage cheese. the 'sides' are canned green beans, canned corn, and frozen fries. hick stuff mostly. then a scoop of store bought ice cream for dessert. i felt like a pawn in a monopoly read more

It's a long drive for us to come here, but it is always worth it. The chicken is cooked to perfection, crispy outside, juicy and tender inside. The fried jumbo shrimp are also perfectly breaded and fried. And the sides. Oh the sides!!! The corn and cottage cheese are my favorites, but they are all good. Top it off with some Almond Joy or Moose Tracks ice cream? Yum!!!! Our server was friendly and kept up with our all-you-can-eat refills. read more

Friendly Farm - Seafood Near Me - Upperco, Maryland

These are the best crab cakes in Maryland! There is a reason this place is packed after church on Sunday's. Family style side servings is unique and most entrees are great. I do not recommend the steak, but everything else I have every ordered was great. The crab cakes are at the top of the list! read more

Friendly Farm - Seafood Near Me - Upperco, Maryland

Upon arrival I had fairly high hopes, the restaurant was on a farm in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, quite a quaint location. The restaurant was packed, a good sign for a Saturday 5pm dinner. I was with a large group, we waited about a half an hour to first order and then be seated. If I'm going to be honest I don't think this place is worth the hype. They boast "all you can eat sides" as the restaurants main attraction which would be nice except the sids weren't that great. Every table is provided with cottage cheese, corn, spiced pears, green beans, apple butter, French fries, rolls, and sugar rolls. The green beans looked like they came from a can and the fries were cold and flavorless. Considering we were at a farm, the food really didn't match up to their farm to table advertising. The sides weren't seasonal and all had an industrial look and taste. The sugar rolls were very sweet, and I admit not bad. I ordered the fried chicken since everyone I met raved about how amazing it was. The chicken itself wasn't bad. It had a good crunch and wasn't too greasy. It was juicy and overall a well cooked piece of chicken. Unfortunately, it lacked seasoning and tasted bland as a result. The meal was finished with 2 scoops of ice cream (included in the price of the meal). Overall, I was disappointed with the sides, which had an industrial taste and appearance. The under seasoned food and high prices made for a mediocre visit. It wasn't bad, but nothing I would really go out of my way to revisit. read more

I went there a while back with my extended family. The service was great and the food was tasty, but that's all they have going for them. The wall that separates the kitchen from the dining room is very thin, so you can hear the constant sound of various pots, trays, and dishes clanging around. The portion sizes were incredibly small (I paid a little over $20 for a few small appetizers shared by the entire table and 4 chicken tenders. The place has a Bed & Breakfast-y feel, except the "regulars" are very loud and *extremely* rude. Several of them are so rude, in fact, that they're trying to get my facebook review of the restaurant taken down, because "your fibbin [sic]." They have told me that I should "stick to McDonalds." My advice to anyone who's thinking about going here: I agree, stick to McDonalds. read more

Six of us went for dinner and five wanted the Maryland crab cakes and they were not disappointed it almost all crab not fillers. I had the fried chicken (do to shellfish allergies) and it wasn't anything I would normally order out but heard it was good but I thought it was average but they did give you four big pieces that I shared. The sides are served family style my favorites were the beats and coleslaw. The sugar biscuits are hard to stop eating. Everyone gets Hershey's ice cream after dinner in a verity of flavors to choose from. The place is big so we had no problem getting a table on a Saturday night. Service was good, place was clean and one price included everything. read more

Worst meal ever. For $20 you get cheap canes vegetables and dried out chicken with no flavor. I was disappointed no fresh vegetables. Also no homemade ice cream. I wished I did not tip as well as I did but you have to prepay for your meal. First and last time I will go there. read more

I have been going to friendly farms for over 60 years and have been a loyal take out customer for 18 years since moving to the area. Even during the pandemic I bought from them. I can't tell you how upset I was when I presented them with a 10% off coupon that was issued by them to me. I have 5 of these coupons that I haven't used yet. They refused to take it even though there is no expiration date on it. I realize that things have been hard for restaurants, but they have also been hard for customers as well. I stood by you all during this pandemic and that's the thanks I get from you in return. Refusing your own coupons. After 60 years, I think I'm done. read more

Wow! Talk about down home country cooking! This place is off the beaten path but you wouldn't know it from the amount of people there. The only take reservations for groups of 10 and up. Bit of an odd setup that you order your food when you get there. Wait to be seated. Then your meal comes out. Nothing wrong with that because the appetizers are family style and bottomless. Break, cinnamon apples, Cole slaw, and I forget the last one. Once your meal comes out it is bottomless sides of green beans, corn, and French fries. I went with the grilled ham and it was a huge piece of ham. Definitely going to stop in again! read more

The best food ever. The owners family is so kind and they truly make home cooked meals

An all around delightful experience. Country cooking and vibe but not saturated in butter and "bless your heart"s. read more

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