If you’re looking for the soul of Annapolis served on a plate (and in a glass), you’ll find it at Julep Kitchen and Bar. This is no ordinary BBQ joint; it’s Annapolis’ go-to spot for creative southern comfort cuisine, homemade desserts, and one of the most impressive bourbon collections in town.
Founded in 2019 by lifelong locals Bob and Mike Krohn, Julep is the sequel to their first restaurant, The Hideaway, and the realization of their dream to bring high-quality comfort food with family-style care back home to Annapolis. Today, Julep has become a community hub where southern hospitality meets inventive flair.
Our evening kicked off with cocktails, because priorities. The Naptown Punch tasted like pure Chesapeake Bay sunshine in a glass with rum, passion fruit, pineapple, orange, a splash of grenadine. We also had to try the Watermelon Crush which nailed that fresh, juicy summer vibe. And if you’re a bourbon lover, Julep is your playground: they offer Whiskey Wednesdays with 20% off whiskey-based drinks and a list of rare bottles that could double as a collector’s catalog.
Then came the food parade. First up, biscuits that could win medals for both fluff and flavor, paired with honey butter and pepper jelly that had us fighting over the last smear.
The wings were smoky, juicy, and coated in bold flavors that demanded messy fingers. The blackberry chipotle gave that sweet-heat punch you can’t quit, while the Old Bay wings were pure Maryland on a plate. Even though we knew a lot more food was headed our way, we couldn’t resist finishing these wings off.
Our mains were a southern feast! The burnt ends arrived like little nuggets of smoky BBQ gold, piled high on creamy mashed potatoes and cozied up next to a dish of baked mac and cheese that was rich and cheesy. The collard greens, served up soaked in chicken, brought balance with their silky texture and slow-simmered depth. And then we had the southern egg rolls, a genius mash-up of pulled pork, black-eyed peas, collards, and cheese in a crispy wrapper, delivering crunch and comfort in every bite.
The smoked fried chicken was a showstopper with crisp, golden skin giving way to juicy, smoky meat, paired with deliciously addictive Cajun fries and hush puppies that were crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside and practically begging for another dip in honey butter (yes, more honey butter, because why not?).
But the true star of the night? The smoked pork steak. Juicy, tender, and kissed with pecan smoke, it carried just the right balance of sweetness and spice, with a flavor that built bite after bite. The charred edges gave way to melt-in-your-mouth perfection, and the crunchy onion straws on top added that final, irresistible contrast. It was the kind of dish that makes you slow down, savor every forkful, and silently wonder how soon you can come back for another.
Each plate struck the balance of indulgence and craftsmanship, reminding us why BBQ is both comfort food and culinary art.
Dessert was, frankly, Julep’s version of a mic drop. The bourbon pecan pie was everything you’d want it to be. It was nutty, buttery, and kissed with just enough bourbon to make each bite feel indulgent without being over the top. But we couldn’t stop there. The dessert tasting board was the sweetest sampler platter, bringing together a warm, cinnamon-spiced apple crisp, velvety bourbon pecan ice cream, a tart and refreshing key lime pie, and a chocolate cloud cake so light it practically floated off the fork. We were still digging into these treats long after saying, “I can’t do one more bite.”
At Julep, you don’t just eat, you join the family cookout you always wished you had, only with way better bourbon, biscuits, and BBQ. It’s southern comfort with a creative twist, served up with warmth, pride, and plenty of personality. Bring your friends, bring your appetite, and bring your stretchy pants. If you leave without a smile (and a to-go box), you did it wrong.
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