Forgotten 50 Distilling — Restaurant in Berlin

TLDR: take a tiny trip off Main Street and GO HERE!

As a tourist it’s easy to get stuck on Main Street, and while that’s the cutest part of town with the best shopping, your best sit down style meal is going to be a 3 minute drive out of the town center, just past burley oak at the forgotten 50!

It is a hidden gem not so much that it’s hidden, but you would not suspect such a classy, funky joint across from the food lion.

Nonetheless, whether you’re looking for shareables, burgers, salads, or drinks, you will be satisfied! Everything on the menu looked delicious and the craft cocktails are divine. They cost about the same as the cocktails in town, but they are made with inhouse spirits (or top shelf) and crafted with love, creativity, and pride.

Food: we got the crab guac and the ceviche - the guac was a bit expensive but you’re paying for the crab.. my suggestion is a hit of old bay in the crab and/or the chips OR tajin.. the dish needed a bit of acid, salt, and heat and the chips could’ve been made more interesting, but the portion was good and the ingredients were fresh. The ceviche was 😘 🤌🏼 so yummy! Perfect!

Drinks: cherry gimlet was delicious and I would be keen to try the BYO Spritz options. They have a decent beer and wine selection but the cocktails are where it’s at and they do seasonal variations which makes it feel extra special ✨

Service: they seemed like they could’ve use another bartender because she was literally sweating (and I kept my coat on). With her being in charge of drinks for the whole house and taking food orders for the bar, she seemed a bit underwater, but she was friendly, made small talk, and made excellent...

Let me start with the good: the drinks at Forgotten 50? Absolute bangers. Whoever is behind the bar deserves a raise and maybe even a parade. The Tropical Breeze, Citrus Colada, and Wanderlust had me feeling like I was on a resort vacation — refreshing, creative, and downright delicious.

Now, onto the food. Oh boy.

The Ribeye? Imagine if someone grilled a chunk of regret, skipped the salt, then smothered it in sauce and called it dinner. It was overcooked, under-seasoned, and nearly half fat. Honestly, I’ve had better luck with gas station jerky. For $38, I expected a steak, not a culinary cautionary tale.

The Cowboy Burger rode in with a fried egg and bacon, but forgot to bring flavor. Also, no one asked how I wanted it cooked — which might explain why it came out dry and lifeless, like the final season of a Netflix show that should’ve ended sooner.

The Bucatini? Fine. Hard to mess up pasta. That said, it’s giving “Plan B.”

Chips and salsa were… there. That’s the nicest thing I can say.

The real kicker? As we were finishing up — before we even got the check — the host waltzes over and tells us we need to hurry because they have a reservation for our table. Nothing says “we value your business” like being kicked out before the tip is even calculated. Hospitality? Forgotten.

Bottom line: come for the cocktails, skip the dinner. Or eat first and drink here later. Your tastebuds...

An Experience We’ll Never Forget!

I can’t say enough about our incredible experience at Forgotten Fifty Distillery in Berlin, MD. From the moment we walked in, the service was top-notch — but what truly blew us away was the care and compassion shown by Chef Reese and staff.

My niece has severe food allergies and hasn’t been able to eat out at a restaurant in over three years due to the constant risk of cross-contamination. Dining out had become something we simply stopped trying — until now.

Not only did Chef Reese personally come out to greet us, but she took the time to thoroughly understand her allergies, ask thoughtful questions, and reassure us about the steps she would take. Then — and this is where the magic happened — she personally prepared her food, ensuring it was safe and handled with the utmost care.

Watching my niece enjoy a meal at a restaurant — smiling, relaxed, and truly included — was emotional for our whole family. This wasn’t just dinner. It was a moment of trust restored, and a reminder that there are still places out there that genuinely care.

On top of that, the food was phenomenal, the cocktails were excellent, and the atmosphere was inviting and warm.

If you’re looking for a place with amazing food, great drinks, and a heart, Forgotten Fifty is it. We will be back —...