Ekiben Ranks No. 30 on Yelp's Top 100
The Baltimore-founded chicken and sandwich spot is the only Maryland restaurant on Yelp's 2026 Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Dining Out
Ekiben, a Baltimore restaurant founded in 2014, was named No. 30 on Yelp's 2026 Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list. The restaurant is the only Maryland establishment on the list, and it recently opened a Frederick location on April 30.
Why it matters
The ranking places a Baltimore-area restaurant among the most highly rated dining spots in the country, as selected by Yelp's community feedback. Ekiben's first location outside the Baltimore area also signals its expansion beyond its home market.
Ekiben ranked No. 30 on Yelp's 2026 Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list and was previously rated the fourth-best fried chicken spot in the United States and Canada. The list does not specify how many reviews informed the ranking.
The players
Ekiben
A Baltimore restaurant founded in 2014 that began as a hot dog cart and has since grown into a multi-location Maryland dining brand.
Yelp
A consumer review platform whose annual Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list is built from feedback submitted by its user community.
Steve Chu
A co-founder of Ekiben and a Gaithersburg native who received semifinalist honors from the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.
The details
Ekiben began in 2014 as a hot dog cart at the Fells Point Farmers Market, founded by Ephrem Abebe, Steve Chu and Nikhil Yesupriya. The restaurant opened its Frederick location at 500 N. Market Street on April 30 and offered a free menu item during its opening-day celebration.
Timeline
2014: Ekiben is founded as a hot dog cart at the Fells Point Farmers Market.
2026: Yelp releases its Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list, placing Ekiben at No. 30.
April 30, 2026: Ekiben opens its Frederick location.
Season Trajectory
Yelp's 13th annual Top 100 list continues an annual cycle of national restaurant rankings built on community feedback rather than professional critics. Ekiben's placement adds a Maryland entry to a list that spans restaurants across the entire country.
Diners in Baltimore and Frederick can visit Ekiben's locations in Hampden, South Baltimore and Frederick, and the restaurant's ranking may affect how quickly it fills up on busy days. Visitors planning a trip should check current hours and wait times before heading out.
The takeaway
Ekiben's rise from a farmers market hot dog cart to a nationally ranked restaurant shows how a local start can earn broad recognition. Readers looking to try the menu can start with the Hampden or South Baltimore locations.
Further reading
Explore more local coverage in the Dining Out section for Baltimore restaurant news and reviews.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The MoCo Show.
