DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick

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Fountain | Frederick, MD

Summer Travel in Maryland: 4 Hot Spots to Visit

Maryland offers travelers a bit of everything from historic destinations and waterfront cities to untouched islands and picturesque lakes. Go on an adventurous trip from Frederick, MD, in a fuel-efficient pre-owned Ford Fusion, Honda Pilot, or Hyundai Elantra, and discover the top summer travel spots in the state. Summer Travel in Maryland: 4 Hot Spots to Visit From Frederick, MD 1.    Annapolis Annapolis lies on the Chesapeake Bay, one of the world's largest estuaries. It's the capital of Maryland and one of the most prominent historical cities in the United States. The vibrant city, one of the oldest in the country, has the finest 17th and 18th-century architecture, some of the state's best museums and historical attractions, and a lively arts district and theater scene.   The Historic District is designated a National Historic Landmark District and includes the Maryland State House, Sands House, William Paca House, and St. Anne's Church. 2.    Assateague Island The beautiful uninhabited 37-mile-long barrier island of Assateague lies off the coast about eight miles southwest of Ocean City. People spend time on the island to admire the breathtaking scenery, stroll down miles of sandy beaches, swim in the ocean, and observe the bird and animal life.   One of the biggest attractions is the hundreds of wild ponies running across the shoreline dunes. The island has miles of hiking and biking trails, excellent fishing spots, and camping right on the beach. 3.    Ocean City Ocean City stretches along Maryland's eastern shore, boasting ten miles of sandy white beaches and an impressive three-mile historic boardwalk, one of the state's biggest seaside, all-American beachside attractions. The colorful entrance gates arch over the old wooden boardwalk, lined with miles of hotels, bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, arcades, and amusement parks.   Browse through the many shops, watch live performances, pop in at the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and buy tasty crab cakes, caramel popcorn, funnel cakes, and buckets of cheese-topped French fries from the food stalls along the way. Hop on one of the carousels, play carnival games, take an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride, and admire the views of the city and the bright carnival lights on the Ferris wheels. 4.    Deep Creek Lake The beautiful 3,900-acre Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland's Garrett County is Maryland's largest freshwater lake and a top getaway that offers a multitude of adventures and outdoor recreational activities. The shimmering lake has 65 miles of shoreline and is ideal for fishing, boating, paddling, waterskiing, and the surrounding woodlands for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.   Deep Creek Lake State Park has a fantastic swimming beach and rents kayaks, paddleboards, and tubes. The bustling McHenry Cove at the northern tip of the lake is the place to be during the summer to enjoy delicious cuisine and fun entertainment on the waterfront.   The state is packed with fantastic places to see and thrilling stuff to do. Swing by DARCARS Used Car and Service Center of Frederick today and check out the massive inventory of top-quality pre-owned vehicles to find a fuel-efficient ride to go on an exciting summer adventure across the state.

Asian meals on the table | Frederick, MD

Craving Chinese Food? 7 Best Places Near Frederick, MD

Fried rice, noodles, stir-fry vegetables, sweet and sour, and dumplings are all staples of Chinese food. This cuisine is extremely popular among people of all ethnicities! In Frederick, MD, several restaurants are worth visiting to satisfy the palate when you're craving Chinese food. 1.    Hunan Gourmet Taking its name from a province in China, this restaurant serves various Asian dishes incorporating Chinese and Thai cuisines in its menu. You'll find fried rice, noodles, chicken, and many choices of other meat and vegetable dishes being offered alongside typical Thai offerings like Pad Thai or Thai-style curry. This reasonably priced restaurant offers vegetarian options and does not cook with flavor enhancers like MSG. 2.    Beijing Restaurant This restaurant opened in 1995 and touts itself as the first Chinese buffet in the city. Some of its specialties are General Tso's Chicken, Shrimp with Cabbage, Chow Mei Fun, Spring Egg Rolls, and Fried Crab Meat and Cheese Wonton. Beijing offers lunch and dinner specials and party trays to serve 20 people. more 3.    Big Chef Chinese Kitchen Big Chef has all the traditional popular Chinese dishes cooked with a "modern interpretation," as touted on their website. They have nine fried rice options to satisfy any longing for that dish and many options for the main entrée. 4.    A Asia This Asian restaurant serves a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Thai dishes. Popular Chinese dishes that are offered are Pan-Fried Sweet and Sour Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, and Orange Chicken served with rice, of course. With a minimum order of $15, the restaurant will deliver your food. 5.    Asian Cafe This unassuming restaurant serves a variety of Chinese and Thai cuisine counter-style. Most reviews mention the wide variety of vegan dishes and large servings. With specialties like Lemon Chicken, General Tso's Shrimp, Vegetable Duck, and more, all served with rice; you'll want to keep coming back to try the other specialties offered. 6.    Modern Asia This Asian restaurant has one of the highest ratings, and a peek at its menu will explain why. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese food combine to give its diners a wide range of Asian food. Hongkong Style Roast Duck, Peking Duck, Modern Asia Treasure, Salt and Pepper Delight are just some dishes listed under Modern Asia's Signature menu. 7.    Wok In Wok Out This modern restaurant delivers on its promise of flavorful food from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and India with fresh ingredients and less oil, salt, sugar, and flavor enhancers like MSG. They marinate their USDA-grade proteins for at least three days to bring out the natural flavor. Their Asian fusion specialties boast such items as Chicken Katsu Sandwich, Crispy Noodle with Lemongrass, and Kimchi Fried Rice.   You can never have too much Asian food, especially Chinese food when you’re hungry. And the last thing you need is your car breaking down on your way there. So, count on our expert technicians at DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick for all your car maintenance service s and schedule an appointment!

Man driving on road | Frederick, MD

The Right Way to Deal With Aggressive Drivers on MD Roads

You can be confronted by an aggressive driver at any time, anywhere on the road. If you don't stay calm and deal with the driver correctly, the situation could escalate quickly. It could turn into a life-threatening situation and lead to a road accident. The following article will help you deal with aggressive drivers effectively on the roads in Frederick, MD, and help you stay safe. Ignore Drivers Who Show Aggression Do not react to aggressive behavior from other drivers on the road. Don't make eye contact, scream, swear, honk your horn, and most importantly, don't lose your temper. If someone screams abuse at you or makes rude gestures, don't revert to the same behavior. This could lead to even more aggression from the other driver, leading to a dangerous situation. Stay Courteous and Calm The aggressive person will want you to respond to initiate conflict. Do not respond in the same fashion. Stay courteous even if the other driver is rude, obnoxious, and aggressive. If the other driver is driving dangerously, you need to stay calm and focused. If you remain calm and level-headed and don't allow yourself to get angry, you will think clearly and concentrate on the road to avoid an accident. more Get Away As Soon as You Can When you are confronted with aggression from another driver on the road, don't speed up or drive unsafely to try to get away and risk causing an accident. Give the driver as much room as possible, slow down, move to another lane to let them pass, or even exit the road if you feel that the situation could escalate. Protect Yourself and Stay Safe If you have to stop at a traffic light, leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. You will need room to pull out quickly if you need to. If the driver walks up to your car to confront you, lock your doors, close your windows, and stay inside your vehicle. Do not make eye contact or communicate with the person under any circumstances. You can honk your horn to draw attention to yourself and make other road users aware of the situation. Dial 911 and report the driver. Alert the Authorities If you feel the situation is escalating and think the driver is a danger to you and other road users, don't hesitate to contact the authorities. Report the incident immediately. We know it's not safe to use your phone while driving but alert the authorities as soon as possible if you are in danger. Don't Drive Home If you notice that the person is following you, don't drive to places you regularly frequent, and certainly not to your home. Drive to the nearest police station and get help immediately.   When a driver showing aggression confronts you, implement the techniques mentioned above to stay safe. And if you are looking for a quality pre-owned car that will provide safety while driving, make sure to visit DARCARS Used Car and Service Center of Frederick today for a stress-free and customer-friendly automotive experience.

Man writing parking ticket | Frederick, MD

How Much Do Parking Tickets Cost in Maryland?

With the cost of a parking ticket in Frederick, MD, it's best to be careful where you park your vehicle. Keep an eye on parking meters, avoid parking in handicapped or emergency parking areas, or in spaces too close to fire hydrants and loading zones. Read on to find the costs of parking fines around the city and the payment methods to help you conveniently stay up to date with your parking fines and avoid extra penalty fees. Ticket Costs When it comes to parking fines, a violation could seriously flatten your wallet. It's best to check the time and not allow your parking meter to expire. A ticket for an expired parking meter will cost you $20. If you park in a loading zone, you will receive a $75 fine, and parking in a handicapped or emergency parking space or near a fire hydrant will set you back a whopping $250. Courtesy Ticket Program You might be eligible for the city's Courtesy Ticket Program. The city excuses three parking fines per person per year. If you receive an expired meter ticket on any metered street, head off to the Court Street Parking Garage Office immediately. If you show them the fine within 30 minutes of obtaining it, you might not pay a fine at all. more Parking Ticket Payments The city offers four ticket payment methods. You can pay your fine in person, through the mail, by telephone, or online. In-Person Payments You can pay parking fines at the Court Street Parking Garage Office. Take the ticket and supply your vehicle registration and license plate number. The office is open Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Mail Payments You can also pay for your ticket via the mail. Just mail a money order or check and include the ticket number and license plate number to The City of Frederick, 2 South Court Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701. Pay Over the Phone Dial 1-800-984-1463 and pay your fine via telephone. Have your vehicle registration, license plate number, ticket number, and debit and credit card details handy. Online Payments If you committed a parking violation in Frederick, visit https://www.parkingticketpayment.com/frederick/ and pay your fine online. It will cost you an extra $3.50. Also, note that all outstanding fines associated with the vehicle must be paid in order to use this payment method.   You will have to supply your ticket number, vehicle registration, and license plate number. You can pay with your MasterCard, American Express, or Visa card. Supply your email address to receive your receipt. After you pay the ticket, it will be updated in the city's database. Parking Fine Penalties To avoid penalty fees, pay a fine within ten days of receiving it. If you don't, the amount doubles. If you don't pay a fine within 25 days, an additional penalty of $15 will be added. After 30 days of non-payment, another $10 will be added. The State Motor Vehicle Administration will also be notified. This will result in a refusal to register or transfer your vehicle. Additional fines and administrative fees will be charged. Disputes If you want to contest a fine, you can request a court date. Visit the Court Street Garage Office within five days of receiving the fine and fill in the appropriate documents.   Visit or phone the Court Street Garage Office for more information on parking fines. If you are looking for a reliable pre-owned car, then view our selection at DARCARS Used Car and Service Center of Frederick today. Our team of automotive experts will ensure that your vehicle is in excellent running condition.

Pizza on a Plate | Frederick, MD

5 of the Best Pizza Places in and Around Frederick, MD

There are plenty of spots to pick up a pizza in Frederick, MD, and just about everyone has a favorite. It was tough to choose, but we put together our list of the local joints in the area serving up the best pizza. Have a look below and let us know if we forgot one of your local favorites. 1.     Belisario's Pizza A locally-owned joint serving the area since 2000, Belisario's has some delicious grub. One exciting menu item here is their pizza bagels. They can prepare any of your favorite pies on a bagel for a smaller meal for one. As far as specialty pizzas go, give their chicken bacon ranch pie a try; it won't let you down. And if you've got a sweet tooth, take home an order of their fried dough balls with cinnamon sugar. 2.     Il Forno Pizzeria Voted the best pizzeria by Frederick Magazine and The Frederick Post, Il Forno is a local favorite. Their pizza is baked to perfection in a wood-burning oven imported right from Italy. And what makes a better pairing with pizza than a plate of wings? They've got almost a dozen flavors for you to taste, so you'll be coming back to try them all. For our vote, there's no beating the tangy kick of the Caribbean Jerk wings. more 3.     Pistarro's You know you were getting an authentic taste when the oven at Pistarro's was hand-crafted over in Naples, Italy, before being shipped over to fire up your pies. They've got an interesting selection of specialty pizzas. If you like a Hawaiian-style pie, you'll love Pistarro's take on the classic with their Ananas pizza. It comes with tomato sauce, pineapple, pork belly, jalapeno, and mozzarella. 4.     Pasquale's Pizza and Restorante This family-friendly eatery serves up food in the New Market Commons Shopping Center. They've got a delectable selection of starting dishes, from breaded mushrooms to spicy buffalo wings. Pasquale's cooks up a delicious New York-style pizza with an authentic taste. If you're looking for something different, try getting your favorite toppings in a stuffed pizza instead. Or give one of Pasquale's tasty subs a try. We sure weren't disappointed by the chicken cheesesteak. 5.     Pretzel and Pizza Creations One of the best things about pizza is that it goes with just about anything. Here's a combo we hadn't tried before, but we loved: pizza and fresh, soft-baked pretzels! You've probably never had a pretzel calzone before if you haven't been to Pretzel and Pizza Creations. Do yourself a favor and stop by to try one. The crunchy pretzel shell filled with sauce, cheese, and all your favorite toppings is a taste like no other.   Now you know where to go to get a tasty pie without having to go far from home. And for where to go to browse a great selection of used vehicles or schedule an appointment with a top-notch service team, check us out at DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick!

Breakfast Dishes | Frederick, MD

5 Best Breakfast Places in Frederick, MD

Starting your day off with a good meal can make a difference in how the rest of your day will be. Everything on our list of best breakfast places will give you the energy you need for the rest of the day by serving you some tasty food. You can find them all in the Frederick, MD, area, so stop in to get your morning started the right way. Any of them make the perfect addition to your morning routine. 1.    Beans and Bagels For us, it's hard to beat a good bagel when it comes to the first meal of the day. Beans and Bagels do bagels right, and you won't find many better-tasting bites no matter where you look. They've got a wide variety of toppings and flavors for their bagels, but if you can't decide on just one, go for an everything bagel smeared with cream cheese. The mix of tastes blends together beautifully. 2.    Glory Doughnuts Maybe you want something a little sweeter to kickstart your morning? Try a doughnut from Glory Doughnuts! Baked fresh daily. You'll love the crispy outer shell surrounding a doughy delight inside. They've also got plenty of more savory breakfast offerings, from huevos rancheros to the tofu fried egg sandwich. The entire menu at Glory Doughnuts features plant-based food, making it the perfect breakfast destination for anyone with a vegetarian or vegan diet. more 3.    Café Nola This local favorite serves up excellent breakfast fare prepared from organic ingredients. They've got all the breakfast staples available, but our recommendation has to go to the French toast. Café Nola doesn't give away its secret recipe, but whatever they prepare the French toast with gives it a sweet taste you won't forget. For something with a savory flavor, go for the lox benedict, served with a helping of crispy breakfast potatoes. 4.    Frederick Coffee Co. and Café Open seven days a week; this cozy café can be a stop every day in your morning schedule. They've got lots of fun breakfast snacks like the Oinkin' Rooster Bagel, scrambled eggs and sausage with swiss cheese and honey mustard served on an everything bagel. Of course, the coffee gives this place its name, and it doesn't disappoint. Each of their selection of roasts gives you full and hearty flavors with each sip. 5.    Hootch & Banter Serving the area since 2015, Hootch & Banter has established itself in the local community with its outstanding service and scrumptious food. Stop in for the Montreal Breakfast, with breakfast fries, corned beef, gruyere cheese, cheddar curds, gravy, and a pair of eggs served sunny-side up. The French toast also puts a unique twist on the breakfast classic stuffed with strawberry cream.   Each of the picks above serves up meals that will give you the energy you need to get through whatever's on your agenda. Now get out there and seize the day! If there are any automotive needs on your to-do list, stop in and see us. Our friendly team is ready to help with whatever you need to take care of. Visit DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick today!

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