By: Rachel Bernstein

Don Pablo’s in White Marsh is the best Don Pablo’s in the entire country! At least, according to the chain’s parent company.

Rita Restaurant Corp. recently announced that The Avenue at White Marsh staple was named “Restaurant of the Year” for 2010. The eatery was cited for its low employee turnover, low cost of goods, high guest satisfaction surveys and advancement in same-store sales.

Rita Restaurant Corp. owns and operates 39 Don Pablo’s restaurants in 15 states and four Hops Grill and Brewery restaurants in three states. So congratulations to the White Marsh spot for beating out 38 other contestants. The restaurant, managed by Mark Formwalt, has been sitting in the highly foot-trafficked spot in White Marsh since 1998.

I’ve only been there once, and for a crowded Friday night, the wait for food wasn’t bad at all.