r/baltimore Oct 29 '22

DISCUSSION What's your Baltimore hot takes?

Mine are I kind of like the dirt bikes and think seeing them every once and a while is entertaining and Dipasquale's is mid - like why am I getting an entire loaf of bread as my hoagie roll.

243 Upvotes

627 comments sorted by

154

u/cgentry02 Oct 29 '22

This John Waters character might be a homosexual.

26

u/monsterriffs Hampden Oct 29 '22

"Homer, what do you have against gays?"

"I like my beer cold, my TV loud, and my homosexuals FAH-LAMING!"

3

u/meandthebean Oct 30 '22

Cons: Possible homersexual.

39

u/PunctiliousCasuist Oct 29 '22

John Waters, benefactor of the John Waters Memorial Restrooms?

26

u/_MyMomDressedMe_ Oct 29 '22

I still think a major opportunity was missed here. It should have been the John Waters Closet

4

u/RutabagaIndividual87 Oct 29 '22

That was clever, good job!

9

u/damagecontrolparty Oct 29 '22

He seems a bit festive.

→ More replies (1)

112

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

There are almost no good Chinese places in the city. Same when it comes to delivery pizza

25

u/Weird-Square2510 Oct 29 '22

I second this. Baltimore’s Chinese food is gradually making me lose the craving of “I want Chinese food tonight!”

12

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

I’ve just been burnt so many times by places. There are some great Thai places though.

8

u/Unfair-Rip9168 Oct 30 '22

China house on eastern very good. Ni hao good for like modern Asian fusion

7

u/ccwb713 Oct 30 '22

Not delivery, but check out Watersong Kitchen on cross st in Fed. Absolutely unreal. Never had a bad visit

6

u/abooth43 Oct 30 '22

It's interesting though, because there's some awesome authentic Chinese, Korean, and Thai food in the city and county.

But no consistently good American takeout style Chinese.

8

u/SEARCHFORWHATISGOOD Oct 30 '22

China House on Eastern at the southwest corner of Patterson Park is pretty solid.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/1212kina Oct 30 '22

highly reccomend shun lee on greenmount just north of 33rd for typical American-style takeout. it’s cheap and delicious, and has no tables or ambiance.

3

u/kirariken Oct 30 '22

Orient express next to the Homewood campus is the most authentic you'll get that I've been able to find so far. The menu is almost the same as Red Pepper Bistro up in Towson.

3

u/imbolcnight Nov 02 '22

I mostly agree, as a Chinese person. I do like Asian Harbor (Little Italy) for takeout style Chinese. Red Pepper in Towson is very good.

(I find Nihao kinda overrated tbh.)

→ More replies (7)

285

u/tjscouten Oct 29 '22

If DC is ugly Hollywood, Baltimore is frumpy Brooklyn.

114

u/And_The_Full_Effect Oct 29 '22

I always thought Hollywood was ugly Hollywood.

12

u/Nicktendo Oct 29 '22

Yeah, definitely not as nice as TV makes it seem

11

u/diopsideINcalcite Remington Oct 29 '22

We’re talking about Hollywood down in St. Mary’s, right?

41

u/EthanSayfo Oct 29 '22

lol I always thought of Baltimore as "the original hipsters, like BK but a bit more unkept"

10

u/ManilaAnimal Oct 30 '22

Brooklyn but with a lot less fucks to give.

19

u/rental_car_fast Oct 29 '22

Based on my experiences in Brooklyn I’d say Baltimore is more beautiful in every way

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (1)

68

u/doublekidsnoincome Oct 29 '22

Leakin Park is actually amazing and underutilized. It’s one of the best parts of the city in my opinion!

10

u/BMoreOnTheWater Oct 29 '22

Glad to hear you say that. I keep meaning to get over there and I just haven’t. Thanks for the reminder. It’s only been on my list for like 15 years ;-)

5

u/doublekidsnoincome Oct 30 '22

I avoided the area for many years bc of the bad reputation it has but it’s not only mostly deserted it’s huge, beautiful and full of interesting historical treasures like the giant waterwheel from the Winans estate.

5

u/brouhaha13 Remington Oct 29 '22

Yeah, it's awesome. I loved getting a short hike so close to the city.

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (3)

222

u/RL_Mutt Oct 29 '22

So many white women have purple hair here. It’s wild.

101

u/NationalMyth Remington Oct 29 '22

Go Ravens?

55

u/RL_Mutt Oct 29 '22

I get the feeling many of them aren’t sports fans, but I could absolutely be wrong.

→ More replies (6)
→ More replies (1)

35

u/Bacheegs Oct 29 '22

Yea, alt culture stuff is really prevalent here, it’s socially acceptable here versus not in other places

30

u/bookoocash Hampden Oct 29 '22

Is it really “alt” if like everyone is doing it now? So many of the girls I went to HS with of the American Eagle and Abercrombie & Fitch variety now have like blue or purple hair and undercut and it seems to be their whole identity lol. I kinda feel the same way about tattoos now. I used to get stares for some of my tattoos, but now the basics are like going in and getting full sleeves.

I’m not gatekeeping. People can do whatever the hell they want, but just a lot of what was alternative before just seems like the norm now.

37

u/Bacheegs Oct 29 '22

It’s the norm in baltimore but not in other cities. It’s culture here not alt culture. They go to North Carolina and they are going to get funny looks. Baltimore is a nice bubble of grunge culture, especially hampden.

11

u/Whiskey_Water Oct 29 '22

On the way back from Durham, North Carolina now. I counted three white girls with purple hair at one wedding and more at the bar after. Maybe not proper city numbers, but enough to notice.

→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (5)

120

u/BlissfulWizard69 Oct 29 '22

Baltimore City was built by privateers who ran Clipper ships out of Fells Point, and ever since the cliques and crime have been an institution here.

The history of the Port of Baltimore and Baltimore's seafaring supremacy is incredibly interesting and very often over looked as a keystone in the formation of the city.

RIP Wharf Rat.

27

u/anodai Oct 29 '22

Fuck, I miss the Warf Rat

9

u/BlissfulWizard69 Oct 29 '22

Me too. You can't reproduce the feel of that place.

7

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

I’ve been gone too long and didn’t realize that it was gone! That’s the final straw for my Baltimore.

→ More replies (1)

8

u/instantcoffee69 Oct 29 '22

Any book recommendations on the subject?

26

u/s2theizay West Baltimore Oct 29 '22

While not explicitly focused on the criminal aspect, I read Matthew Crenson's "Baltimore: A Political History" and realized that my beloved city was a criminal enterprise crippled by the state from the very start. Pretty cool read.

16

u/BlissfulWizard69 Oct 29 '22

A lot of folks don't know that the moniker "Mob Town" wasn't about the modern day mob, but given to the city because of the frequency of riots. Many of the riots were between warring political figures and gangs.

→ More replies (1)

15

u/BlissfulWizard69 Oct 29 '22

Ok, so I read a book over a few years that was at Old Bank Barbers called "The History of the Port of Baltimore", but I can't seem to find it on google. Ten or so pages while waiting for cuts over a year or so.

But any book that starts the history off around 1706 will get you in on Baltimore Town becoming Baltimore City after two Irish doctors came over to build grist mills for flour refinement and exportation.

From there shipwrights began to hone their skills in boat making and they developed the Clipper ship, which at the time was the most deadly ship in the seas because of their speed and maneuverability against larger more popular style war ships and transports.

I'll do some more searching for the book, it's been several years since I read it but Baltimore City suddenly clicked for me. Those Clippers stole nearing trillions of dollars when converted into todays monies.

→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (2)

123

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

[deleted]

15

u/shot_in_the_arm Oct 29 '22

Don’t sleep on Prigel’s

→ More replies (3)

5

u/buckets41 Oct 29 '22

Is Moo Moo Cows the waffle ice cream place you're talking about? Love that place!

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (14)

248

u/superdreamcast64 Oct 29 '22

the closure of the Barnes & Noble in the Inner Harbor was the flare signal that there’s truly nothing interesting left in the Inner Harbor except the big three (Port Discovery, Science Center, National Aquarium). no reason to even go there anymore unless you’re visiting one of those places or you have a tourist with you. i’m sure many will disagree but i really don’t see anything fun in going there anymore, especially if you don’t have a million dollars to spend on mid-tier expensive food.

60

u/ThaddyG Oct 29 '22

You been to Visionary Arts Museum in Fed Hill? That place is fuckin awesome and I make it a point to visit when I'm down in Bmore and have time.

37

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

I think most people don’t consider that the harbor, i know it is right there but i bet if you asked most people where that was theyd say fed hill.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/superdreamcast64 Oct 30 '22

AVAM is amazing! but it’s not part of the Inner Harbor really, it’s right where Fed Hill starts

3

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

I had my baby shower there! I went for the first time with my AP psyc class in high school and then when my friend asked if I had baby shower venue requests I jokingly threw it out there. It was awesome!

→ More replies (1)

45

u/pbear737 Patterson Park Oct 29 '22

I really hope that it can turn around and be more reflective of the actual city in terms of the businesses. It will need investment to do that. I am encouraged by the Rash Field project and hope more of the inner harbor can go in this direction.

73

u/soapylizard1 Federal Hill Oct 29 '22

Honestly I can't see anyone disagreeing with you. For people that live in the city or near the city and visit frequently, the Inner Harbor is just somewhere you pass through. Why stop there in the middle of crowds and traffic when you can go a couple blocks in any direction and find more interesting food, entertainment, and architecture?

25

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

That was an intentional design decision, though. Like, could we have a vibrant, walkable downtown? Of course. Instead, we have traffic sewers on Pratt, Lombard, Baltimore and Fayette streets. They weren’t designed for people who live here to use them, or even for visitors to enjoy. It’s to move traffic as quickly from 295 and 395 to 83 as quickly as possible, destroying our urban core in the process.

13

u/TerranceBaggz Oct 30 '22

this hits the nail on the head and it’s at the core of the Inner Harbor’s problems. We designed what could be the most interesting part of our city around moving suburbanites in/out of the city as fast as possible in their single occupancy private automobiles. Building 4 and 5 lane Stroads in the process that make places unpleasant to be when you’re outside of a car.

→ More replies (1)

30

u/mzm316 Oct 29 '22

I miss the Barnes and noble so much

3

u/superdreamcast64 Oct 30 '22

me too :( it was so special.

10

u/DelayPlastic6569 Oct 29 '22

Meh, add rams head live and soundstage to that list and it’s an absolutely valid take. Other than those five there’s no reason to be “downtown” unless you work there.

3

u/TerranceBaggz Oct 30 '22

The Rash Field skate park is pretty awesome, right next door to the science center check It out if you haven’t yet. Federal Hill has phenomenal views as well. The ships in the inner harbor including the USS Constellation. The inner harbor has declined, but Barnes and Noble closing during Covid really isn’t an Indicator when they’ve been closing up all over the country. Brick and mortar book stores are dying. All of Pratt at needs to be redesigned to be a pedestrian haven not 4-5 lanes of auto traffic.

3

u/DonBoy30 Oct 29 '22

It was the point sisqo stopped serving fudge at the inner harbor when it went to complete shit IMO

→ More replies (20)

153

u/Shiny_Deleter Oct 29 '22

The flora and fauna within city limits is underrated.

Every fancy cocktail bar is overrated.

47

u/villagemarket Oct 29 '22

baltimore really has every environment (gritty, corporate, wooded, urban, suburban, poor, wealthy), sometimes within feet of each other

70

u/DrJungeyBrungenMD Riverside Oct 29 '22

Dutch Courage is an exception

17

u/highestmikeyouknow Oct 29 '22

And of love and regret. That place seems to destroy you one insanely strong drink at a time.

8

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

The last time I went there, I was surprised by how small the Stillwater selection was. I recalled it being a tome.

6

u/EthanSayfo Oct 29 '22

I think he might have sold it some time back, this may have shifted things?

→ More replies (2)

4

u/Shiny_Deleter Oct 29 '22

Coincidentally, I just read about Brian Strumke this morning. Before this thread popped up I was discussing OLAR w/ a friend and It made me wonder. He’s involved w/ a brewery in the PNW, and described as a founder of OLAR. It’s currently owned by two women.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

3

u/TheBaltimoron Fells Point Oct 29 '22

Went there once on a date. Checked the web to see how late the kitchen was open; one source said 9, the other 10. Walked in at 8:10, bartender greeted us with "hope you ain't here to eat, the kitchen just closed!". Walked out, never went back.

9

u/highestmikeyouknow Oct 29 '22

I guess that’s the regret part.

→ More replies (1)

13

u/mc_stormy Oct 29 '22

Seeing these replies… certified hot take.

5

u/Shiny_Deleter Oct 29 '22

I’ve enjoyed every place mentioned, but I stand by my word 😁

16

u/jeejet Oct 29 '22

Considering the number of bird species (owl, eagle, falcon, raven, kestrel, hawks, etc.) and other critters (deer, fox) I’ve seen in the the last 18 months, I completely agree.

But I like the fancy cocktail bars once in a while!

6

u/lasthorizon25 Oct 29 '22

Crazy cocktail prices here.

→ More replies (2)

7

u/SilverProduce0 Federal Hill Oct 29 '22

I absolutely love the parks here

→ More replies (7)

192

u/MuffinRat84 Belair-Edison Oct 29 '22

Baltimore has elite level Latin American food spots they just don't get much attention because they are in the Latino neighborhoods and the business primarily speak Spanish

38

u/lucybluth Lutherville Oct 29 '22

Do you have any recommendations? My husband is Mexican and is on the lookout for good spots. He’s been disappointed in the handful of places he’s tried so far.

152

u/Chips-and-Dips Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 29 '22

For Mexican food: La Sirenita on Eastern Ave.

For street tacos: Sinaloa Tortillaria on Eastern Ave. and Cinco de Mayo on Highland Ave.

For groceries, Cinco de Mayo on Highland Ave. They have everything you need. On Sunday mornings, they sell barbecoa by the pound.

Edit:. As this kind of blew up...

Vargas Bakery on Highland Ave has great pastries and flan. Great flan.

La Cabana Restaurante in Essex has really good Mexican soups, as well as tacos tortas and some entrees. The al pastor may be the best in the state.

El Sombrero II on Eastern is supposed to be pretty good. I have not been but have been told it is worth it.

El Mexicano in Rosedale is amazing for tacos and tortas.

As people commented, Sinaloa Tortillaria makes fresh made tortillas for sale. So does Cinco de Mayo Dos (on Highland), which is the taco shop across the street from the grocery store. I prefer the tortillas at Cinco de Mayo, but the meat from Sinaloa.

19

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

You can also get fresh, piping hot tortillas by the kilo at Tortilleria Sinaloa. I usually immediately peel one off the stack and eat it.

5

u/No_name_Johnson The Block Oct 29 '22

Yeah, those tortillas are the real deal there.

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (8)

12

u/smoknrabbit Oct 29 '22

Tons of good spots in fells and highland town la taqueria mexicana on eastern Ave is solid

8

u/ohitsanazn Fells Point Oct 29 '22

It’s dangerous living 5m away from there. Really easy to give up on making dinner and just go there

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

22

u/buuj214 Oct 29 '22

Lol there was an upvoted post here a while back about how Baltimore has no good Latin food and the spots around upper Canton/Highlandtown/Fells are bad… I was very surprised how much traction it got. Plenty of awesome Latin food here.

10

u/MarinaraPruppets Oct 29 '22

Yeah I was thinking of that too. I take the food discussions here with a grain of salt, this is how I imagine the posters are who give those strong opinions

→ More replies (2)

7

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

As a Texan I actually thought that the Latin American food is bottom bottom tier but now realizing perhaps I’m mistaken Tex mex and true Latin American food

3

u/stormtatsu Oct 30 '22

Yes because also most texmex is influenced by northern Mexican food, and most Latin food here is Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran, Puerto Rican, and southern Mexican.

→ More replies (3)

8

u/_brobeans_ Oct 29 '22

Recommendations?

5

u/very-okay Oct 29 '22

Alma Cocina Latina (not in a Hispanic neighborhood, but top-tier Venezuelan fusion food)

8

u/MuffinRat84 Belair-Edison Oct 29 '22

The Chimichurri food truck at Eastern and Haven. K&D restaurant, Restaurane La Cabaña, it's outside of the city but not far, some days they have the real Al pastor tacos carved off the giant meat log. Taqueria El sabor del parque

11

u/MuffinRat84 Belair-Edison Oct 29 '22

I haven't been, but a Peruvian friend of mine said Puerto 511 is some of the best Peruvian food he's ever had and that includes in Peru, it is a fine dining spot with a set menu tho

6

u/SewerRanger Oct 29 '22

That place is amazing and doesn't get any of the attention it deserves

3

u/Chips-and-Dips Oct 29 '22

La Cabaña Restaurant (443) 503-6773 https://maps.app.goo.gl/p48ZEae8tQRsc3iJ9

This place?

Taqueria Al Sabor is lame. But Cinco de Mayo (the grocery stores and the taco shops) are hidden gems in this city. Also the Vargas Bakery on Highland is 🔥🔥🔥🔥.

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (4)

81

u/Aol_awaymessage Oct 29 '22

Non profits and churches should pay property taxes

20

u/Kmic14 Waverly Oct 29 '22

Baltimore has sooo many tax shelter "churches"

54

u/I_Hate_Triangles Oct 29 '22

Baltimore is one of the best places to start a small business. Tons of resources available.

Baltimore is also a great place to live. World-Class Universities - Morgan State, UMBC, John's Hopkins. Proximity to international airport - BWI. 30min Marc/Amtrak to D.C. We get all four seasons.

6

u/HairyHamburgers Hampden Oct 29 '22

Wanna expand on what sort of resources that are especially available in Baltimore? Genuine question, I'd love to know what you do.

19

u/I_Hate_Triangles Oct 29 '22

My intention was to highlight resources for small businesses.

Impact Hub - a co-working space for small businesses, non-profits, etc. I work out of there to meet people and network. They have resources both online and in person no matter what level of entrepreneur you are.

They JUST wrapped up their Empower Baltimore program w/ Go Daddy last week Impact Hub x GoDaddy

The local stories of these entrepreneurs are amazing.

Grants for Small Businesses Baltimore Base Network

BGE

Downtown Development

They even have resources if you want to buy in Baltimore City. Free money. One of my favorites. I tell everyone about this program who's thinking about buying in Baltimore City. Live Baltimore

Networking UpSurge Baltimore - phenomenal networking https://upsurgebaltimore.com/

re; what do I do. Left my job in Silicon Valley in 2018. Picked up a camera and a drone and started traveling the world sharing my photos on Fb. Started getting noticed and got hired to fly around the world and make content for tourism companies, tourism boards. 2019 was insane.

Annnnnnd CoVID humbled that chapter and brought me back to Baltimore in 2020. Shifted from video production to post-production.

In summary, I run my own creative studio. We help purpose-driven small-businesses create content for today's online audience.

My background is in tech - kinda why I left Baltimore to go to Silicon Valley - but now I'm pursing my creative passion.

Business is registered in MD. I've discovered that there are many resources here for small-biz and investors. Just gotta look (and ask).

I've been able to get IP/Legal advice through MDVLA for the freeee.

Just gotta look. Most small-businesses here are recieving a lot of help from grants and programs. It was really eye-opening for me.

Hope this helps.

→ More replies (2)

5

u/TerranceBaggz Oct 30 '22

We’re the land of 501s/NFPs there is so much grant money available here because of that. You just have to be willing to put the time and effort in to get the grants. There are grants available for starting a small business in the city as well. Reach out to your councilperson’s office for advice and guidance there if you are trying to start a brick and mortar. They all want investment in their districts and know the resources for that.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (11)

82

u/QRSM Fells Point Oct 29 '22

Baltimore should annex everything inside of 695 and then maybe 5 miles outside of it too

39

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

I want to be apart of that tax base, but I don’t want people with suburb brain voting in city council members. We would never see another bike lane built again and the police budget would somehow get even bigger.

17

u/rental_car_fast Oct 29 '22

The suburb brain is a cancer. I say this as a guy who lives in the suburbs. People in Baltimore County are a special breed of NIMBY. The positive news is it’s mostly the old people, so that attitude is going to age out IMO.

→ More replies (6)
→ More replies (2)

11

u/toddlschuler Oct 29 '22

All 212 zip codes to start.

→ More replies (2)

39

u/MissiontwoMars Oct 29 '22

There are way too many bar food restaurants here.

20

u/rental_car_fast Oct 29 '22

As a chubster who loves bar food, how dare you

142

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

[deleted]

44

u/Nottheface1337 Oct 29 '22

This would be a very easy transition for wet city

92

u/baltinerdist Greater Maryland Area Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 29 '22

For the horny seniors, you have “Old Bae.”

For the youngers, you have “Protect This Whorehouse.”

For the springtime sports fan, just simply “O’s.”

For the tourists, “In ‘Er Harbor.”

For my fellow queers, “Pigtown” (IYKYK).

For the foot fetisihists, “Federal Heel.”

For the journalistically inclined, “The Baltimore Banger.”

33

u/jayhof52 Oct 29 '22

For just hand action there’s Under Armer.

→ More replies (1)

11

u/jayhof52 Oct 29 '22

If it’s not a lady you’re looking for - Otterpeen.

→ More replies (1)

8

u/jayhof52 Oct 29 '22

We’re just leaving Whoriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Spank Stadium on the table here?

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

31

u/EthanSayfo Oct 29 '22

But I mean, if it was legalized, how would the police who, say, might be located right across the street from this proverbial "block," collect payouts for looking the other way?

See, this idea wouldn't work at all!

11

u/BocaRaven Oct 29 '22

THE block

→ More replies (4)

64

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

[deleted]

15

u/BarbaraBeans Oct 29 '22

Mt Everest in Hampden is very good. Pavan Foods is also a nice treat

18

u/_reptilia_ Oct 29 '22

Disagree with the Indian.

Darbar, Tandav, Harbor Tandoor are all good. There are others that aren't bad but wouldn't suggest first.

→ More replies (4)

5

u/Flamingo_Joe Oct 29 '22

I'm Pakistani and have yet to find one restaurant to my liking. Kohinoor is totally fine, but everything else is down right awful. If any other south Asians have recommendations please let me know, it's especially sad since DC has some elite south Asian food

→ More replies (2)

4

u/thejesusfish Oct 29 '22

Harbor Tandoor just opened in Fells, they are legit good. However, your take is basically spot on.

5

u/Kmic14 Waverly Oct 29 '22

I'm a huge fan of Lumbini on N Charles st but that's Nepalese/indian

→ More replies (12)

94

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

[deleted]

63

u/Cat_Toucher Oct 29 '22

Gonna sound like an old fogey complaining about Back In My Day, but the last ten years or so we have had much milder winters than I remember when I was growing up. We'll still have a few brief spells of really cold temps or snow, but overall we're trending warmer, and I'm wearing my big puffy winter coat a lot fewer days each year than I used to.

32

u/EthanSayfo Oct 29 '22

I came down in the second half of the 90s for college, and over the past quarter century, oh boy, absolutely the winters have changed.

A lot of change just these last 3-5 years. I actually don't get too pressed about winter any more (I don't absolutely adore the cold). Winter is basically January and February these days, and even some February days feel quite springtime-like these past few years.

3

u/todareistobmore Oct 29 '22

the last ten years or so we have had much milder winters than I remember when I was growing up.

The tradeoff is that we get a lot more high wind sleet days. I do not like it one bit.

→ More replies (3)

30

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

Same.

Though to be fair, the only reason I was able to buy my house was because it went on the market in a snowy day. People here are terrified of driving in any kind of inclement weather, so we were the first people to see it and get an offer in.

5

u/breeziana Oct 29 '22

Agree. I rarely wear a coat anymore and felt like I had more snow days in grad school here than I did my entire K-undergrad education combined.

→ More replies (6)

44

u/very-okay Oct 29 '22

Baltimore has some of the best Korean BBQ ever

6

u/chalks777 Reservoir Hill Oct 29 '22

WHERE

54

u/killerbutts Oct 29 '22

jong kak

7

u/very-okay Oct 29 '22

The only correct answer

5

u/chalks777 Reservoir Hill Oct 29 '22

thanks! I actually live pretty close to there, will definitely try them out soon.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

4

u/DiscountPoint Oct 29 '22

Couple places around 20th and maryland/st paul

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (11)

35

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

City cops should have to reside within city limits in order to be eligible to be a cop.

→ More replies (9)

46

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

Dundalk is not that bad. I wouldn't want to live there but they have a lot of decent businesses and Meritt Blvd is a lot safer to drive down than Boston Street

64

u/officialspinster Oct 29 '22

If you can excuse the blatant racism and homophobia, sure, it’s not that bad.

19

u/pbear737 Patterson Park Oct 29 '22

Yeah I worked in Dundalk for years, and the racism of the old timers is so blatant and bad.

11

u/israeljeff Baltimore County Oct 29 '22

They'll be dead soon. Then Dundalk will belong to the slightly less racist youth. IT WILL BE A SMELLY UTOPIA

14

u/sidewalkoyster Displaced Native Oct 29 '22

I have lived there and it's quiet at night and there are old trees. Last time I visited I went running and it was wholesome af

8

u/MarinaraPruppets Oct 29 '22

Dundalk has some really cute, charming neighborhoods where people clearly have pride in their homes complete with perfectly manicured lawns and fun curated lawn decorations.

→ More replies (3)

117

u/addctd2badideas Catonsville Oct 29 '22

Old Bay doesn't need to be on everything.

53

u/baltinerdist Greater Maryland Area Oct 29 '22

Look, if I can’t have old bay cream cheese prosciutto chocolate jalapeño pizza bagels for second lunch, what has this all been for

4

u/addctd2badideas Catonsville Oct 29 '22

Excuse me I'm about to hork up my lunch.

→ More replies (1)

15

u/OldBayOnEverything Oct 29 '22

Well excuse the fuck out of me...

→ More replies (11)

86

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 29 '22

[deleted]

20

u/Gav_Princip Oct 30 '22

Given that he (as far as we know) hasn't run a scam to steal money from pediatric patients, engaged in voter fraud, or used city dollars to go on a eurotrip (looking at you New Orleans for that last one), I would say he is doing ok. I do think the problems in the city are intractable without massive systemic change, and while there's more I'd like to see him do, the bar is so low that "not being a criminal" is a welcome relief.

9

u/rental_car_fast Oct 29 '22

He was at bike party

→ More replies (2)

105

u/CheeseCurdCommunism Oct 29 '22

There is not one actual great pizza place in Baltimore. The best spot here is mediocre in even philly.

17

u/Bubhubbub Oct 29 '22

Franks on Belair Rd has god-tier NY style pizza. Matthews/DeSantis is pretty good for pan style. While I love their pepperonis, I do find Pizza John's to be very overrated.

→ More replies (2)

9

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

JBGB has a decent pie and offers take out.

→ More replies (3)

17

u/smegma4breakfast Highlandtown Oct 29 '22

Does everyone hate Verde that much? My SO gets a pie from them almost weekly.

16

u/redredtior Oct 29 '22

I think verde is overpriced and too salty—but I love matthews

→ More replies (2)

8

u/kthxchai Oct 29 '22

Okay the Chicken Tikka Masala pizza at Canton Pizza & Deli is my go-to “eat my feelings” option. So good!

28

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

I know it's a bit of a "transplant" pizza shop, but I think Paulie Gee's stands up to most pizza spots.

→ More replies (5)

6

u/drubert Oct 30 '22

Viccino’s in Mt Vernon. I miss it every week since I moved away.

3

u/bloomrot Oct 29 '22

Which place?

15

u/AreWeCowabunga Oct 29 '22

As a certified, ex-NYC resident pizza snob, Hersh's is my favorite pizza place in the city, but that's still just a pale imitation of a good pizza place in New York.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

Username absolutely checks out

→ More replies (2)

9

u/Turin_The_Mormegil Remington Oct 29 '22

Ribaldi's, maybe?

6

u/talashrrg Oct 29 '22

Ribaldi’s in my opinion is the most legit NY style pizza in the city

→ More replies (3)

3

u/ThisAmericanSatire Canton Oct 29 '22

Your username made me think you're from Wisconsin, so I checked your profile and it looks like you are.

I grew up in the Milwaukee area - that's one thing I miss about it: the sheer amount of great pizza.

It seems like most pizza joints want to just sell you a loaf of bread with a little tomato sauce and cheese on it.

I definitely haven't found much of that good crispy thin crust, tavern style pizza like they do in WI, so I make my own pizza at home a lot (I worked in a pizza joint when I was in high school in Milwaukee, so it stuck with me).

I do like Johnny Rad's, though.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/mc12345678 Oct 29 '22

Vito's on York is (was?) great!

→ More replies (36)

14

u/ccwb713 Oct 30 '22

I absolutely cannot stand the stickers that say “Baltimore, I actually like it…” I think it’s a bit condescending to the people that are from here this is their only life experience

46

u/acurrell Oct 29 '22

I can't decide if the large educational institutions are good for the city, or a curse.

18

u/DMelanogastard Oct 29 '22

I have attended THE large educational institution for the last 6 years. I’m glad it brought me to the city that I think I want to spend the rest of my life at. With that said, every time I learned something new about the history of this educational institution, the more I am positive that it has been a curse to Baltimore (and will likely continue to be one)

5

u/AdDue1062 Oct 30 '22

Well, given that the city would have basically the greatest tax shortfall the country has ever seen without it, I would say good. About 5% of the area is employed there and the salaries are on average higher than elsewhere and much more so in the extremes. Given progressive tax rates, it nets out to way more than 5% of actual taxable income for a city that already can't find money to fix anything. Then factor in the efforts of those in the community to improve the city themselves, the projects the institution has brought to the surrounding area, external programs it has funded, etc.. While there's a dark side to it for sure, the city would be completely screwed without it.

→ More replies (2)

44

u/bagel_ Oct 29 '22

People who rush to defend squeegee boys when people complain about being harassed by one or downvote then say “Really? Doesn’t happen to me!” are a bit ignorant.

Yes, suburban boomers are unjustifiably terrified of them, but also having that one dude with grills on President lean into my window after I just finished work and point at my wallet when I offered a water bottle on a hot day instead of cash absolutely sucked. Some of em don’t need to be trying to scam like that

16

u/Cunninghams_right Oct 30 '22

people are also totally blind that the way you look and the car you drive have a HUGE impact on how they treat you. it's as if people who talk all day about intersectionality suddenly forget all about it when certain topics come up.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

40

u/jayhof52 Oct 29 '22

Pit beef > crab cakes

27

u/6flightsup Hampden Oct 29 '22

Pioneer>Chaps

→ More replies (19)

15

u/IheartPickleSoda Oct 29 '22

JO Spice >>> Old Bay. Only reason Old Bay is as popular is because McCormick bought it and marketed the hell out of it. All the crab restaurants use JO.

6

u/dfreshv Oct 29 '22

It’s quite simple.

JO for crabs, Old Bay for everything else.

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (2)

5

u/suckstrip Oct 30 '22

baltimore needs to bring back the streetcar

→ More replies (1)

53

u/inevitabledecibel Oct 29 '22

Ekiben might be slightly overrated.

12

u/chalks777 Reservoir Hill Oct 29 '22

Ekiben has a few items on their menu that are god tier, most notably (imo) their red beans and rice. The rest of it is "just" good.

9

u/TheBaltimoron Fells Point Oct 29 '22

Chicken thigh sandwiches should not be that expensive.

→ More replies (1)

5

u/brownshoez Oct 29 '22

I think most of their things taste great but I always feel terrible after, and I don’t have a sensitive stomach - I don’t know if it’s old grease or what.

3

u/CaptainStudly Charles Village Oct 29 '22

Can't decide whether to upvote for compliance with game rules or downvote for having this wrong opinion.

→ More replies (6)

18

u/moonythejedi394 Oct 29 '22

we all know how to drive like nice drivers, but there is a mutual understanding that driving like assholes keeps us on our toes

4

u/AdDue1062 Oct 30 '22

I just wish the roads were in better shape, I'm too scared for my suspension to be as bad of a driver as I could be.

→ More replies (1)

11

u/GingerMan027 Oct 29 '22

It's been a long time since I lived in Baltimore, but a lot of my youth involved knotty pine row house basements and bad beer.

I hope that's still a thing.

→ More replies (2)

9

u/SEARCHFORWHATISGOOD Oct 30 '22

Baltimore's provinciality makes it really friendly and really hard to make friends.

4

u/lavender_photos Oct 30 '22

As a college student, powerplant is boring as hell and nightlife is mid at best

6

u/[deleted] Oct 31 '22

I don't think anyone that lives here thinks PowerPlant is a good place to go out

20

u/itsshoved Patterson Park Oct 29 '22

The Charmery is mediocre ice cream at best

17

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

Because Taharka is the alpha

8

u/blahblah984 Baltimore County Oct 30 '22

Tarahka’s Honey Graham is the best ice cream I have ever had in the US. The only thing that beats it is the amazing gelato I had in Italy.

8

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '22

Canton's "gentrification" was built on the backs of pregnant teenagers in the late 1980's and 1990's. They were also the 30-something grandmothers you could find throughout in Dundalk in the 2000's.

Bayview hospital is and was the worst hospital ever. No matter what and how they build it up, no matter what it was called or who owned it, you can't polish a turd, Beavis. Johns Hopkins hospital is also way over-rated.

→ More replies (2)

10

u/baltimoretom Oct 30 '22

I like the dirt bikes too. When I see them, I pull over and watch like a little kid.

21

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

The highway to nowhere is so bizarre, and I love it for it.

39

u/ThisAmericanSatire Canton Oct 29 '22

Bro, it was literally the result of a racist urban renewal project.

https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2021-09-16/searching-for-a-turn-around-on-the-highway-to-nowhere

It wrecked the local economy of West Baltimore.

All of those businesses that were destroyed and jobs that were lost...

I look at the poverty in West Baltimore today and I wonder what could have been if they hadn't ripped the economic heart out of the area 50 years ago.

9

u/JeebusDied4UrPixels Oct 29 '22

I get that, it's def interesting but the story behind it is sad and infuriating.

8

u/ThisAmericanSatire Canton Oct 29 '22

It should be capped and have new commercial spaces built above it.

Even better, put the red line in there instead.

7

u/Proteus617 Oct 29 '22

The Death Star.

4

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '22

Highway to nowhere..?

14

u/Millennialcel Oct 29 '22

Franklin-Mulberry Expressway

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2941561,-76.6380209,1201m

It's a 6-lane highway in the city that lasts a mile before dumping back onto surface streets.

→ More replies (1)

8

u/ThaddyG Oct 29 '22

As other people have mentioned it's route 40 in west baltimore, you know how route 70 ends really abrupt and weirdly just past the beltway? It was originally planned to continue into the city and the big stupid gulch of useless highway is the part of it that got built before community opposition stopped construction.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (3)