Sent ya a message :)

Q39 are really good. Probably my favorite of the "new guard" of KC BBQ. I'm still partial to the OGs personally -- Bryants (always my favorite), Gates, LCs, and OKJoes. Smoking Swine is really really good BBQ!!! Seriously the only place here that I can honestly say I crave. The hours can be hard to figure out so definitely call them to see if they're open. Drew's had a tough go the last couple years but he is one of the first people I met here and one of the best, kindest, hardest working people I've met. That place deserves all the love.

Philly's good too, I've been there and I thought it was great. Not sure that I'd live there though. I love visiting big cities but don't know that I'd enjoy the day in day out with that many people and that much traffic. I like that it's close enough to hit up on a quick train ride. Baltimore's a pretty good size and location for me. Actually *Richmond* is the PERFECT location because mountains and beach aren't but 1.5 hours away, but I'm willing to give that up for better social opportunities.

I have in fact done swing dancing and really enjoyed it, though the last time was probably 7 years ago at this point. I'd love to get back into it though!

It's really not, in general, on top of regional barriers. Pretty much my only gripe about getting older.
It's interesting that people think it's difficult getting from place to place. Baltimore seems rather walkable and the different systems (not perfect, I know) cover a decent area, don't they?

You know what, fair! Q39 has my favorite sauce. I must've brought 4 bottles back with me. Def gonna look up Smoking Swine.

Low bar to clear.

As long as their service is better than the Popeyes at Broadway and Orleans, I'm in.

Whenever I visit my family we always stop at Bojangles -- really good Cajun Chicken Filet on a biscuit and I can never resist a Bo-Berry Biscuit chaser. Wouldn't mind having local access.

Honestly, though, since moving here my goto has been Royal Farms chicken -- all the other joints are dead to me.

omgggg the shakes!!!

I need them to bring back the Bo Sauce

IYKYK 😏

I’ve lived in the city for about 9 years now, and gone through different phase of life (early 20s - early 30s / relationship - single / transitioning from school to real job / etc) and I’ve always found it pretty easy to make friends. For what it’s worth I am pretty introverted but I WFH so am able to be ‘on’ for a few hours in the evening/weekend. There are a lot of different activities to do in the city so if you have a hobby you enjoy, a sport you like to play, or even a sport you just like to watch there are going to be people to connect with. I have found general success just going out and doing stuff I like. Usually I’ll end up seeing the same people and somehow we manage to adopt each other as friends. It can definitely be hard coming in knowing absolutely no one but if you are generally friendly and open to trying new things you hopefully won’t have a problem! That said if you want to connect when you move to the city I would be down to meet up!

Church's used to be in Edmonson Village Shopping Center. Left sometime in the 90's.

At the rate they're going, I'd bet they'll be here before 2025 ends.

Still. Too. Far.

I need a pouty, footstomping child emoji right now. And a gold rush chicken sammich. Dammit.

The only chicken I'd get excited for is some version of Nashville Hot Chicken, preferably something started by someone local.

Doesn't have to be Princes or Hattie B's. Other people are doing it these days and branching out a little.

I know about Gingers, but I haven't been and as far as I can tell, all they do is tenders and sliders. Not what I'm looking for.

As someone who grew up in North Carolina, I'm thrilled.

How does your dogsitting work?

Sounds like I'm not saying anything new here, but I moved to Bmore in my late 20's (classic hard to make friends territory) and made friends through Baltimore Bike Party, Tango, my church (not everyone's jam, but nothing I'm listing is!), one great friend I met when they forgot their credit card at a Charles Theater event and I offered to pay for her ticket because she was obviously super distressed, and my gym (small, specialized). It seemed easy to make one connection, and then more of their connections would follow. Things have evolved, people have moved, etc. and now I'm married with a child in my late 30's and I've still gotten involved more now with coworkers and a local "mom group." I'm naturally an extrovert, but at least for me, it's been easy to find community when I wanted it!

Where’s my zaxbys

This is great news

Right on. I’ve lots of friends in Austin still. I always say for brisket Austin is king. For everything else, especially Burnt ends, KC is Thee Best.

I will say, Smoking Swine in Bmore has some of my favorite bbq outside KC or ATX.

I’m from Richmond but have lived in Baltimore for about 5 years now. You are certainly right that Richmond is kinda clickish/insular. I think most places on the east coast tend to be that way to varying degrees though.

Baltimore is cool though, similar vibe for sure, maybe a little rougher around the edges for better or worse. I kinda miss when Richmond was a little rougher TBH.

Size wise it honestly feels about the same even though I know Baltimore is about 2x as large. “Smalltimore” is definitely a phrase you hear a lot. Philly might be a better option if you want to feel like you are in a big city.

If you are willing to try your hand at swing dancing, Mobtown ballroom has a fun cast of characters. There are always new people coming and going but there is a core group of regulars. They’re teach a drop in class to teach the basics and run dances Mondays and Friday. Because of the nature of the dance you meet a lot of people pretty quickly. They also have a full bar and at the very least good, people watching.