It’s officially summer in Baltimore, and that means three things — baseball, Bohs and Maryland’s beloved blue crabs. In the July cover story, The Essential Crab House Guide, Baltimore magazine reveals the 25 best crab houses and divulges everything you need to know from how to spot legit crab houses to crab house do’s and don’ts.
“Come April through November, it’s our favorite four-letter word. Any Marylander worth their salt—or, in this case, Old Bay—knows exactly what we’re talking about. That word is crab—and our love runs as deep as the brackish bottom of the Chesapeake Bay in which they burrow,” said Jane Marion, food editor at Baltimore magazine. “We’re here to help you narrow things down with a list of our favorite haunts. We’re particularly partial to the real deal: We’re talking neon beer signs, floors of sawdust or sand, laminated menus, galvanized buckets or piles of crabs unceremoniously plopped on a picnic table.”
The cover story also gives some history on crab houses, including Baltimore’s oldest house, S. DiPaula & Sons Seafood, and gets the scoop on how Maryland’s crab houses came to be from local crab historian Kate Livie, director of education for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Plus, editors reveal six crab spots on the Eastern Shore that are worth the drive.
Additionally, the July issue features Waterwomen, an in-depth look at a few fearless females who work the Chesapeake Bay themselves and, like their male counterparts, help keep the seafood industry alive. Another feature, The Ultimate Pet Guide, gives readers a complete guide to taking care of their pets, from the best day care/boarding/walkers to parks your best friend will enjoy. The story also gets personal with some of Baltimore’s best-knowns and their furry loved ones.
Other highlights of the issue include Spirit of ‘76, a piece dating back to forty years ago and how a giant cake fail nearly ruined Baltimore’s bicentennial until the tall ships came; Care First, a feature on mother Laura Pogiliano who, after losing her son to schizophrenia, keeps his memory alive by helping others; and Singhs for Supper, a look at how the Singh family, owners of The Ambassador and Ananda restaurants, went from rags to roti.
The July issue is available by subscription and can also be purchased at newsstands throughout the Baltimore area beginning June 24, 2016.
Baltimore magazine is the area’s most popular guide to the best of the greater Baltimore region. Its “Best of Baltimore,” “Top Doctors,” and “Best Restaurants” features have become signatures of the magazine, and Baltimore’s monthly exploration of politics, food, business, lifestyle, and the arts has earned numerous awards, including several City and Regional Magazine Awards (CRMA) and Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) awards. In 2016,Baltimore magazine celebrates its 109th anniversary and is the country’s oldest continuously published city/regional magazine.