Every month, we poll the Baltimore magazine team about a topic pertaining to a story we cover in the issue and publish the responses on our masthead. In honor of our September cover story, “The Baltimore Pet Lover’s Guide,” we asked staff to tell us about a pet that had a significant impact on their lives. The answers were too good not to share with our web readers.

Take deputy editor Jane Marion, for example, who recalls fond memories of a childhood pet rooster named Max, pictured above.

“I am still grateful that I grew up in a household where (almost) no animals were off limits—rabbits were forbidden,” says Marion, who edited the cover story. “So, when we hatched a rooster in fifth grade at Northeast Elementary in Stamford, Connecticut, it was obvious who was going to take the bird home.

“I dubbed him Max and he followed me around the house. Having imprinted on me at birth, I was basically his bird mom and he was incredibly attached to me. When Max wasn’t perched on my head, he lived in a cage in my room for close to a year until his cock-a-doodle-doos woke up the whole family. He lived out the rest of his life at a nearby nature center.”

Below, read about other furry and feathered friends—from cats and dogs to ducklings and tarantulas (?)—who have been particularly meaningful. And be sure to check out the feature for more heartwarming stories, local pet resources, and even the official Charm City pet Wall of Fame.

Alicia Corman, Assistant Art Director
My late dad once surprised my two sisters and me with a crate of ducklings—one for each of us. We had an absolute blast playing with them in the bathtub and outside in the kiddie pool. I named mine Egon, after the smartest Ghostbuster, of course.

Amy Scattergood, Research Editor
Rose was the fifth of my six German shepherds, a long-haired beauty who I adopted the day before Los Angeles shut down for COVID, and who was my traveling companion when I relocated to Baltimore. We drove cross-country, staying at pandemic hotels, driving through a blizzard outside Cleveland, and sharing bad hotel food. She was older than anyone knew, and so I only had her for two years. I miss her every day, and Angus, her successor, sleeps in the same exact spot next to my bed.

Christianna McCausland, Creative Studio Content Director
My cat Pete was truly one of the greats. He still lives on in lore and legend with all who knew him.

Danny Glazer, Senior Account Executive
My dogs Hazel and Nola.

Jane Marion, Deputy Editor
I was going for Mother of the Year when I let my middle son, Alex, bring home Pepe the Park School tarantula in the summer of 2001. Even before buying him his meal of live crickets at Petco, I purchased a more secure lid for his cage. Spider-sitter is now part of my résumé.

Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Home Editor
Our first dog, Finley, adopted from the SPCA—a black Lab mix with velvet ears who wouldn’t stop barking in the kennel but we knew he was meant to be ours. He ended up being the perfect dog. He lived for almost 13 years and loved his family so much—but he loved me the most.

Jon Timian, Production Manager
I have had several dogs and cats during my time on this planet. All of them I have loved dearly. But if I must pick a favorite it would have to be my cat Sophie, because if I don’t, she will kill me in my sleep.

Marty LeGrand, Senior Contributing Writer
They call ginger cats “Velcro kitties.” Spencer was one. Always by my side—except when he fell out of a window and disappeared for four days. Incredibly sensitive to our feelings, he helped me through tough times. He had flaws, true, like sumo bathing his sister and swallowing gift ribbon (which once required surgery). I miss him still.

Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief
I’m blessed to say that all my dogs have lived long, healthy lives except for one: my dearest Harriet, a sandy, scruffy, long-limbed girl who was the most gentle and soulful dog I’ve ever had. She had a touch of melancholy about her, as if she knew she wasn’t long for this world. I adopted her at 6 and she died at 8, of a bum heart. I still cry when I think about her.

Micah E. Wood, Contributing Photographer
My dog Ansel and my two cats, Lou and Boo.

Michael Teitelbaum, President
Patches was the dog I had growing up. We were inseparable. I had a lawnmowing business and she was my most reliable employee.

Michelle Coughlan, Senior Account Executive
Chloe, our golden retriever, who is our clingy COVID dog and gets ready for her weekly Zoom sales meeting like she is running the show.

Schaun Champion, Contributing Photographer
My first puppy was General Taz. I loved him so much; he was a beautiful purebred boxer. Clever and the most loving dog I’ve ever had. The second is my black cat, Pyewacket, named after the cat in the 1958 film Bell, Book, and Candle.

Staci Lanham, Special Editions Art Director
Benny was a stray found by a hydrologist in my husband’s office. His girlfriend said no, so instead Benny came to live with us right before we got married. He has been gone for nearly a decade, but I still think about him almost daily.

Here at Baltimore magazine, we pretty much always have local food on the brain. But it’s really at the forefront of our minds this time of year, when our annual Best Restaurants issue hits stands. As such, we’ve established a tradition of asking our staff about the best things they’ve eaten at local dining destinations within the past year. This time around, answers ranged from stuffed sandwiches and enchiladas at casual eateries to crab cakes and plates of pasta at special-occasion spots.

Read on for inspo for your next dining-out adventure, and pick up a copy of our Best Restaurants issue on newsstands to check out more best bites from deputy editor Jane Marion and her team of seasoned restaurant reviewers.

Amy Scattergood, Research Editor
A dish of smoked chicken and black mole at Blacksauce Kitchen, Damian Mosley’s Remington restaurant. Denzel Mitchell Jr., who often cooks there, smoked the chicken and made the mole, which I dearly wish he’d bottle.

Christianna McCausland, Special Editions Editor
The methi murgh (heat level 5) at The Mint Leaf in Cockeysville. Unassuming location, amazing Indian food.

Christopher Myers, Contributing Photographer
Golden West has a great sopapilla enchiladas that is terrific hangover food.

Ethan McLeod, Contributing Writer
The gnocchi at Daniela Pasta & Pastries in Hampden. Unforgettable.

Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Home Editor
Of all the great dishes I had this year (and there were many), I keep thinking about Little Donna’s pierogies—and that perfect bite of red chile garlic oil, lemon and buttery potatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. How you make an old-school pierogi taste so thrilling and crave-worthy is pure magic.

Lauren Cohen, Digital Senior Editor
The big-as-your-face vanilla yogurt bowl at Easy Like Sunday, which is topped with beautiful berries, swirls of honey, and handfuls of house granola. It’s just one of those combinations you can’t recreate on your own no matter how hard you try.

Lorann Cocca, Director of Marketing
Over the summer I had a sweet potato polenta dish from Water For Chocolate and have thought about it almost every day since.

Lydia Woolever, Senior Editor
Hands down the cabbage pancake at Little Donna’s. Such a delightfully surprising dish in a moment when so many menus feel the same.

Marie Bosslett, Editorial Intern
The best thing I ate last year was the rigatoni alla vodka from Tagliata in Harbor East.

Marty LeGrand, Senior Contributing Writer
Literally a bite of a dining companion’s succulent lamb chop at Rudy’s Mediterranean Grill in Columbia. Next time I’ll definitely order my own!

Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief

This might be recency bias, but a few weeks ago I had the Italian Pork Sandwich special at Chuck’s Trading Post—slow roasted pork with rapini, chimichurri, provolone, and pepperoncinis on a sub roll. Add it to the menu, Chuck’s!

Michael Teitelbaum, President

The torta di melenzane appetizer at Limoncello is magnifico. (Translation: The eggplant Parmesan appetizer is magnificent.)

Mitro Hood, Contributing Photographer
Gertie’s crab cakes from Gertrude’s at the BMA.

Ron Cassie, Senior Editor
Favorite bite this year so far is Mera Kitchen Collective’s falafel sandwich—house-made pickles, cucumber, tomato tahini salad, plus a nice spicy jalapeño dressing—served in a toasty pita. Peak cold weather vegan comfort food.

In honor of our annual Best of Baltimore issue (officially on newsstands July 28) we thought it would be fun to poll our staff about their personal favorite people, places, and things in the area. You might be familiar with some of what’s listed—whether it be a coffee shop, place of tranquility, or friendly staffer at your local library—but feel free to add the others to your list of things to explore. Do you have a hidden gem that we missed? Let us know!

Ron Cassie, Senior Editor

Marshy Point Nature Center in Middle River—several miles of unexpectedly gorgeous walking and paddling trails around pristine forest and wetlands.

Michelle Coughlan, Senior Account Executive

The Bistro in Riverside.

Vicki Dodson, Advertising Design Director

The Roland Water Tower is home to a pair of peregrine falcons and their chicks every year. Not only do I love seeing birds that bounced back from being endangered—and can dive at speeds of 200 mph (that’s not a typo)—I love seeing people so enthusiastically watching them and appreciating them. It gives me hope.

Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Home Editor

We love kayaking at the quiet Dundee Creek Marina in Middle River. You can rent kayaks right there and they even have life jackets for the dogs.

Grace Hebron, Assistant Editor

Hue Café & Apothecary’s pop-up truck is vegan bliss

Jane Marion, Deputy Editor

Jim Olivella, owner of Baltimore Rug & Carpet, is my right-hand guy. When you have two small dogs, you need someone like that on constant call. He’s reliable and dependable and always responds to emergencies.

Ethan McLeod, Contributing Writer

Sitting on the ledge to the east of the Druid Lake Reservoir Loop overlooking midtown and facing east. Best time to be out here is during April when the flowers on the hillside are in full bloom.

Christopher Myers, Contributing Photographer

The Zen Garden in Woodberry as you enter the Gwynns Falls path. It’s pretty small and undiscovered and you never know what type of interesting people will be there.

Matt Roth, Contributing Photographer

My neighborhood—Lake Walker. I moved up here from Georgia 20 years ago. Growing up, it was normal to wave at perfect strangers and get a wave back. Heh. Not in Baltimore. I’ve lived all over the city, and Lake Walker is the only place where I do get waves back from strangers. (I also joke, “We live that county life, but pay those city taxes.”)

Amy Scattergood, Research Editor

OneDo Coffee Roasters in Canton. I love to sit in the back with my laptop and stare at the old Diedrich roaster while I drink cortados. They also make dalgona, the Korean sugar candy, and have a jar of dog biscuits at the front.

Molly Szymanski, Editorial Intern

Perhaps not very hidden, but for me it has to be oat milk cortados at Red Emma’s.

Michael Teitelbaum, President

Lurman Woodland Theater in Catonsville. Free outdoor summer concerts in a beautiful setting.

SHAN Wallace, Contributing Photographer

Kim, Ben, and Tracey, who work in the teen department at the central Enoch Pratt Free Library.

Max Weiss, Editor in Chief

Eugene’s Shoe Repair on Cold Spring Lane. He’s resuscitated a lot of shoes I thought were doomed to the trash heap and has fixed a couple of my leather purses, too. Plus, he’s inexpensive and works quickly. And they say you can’t get fast, cheap, and good all in one package!

Before you devour food and dining editor Jane Marion’s ode to the best things on bread in our October issue (on newsstands September 23) browse this list of staffers’ favorite sammies from restaurants in the area. Whether you’re partial to an overloaded Italian sub, meatless Reuben, or something else entirely, this list is sure to make you hungry.

Ron Cassie, Senior Editor

The eggplant Parm at Isabella’s in Little Italy. Breaded eggplant, marinara, fontina cheese. Slightly messy perfection.

Vicki Dodson, Advertising Design Director

One World Cafe’s tempeh Reuben. Perfection

Jodi Hammerschlag, Senior Account Executive

Lenny’s tuna salad on rye with lettuce and tomato is the best. They add a little sugar and it is delicious.

Hunter Hine, Editorial Intern

A Reuben from Brookside Market. Its design is immaculate and infallible.

Lauren LaRocca, Contributing Writer

Living my best gluten-free life here, so going out for a sandwich usually equates to going out for tacos—in which case, my choice will always and forever be Amano Taco at R House.

Marty LeGrand, Contributing Writer

Hot pastrami on rye from Attman’s with a big ol’ pickle.

Suzanne Loudermilk, Senior Contributing Writer

A triple-decker turkey club is my go-to, and, surprisingly, G&A Restaurant, known for its Coney dogs, has one of the best sandwiches in town.

Amy Scattergood, Research Editor

The soft-shell crab sandwich at Sal & Sons Seafood in Broadway Market in Fells. This was both the first sandwich and first soft-shell crab I ate when I moved to Baltimore, and it was a five-minute-long epiphany.

Tyrone Syranno Wilkens, Contributing Photographer

As of right now, the Double Smoked Meats sandwich that has pulled pork and brisket on a jalapeño-cheddar bun with slaw and that corn pudding is chef’s kiss from Roots 657 in Leesburg, Virginia.

Jon Timian, Production Manager

The Real Italian Sub from DiPasquale’s. Best Italian cold cut I have ever had.

Michael Tranquillo, Senior Graphic Designer

The Sonny from Isabella’s in Little Italy. With the prosciutto.

Justin Tsucalas, Contributing Photographer

Cornucopia at The Wine Merchant. I have been eating it for 25 years and the only thing that has changed is the price.

Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief

The falafel sandwich at the Farm to Face stand at the JFX Farmers’ Market. The combination of falafel, seasonal produce, zippy Sriracha, and creamy hummus gets, well, immediately shoved into my face.

Amanda White-Iseli, Creative Director

The Sacred Sub at Liquid Earth, followed by one of their famous vegan fudge brownies.