When popular food critic Keith Lee announced Monday that “very soon, we’re going to be in the DMV,” comments on social media immediately flooded with suggestions for local restaurants for him to feature in his TikTok videos.

Now, whether you think Baltimore is actually included in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area — many will argue it is definitely not — a number of viewers wrote that Charm City needs its own tour regardless. We agree.

Lee has made a name for himself on TikTok by reviewing mom-and-pop restaurants, often convincing his followers to try (or not try) the food there. Formerly a professional mixed martial artist, he started gaining popularity in 2021 when he critiqued restaurants in Las Vegas before eventually traveling to other popular food cities like New York and Atlanta to do the same. Once news spreads that Lee is in the area, store owners seem to scramble to make sure their restaurant is in order — similar to “The Wire” when people get wind of Omar coming.

For his trip to the DMV, Lee said he is looking for eateries with “different backgrounds, different cultures or different ethnicities.”

Even though we’re not sure if the TikToker will visit Baltimore on this go-round, we still compiled several restaurants he should visit for good meals in the city. After all, Baltimore is a food capital — if we do say so ourselves.

Taste This

Taste This is a local favorite, even recently catering Mayor Brandon Scott’s wedding. The business, which bills itself as a “modern take on classic Southern cuisine,” has three locations, but the 102 E. 25th St. spot in Old Goucher is the most popular. The soul food options are must-haves, specifically the fried chicken platter with sides of sweet yams and rich macaroni and cheese, the latter of which you can customize with added meats or various ingredients.

Southern Butter

Owned by Chef T, Southern Butter has it all. She offers a variety of food, but primarily focuses on seafood, beef and poultry. Juicy oxtails that fall off the bone and Chesapeake egg rolls overflowing with crab are especially popular — so much so that celebrities like Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson and rapper Jim Jones have gone out of their way to try the food. Chef T still wants Lee to make a stop of his own, reposting his TikTok to her more than 200,000 Instagram followers on Monday, imploring people to tag him and put Southern Butter on his radar.

Sibs

Sibs Food Boutique is heavy on aesthetic, but that doesn’t mean that the food doesn’t match the high-end visual appeal. Owner Brittany Campbell wants to ensure that customers leave as satisfied as they were excited to walk in, as she details on the site. Try my personal favorite, the tasty chicken Caesar wrap, or the delicious selection of brunch food, including the fried salmon dripped in sauce and the perfectly seasoned grits.

Cafe 1908

Whatever you want, Cafe 1908 has. Their large list of food items on their menu can fit pretty much any mood. If you’re waking up early to go when they open, try one of their various breakfast choices such as the chicken biscuit — which is often sold out — or the steak, egg and cheese wrap. Or order Cafe 1908′s jerk chicken bowl with rice, onions, peppers and broccoli when you’re off work with nothing to do for the rest of the day, because you’ll definitely get the ‘itis. Don’t forget to ask for extra sauce.

Ekiben

Owned by Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe, Ekiben is one of the most popular restaurants in Baltimore. It constantly receives good reviews via word of mouth and was ranked No. 20 on Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants 2024 list. The spicy neighborhood bird bun, a huge fried chicken sandwich with spicy mayo and pickles on a bao bun, is by far the most popular choice. Although the sandwich is big, go for one of their sides, too; the tempura broccoli is a runaway favorite. The food is so good that customers often go crazy on social media at the slightest inconvenience — like when the eatery temporarily closes because of a plumbing issue.

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Ephrem Abebe's first name.