Christina Tkacik - The Baltimore Banner
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Christina Tkacik

Christina

Christina Tkacik is a food reporter for The Baltimore Banner. She joined the staff of The Baltimore Banner in August of 2022 to cover all things food. Prior to that, she spent more than six years at The Baltimore Sun, including three years as the newspaper's dining reporter and restaurant critic. After all this time in Charm City, she can pick a crab but still can't shuck an oyster.

The latest from Christina Tkacik

Papi Cuisine's crab cake egg rolls.
Papi Cuisine closes in Federal Hill
Papi Cuisine has closed in Federal Hill, but you can still get its viral crab cake egg rolls downtown.
A police line do not cross tape blocks a pathway near Penn Station.
Second motorcycle fatality in 2 weeks as rider killed on MLK Boulevard in Baltimore
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with an SUV early Saturday morning near the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Five Lexington Market stalls received grants from the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore to support their businesses.
Toki Underground and 7 other eateries receive grants to open downtown
A brewery, a sandwich shop, a cereal store and buzz-worthy ramen are among the new businesses coming downtown.
Orioles fans will have a new spot to buy a beer before or after games when The Birdhouse opens Friday next to Pickles Pub. General manager Olivia Morrell scoured local thrift shops for Orioles tchotchkes and other paraphernalia to decorate the bar.
Baltimore’s newest dive bar is just outside Camden Yards
Orioles fans looking to drown their sorrows over this year’s dispiriting season have a new bar to visit.
At Peter’s Inn, garlic bread is one of the few items that doesn’t come off the menu. Here is the item in 2024.
The Dish: How Peter’s Inn turned garlic bread into a signature Baltimore app
Thirty years ago, Peter’s Inn turned garlic bread into its signature appetizer. Amid changing menus and times, the stalwart dish remains.
Annapolis icon Pusser’s Landing has officially docked in Baltimore, in the former home of Bo Brooks.
At the new Pusser’s Landing in Canton, you can drink like a British sailor
After 30 years in Annapolis, Pusser’s Landing has now officially opened in Canton.
A plate of short rib freekeh is garnished at Ammoora.
Can’t travel this summer? These Restaurant Week spots will whisk you away.
Stopping by during Baltimore Restaurant Week will save you around 20% off regular prices at these memorable eateries.
Tikka Shack, a Texas-based fast casual chain, location in White Marsh features menu highlights Indian flavors through a range of fusion dishes including curry bowls, wings and naan tacos. The chain has recently opened a new branch in Owings Mills. Photographed on July 1, 2025.
Owings Mills dining options expand with new restaurant chains
There’s more to Owings Mills’ dining scene than Costco hot dogs.
The Pup-town Girl bagel at Good Boy Bagels.
The Dish: Yes, you can get a decent bagel in Baltimore
People love to complain about Baltimore’s bagel scene, but there are plenty of options if you know where to look.
Ovenbird Bakery opened its third location in Baltimore on Friday, June 18, 2025, at Hampden’s Rotunda shopping center.
Ovenbird opens cozy new bakery in Hampden’s Rotunda
Ovenbird Bakery opened its third location in Baltimore Friday, this time at Hampden’s Rotunda shopping center.
Kitsch owner Jackie Mearman is pictured at Vivian’s on July 14, 2025. Vivian’s is named after her paternal grandmother, Vivian Mearman. The new restaurant that is set to take the place of Rize + Rest Cafe near Patterson Park. The menu will feature breakfast, brunch, cocktails, snack plates and sides.
The Dish: Kitsch owner to take over Rize + Rest, then the world
Kitsch owner Jackie Mearman is opening a new cafe in Patterson Park named after her grandmother.
Restaurateur Brian Acquavella has reimagined a waterfront bar in South Baltimore as Bellini’s. The space was previously operated by Tabrizi’s.
Baltimore has a new place to drink on the water
From two veterans of Baltimore's dining scene, Bellini's at 500 Harborview Drive picks up where Tabrizi's left off.
The patio at La Food Marketa.
The best — and worst — deals from Baltimore County’s Restaurant Week
We analyzed the menus for the eateries participating in Baltimore County’s Restaurant Week to tell you where to go — and where you can skip.
Employees prepare food to be handed out from the Str/EATs Cafe food truck parked outside of Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle School.
The Dish: Feeding kids all summer is expensive — and exhausting. ‘We’re here to help.’
Baltimore County and City school systems are feeding hungry kids — and parents — this summer. But advocates worry the Trump administration could put those programs in jeopardy.
A hotdog wrapped in bologna, a Baltimore classic from Attman’s Delicatessen.
The Dish: Baltimore is a hot dog town. Here are 6 spots that prove it.
It’s the time of year when hot dogs start to sound like a good idea. Try them at these six spots with deep ties to Baltimore.
Charleston’s James Beard Award-winning wine director Lindsay Willey at Charleston, a New American restaurant on the water at the Inner Harbor on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
10 wine recommendations from Charleston’s James Beard Award-winning sommelier
Charleston's Lindsay Willey, fresh off a James Beard win, has wine recommendations for every budget.
Chef Cindy Wolf, right, and wine director Lindsay Willey at the bar at Charleston in Harbor East.
The Dish: Charleston’s James Beard Award was both long overdue and right on time
It's probably going to be harder to get a table at Charleston after its James Beard Award win. But that's a good thing.
Popular South Korean bakery chain Paris Baguette has finally landed in Baltimore County, with a store and cafe at 4 E Towsontown Blvd. The store, the first of several planned for the Baltimore County area, offers an assortment of self-serve pastries as well as cakes and grab and go sandwiches. Photographed on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Paris Baguette continues its U.S. takeover with new Baltimore County bakery
Get used to hearing this name, Baltimore County foodies: Paris Baguette. The chain’s newest location is now open in Towson.
Waiter Aaron Day stands at the entrance of The Prime Rib in Baltimore.
The Dish: This Prime Rib waiter has served legends — and became one himself
Aaron Day, who has worked at The Prime Rib in Baltimore for more than 50 years, has served Rosa Parks and Muhammad Ali. Now people visit to see him.
The now-closed Docks restaurant at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Docks owner fled Baltimore like the Colts and owes $8.1M, landlord says
Docks owner Gregory Pranzo allegedly took equipment and decor from his Baltimore restaurant to another eatery in Tennessee.
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