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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

The Dish: Chop Chop wants to keep Baltimore’s knives — and cooks — sharp
Home cooks and chefs alike will soon be able to hone their tools at Chop Chop, a new knife shop in Hampden.
Ozzie Mendoza, co-owner of Chop Chop in Hampden. An offshoot of D.C.’s District Cutlery, the business offers knife sharpening services using traditional Japanese methods. The business is at 828 W. 36th Street in Hampden.
This 850-pound ball of string from Haussner’s Restaurant can now be yours
The gigantic ball of string from Haussner’s Restaurant, the longtime German eatery in Highlandtown, is up for auction.
Chris Linsenbigler of Stoner’s Auction in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania poses with a large ball of string from the former Haussner’s restaurant.
One of D.C.’s best casual restaurants opens Columbia location
Yu Noodles is continuing its rapid expansion with a new location in Columbia just months after launching a branch in Baltimore.
Yu Noodles has opened a new location in Columbia at 6478 Dobbin Center Way. Yu Noodles is known for its soup dumplings as well as its Chongqing noodles, which sit in a spicy broth garnished with peanuts and bok choy.
The Dish: Does Costco’s $200 Thanksgiving deserve a seat at your table?
Want to do the bare minimum for Thanksgiving? Costco has you covered.
Costco's Thanksgiving in a Box spread is on sale for $200.
Cafe Fili to add a new location at Locust Point’s Anthem House
A casual Mediterranean restaurant in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood is adding a Locust Point branch — and that’s just the beginning of their expansion.
Cafe Fili, which opened this location in Mt. Vernon in 2017, will add a new location in South Baltimore’s Anthem House.
Sushi is coming to the former Souvlaki space in Hampden
The owners of Yama Sushi in Ellicott City are planning to open Hana in the former home of Hampden's Souvlaki.
A man collects trash in front of the now closed Greek cuisine restaurant, Souvlaki, on July 28, 2025.
City in crisis: Baltimore is facing a Natty Boh shortage
Pabst says increased demand for Natty Boh is driving a shortage of Baltimore’s favorite beer.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025 - Bar manager Erin Roach pours a pint of PBR -- not Natty Boh -- at the 29th Street Tavern in Remington. A shortage of National Bohemian is affected restaurants and liquor stores around the area.
The Dish: This punk rock sandwich bar may be Baltimore’s most kid-friendly restaurant
Animal Boy, a new punk rock sandwich bar on Harford Road, has something for everyone — even my excavator-obsessed toddler.
New Baltimore sandwich bar Animal Boy caters to punk parents — and hosts “unhappy hours” at 8 p.m.
Some Baltimore-area restaurants say sales have dropped 30% or more since shutdown
The government shutdown is straining furloughed federal workers and the local economy, with restaurants feeling much of the burn.
The line at Pioneer Pit Beef in Catonsville usually stretches into the parking lot it shares with a neighboring liquor store. But since the government shutdown, sales have dropped significantly at the restaurant, located near the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn.
The Dish: Cheesesteaks — and Cooper Sharp cheese — are having a moment in Baltimore
Cheesesteaks are having a moment in Baltimore, with new restaurants popping up everywhere to serve Philadelphia’s signature dish. Many feature Cooper Sharp cheese.
A cheesesteak from Frank’s Pizza & Pasta.
Gov. Wes Moore’s deputy chief of staff will lead Baltimore Public Markets
Shaina A. Hernandez will become CEO and president of the Baltimore Public Markets Corporation.
Shaina A. Hernandez, Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Wes Moore, has been named as CEO of Baltimore Public Markets.
The Dish: Baltimore’s Ronald McDonald House needs help putting food on the table
For parents with sick kids, the Ronald McDonald House can be a godsend. But the Baltimore institution’s meal program, a critical part of its mission, is at risk.
Isla Saccente, who is being treated for cerebral palsy, poses with a Ronald McDonald statue after dinner at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland building in Baltimore, MD on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
Baltimore County continues its crackdown on Towson bars serving minors
Weeks after reprimanding The Greene Turtle for the sports bar’s “Thirsty Thursday” promotions, Baltimore County officials are coming after more Towson bars accused of serving minors.
Police officers patrol the sidewalk as revelers participate in a recent Thirsty Thursday in Towson.
Yes, ‘Karen,’ your Maryland crab cakes are made with imported seafood
A video taken by an irate diner about the sourcing of a Maryland crab cake at G&M Restaurant keeps going viral on social media.
A crab cake and sides from G&M Restaurant in Linthicum Heights.
The Dish: This Baltimore chef went to hell and back with Gordon Ramsay
Baltimore chef Cat Smith’s time on Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen” has been marked by high highs and low lows.
Cat Smith says she’s proud to have represented her hometown of Baltimore on television.
These Baltimore restaurants are one step closer to opening
An Italian restaurant from the La Cuchara team and a Fells Point bar from the owners of The Local Fry are among the new spots coming to Baltimore.
901 W 36th St, formerly known as ‘Five and Dime Ale House.
Gov. Wes Moore removes most of Baltimore’s liquor board
Three of the four members of Baltimore’s Board of Liquor License Commissioners, including longtime head Albert Matricciani Jr., have been removed by Gov. Wes Moore.
Albert Matricciani Jr.
The Dish: One of Howard County’s favorite restaurants is expanding
The Walker’s Tap & Table team are preparing to launch a sister concept in Marriottsville called Barrington Tap & Table.
Ma's Lasagna pizza at Walker's Tap & Table.
The Greene Turtle’s problems go beyond the ‘Thirsty Thursday’ fiasco in Towson
Geo Concepcion, CEO of the Greene Turtle, has said the end of “Thirsty Thursday” promotions forced him to close its $4 million flagship location. But the restaurant’s problems began when it opened in 2022.
People pass The Greene Turtle sports bar on York Road during Thirsty Thursday festivities, in Towson, MD on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
The Dish: This ice cream sells out in minutes
“Sometimes it’s like everything’s gone in 10 seconds,” says John Williams, founder of Good Karma Creamery.
Pints from Good Karma Creamery sells out online in minutes. A few of their flavors include, from left, Baby Got Baklava, You’re Welcome and Pumpkin Cheesecake.
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