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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

Monday, August 25, 2025 — Spike’s Greenhouse sandwich will likely go off the menu moving forward. Amy Gjerde is now 100% owner of Artifact Coffee, which she opened with her then-husband Spike in 2012. Amy intends to bring a softer touch to the popular shop, which offers coffee and pastries as well as locally-sourced salads and sandwiches.
Amy Gjerde to take over Artifact Coffee as she and Spike split restaurants
Amy Gjerde is taking full ownership of Artifact Coffee while ex-husband Spike Gjerde will assume control of nearby Woodberry Tavern and its attached event space.
Customers may wait in line for an hour or more at The Gift. Its fish sandwich recently went viral on TikTok.
The Dish: TikTok told me to stand in line for hours for this fish sandwich
A sense of community forms among people at The Gift waiting in line for fish sandwiches for hours. And hours.
The exterior of Bunny’s Buckets and Bubbles in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore, Md. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
What really happened at Bunny’s?
A server’s Palestinian flag pin divided Fells Point restaurant Bunny’s Buckets & Bubbles. This is what people told us went down.
The Reuben sandwich at. B&O American Brasserie. B&O offers a discount to jurors who present their badge.
The Dish: Have jury duty in Baltimore? Here’s where to grab lunch.
Jurors in Baltimore City get $30 per day for their service. Spend it on lunch at one of these 15 restaurants.
The exterior of Bunny's Buckets & Bubbles at 801 S. Ann St. in Fells Point on Aug. 18, 2025.
Fells Point restaurant Bunny’s fires at least 6 employees after pro-Palestine protest
Bunny’s Buckets & Bubbles fired several of its employees who participated in a pro-Palestine protest outside the Fells Point restaurant.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025 - The Mount Vernon Marketplace, a once-trendy food hall in Baltimore that had seen years of rising vacancies and dwindling foot traffic, will shut down this month.
After years of rising vacancies, Mount Vernon Marketplace will close this month
Mount Vernon Marketplace, a once-trendy food hall in Baltimore that has seen years of increasing vacancies, will shut down this month.
Fresh pretzels at the Dutch Market (Photo taken July 25)
The Dish: 5 foods you have to try at Cockeysville’s Amish market
The Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Baltimore County offers fresh food produce, handmade soft pretzels, barbecued meats and baked goods for an affordable price.
Papi Cuisine's crab cake egg rolls.
Papi Cuisine closes in South Baltimore
Papi Cuisine has closed in Federal Hill, but you can still get its viral crab cake egg rolls downtown.
Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole announces that Slutty Vegan will be opening a location at Baltimore Peninsula during a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
The Dish: Slutty Vegan was ‘sinking.’ Can Pinky Cole keep it afloat?
Pinky Cole is ready for a new future with Slutty Vegan, which closed down half its locations this year as it struggled with $20 million in debt.
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.
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