OPEN
Mama Koko’s: A new coffee and cocktail room has landed in Old Goucher. Located inside the historic James E. Hooper House, Mama Koko’s soft opened this month, serving breakfast and lunch to start, with expanded evening hours coming soon. Expect dishes like breakfast sandwiches on cro’gels (a mix between a croissant and a bagel), acai bowls, a shrimp po’boy, and a BALT sammie. Vegan options are plentiful, too.
The concept comes from general manager Angola Selassie, who named the cafe after his mother. “One day I’m inside her kitchen, and I take a look around and see Star Wars collectibles, vintage coffee posters, references to New Orleans, stacks of books, an ancestral shrine, a bar cart—and I thought, we should theme [Mama Koko’s] after our house and the hospitality my mother gives,” he says.
His mother’s influence will also translate into the food program, which will incorporate flavors from the Caribbean, New Orleans, West African street food, and French cuisine. When evening hours start, the menu will feature rum cocktails and tapas bites. The goal is for the space to to be inclusive and community-focused.
“We aspire to be so much more than just a transactional place,” Selassie says. “We’re a spot where you can take it a little slower and exchange with people, talk, and interact.”
Arepi: This Fells Point Farmers Market favorite has officially debuted its own brick-and-mortar in the neighborhood. Fans can now get their hands on the signature arepas—stuffed with everything from shredded chicken and mozzarella to plantains and black beans— Thursday through Sunday in the former home of Luna Garden, adjacent to The Sound Garden, on Thames Street. Aside from the famous corn-based pockets, the spot offers Venezuelan-style street food like cachapas and cheese tequenos.
COMING SOON
OneDo at Rash Field Park: A new location of OneDo Coffee Roasters is headed to the south side of the Inner Harbor. Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore announced this week that the coffee shop out of Canton—best known for its pretty pour-overs, seasonal specials, and light fare—will open another outpost next spring at Rash Field Park’s cafe space. When it arrives, expect a menu of coffees, teas, sandwiches, and salads to grab and enjoy while walking the waterfront promenade.
The park itself, known as a hotspot for beach volleyball, has been undergoing significant redevelopment, with the second and final phase set to begin construction later this year. Amenities on hand already include children’s play areas, wildlife gardens, and the popular Jake’s Skatepark. “With the significant increase in Rash Field Park’s daily visitors, this partnership is essential in enriching the waterfront experience,” said Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore president Laurie Schwartz, in a press release.
NEWS
Jumbo Fresh Supermarket Opens in Sowebo: A new grocery store will officially cut the ribbon tomorrow at 1205 W. Pratt St. in Southwest Baltimore—marking a huge win for a community known as one of the city’s largest food deserts after the 2022 closure of Price Rite. At Jumbo Fresh, expect a wide array of produce, a seafood section, a butcher counter, and a forthcoming deli counter. Councilwoman Phylicia Porter helped bring the grocer to the neighborhood. “After more than one year, four grocer groups turning us down, and raising more than $1.4 million of city and state funds, we did it,” she wrote on social media.
Pete’s Grille Is Up for Sale: Owners of beloved Waverly breakfast spot Pete’s Grille have announced that they’re putting the business up for sale. A staple on Greenmount Avenue since the ‘80s, Pete’s has long been known for its all-day breakfast menu and annual pancake-eating contest. “It’s time we pass the torch to someone with a love for community and a passion for the restaurant industry,” the owners wrote on social media. As of publication time, they say there are no plans to close, “so stop in and see us when you can.”
Plate It, Baltimore! Season Two Coming Soon: Local cooking competition show Plate It, Baltimore! will debut its second season next week on the Very Local streaming app, with new episodes available weekly beginning Aug. 14. Each episode pits two chefs against one another to see who can create the top city-inspired meal with locally sourced ingredients. This season, keep your eyes peeled for contestants such as Sumayyah Bilal of Codetta Bake Shop, Tre’von Clark of The Tre’von Clark Experience, Craig Falk of The Lunchbox Lady and Bmore Big Softy, Laurie Boucher of Cafe Campli, Jimmy Longoria of Mexican On The Run, and many more.
“To not only be nominated for an Emmy for our work on the first season but also to return for another season, it just means the world,” the show’s host Chyno (@thebaltimorefoodie) said in a press release. “I’m just so excited to show off this next cast of Baltimore’s culinary talents.”