DINER
CHERRY STREET
Baltimore, Maryland · Est. 2027
Where soulful comfort food, classic diner favorites, and Baltimore pride come together on one plate.
SUPPORT OUR
RESTAURANT
OPENING SPRING 2027!
Every contribution brings Baltimore one step closer to its community table.
Baltimore, First
Serving Comfort, Building Community
Cherry Street Diner will be locally owned and sourced from Baltimore's rich food ecosystem wherever possible.
OUR VISION
MORE THAN A DINER
A MOVEMENT
Culture on A Plate
Every recipe honors a tradition. Soul food, diner classics, and seasonal specials , united by authenticity and made with love.
Jobs & Opportunity
The diner will create meaningful, living-wage employment and a welcoming stage for emerging culinary talent in Baltimore.
chef cat
chef cat
chef cat
Cherry Street Diner is the culmination of decades of culinary creativity and community commitment. Chef Cat — Catina Smith — has spent her career not just cooking, but nurturing the very fabric of Baltimore's food culture.
From being named a 2019 Chef of the Year finalist to gracing the cover of Foodservice Monthly for promoting diversity in every kitchen, Chef Cat has earned her place as one of Baltimore's most celebrated culinary voices.
Cherry Street Diner is her boldest vision yet: a permanent home where her community can gather, eat well, and feel seen. A place where the jukebox plays and the food tastes like Sunday at Grandma's and the coffee's always on.
The Story Behind Cherry Street Diner
Every dish is made with care, inspired by tradition, rooted in culture and community.
Every dish is made with care, inspired by tradition, rooted in culture and community.
— Chef Cat · Founder, Cherry Street Diner
TIMELINE
NOV
26
-
Finalize the café concept, floor plan, equipment specifications and contractor scope.
-
Confirm Baltimore City zoning/use requirements, health department requirements, building permits and any mechanical, electrical, plumbing or fire-safety upgrades.
-
Establish the construction budget and procurement schedule.
Design, Permitting & Pre-Construction
DEC
26
-
Complete renovations and installation of food-service equipment, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and finishes. In parallel, finalize the menu, food-safety procedures, vendor accounts, staffing plan and required food-service licensing.
-
Schedule necessary inspections as work approaches completion.
Build-Out, Equipment & Licensing
JAN
27
-
Complete final building and health inspections, address punch-list items, receive required approvals, install POS/signage and complete staff training.
-
Conduct a soft opening to test operations and make adjustments, followed by the Cherry Street Cafe grand opening once all approvals are secured.
Inspections, Training & Opening:
COMING Fall//
2027//
Drop your email and we'll let you know the moment tickets drop, menus are announced, and when our Kickstarter goes live. First to know. First to taste.
Sign Up and grab your freebie now
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