Tim Carman

Washington, D.C.

Reporter focusing on national food issues; critic covering affordable and under-the-radar restaurants in the D.C. area.

Education: University of Nebraska at Kearney, BA in journalism

Tim Carman is a food reporter at The Washington Post, where he has worked since 2010. Before joining The Post, he served for five years as food editor and columnist at Washington City Paper. Carman's previous jobs include managing editor at the Houston Press and entertainment reporter and critic at the Houston Post. He started his journalism career as a Wyandotte County bureau clerk at the Kansas City Star. He has written for Imbibe magazine, the American Scholar, Men's Journal and other publications. His work has appeared in five volumes of the "Best Food Writing" collections.
Latest from Tim Carman

David Chang and Momofuku say they won’t enforce ‘chile crunch’ trademark

Momofuku says it has “heard the feedback from our community and now understand that the term ‘chili crunch’ carries broader meaning for many.”

April 12, 2024
David Chang at his now-closed restaurant Momofuku Ko in 2019.

David Chang’s Momofuku draws heat over its ‘chile crunch’ trademark

Celebrity chef David Chang’s Momofuku holds a trademark on “chile crunch” and is sending cease-and-desist letters to other companies trying to use the term.

April 8, 2024

World Central Kitchen attack in Gaza spotlights dangers for aid workers

Deaths of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza and other conflict-ridden areas are on the rise.

April 3, 2024
World Central Kitchen announced that it was “pausing” its operations in Gaza after seven aid workers were killed.

Palestinian-Israeli dinners spark backlash, then understanding

After a Palestinian activist protests a series called Two Plate Solution, organizers pursue a conversation with her rather than letting it play out online.

March 16, 2024
Nesrin Abaza, left, co-owner of El Secreto del Rosita, and Palestinian activist Jinan Deena talk at the restaurant.

What’s the best fast-food fish sandwich? We ranked the top 5.

Here’s how the fried fish sandwiches from Burger King, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Popeyes, Bojangles and McDonald’s stack up.

February 28, 2024

Kim Lai, co-founder of Four Sisters Vietnamese restaurant, dies at 77

The Northern Virginia restaurants Kim Lai ran with his wife and children were beloved by Vietnamese immigrants, D.C.-area residents and chefs alike.

February 23, 2024
From left: Ly Lai, Lieu Lai-Williams, Hoa Lai, Kim Lai, Thanh Tran, Le Lai, Thuan Lai and LoAnn Lai in front of Four Sisters, the family restaurant that relocated to Merrifield in 2008. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post)

How Virginia Ali made Ben’s Chili Bowl, and herself, a symbol of D.C.

At 90, Virginia Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl, which marks 65 years in business, has become the city’s reluctant matriarch.

February 15, 2024

A toast to Pop-Tarts, the childhood treat I couldn’t resist

The death of Pop-Tarts inventor Bill Post resurrects warm, fresh-from-the-toaster memories.

February 14, 2024

As coffee shops become union battlegrounds, owners hit back

Beyond Starbucks, baristas and other workers at independent coffee shops and small chains press their organizing efforts, but some shops are closing instead.

February 1, 2024
Former employees protest the closing of all four Adda Coffee & Tea House locations after they tried to unionize in Pittsburgh. (Jacob Blumenstein-Paul)

The McDonald’s Double Big Mac is too much of a good (bad) thing

The McDonald’s Double Big Mac, back for a limited time, is beefier. But does that make it worth the damage?

January 25, 2024
A Double Big Mac, right, and a regular Big Mac.