One deli in Maryland runs its kitchen out of a gas station. It started as a food truck and has since added deli-inspired egg rolls to the menu.
Not exactly your usual gas station stop.
And things get even more interesting from there. The oldest spot has been slicing corned beef since 1915, while Corned Beef King took a different route. It began as a Montgomery County food truck in 2011 before moving into a Rockville gas station seven years later.
Then there are the sandwiches.
One comes stacked with twin piles of corned beef and pastrami, while pickle bars keep popping up across Maryland like some kind of briny secret society.
It’s a lot to take in, especially if you’re someone who thinks one pickle on the side is enough.
From Baltimore’s historic Corned Beef Row to the suburbs near Washington, these delis make a pretty convincing case for a weekend food crawl.
Just leave room for extra mustard and a few more napkins.
1. Attman’s Delicatessen
Slicing corned beef since 1915 earns a deli serious bragging rights. Attman’s has held its ground on Baltimore’s Lombard Street, the stretch long called Corned Beef Row.
Back in the day, this area was the heart of Jewish Baltimore. Today, the Attman family still runs the show, now past three generations.
Here’s what matters most to your stomach. The corned beef stays steaming hot in kettles throughout the day, ready to be piled onto rye.
Pastrami fans get equal love, and the hot pastrami ranks among the menu favorites. You can also go for the Attman’s Specialty Reuben if melted cheese calls your name.
Feeling bold? The Whopper stacks corned beef, roast brisket, and salami on rye. Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing join the party too.
Service is counter-style with no table service, so you order and grab. The line moves quickly, which helps since there’s usually a wait.
Want a souvenir that isn’t a T-shirt? Take home a jar of Attman’s Original Deli Mustard and keep the magic going in your own kitchen.
Other classics round out the menu nicely. You’ll spot matzo ball soup, potato latkes, and the Attman’s World Famous Jewish Hot Dog.
Hours run from 8 AM daily, with earlier closing on Sundays. Afternoons are the busiest stretch, so morning visits may save you some standing time.
Address: 1019 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21202
2. Weiss Deli
Just down the block from a 1915 legend sits another Corned Beef Row heavyweight. Weiss Deli proves one street can absolutely support two meat towers.
Forget fancy decor. The room keeps things simple, and that’s fine because your eyes will be on the sandwich anyway.
Portions here run large. Corned beef and pastrami get stacked high on rye, and turkey shows up as a solid option too.
Toppings are classic and a little feisty. Think Swiss, mustard, raw onions, and sauerkraut, which together make a sandwich with real attitude.
A fair warning about the bread. With this much meat, the rye slices can struggle to hold it together.
So grab extra napkins and maybe a fork. Nobody gets graded on neatness at a deli like this.
The Corned Beef Club is one menu highlight worth a look. It’s a smart pick if you want your deli fix in triple-decker form.
Planning matters here. Weiss closes on Sundays, and Friday mornings through Saturday afternoons bring the biggest crowds.
Visits tend to be quick, which suits a busy lunch break. Takeout and delivery are both available, so you can enjoy a sandwich without dining at the restaurant.
Street parking nearby comes in both free and paid versions. Pair this stop with Attman’s for a Baltimore corned beef crawl your belt may never forgive.
Address: 1127 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21202
3. Attman’s Potomac Deli
What happens when a Baltimore classic moves to the suburbs? You get table service, a free pickle bar, and dinner hours that stretch to 8 PM.
Attman’s Potomac Deli has been at its current Park Potomac address since 2020. It carries the family name while adding a few comforts the original doesn’t.
Sandwiches come in a range of sizes here. That’s great news whether you’re snacking or planning to skip dinner afterward.
Corned beef and pastrami lead the lineup, often served on grilled rye. Add melted Swiss, sauerkraut, coleslaw, or Russian dressing to build your own masterpiece.
Double-deckers with both meats are a popular move. The local twist is the Rockwood Manor Reuben, a highlight on the menu.
Hungry early? Breakfast and brunch are on offer, and the corned beef hash gets plenty of attention.
The menu also wanders into old-world comfort. Blintzes and stuffed cabbage give you reasons to come back beyond sandwiches.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu. There’s outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and a free parking lot too.
Sunday mornings and afternoons bring the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings are much calmer if you’d like a quieter meal.
Open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM, this location makes a late deli craving easy to handle in Maryland’s Montgomery County.
Address: 12505 Park Potomac Ave, Potomac, MD 20854
4. Mikey & Mel’s Deli
Pickles get VIP treatment in Fulton. This deli’s signature pickle bar is a big part of its identity, and half-sours make an appearance.
Set in the Maple Lawn area, Mikey & Mel’s focuses on overstuffed sandwiches. The corned beef and pastrami come piled high, just as the title promised.
Watching your fat intake but still want deli? Extra lean corned beef is an option, and it lives up to the name.
Turkey also earns its place on the menu for anyone taking a break from cured beef. The Corned Beef Reuben stands out as a menu highlight.
Sandwiches come with a side, and fresh fruit is one choice. Pickles may also come along, so you won’t leave hungry.
Matzoh ball soup rounds out the Jewish deli lineup nicely. It’s a smart starter on a chilly Maryland afternoon.
Timing helps here. Doors open at 7 AM daily, closing at 4 PM most days and 5 PM Fridays and Saturdays.
Saturday mornings get the busiest. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, so you can linger at the pickle bar without guilt.
Getting your food is flexible. Curbside pickup, in-store pickup, delivery, and dine-in are all on the table.
Parking is free in the lot and on the street. That leaves more brain space for deciding between corned beef and pastrami, which is hard enough.
Address: 8191 Maple Lawn Blvd, Fulton, MD 20759
5. Corned Beef King
Filling up your tank and your stomach at the same stop? In Rockville, that’s not a joke but a real lunch plan.
Corned Beef King began as a Montgomery County food truck in 2011. In 2018, it opened a brick-and-mortar spot inside a gas station.
The corned beef, pastrami, and brisket are made in house. They get piled onto fresh, toasted bread with sauerkraut or coleslaw as options.
Can’t choose between meats? The Identity Crisis sandwich solves that by stacking both corned beef and pastrami into one huge combo.
It comes with angry sauce, a name that sounds like it has opinions. Purists can stick with Pastrami on Rye, Corned Beef on Rye, or The Classic Reuben.
Now for the curveball. The Eggrollery serves deli-inspired egg rolls, a creative fusion you won’t find on Corned Beef Row.
Sides go beyond the basics too. Knish, potato salad, coleslaw, and chili mac fries all appear on the menu.
Love the bread? You can buy fresh rye by the loaf and take it home for weekend sandwich experiments.
Hours run daily from 10:30 AM to 8 PM. Seating is available, plus outdoor seating and curbside pickup.
Matzah ball soup is available too. Who knew the best pit stop in Maryland might involve rye and a gas pump?
Address: 330 N Stonestreet Ave, Rockville, MD 20850
6. Parkway Deli & Restaurant
Rock Creek Park gave this deli its name back in 1963. Lou Gurewitz opened it with his sister Rose and her husband Mike.
Today, Parkway Deli & Restaurant is in its third generation. That’s a lot of sandwiches handed down through one family.
The vibe is bustling and old-school, styled after New York delis. Expect energy, not quiet library whispers.
Corned beef on rye is a core classic here. Hot corned beef and pastrami sandwiches give you two strong paths.
Reuben lovers get options as well. There’s a classic Reuben and a Pastrami Reuben for anyone wanting extra smoky depth.
Extra hungry? The Deli Twins pair hot corned beef and pastrami on onion rolls, which feels like a sandwich sequel.
Good news for pickle people. The beloved pickle bar has returned, and it’s free.
Save room for dessert if you can. Seven-layer chocolate cake sits on the menu, along with matzoh ball soup for a softer start.
Hours run long, until 9 PM daily. Weekday mornings start at 8:30 AM, and weekends open at 8 AM.
Free Wi-Fi and in-store shopping add convenience. With crowds most afternoons and evenings, a mid-morning visit could save you time.
Address: 8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
7. Chick & Ruth’s Delly
Yes, that’s Delly with a y. Annapolis’s Main Street landmark spells it its own way and serves food from 6:30 AM until late.
The space is small, lively, and kitschy. It’s a diner and deli rolled into one, with piled-high sandwiches at the center.
Pastrami here is house made, and so is the corned beef hash. That makes breakfast just as tempting as lunch.
One standout is the Double Pastrami & Swiss on rye. It’s a hefty choice for anyone who believes one layer is never enough.
Corned beef sandwiches and Reubens fill out the deli side. There’s even a cheesesteak with hot pastrami and corned beef, which sounds like a delicious argument.
Because this is Maryland, crab cakes show up too. The menu offers a crab cake sandwich and a fried shrimp and crab cake plate.
Milkshakes are a big deal here. Flavors like Moose Tracks make dessert an easy yes.
Late-night food is part of the deal.
The restaurant closes at 9 PM most nights from November through March and at 10 PM from April through October, with an 11 PM closing time on Fridays and Saturdays year-round.
Parking downtown can be tricky to find. Paid garages and lots nearby help, so plan a little extra walking time.
Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Weeknights get quiet, which makes them prime time for a sneaky pastrami run.
Address: 165 Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401
8. Lenny’s Delicatessen
Ever wanted to order a sandwich by its size class? At Lenny’s, the Goliath turns any sandwich into an overstuffed giant.
This Owings Mills deli runs cafeteria-style. You’ll find sizable sandwiches, prepared meals, a hot bar, and baked goods under one roof.
Corned beef comes two ways, regular or lean. Pastrami holds down the other side of the menu with equal pride.
Reubens are on offer, and so is a grilled corned beef with slaw and Russian dressing. That combo balances crunch, tang, and plenty of meat.
Prefer something you can carry around? Corned beef and pastrami also come in wrap form.
The style here is classic Jewish deli with a Baltimore twist. Matzo ball soup shares space with a scrapple, egg, and cheese sandwich.
Breakfast starts early, at 7 AM most days. That’s handy if your corned beef cravings show up before sunrise.
Weekday hours run until 7:30 PM, Saturday until 7, and Sunday from 8 to 4. Afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch.
Visits are quick, which works for lunch breaks. Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available.
Parking includes a free lot. Just remember that ordering the Goliath may require a nap plan afterward.
Address: 9107 Reisterstown Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117
9. Mikey & Mel’s Deli – Pikesville / The Essen Room
Essen means to eat in Yiddish, which might be the most honest restaurant name in Maryland. The Essen Room opened in Pikesville at the end of 2017.
Now paired with the Mikey & Mel’s name, it keeps a New York style interior. The big draw is oversized sandwiches.
Hot corned beef and hot pastrami lead the charge. The Twin Corned Beef & Pastrami lets you skip the tough decision entirely.
Meats are never pre-cut, and food is made to order. That’s a nice touch when your sandwich is this tall.
Reubens come with corned beef, pastrami, or turkey. Choose your bread, including rye or challah.
Then there’s the G.B.M.F. sandwich. It piles five meats with coleslaw, dressing, Swiss, and greens, meant for three or four people or an eating challenge.
Brunch fans, take note. Breakfast is served all day, including Brandon’s Benedict with deli meats over potato pancakes.
The pickle bar is self-serve and all-you-can-eat. A Pickle Bag also appears on the menu for take-home crunch.
Desserts include German chocolate cake and eclairs. Shrimp salad gives a nod to local tastes.
Opening hours at the Pikesville location may change during renovations, so check directly with Mikey & Mel’s before visiting.
Weekday mornings and afternoons are busiest, and free on-site parking makes arrival easy.
Address: 25 Hooks Ln, Pikesville, MD 21208
10. Brooklyn’s Deli
A patio and a Reuben make a strong team. Brooklyn’s Deli in Potomac offers both, along with table service when you’d rather not hover at a counter.
This traditional Jewish deli leans into the classics. Corned beef and pastrami are standard here, and the Reuben is a favorite.
Portions run ample. The Reubens in particular come big, so plan your appetite accordingly.
Morning crowds have plenty to love. Breakfast includes corned beef hash and a Western omelette.
Look for the Shulman Rogers Deli Omelette on the menu too. It’s a fun local name that brings deli flavors to your eggs.
Soup lovers get choices. Matzoh ball soup and homemade chicken noodle soup both appear.
There’s also a white fish salad platter for a more traditional plate. Pickles, naturally, are part of the lineup.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available. It’s a solid choice for groups as well.
Hours vary by day. Brooklyn’s Deli is open seven days a week, but its published closing hours vary, so confirm the schedule before visiting.
Sundays bring the busiest crowds, while Wednesday evenings stay quiet. Free parking makes it easy to wrap up your Maryland deli tour with one last stack of rye.
Address: 1089 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854