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    Pioneer Pit Beef

    4.7 (357 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque
    Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Pioneer Pit Beef Photos

    PIONEER PIT BEEF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Pioneer Pit Beef

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    Pit Beef w/ BBQ Sauce
    Jose C.

    This was my first time trying Pit Beef. I've been to Baltimore a few times now, but have only tried crabs. There was a line when we arrived but it moves quickly. There are also tables outside, but all were being occupied. We were able to make some room with another couple so finding a seat should be a problem. Also saw people eating in their cars or on the trunk of their cars. The sandwich itself was really delicious. I ordered mine with Tiger Sauce and wouldn't have preferred it any other way. I ordered the regular and they give you plenty of meat. The Pit Beef here reminded me of Beef on Weck from Buffalo since they also add horseradish to their sandwich, but apparently they're two different sandwiches. I also ordered Fries w/ gravy. These were also really good. The gravy was very hot. A little on the salty side but definitely helps fill you up with a regular pit beef Sandwich. I can definitely see myself returning, but not without trying Chaps first.

    Fries with gravy
    Lily W.

    It's cash only so make sure you have money to buy the deliciousness. It's a little shop that you form a line outside. Inside you will find a menu with pictures. You can pick up your food and eat at the tables outside. It was my first time so I got the beef pit sub (with tiger sauce) and fries with gravy. The tiger sauce is mayo with horseradish and it gave it very good flavor. You can taste the smokiness from the beef. The only complaint I have about the sub was that the bun was not toasted. The crunchiness of the bread would make the sub stand out more. The fries with gravy were hot and delicious. I dipped my sub into the gravy and make it my own au ju beef sub. It's definitely bang for my buck and I'll be back.

    Peter P.

    This is what you'd expect for a tiny hole in the wall type place. So it's been around a long time, but I just now found out about it. It's a pit beef spot, very Baltimore. Is very simple and they are very good at it. FYI cash only!!! It's pretty much a shack with kitchen/grill/cash register lol. They only do pit beef sandwich/subs and basic sides, nothing fancy here but damn they do the beef right. I got a super beef Sando with medium beef and it was super soft and tender and juicy delicious. Asked for onions and bbq sauce and for $8.50 it was amazing and what a deal! The service was super fast and friendly. They have some tables outside for seating but most folks take it to go. Plenty of parking in the lot. Also next to a liquor store if you're wanting to pick up a cold beer/booze with your pit beef. Now there are other pit beef's spots and how does this place compare? IMO this place as the best pit beef, but that's all they do. If you want other meats/options somewhere like chaps would be better. But just for a pure pit beef sandwich this is the spot I'd recommend and I'll come back to.

    Menu Dec 2024
    Sean K.

    Bottom line - the pit beef sandwich at Pioneer is outstanding. Absolutely delicious. Fries with gravy also incredible. This is take out only. Opens at 11 but the starts to form at 10:45-10:50. Highly recommend.

    Gabe P.

    A quintessential Baltimore food- would 100% recommend. Tucked away in an unassuming shack, the food they serve here is just straight up delicious. What they are known for- the pit beef - is tender and flavorful. Also it's relatively cheap! I would also recommend the fries with gravy to round out the experience. A few tables outside but be prepared to eat yours on the good of it's cold or if there is a line.

    Regular pit beef, medium rare w/tiger sauce
    Kevin S.

    If you know, you know. No dining other than some picnic tables outside. Cash only! Prices are very reasonable and the Guys are always friendly. One of the best Pit Beef Spots in Maryland. I've never had a bad put beef sandwich or sub. The turkey is great too.

    Pioneer Pit Beef HQ

    Full disclosure - I am not a pit beef fan. However, this place could make me change my mind. Give Pioneer Pit Beef a try! **Cash Only** I did read folks reviews and those who argue about "authenticity," well, maybe inauthentic is the "secret ingredient." The beef was well-seasoned, flavorful and moist. The fries were great. The service was a 10. Nice folks who work hard and care about their product.

    Pit beef sandwich
    Ashley V.

    I've been reading such good reviews so had to check it out. I told the guy at the window it's my first time so I wasn't sure of what to get or what toppings to pick. He didn't seem to care to help or give suggestions so I rushed so I wouldn't hold up the line. Just got the regular pit beef sandwich with mayo and bbq sauce. It was just ok, wish he added more sauce. I don't see what the hype was about unfortunately.

    Regular
    Kellie F.

    We slipped in right under the closing mark. So glad we did. One of the better things I've tried in my lifetime. But I'm also a simple girl who likes simple things. Meat was super tender and juicy, bun held up really well. The rest of our party had different toppings and all sandwiches were devoured. The fries were great, the gravy was an excellent topping. We even made some bomb leftovers. I'll go back every visit. It's off the path, drive behind the liquor store.

    The Pit Beef Sandwich
    Carlyn P.

    Everytime we drive past this place, there is a line of people. One day, we stopped to see what the hype was about. The parking lot has spaces but it's weirdly shaped. If the lot is full just park acrosd the street. Its a short walk. This is more like a food truck than a restaurant. There isnt a place to sit inside, but as we were standing in line, we noted the outside seating for nice weather. While the line looked discouraging, it moved well. The sandwich was worth every dime. The meat is juicy and savory, the bread is fresh, and the staff are very helpful with choosing the best option.

    regular medium rare w onions and tiger sauce; fries with gravy on the side
    Esther K.

    Hands down the best pit beef in the area! CASH ONLY! Located on a side road by Catonsville off route 40, there's a fairly large parking lot next to Pioneer Pit Beef. Outside are about 2-3 picnic tables for those who want to eat their food ASAP. It was a chilly day and a bit busy so we took ours home instead. The building itself is very small, so only a few people can be inside at one time. Once you get in, you can see the menu as well as pictures of some menu items and the sauce/topping list. You order directly from the kind man who carves the meat fresh. Pre-COVID, they let you taste a piece to make sure the cooked cut is how you want it. Not anymore, but nbd it's probably more sanitary that way anyway! I always get the regular pit beef, medium rare, with onions and tiger sauce. Sometimes I'll add horseradish, but I almost always get the barbecue sauce and extra tiger sauce on the side. Usually share an order of fries but if I was greedy I could eat the whole thing by myself lol. Gotta get the gravy on the side too--to dip both fries and the sandwich in! The meat is always so tender and juicy and seasoned well, the sauces complement the sandwich so well and the onion provides that nice texture difference. It is cash only, so make sure you bring cash or you'll have to use an ATM nearby. You can ask for sauces on the side or drinks at the register. Though the lines may be long at times, it goes by fairly quickly once you're inside. It usually only takes long if a patron has a big order. This is a definite must have when you're in the area!

    Medium Rare Pit Beef
    Natalie V.

    When we visited Maryland they said that Pit Beef is a must. We've tried different Pit Beef places and I personally prefer Pioneer Pit Beef. This is s shack located behind a convenience store; as soon as you arrive, you can smell all the smoky goodness of their food. There was a long line but it moved fast. I like that the service is fast, I had a lot of add-ons I wanted on my sandwich, and their able to get it right. You get to choose how you like your meat cooked and all the sauces you want to add to your sandwich. I enjoy watching the crew prepare my sandwich, shaving the meat right in front of me, and constructing my sandwich while I queue in line to pay for my order. I got a Medium Rare Pit Beef with tomatoes, cheese, onions, tiger sauce, hot jus, and a side of french fries. For a sandwich this big and this good and crispy savory fries for less than $10, I can see why the locals highly recommended this spot and I agree with them. They have a couple of outdoor tables but this is a cash-only carryout spot, and you can withdraw money from the convenience store.

    Regular Pit Beef and fries

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    5 months ago

    The best pit beef no contest. I've been eating here for 40 years and it hasn't changed a bit. My go-to

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Good pit beef sandwich's with good amount of beef. Can choose wellness options fast service with helpful staff. A good choice of condiments

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Nothing fancy, just a really tasty Maryland style pit beef. Cash only business. Old school in every way. Total gem.

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    2 years ago

    They always give you a slice of what you ordered to confirm it is exactly right. It's the best thing about Woodlawn.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Pioneer Pit Beef

    What type of wood does Pioneer use to smoke their meats?

    Hickory

    View All 2 Questions

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    BBQ Tonite

    BBQ Tonite

    4.1(40 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    One of my favorite spots in Catonsville serving up what I've been told is top-tier Pakistani food!…read moreI only grab carryout but dine in is possible. My go-to is the BBQ mixed grill, which is an excellent value for the money. You get a little bit of everything for only $27 (as of this writing). It's enough to feed a family or, for an individual, to have leftovers for several days. The food is just spicy enough to provide a bit of a kick but it's not excessive and dominating. Check out this hidden gem next time you're in the area. 8/10

    Had been curious about trying this place since I pass it most days when I go to my child's daycare…read more Overall, not bad. The outside doesn't suggest much, but there is a decent amount of space inside. I ordered takeout, but there was a huge family that filled several tables. The folks at the counter seemed busy, but they got to me after a minute to get me my food. Food - despite the name, this is not what I would call a barbecue takeout place. It is a Pakistani restaurant that is meat-forward, but not exclusively meat dishes. We went for the Mixed BBQ, which had plenty of meat for at least two hungry people, but my wife and two of our children had plenty for dinner one night and lunch the next day. The kebab was nicely spiced ground meat and it was decent on its own but also nice with a spicy green sauce. The chicken tikka was solid. There were also some heavily spiced ground beef patties. Child #1 is vegetarian and got a Lahori Chana and a Palak Paneer. The Chana was pretty standard, nicely spiced chickpeas. The palak paneer was solid with a nice blend of warm spices, but I wouldn't call it spicy. We also tried out an order of Chicken Tikka Masala. It wasn't as bright or creamy as I've gotten at other Indian or Pakistani places. It was still tasty though. A variety of breads to mop it all up, and it was a solid meal.

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    BBQ Tonite
    BBQ Tonite
    BBQ Tonite

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    Addys Barbeque - Chicken Mishkaki- Instagram @table4tu

    Addys Barbeque

    3.8(93 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    This was a good experience, large portions, and very flavorful…read more For appetizers, we ordered butterfly shrimp,wings and burnt ends platter. Shrimp were good no wow factor, wings were good just plain but would have been better if they had a sauce and the burnt ends had more of a smoked bbq flavor which was different than usual but very tender and tasty. It was served with mixed vegetables and coleslaw. Veggies were ok and seasoned and coleslaw was to be desired. Not burnt ends is an entree on the menu. For entrees: crispy chicken sandwich with fries and chicken Mishkaki. Can I say, wow the portion required stretch pants! The sandwich; meat to bun is 20% more chicken than bread. It was seasoned and fried to perfection. The fries are in house cut and seasoned well too. The chicken Mishkaki is dish never tried before but reminds you of Nazan Halal's chicken with more of a rich tomato stew flavor with peppers, onions. It was about 8 to 10 skinless thin thighs seasoned and fork tenderness served in its own plate, then another plate with rice and the fixings. Think of a fajita sizzling plate and side plate of the fixings, same as this dish. I would definitely visit again! My pictures didn't save but here are few from other viewers which is identical to what was served.

    Addy's Barbeque is one of those spots my IG algorithm would not leave me alone about. Every time it…read morepopped up, I thought, "I gotta try this place." I almost didn't though, once you dig past social media, you'll see a mix of good and bad reviews, and for a split second that gave me pause. Glad I ignored that feeling. We came on a Saturday around noon for lunch with the family. Addy's sits on the edge of a larger shopping center, nothing flashy, but easy enough to find. When you walk in, the counter is right there and the dining area is pretty small, maybe 8-10 tables total. We were greeted right away by the woman at the register, let her know we were dining in, and she handed us menus to take to our table. I had seen reviews mentioning clutter or stacked plates inside, but that wasn't the case at all during our visit. Everything was clean and in order. They had some jazz playing over the speakers, which gave the place a chill, quiet-to-moderate vibe. Lighting was average, not dim, not bright. Seating is a mix of booths and tables with chairs. I started in a chair, then slid over to the booth side of the table for more leg room. I was never uncomfortable either way. There was one person waiting on food when we arrived. We ordered at the counter and had our food in about 8 minutes, which felt quick. The same woman who took our order also brought the food out, smiled, and checked on us after. No complaints at all on service. It wasn't busy while we were there, but on our way out there was a line of about six people, so it clearly picked up. What we ordered: * Brisket Quesadilla - Shredded brisket with melted cheese in a tortilla, served with sour cream and salsa. The brisket was tender, well-seasoned, and had a light smokiness that came through nicely. * Beef Ribs - Fall-off-the-bone, smoky, saucy beef ribs with fries and cornbread. The cornbread came drizzled with honey, which honestly threw me off at first. I was like, this is either about to be really bad or really good, and it was definitely the latter. Almost cake-like, moist, and flavorful. I usually skip cornbread at BBQ spots, but this one hit. I can see how someone might feel the rib portion is a little light for the price, but not enough to stop me from ordering it again. * Mixed Mishkaki (Beef & Shrimp) - This might've been the standout. East African-style kebabs in a sweet and spicy marinade, served with rice and salad. The beef was insanely tender, I could've cut it with a cheap plastic fork. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and full of flavor, mixed with peppers and onions. It came out sizzling on a hot plate, fajita-style, which surprised us in the best way. Best bang for your buck for sure. This plate could feed two regular people... or one big back. I'm big back...lol * Cajun Chicken Tenders - I usually expect cajun to be dry-rubbed, but these were saucy, and still really good. Definitely coming back to try other flavors. Price-wise, meals range roughly from $9.99 to $24.99, and overall I thought the value was solid for what you get. Maybe some room for debate on the beef ribs, but everything else made up for it easily. Honestly, there wasn't anything on the menu I didn't want to try, and I don't even feel like I've found my go-to item yet, which is a good problem to have. As for the negative reviews I saw beforehand? I don't know. Maybe wrong day, wrong time, or they caught the place during a rough moment. Our experience was smooth, the food was fire, and the restaurant was well kept. Out of a few spots I've tried because of social media hype, this one was probably the most accurate to the hype. It made a big impression on both my wife and me. I live about 40 minutes away, and I'll definitely be back to dine-in or takeout, though I'd probably dine in so the food's hot. Great spot for a lunch date or grabbing takeout. If you've been on the fence like I was, go check it out.

    Photos
    Addys Barbeque - Seating area

    Seating area

    Addys Barbeque - Delicious wings (bbq and Cajun)

    Delicious wings (bbq and Cajun)

    Addys Barbeque - Spicy BBQ Wings

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    The Reserve Restaurant - Flounder was perfectly cooked

    The Reserve Restaurant

    3.8(31 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    I can't believe I didn't know about The Reserve Restaurant and Carryout sooner! From start to…read morefinish, everything was such a great experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the customer service was excellent--friendly, attentive, and made me feel right at home. Now the food... absolutely delicious. I really enjoyed all of the sides, but the fried chicken and catfish stole the show--both were perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. The honey butter cornbread was melt-in-your-mouth good, and the mango lemonade was the perfect refreshing touch. I'm already planning my next visit to try the crab cakes and lamb chops. This spot is a true gem, and I'll definitely be back! I can't believe I didn't know about The Reserve Restaurant and Carryout sooner! From start to finish, everything was such a great experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the customer service was excellent--friendly, attentive, and made me feel right at home. Now the food... absolutely delicious. I really enjoyed all of the sides, but the fried chicken and catfish stole the show--both were perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. The honey butter cornbread was melt-in-your-mouth good, and the mango lemonade was the perfect refreshing touch. I'm already planning my next visit to try the crab cakes and lamb chops. This spot is a true gem, and I'll definitely be back!

    This smallish restaurant is nestled in a large shopping center with plenty of parking on a private…read morelot. I arrived at noon when they opened and were still setting up for the day. There was a bench available to sit and wait until the staff was prepared to take orders. It took maybe 10 minutes for them to be ready. The ambience is nice, clean and modern. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I ordered take out. Fish, green beans and rice. My order was prepared in about 15 minutes and remained hot during my commute back to my office. Ever was really good. The fish was fresh, seasoned well and it was tasty. So were the green beans and rice. I also had a lemonade which was slightly sweet for my taste but still good. Overall I'll be a repeat customer.

    Photos
    The Reserve Restaurant - Inside dining room

    Inside dining room

    The Reserve Restaurant - Fish, green beans and rice

    Fish, green beans and rice

    The Reserve Restaurant - Photo op space

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    Photo op space

    The Caribbean Stop Take Out & Catering - Whole Jerk wings

    The Caribbean Stop Take Out & Catering

    4.4(25 reviews)
    11.5 miWestfield

    I would have loved to give a glowing review, but my order was incorrect. The service was adequate…read moreand quick. It took about 10 minutes for my food to come out. I appreciate that the food is made to order -- it was piping hot! My only gripe is the fact that I replaced my rice with mac and cheese (which costs extra according to the website) and my order was wrong. The cabbage and jerk chicken were alright, but I was disappointed to see rice instead of mac and cheese. I would recommend checking your food before leaving to avoid this issue from occurring. Also ask for utensils because they don't always remember to give them.

    This spot was a great find overall…read more 5/5 Today I had their jerk chicken and all I can say was that it was amazing. It came fresh off the grill and it was the best I have tasted since moving to Maryland. The portion size was perfect for the price. The chicken was well seasoned with the perfect amount of spice and smokey flavor. 5/5 The beef patty was hot with the right amount of flake and filling. Every bite had beef and crust. 5/5 -The fresh juice is made in house and made daily. I got 2 drink today the ginger and pineapple and the ginger and cucumber. Both had me wishing I had gotten more flavors. 4/5 I also had the oxtails Mac and Cheese was also good, but it is a really small portion for the price. The staff was super friendly and answered all of my questions. I look forward to returning to try other options on the menu. There is no space to eat in, but it's super clean and organized.

    Photos
    The Caribbean Stop Take Out & Catering
    The Caribbean Stop Take Out & Catering
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    Pioneer Pit Beef - bbq - Updated June 2026

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