Where to find authentic Pit Beef?

[Civil Bear]

Hi folks-

Will be visiting the Baltimore area for the first time this summer and was wondering where I might find some authentic Pit Beef? Are there any local institutions that do it well? TIA.

[Chowtimore]

Chaps
5801 Pulaski Highway
Baltimore, Maryland 21205

http://www.chapspitbeef.com/

Rare, of course.

[baltoellen]

A second to Chaps. Plus, Pulaski Hwy is/was pit beef central. You really should be eating your sandwich while sandwiched between strip clubs, and near cut rate liquor and carpet stores.

[1000yregg]

I would recommend Canopy Pit Beef- better beef than Chaps.
There are locations in Ellicott City, Glen Burnie, and Catonsville.
There fries are better than Chaps as well- not soggy.

[Hal Laurent]

I've only been to the Canopy in Glen Burnie (dragged there against my will several times by coworkers), and I don't think that much of their food. Perhaps especially the fries, which would definitely not have been described as "not soggy".

[hon]

I had the "pit beef" once from the Canopy in Ellicott City, NEVER again. I swear it was some sort of pressed beef, nasty.

[1000yregg]

The Canopy locations use freshly slice pieces of beef from pieces cooking on the "pit". I've never seen them use "pressed beef" like Arby's.
The Med rare and rare beef is pretty incredible.
Also, they double fry their fries Belgian style, so they only get soggy if they've sat in a bag.

[Hal Laurent]

The limp fries I've had at the Canopy in Glen Burnie were eaten there, not carried out in a bag.

[ko1]

Everyone knows that good pit beef can not be made or served in a permanent structure.

[amyatkendall]

I may have to give this Baltimore delicacy a try again. I tried it for the first time at the Flower Mart in Mount Vernon a month ago and thought it was nauseating - the beef was fatty and gristly. I couldn't understand what the fuss was about.

[MDicecreamguy]

The Canopy in Catonsville is closed.

[wouldyoueva]

Ah, but the one in Ellicott City is still open, or was last week when I went in there.

It was pretty good, but not as good as Pioneer.

[JonParker]

I get my pit beef fix from the guys at the farmer's market under 83. Nothing gets my Sunday off to a better start than rare pit beef with horseradish and onions at 7:45 AM.

[Ellen]

I can't speak to one particular place, but if you are there during ArtScape, which is a multi block arts, crafts and music festival sometime in July, they will have several good pit beef stands to choose from. Go with someone else and try several. You are guaranteed to have some really good pit beef there. I just can't tell you which stand, so if you go, look for the longest lines, And hit the crab cake stand while you're at it. For dessert.

[crosby_p]

I've only had it a few times, but love it at the Charcoal Grill on Old Harford Road at Putty Hill in Parkville...rare with onions...yummy.

[KOK]

Pioneer Beef on Rolling Road at Johnnycake Road is excellent! Outside the Baltimore beltway by Security Square Mall, they give you a tasting slice of the beef you ordered to show you its done-ness. Rare IS rare, and juicy. Excellent fries too. Open Mon-Sat.

Kevin

Pioneer Beef
1600 N Rolling Rd,
Windsor Mill, MD
[phone]

[Dennis S]

Yes - this was my first pit beef (finally) just last week. So, although I'm new to it, I really liked this place. Especially fun is the generous amount of space within the building for customers! </sarcasm>

Can you inform me what the Tiger sauce is and if that's worth it? I get up there 2 times a month and I want to make my trips to PB the best they can be.

[MDBBQFiend]

Tiger Sauce is mayo with horseradish - great on pit beef and a must have for turkey sandwich Thanksgiving leftovers!

[tartuffe]

Falls rd just north of Padonia. I believe its called Shorty's

[wouldyoueva]

I used to eat here at least once a week when I worked for Medicare. Then I changed jobs, and moved to the DC area. I came back to visit friends 2 years later, walked in, the counterman looked at me, and recited my usual order back to me.

It's sort of under I-70, and I think the official address is Johnnycake Rd.

[WestIndianArchie]

OMG, this may be my greatest discovery on Chowhound