Arlon's Carryout & Delivery in Baltimore: Quick Chinese Food with Reliable Same-Day Service

Arlon's is a single-location Chinese carryout on Baltimore's west side that handles both walk-in orders and delivery through its own drivers, avoiding third-party apps and their markup fees. The menu focuses on standard Cantonese and Americanized Chinese dishes, with prices positioned for weeknight dinner rather than special occasion dining. It operates in a competitive category where Baltimore residents choose between independent carryouts, national chains like Wok & Roll, and app-based aggregators like DoorDash, each with distinct trade-offs in speed, cost, and food quality.

What Arlon's actually is

Arlon's operates as a traditional Chinese carryout with a walk-up counter and a small dining area. Orders are prepared to order, not held under heat lamps, which matters for texture and temperature consistency. The business runs its own delivery fleet rather than partnering with third-party platforms, meaning customers who order delivery deal directly with Arlon's staff and avoid the 15 to 30 percent markup that DoorDash or Uber Eats add to menu prices. This model works best for customers within a few miles of the location; delivery times typically run 25 to 40 minutes depending on order volume and destination.

Menu, pricing, and portion sizes

Entrees run $7 to $13 for single orders: chicken lo mein, beef and broccoli, General Tso's chicken, shrimp fried rice, and egg rolls are standard. Combination platters, which bundle an entree with fried rice or lo mein plus a roll, cost $9 to $15 and represent better value per item. Large family-size portions of the same dishes cost $16 to $22 and serve three to four people. A small container of soup (wonton, egg drop) runs $3 to $4. Prices align with other independent Baltimore carryouts; Wok & Roll locations charge slightly more ($9 to $15 for entrees) but operate more locations and have more standardized prep. Call ahead to confirm current pricing, as ingredient costs shift seasonally.

How Arlon's compares to other Baltimore delivery options

Independent carryouts like Arlon's differ from both national chains and app-based aggregators in three ways. First, you avoid app fees: ordering directly means paying menu price, not the inflated rate DoorDash charges. Second, you get fresher food because the kitchen isn't prepping for multiple platforms simultaneously. Third, you trade convenience for coverage: Arlon's delivers to a defined area, while DoorDash reaches anywhere in the city. Wok & Roll operates four Baltimore locations and guarantees more standardized results but costs more and has less personality. For customers within delivery range who value lower cost and customization, Arlon's wins. For those ordering from neighborhoods outside the delivery zone or wanting guaranteed speed (via app), a platform service makes more sense. For dine-in Chinese food with table service, Arlon's does not compete; that category includes sit-down restaurants in Fells Point and Canton.

Who it suits and who it should avoid

Arlon's serves households ordering Chinese food one or two times a week, families prepping a quick weeknight dinner, and office groups pooling for lunch. The menu skews traditional, so customers seeking Sichuan spice, hand-pulled noodles, or contemporary fusion should look elsewhere. Those without a car or living outside the delivery radius should rely on a delivery app instead. Customers who order so infrequently that they cannot memorize basic menu items may find the phone-order process (no online ordering system) slower than typing on an app.

What the first visit involves

Call to place an order or walk in to browse a laminated menu above the counter. For walk-ins, expect a 10 to 15 minute wait during lunch or dinner hours; the kitchen works in order. Specify protein, sauce level (mild, medium, spicy), and any vegetable swaps. Payment is cash or card at pickup. For delivery, provide your address to confirm service and then call with your order. Drivers typically call upon arrival rather than leaving food at the door, so plan to be available.

Hours, location, and logistics

Arlon's operates Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Mondays. (Verify current hours by phone before a special trip, as seasonal closures do occur.) Parking is street parking on the surrounding blocks; the carryout itself is small with no dedicated lot. The location sits at a bus stop, so transit access is viable. Delivery is available within a 3 to 4 mile radius during operating hours; call to confirm your address falls within range before ordering.

Arlon's survives in Baltimore because it does one thing consistently: gets familiar food to regular customers faster and cheaper than the aggregator alternative, and it has earned enough repeat business to stay open for decades in a category where margins are thin.