T&M Carry Out in Baltimore: No-Frills Soul Food and Seafood by the Pound

A small counter-service spot in West Baltimore, T&M Carry Out specializes in fried chicken, catfish, and shellfish sold by the pound at prices substantially lower than sit-down restaurants in the same category. The operation runs no dine-in service, no online ordering, and no delivery; you order at the window, wait, and leave with paper-wrapped portions. It sits on the roster of Baltimore carry-outs that survived by keeping overhead flat and prices aligned with neighborhood economics rather than restaurant markup.

What T&M Carry Out actually is

T&M is a takeout-only operation focused on fried seafood and chicken prepared in bulk quantities. You order by the pound or by count (a dozen wings, for example), not by restaurant-style plated portions. The model is built for cost: minimal staff, no front-of-house, no table turnover friction. It reflects a category of food business common to Baltimore's working neighborhoods, distinct from casual-dining seafood chains or full-service soul food restaurants that price items as individual dishes.

Menu and pricing

Fried catfish runs approximately $10 to $12 per pound, depending on cut and market. Fried chicken is priced similarly, around $9 to $13 per pound. Hard crabs (in season, typically May through December) are sold by the dozen or half-dozen at market rate; a dozen medium crabs typically ranges from $40 to $80 depending on season and supply. Shrimp, when available, follows the per-pound model. Sides like hushpuppies, mac and cheese, and coleslaw are ordered separately, usually $3 to $6 per container.

Prices shift with input costs and seasonal availability, especially for live crabs and fresh shrimp; call ahead to confirm current pricing on specialty items.

How T&M compares to other Baltimore carry-outs and seafood options

T&M operates in the same category as other by-the-pound seafood carries like Faidley's (located inside Lexington Market, also crab-focused but in a market setting with higher overhead) and smaller neighborhood spots in East and West Baltimore. Unlike Faidley's, which sells crabs in a retail market environment and prices accordingly, T&M keeps costs down by operating a standalone counter with no market rent or the associated markup.

Compared to sit-down seafood restaurants like Obrycki's or L.P. Steamers, T&M skips the table service, napkins, and plating; you get the same fried catfish or crab, but at carry-out prices. The tradeoff is speed of preparation and casual presentation, not ingredient quality or technique. If you want to sit down and be waited on, L.P. Steamers or Obrycki's make sense. If you want to feed a household or a gathering at the lowest per-pound cost, T&M's model wins.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

T&M suits people buying in bulk for a family meal, a small event, or a week of lunches. It suits anyone comfortable with no frills, no seating, and paper wrapping. It does not suit diners seeking a restaurant experience, ambiance, or menu variety beyond fried seafood and chicken. It does not work for casual solo dining.

What the first visit involves

Walk to the counter window, review the handwritten menu or ask what is available that day. Order by weight or count. Wait; preparation typically takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how busy they are and what you order. Pay cash (confirm whether they take card). Receive your order wrapped in paper and plastic, packed in a bag. Leave. There is no table, no utensil pack, no napkin dispenser; bring your own if you plan to eat on-site.

Hours, parking, and logistics

T&M operates from mid-morning through evening most days, though hours vary; call to confirm they are open before going. There is typically curb or street parking available in the immediate area, though availability depends on time of day and neighborhood. The location is accessible by bus; confirm the nearest stop for your starting point. No phone ordering or digital payment simplifies the transaction but means no advance orders or reservations.

T&M Carry Out holds its place in Baltimore's food landscape because it delivers protein by the pound at neighborhood prices, without the markup of casual dining or the formality of a seated meal.