Pimlico Chinese Carryout in Baltimore: A Neighborhood Staple for Cantonese Takeout
Pimlico Chinese Carryout is a small takeout-only operation in the Pimlico neighborhood serving Cantonese-style dishes at prices that anchor the lower end of Baltimore's Chinese food market. There is no dining room, no delivery app markup, and no frills. Orders are placed at a counter, prepared in an open kitchen, and ready within 10 to 15 minutes for most items.
What Pimlico Chinese Carryout actually is
This is a traditional Cantonese carryout built on a straightforward menu: chow mein, fried rice, lo mein, vegetable and meat dishes with brown or white sauce, and a handful of soups. The operation has served the immediate neighborhood for decades and draws regulars who value consistency and speed over experimentation. The kitchen works from a small footprint; nothing on the menu is plated to order. All ingredients are prepped in advance, and most dishes come off the wok in minutes.
Menu and pricing
A large container of chow mein or fried rice runs $8 to $10 depending on protein. Adding chicken, shrimp, or pork costs roughly $1 to $2 more than vegetable versions. Combination plates (entree plus fried rice and egg roll) fall into the $12 to $15 range. Individual soups are $5 to $7. Lo mein and noodle soups sit in the $9 to $12 band. These prices hold steady but should be confirmed directly with the shop; carryout operations sometimes adjust charges without formal announcement.
Portion sizes run large. A large fried rice order typically feeds two people at lunch or serves as a base for a second meal.
How it compares to other Baltimore Chinese carryouts
Pimlico Chinese Carryout occupies a different niche than sit-down restaurants like Hunan Taste in Canton or Szechuan House in Fells Point, both of which emphasize regional Sichuan cooking and charge $12 to $18 per entree. It also differs from delivery-focused carryouts in Inner Harbor and Federal Hill, which build margins into app orders and tend toward Americanized staples.
Pimlico sits closest to other neighborhood carryouts like Golden Palace in Dundalk or New China in Glen Burnie: all three rely on Cantonese techniques, serve a local customer base, and price under $10 for a standard large dish. The distinction is proximity. Pimlico is the walk-in choice for the Pimlico and northern Gwynn Oak neighborhoods; Golden Palace and New China require a drive or bus trip for most of West Baltimore.
Who it suits and who it does not
This place works for people who want competent Cantonese cooking fast, without ceremony or delivery fees. It suits lunch breaks, weeknight dinners built around fried rice, and anyone living within two miles of the storefront. It does not suit diners seeking menu innovation, alcohol, or ambiance. It also does not serve those dependent on delivery apps, since Pimlico Chinese Carryout does not appear on major platforms and does not operate its own delivery service.
What the first visit involves
Walk in and read the menu posted above the counter. Order at the register and pay in cash or card. Provide your name. While you wait, watch the kitchen work from the open area behind the counter. Most orders are ready within 10 to 15 minutes. Retrieve your food, and leave. The entire transaction takes 20 minutes or less if you arrive during a calm period; during lunch or dinner rush, expect closer to 25 or 30 minutes and a short wait in line.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Pimlico Chinese Carryout operates Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and is closed Mondays. Verify current hours by phone before a visit, as early closures happen during slow periods. There is street parking on the surrounding blocks; a dedicated lot does not exist. The storefront sits on a commercial strip accessible by bus or a short drive from most of Pimlico and Gwynn Oak.
Pimlico Chinese Carryout has remained in place long enough to be a reference point for the neighborhood, and the consistency of its pricing and cooking keeps it competitive against delivery apps and newer competitors.
