Wynnes Carry Out in Baltimore: Cantonese roasted meat by the pound

Wynnes Carry Out is a Cantonese roasted-meat counter on Pennsylvania Avenue that sells whole birds, pork belly, and char siu by the pound with minimal seating and a focus on takeout. The operation is small, counter-service only, and built around the Chinese roasting tradition of siu mei, where poultry and pork are lacquered, hung, and roasted until the skin crisps.

What Wynnes actually is

This is not a sit-down restaurant. Wynnes functions as a specialized butcher counter where roasted meat is the entire inventory. Customers order by weight, and the meat comes wrapped for transport. Most people eat it at home or grab it for lunch and consume it at their desk. The shop itself holds three or four small tables, enough for someone to eat immediately after ordering, but the space and setup signal that the business exists for takeout speed.

Menu and pricing

Roasted chicken runs roughly $12 to $16 per bird depending on size; half birds cost $6 to $8. Roasted pork belly, one of the signature items, is priced by the pound and typically ranges from $14 to $18 per pound. Char siu (barbecued pork) runs $12 to $15 per pound. All meats come with skin intact on poultry and with the char and glaze that define the cooking method. Rice and simple sides like ginger scallion sauce are available for an additional charge. Prices should be confirmed by phone, as ingredient costs shift, but the per-pound and per-bird structure remains standard.

How Wynnes compares to other Baltimore Chinese takeout

Baltimore has several Cantonese roasted-meat options, but few dedicate themselves solely to the category the way Wynnes does. Wing Kee, also on Pennsylvania Avenue but further south, offers roasted meat alongside a broader dim sum and entree menu; that breadth is useful if you want soup or noodles but dilutes the roasting focus. Lee's Sandwiches on the same corridor serves Southeast Asian pho and banh mi, not roasted meat. For a similar single-focus model, Golden City in Fells Point offers roasted duck and chicken but with a small dining room and wine list that positions it as more of a casual sit-down spot. Wynnes occupies the space of pure efficiency: you want roasted meat, nothing else, ready to take out in under five minutes.

Who it suits and who it does not

Wynnes is ideal for someone craving Cantonese roasted poultry or pork with crisp, rendered skin and minimal fuss. It works well for meal prep—a whole roasted chicken or several pounds of pork belly can be portions for the week. It does not suit someone seeking a dining experience, variety within a single meal, or the comfort of full restaurant service. It also may not work for someone unfamiliar with eating meat off the bone in the traditional way; the chickens arrive whole or in large halves, not pre-cut into individual pieces.

What the first visit involves

Walk up to the counter, observe the roasted meat hanging in the window or displayed in the case, and point to what you want or call out the cut. The staff will weigh it, wrap it, and charge you. You can ask for the meat to be chopped or left whole. If you want rice or sauce, order that separately. Payment is typically cash or card. The entire transaction takes two to three minutes. Take your package to one of the small tables if you are eating immediately, or leave with it.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Wynnes is typically open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but hours should be confirmed before visiting, as they can shift seasonally or due to supply. Sunday hours are limited or closed; call ahead. The shop has street parking on Pennsylvania Avenue, which is usually available but not guaranteed. There is no dedicated lot. The nearest public transit is the Route 3 bus, which runs along Pennsylvania.

Wynnes Carry Out fills a specific need in Baltimore's Chinese food landscape: roasted meat at market price, ready immediately, with no ceremony. Its survival on Pennsylvania Avenue over years reflects both its efficiency and the neighborhood's dependence on straightforward, affordable protein.