Anthony's Deli at Liberty Market in Baltimore: Counter Service for Sandwiches and Prepared Foods
Anthony's Deli occupies a counter inside Liberty Market, a public food hall on Paca Street in downtown Baltimore, where it operates alongside other independent vendors rather than as a standalone storefront. The deli focuses on made-to-order sandwiches, prepared salads, and hot items, serving lunch-focused crowds from the office towers and nearby neighborhoods.
What Anthony's Deli Actually Is
Liberty Market itself functions as a shared kitchen and eating space: individual operators run their own counters within a single address, with shared seating in the middle. Anthony's is one of roughly a dozen vendors in the hall. The deli side of the operation specializes in Italian sandwiches, roast beef, turkey, and ham builds, along with house-made sides like pasta salad and marinated vegetables. It is not a full-service Italian restaurant or a standalone deli shop with its own storefront. The appeal is speed and customization at lunch hours, not extensive sit-down dining or catering.
Menu, Pricing, and What to Order
Sandwiches run between $10 and $14 depending on meat choice and size. A roast beef sandwich costs roughly $11 to $12; Italian cold cuts run similar. Hot items, available depending on the day, include meatballs and sausage at around $8 to $10 per order. Sides like pasta salad, marinated mushrooms, and olives are priced individually at $3 to $5. Confirm current pricing by phone or in person, as deli costs shift with ingredient costs.
The roast beef receives frequent mention from regulars. Custom builds are standard: you specify bread type, toppings, and condiments at the counter. This is not a grab-and-go model with preset sandwiches; expect a short wait while your order is assembled.
How It Compares to Other Baltimore Delis
Attman's Delicatessen on East Lombard Street is Baltimore's oldest deli, operating since 1915, and maintains a full butcher counter and formal sit-down seating. Attman's serves corned beef, pastrami, and brisket sandwiches in the Eastern European Jewish tradition; sandwiches cost $12 to $15. Choose Attman's for historical presence, butcher-case browsing, and a dedicated storefront experience. Choose Anthony's for speed during a work lunch and for the option to eat at shared tables without committing to a single vendor.
Wettstock's, a German deli in Fells Point, stocks imported meats, house-made sausages, and prepared sides; it functions partly as a grocery and partly as a casual counter. Wettstock's attracts customers building charcuterie boards or stocking their kitchens, whereas Anthony's is primarily a lunch counter.
Liberty Market itself means Anthony's shares seating and foot traffic with pizza, ramen, and other vendors. If you want a single deli experience, choose Attman's. If you want a deli sandwich as part of a mixed lunch outing, Anthony's setup suits that better.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Anthony's works best for weekday lunch crowds: professionals with 30 minutes, construction workers, and people who want a made-to-order sandwich without the formality of a sit-down meal. The shared Liberty Market space attracts people who want to explore multiple vendors in one trip.
It does not suit customers seeking a butcher counter, take-home prepared foods in quantity, or catering. It is not a destination for evening or weekend dining. Sunday and evening hours are limited; verify before planning a visit outside typical work lunch hours.
What a First Visit Involves
Walk into Liberty Market on Paca Street and locate Anthony's counter, typically in the middle or rear section of the hall. Place your order at the counter; the staff will confirm bread, meat, toppings, and condiments. Pay and wait while your sandwich is built, usually five to ten minutes. Carry your order to the shared seating area in the center of the hall, or take it with you. No reservation, no table service, no menu memorization required.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Liberty Market operates Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with limited or no weekend service. Call ahead to confirm Anthony's is open, especially if visiting outside peak lunch hours. Parking is street parking on Paca Street and nearby; the lot fills quickly during midday. The location is accessible by bus on the MTA 3 and 10 lines and is a short walk from the Penn Station area.
Anthony's Deli offers a straightforward, customizable sandwich and sides at a fair lunch price within Baltimore's most active shared food hall, making it a practical choice for weekday lunch over a longer destination meal.
