Attman's Delicatessen in Baltimore: Pastrami and Corned Beef on Lombard Street

Attman's is a Jewish delicatessen that has operated on Lombard Street in East Baltimore since 1915, specializing in hand-sliced pastrami and corned beef sandwiches prepared to order at a counter where customers watch the meat come off the slicer.

What Attman's actually is

A full-service deli counter built around beef curing and slicing rather than pre-made inventory. The shop occupies a narrow storefront in the Lombard Street corridor, a neighborhood strip that once anchored Baltimore's Jewish community. Most orders are sandwiches built to individual specification, though the kitchen also prepares platters, sides, and a limited ready-made case. Unlike modern sandwich chains, Attman's operates on a build-to-order model where the slicer thickness, meat proportion, and bread choice all reflect customer preference. The business operates as a lunch-focused counter with limited seating; most traffic is takeout or eat-at-counter standing room.

Menu and pricing

A sandwich costs between $9 and $12, depending on meat selection and portion size. Pastrami and corned beef run at the higher end; roast beef, turkey, and roast chicken are cheaper. The shop offers rye, white, and whole wheat bread. A platter with two sides (potato salad, coleslaw, pickles, or baked beans) runs $14 to $16. Prices are subject to change; confirm current rates before visiting. The deli does not serve alcohol or coffee, though bottles and cans are sold at the register.

How Attman's compares to other Baltimore delis

Baltimore has few remaining Jewish delis of comparable age and style. Attman's is the most recognizable, with the longest continuous operation and the most consistent reputation for hand-sliced meat. Matzoh serves a similar menu in a more modern setting with table seating, located a few blocks away on the same strip; Matzoh is quieter and slower-paced, better suited to eating in rather than grabbing lunch quickly. Attman's is faster, more transactional, and closer to the working-deli model. Weiss Market, also on Lombard, is primarily a grocery and deli counter without the same sandwich reputation. For sandwich speed and price, local delis in Fells Point and Harbor East operate at different quality standards and neighborhood contexts; Attman's is the institutional choice for traditional pastrami.

Who it suits and who it does not

Attman's works best for people eating lunch alone or in a small group who prioritize meat quality and do not require table seating or table service. The counter operates quickly during lunch rush (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), and waiting 10 to 15 minutes is normal on weekdays. First-time visitors should expect to order at a live counter and specify exactly what they want before the slicer engages. The space is cramped, the atmosphere is transactional rather than leisurely, and there is no beer list or wine program. Families with young children or groups seeking a social meal experience should choose Matzoh instead. People with dietary restrictions beyond standard deli options (gluten-free bread, pastrami alternatives) may find the menu limiting.

What the first visit involves

Enter at the storefront on Lombard Street and join the queue at the counter. Scan the chalkboard or ask what meats are available that day. Decide on sandwich size (half or full), bread type, and any sides. State your order clearly to the worker at the slicer, who will portion and slice in front of you. Pay at the register (cash or card accepted) and take your sandwich to a small counter seat if available, or eat standing at a high table, or take it to go. The whole transaction takes 5 to 10 minutes during off-peak times; longer if the line backs up. The slicer creates fresh pastrami as you watch, so the sandwich will be warm; this is the quality benchmark.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Attman's opens Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the shop is closed Sunday. Street parking on Lombard is available but tight during lunch hour; the neighborhood has no dedicated lot. The storefront is accessible by bus (multiple routes serve Lombard Street in East Baltimore). Verify current hours before visiting, as holiday schedules occasionally shift. The shop is cash-friendly but accepts cards.

Attman's survives as a one-location business on the strength of meat sourcing and technique rather than expansion or renovation. It remains the reference point for pastrami in Baltimore because the product justifies the counter chaos and the tight quarters.