Fair Price Market & Deli in Baltimore: Old-school Jewish deli with house-made corned beef

Fair Price Market & Deli operates as a full-service Jewish delicatessen and grocery, combining a working neighborhood market with an in-house kitchen that produces corned beef, pastrami, and prepared foods daily. Located in Pikesville, it serves as one of the few remaining traditional delis in the Baltimore area that still makes its own cured and smoked meats rather than buying them wholesale.

What Fair Price Market & Deli actually is

This is a dual-purpose operation: a retail grocery stocking kosher products, dairy, and specialty items on one side, and a functional deli counter with a small seating area on the other. The business cures and smokes its own meats in-house, which distinguishes it sharply from sandwich shops that source pre-made products. The deli dates to the mid-20th century and remains family-owned, occupying a corner location that has housed it for decades. The space is tight, with limited seating, and operates primarily as a takeout and counter-service establishment rather than a sit-down restaurant.

Menu, pricing, and portions

A corned beef sandwich on rye runs approximately $15 to $17, depending on meat weight and bread choice. Pastrami is similarly priced. A pound of house-made corned beef for home cooking costs roughly $22 to $26 per pound. Brisket and turkey are also available. Sides include traditional deli fare: potato salad, coleslaw, and pickles. Daily specials and prepared items rotate; calling ahead to confirm availability of specific cuts is recommended, as production varies week to week. The deli also stocks packaged kosher meats, imported cheeses, and specialty groceries at grocery-store price points.

How it compares to other Baltimore delis

Baltimore's deli landscape has contracted significantly over the past two decades. Attman's Delicatessen on East Lombard Street operates on a larger scale with more seating and full table service; it sources some meats externally and functions more as a classic deli restaurant. Weiner's New York Delicatessen, also on Lombard, similarly leans toward restaurant service. Fair Price occupies a different niche: it is smaller, counter-focused, and commits production resources to in-house curing rather than volume. Choose Fair Price if you want to watch the operation or buy whole cuts for home use; choose Attman's if you want sit-down service and a full menu including sides and entrees prepared to order.

Who it suits and who it does not

Fair Price works best for people seeking authentic house-made corned beef and pastrami, those shopping for kosher groceries in Pikesville, and anyone wanting to buy unsliced meat for home cooking or charcuterie boards. It does not suit diners wanting full table service, a large menu, or quick casual dining in a polished space. The deli also does not accommodate large group orders without advance notice; it is built for individual orders and small family purchases. Dietary restrictions beyond kosher compliance are not a primary focus.

What the first visit involves

Walk to the deli counter and view the meat case. The staff will discuss available cuts, weight options, and today's readiness; some items may require a brief wait if you arrive during lunch rush. If ordering a sandwich, specify rye or other bread and how much meat you want. The deli opens for lunch around mid-morning; arriving between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. will find the full range available but also the longest line. The space is cramped, with standing room only if you choose to eat there, so most customers take their order to go.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Fair Price is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Saturday and Sunday to observe the Sabbath. It is located in Pikesville, a neighborhood northwest of downtown with street parking and small nearby lots. The business does not accept credit cards at this writing, though this should be confirmed before visiting; calling ahead at the deli directly is the safest way to verify current payment methods and whether a specific meat is available that day.

Fair Price Market & Deli represents a working model of deli-making that has largely disappeared from American cities. It justifies a trip for anyone serious about corned beef quality or looking to stock a kitchen with house-cured meat.