Huntington Deli & Market in Baltimore: Old-school counter service and house-made corned beef

A counter-service deli in Fells Point that builds sandwiches to order and sells prepared foods, imported groceries, and meat by the pound. Huntington occupies a narrow storefront on Thames Street and operates as both a casual lunch spot and a neighborhood provisioner where regulars buy pastrami for home cooking.

What Huntington actually is

Huntington is a Jewish-style deli without table seating, focused on hand-sliced meats and sandwiches made while you wait. The space is small, with room for maybe four or five people at the counter; most customers order and leave. The menu centers on corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, and turkey, all sliced fresh. The deli also stocks imported cheeses, canned goods, and prepared sides like potato salad and coleslaw, and sells whole cuts of meat at retail prices for cooking at home.

Menu, pricing, and sandwich format

Sandwich prices range from roughly $10 to $14 depending on meat choice and portion size. A standard corned beef or pastrami sandwich on rye includes meat, mustard, and pickle; adding cheese or upgrading to a double portion costs extra. Individual portions of sides like potato salad run $3 to $5. Whole meats sold by the pound range from $12 to $18 per pound depending on the cut and whether it is prepared or raw.

The corned beef is house-cured and cooked in-house, distinguishing it from delis that buy pre-cooked product. Pastrami follows the same approach. Both are available in thin-sliced (standard sandwich cut), medium, or thick cuts; specifying your preference at order matters, as thickness affects both texture and final price. Rye bread comes from a local bakery; the deli does not bake in-house.

How Huntington compares to other Baltimore delis

Baltimore has few remaining Jewish delis. Attman's Deli in Lombard has been operating since 1915 and offers table seating, a full bar, and a wider menu including soups and entrees; it is roughly twice the price per sandwich and draws tourists and families. Huntington is smaller, faster, and focused on meat quality and carry-out. If you want to sit and have a full meal with a drink, Attman's suits that. If you want a quick, well-made sandwich at lower cost, Huntington is the better choice.

Dil's in Harbor East is not a deli but a sandwich shop with a deli counter; it sources some meats from suppliers rather than curing in-house. Huntington's house-curing gives it an edge if cured-meat flavor and texture matter to you.

Who this place suits and who it does not

Huntington suits people who want a straightforward, no-frills lunch; regulars in the neighborhood who buy deli meat for home cooking; and anyone seeking authentic corned beef or pastrami without markup or ambiance. It does not suit groups, people wanting to linger, or anyone preferring a menu beyond deli meats and sides. Vegetarians will find minimal options.

What the first visit involves

Walk in and step to the counter. A staff member will ask what you want. Specify your meat, bread type, and any toppings. The sandwich is made in front of you. You pay at the register, receive your order in butcher paper, and leave. There is no menu board or table; familiarity with deli basics helps. If you are unsure, ask how thick the pastrami is cut or request a taste before committing to a full sandwich.

If you are buying meat by the pound, ask for a specific weight and thickness. The staff will wrap it and weigh it before ringing it up.

Hours, parking, and location

Huntington is located on Thames Street in Fells Point. It is typically open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed Sunday; call ahead to confirm current hours, as they can shift seasonally. Parking on Thames Street is metered and limited; nearby lots are available but charge hourly rates. The deli is a three-minute walk from the Fells Point pedestrian area and is accessible by the Charm City Circulator bus.

Why Huntington matters in Baltimore

In a city where most surviving Jewish delis have closed or scaled back, Huntington maintains the old model of house-cured meats and counter-service speed. It is not a destination for tourists or a sit-down experience, but for people in Fells Point seeking real corned beef at fair price, it is dependable and the only option within walking distance.