Mastellone's Deli & Wine Shop in Baltimore: Italian Meats, Local Wine, and 70 Years of Neighborhood Consistency

Mastellone's is a full-service Italian deli and wine retailer in Highlandtown that stocks Italian cured meats, cheeses, prepared foods, and a curated wine selection aimed at home cooks and entertaining customers rather than casual wine drinkers. The business has operated continuously since the 1950s and occupies a narrow storefront that reflects its history as a neighborhood provisioner rather than a destination destination spot.

What Mastellone's actually is

The deli side is the primary draw: built around Italian imports (prosciutto, capicola, soppressata, guanciale, mortadella) and hard cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged Asiago, Pecorino), Mastellone's also stocks basic grocery items, fresh mozzarella, and prepared foods like lasagna and chicken parmigiana sold by the pound. The wine selection runs roughly 300 bottles, weighted toward Italian regions and small producers, with meaningful French and Spanish representation. The shop does not pretend to be comprehensive; it is built on the assumption that a regular customer knows what they want or trusts the owner's suggestion.

Menu, pricing, and what to order

Sliced cured meats run 8 to 12 dollars per quarter pound, depending on the cut and source. A half pound of prosciutto di Parma costs around 22 to 28 dollars; guanciale, less commonly available at other Baltimore delis, runs higher. Cheeses are priced by the pound: aged Parmigiano-Reggiano typically falls between 16 and 22 dollars per pound. Prepared foods like lasagna or chicken parm cost 12 to 18 dollars per pound.

Wines range from 12 dollars to 60-plus dollars per bottle, with a cluster of Italian reds and whites between 18 and 35 dollars. Staff are willing to suggest pairings or recommend bottles at a given price point if you describe what you're cooking.

The sandwich counter offers made-to-order combinations of meats and cheeses on Italian bread, running 10 to 15 dollars depending on portions and fillings. First-time visitors often overlook this option in favor of buying components to assemble at home.

How Mastellone's compares to other Baltimore delis

Mastellone's occupies a different position than Salami the Cat, which is higher-end, newer, and focused on small-batch and rare cured meats, or Otterbein Market, which is a full grocery with a smaller but solid Italian section. Mastellone's serves customers who want reliable Italian staples and a direct relationship with the owner, rather than hunting through a crowded prepared-foods bar or paying premium prices for rarity. The wine selection is also notably deeper than what you'll find at typical neighborhood delis; it justifies a separate visit if you're planning a dinner and want to source both the charcuterie board and the bottle in one stop.

Vacarro's, on The Avenue in Hampden, is the closest competitor in terms of neighborhood integration and length of operation, but Vacarro's is primarily a bakery and Italian grocery; Mastellone's gives weight to the deli counter and wine in a way Vacarro's does not.

Who it suits and who it does not

Mastellone's works best for home cooks, small-scale entertainers, and people with specific knowledge of what Italian products they want. It suits someone planning a charcuterie board, a pasta dinner with guanciale, or a gift of cured meats and wine. It does not work well for casual drop-ins without a clear purpose, people seeking convenience (limited hours and a small space mean lines move slowly during peak times), or anyone looking for extensive selection or competitive pricing on staple groceries.

What the first visit involves

Expect a narrow, well-organized storefront with cases of sliced meats along one wall and shelves of wine, cheese, and dry goods. The space is clean but unglamorous; there is no seating or wine bar. If you don't know exactly what you want, the owner or staff will ask what you're cooking and offer suggestions; this is not a self-service environment. Plan to spend 10 to 20 minutes if you're choosing products and talking through options, less if you know what you're after.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Mastellone's is open Tuesday through Saturday, roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday (verify current hours before visiting). Street parking is available on the block but fills during peak afternoon and early-evening hours. The location is on Eastern Avenue in Highlandtown, accessible by the #3 and #11 bus lines. Cash and card are both accepted. The storefront is not wheelchair accessible; a single step up separates the entrance from the street.

Why it matters to Baltimore

Mastellone's has survived seven decades through genuine expertise and consistency in a category where corner markets and online ordering have eliminated most neighborhood delis. It remains one of the few places in Baltimore where you can source both guanciale and a $25 Barbera without a special order or wait.