Randall Grocery & Deli in Baltimore: Old-School Polish Sandwiches and Lunch Counter Pricing

Randall Grocery & Deli is a narrow, counter-service deli in Fells Point that makes sandwiches to order and stocks imported Eastern European groceries alongside Baltimore staples. It operates at the scale of a neighborhood fixture rather than a destination, but the sandwich construction and pricing model set it apart in a city with fewer Polish delis than it once had.

What Randall Grocery & Deli actually is

A working-class lunch spot with a long glass counter, a few stools, and shelves of canned goods and specialty meats. The deli trades on speed and simplicity: you order a sandwich, watch it assembled, pay, and eat standing up or to go. The grocery section, stocked with imported sausages, Eastern European canned vegetables, and packaged goods, signals that this is not primarily a tourist destination. Regulars come for the pork roll and kielbasa; the space has the feel of a place that was already established when many Baltimore neighborhoods were reorganizing around new demographics.

Sandwiches and pricing

Sandwiches run $8 to $14 depending on meat choice and composition. A basic pork roll sandwich costs around $8 to $9. Kielbasa, turkey, roast beef, and ham are standard proteins. The kitchen will build combinations: roast beef and cheese, ham and Swiss, kielbasa on rye. No elaborate sauces or premium garnishes complicate the order. Most sandwiches come with lettuce, tomato, and mayo unless you specify otherwise. Sides are minimal; a few regulars pick up canned soups or add a drink from the cooler. Pricing is stable and transparent, printed on a simple menu board. Confirm current prices by phone, as this category does shift incrementally.

How Randall compares to other Baltimore delis

Baltimore still has a small number of traditional delis, though many have closed in the past two decades. Attman's Delicatessen in Lombard, a Jewish deli established in 1915, operates at a larger scale, with booth seating, a full restaurant menu beyond sandwiches, and prices in a higher range ($12 to $18 for most sandwiches). Attman's attracts tourists and families looking for a sit-down corned beef experience. Randall's is more austere and faster. Nick's Roast Beef, also in the city, combines quick service with a roast beef specialty but lacks the Eastern European grocery component that defines Randall's identity. If you want to sit and linger over a meal with sides and atmosphere, Attman's is the choice. If you want a no-frills sandwich made with Polish kielbasa and pork roll at lunch-counter speed and price, Randall's is direct.

Who it suits and who it does not

Randall's works for people who grew up eating this food or who work nearby and want a fast, affordable lunch without marketing. It does not cater to anyone seeking an experience or a story to share. There are no craft elements, no house-made anything, no social media-friendly plating. The space is utilitarian; you stand or sit on a worn stool. If you have questions about the sourcing or preparation philosophy, you will get brief answers. This deli suits someone on a schedule and a budget. It does not suit someone seeking an Instagram-friendly meal or detailed narrative about the food.

What the first visit involves

Walk in, read the sandwich board, order by number or description, wait 5 to 10 minutes while the person behind the counter builds your sandwich on a small cutting board. Pay cash or card at the register. Eat at one of the stools or take the sandwich with you. There is no ordering system beyond a line; if multiple people are ahead of you, wait. The counter staff are efficient but not chatty. Expect to spend 15 minutes total in the building, including eating.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Randall's is located in Fells Point and operates Monday through Friday, roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hours can vary, especially in late afternoon. It closes weekends. Street parking in Fells Point is metered and competitive during midday. There is no dedicated lot. Confirm hours by phone before a trip, as they are not always posted consistently online. The location is walkable if you work or live nearby; it is not a destination worth a long drive unless you are already in the neighborhood.

Randall Grocery & Deli survives because it does not try to be anything other than what it is: a practical place for a sandwich at a low price. In a city with a shrinking number of old delis, it remains useful.