Attman's Deli in Baltimore: A Jewish Delicatessen Built on Hand-Sliced Pastrami and Corned Beef

Attman's is a counter-service Jewish delicatessen in East Baltimore that has operated since 1915, specializing in hand-sliced pastrami, corned beef, and traditional sides prepared using recipes tied to the neighborhood's Eastern European immigrant history. The shop occupies a single storefront on Lombard Street, seats roughly 40 people at small tables and counter space, and functions primarily as a lunch destination and takeout spot rather than a dinner venue.

What Attman's Actually Is

Attman's operates as a traditional Jewish deli without table service. Customers order at the counter, pay, receive a receipt, and eat at fixed tables or take food away. The deli does not serve alcohol, does not take reservations, and does not operate as a destination for extended meals. It is open for lunch only, closing by early afternoon most days. The space is functional and narrow, with visible meat slicers, modest decor, and a no-frills aesthetic that reflects its age and primary function as a neighborhood institution rather than a trendy food destination.

Menu and Pricing

Attman's core offerings are sandwiches built on hand-sliced cured meats. A pastrami sandwich on rye costs approximately $12 to $14, depending on portion size and current meat pricing. Corned beef sandwiches run a similar range. Both meats are sliced to order at the counter, a detail that distinguishes Attman's from delis that pre-slice or use machines to portion meat. A half-pound portion of pastrami, typical for a sandwich, is visibly thicker than mass-produced deli slices.

Sides include potato salad, coleslaw, and pickled vegetables at roughly $2 to $3 each. A complete sandwich-and-sides meal typically totals $16 to $20 per person. Attman's does not publish a printed menu online, making a phone call or visit necessary to confirm current pricing and daily specials.

How Attman's Compares to Other Baltimore Delis

Baltimore has two other Jewish delicatessens with different scales and approaches. Lenny's Deli in Pikesville, several miles northwest, operates as a larger casual restaurant with full table service, a full bar, and broader American diner fare alongside deli standards. Lenny's is better suited to groups, families, and longer meals. Attman's, by contrast, prioritizes speed and the core deli sandwich. Zack's American Diner in Hampden offers Jewish-adjacent breakfast and lunch but is not primarily a delicatessen and carries less pastrami-specific expertise. For hand-sliced pastrami as the central product, Attman's remains Baltimore's most focused choice.

Who It Suits and Who It Does Not

Attman's is ideal for people seeking authentic hand-sliced pastrami in a historic setting, those working or eating nearby who have 20 to 30 minutes, and anyone wanting a straightforward, no-nonsense lunch without atmosphere or service layers. It suits takeout customers and solo diners equally well. It does not suit groups expecting table service, people on a flexible timeline who plan to linger, or those seeking a full dining experience. It is not appropriate for dinner, as hours are limited to midday.

What the First Visit Involves

A first-time visitor enters a modest storefront, stands in line at the counter, and watches staff slice meat while waiting. The order process is direct: state your sandwich choice, meat thickness preference, and sides. Payment is cash or card at the register. Food arrives within 10 to 15 minutes. Tables are adjacent to the counter and not always quiet. The experience is transactional and social in the sense that a deli counter naturally draws conversation, but not intimate or leisurely.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Attman's is open for lunch only, typically 10 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. weekdays, with reduced hours or closure on weekends; confirm hours by phone before visiting, as they vary seasonally and by day. Street parking on Lombard Street is available but competitive during midday. The Lombard Street location sits in a walkable East Baltimore neighborhood, making it reachable by car or foot from nearby offices and residences. Public transit options include bus lines serving the area, though none provide direct deli-adjacent stops.

Attman's persistence as a single-location, counter-service deli in a shifting neighborhood reflects both the specificity of its product and the narrow customer base willing to accommodate its limited hours and no-frills format. It remains the only Baltimore deli where hand-sliced pastrami is the primary draw rather than a secondary menu item.