Pat's Select Pizza & Grill in Baltimore: Coal-Fired Pies and Italian Grilled Meats

Pat's Select Pizza & Grill is a coal-fired pizzeria and Italian grill in Canton that centers on Neapolitan-style pies and wood-fired meat preparations, operating as a full-service restaurant with a bar rather than a takeout counter. The kitchen builds pies with imported flour and San Marzano tomatoes, charring them in a coal oven that reaches temperatures high enough to cook a pizza in 90 seconds. Beyond pizza, the menu includes grilled proteins and Italian sides, positioning it as a sit-down destination rather than a quick-slice option.

What Pat's Select Actually Offers

The core business is coal-fired pizza in the Neapolitan tradition: thin, charred crust with leopard-spotted spots from the oven floor, modest sauce and cheese coverage, and a slightly puffy edge. The signature pie, the Margherita, pairs fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil. Specialty pies rotate, but past offerings have included meat-forward builds like the Italiana (sausage, pepperoni, onion) and vegetable-focused options. The grilling program centers on Italian cuts and preparations: bone-in cuts, sausages, and vegetables charred over coal or wood. The bar stocks Italian wines, local beers, and cocktails, with an emphasis on wines from regions that align with the food program.

Pricing and Menu Breakdown

Individual pizzas range from $16 to $24, with Margherita and basic vegetable pies at the lower end and multi-meat or specialty builds moving into the higher range. Grilled entrees, typically proteins and sides, run $18 to $32. Appetizers and sides (grilled vegetables, cured meats, cheeses) fall between $8 and $14. Cocktails are priced between $12 and $16; wine by the glass typically runs $8 to $18 depending on selection. No lunch service; dinner hours and daily closing times should be confirmed directly, as seasonal and day-of-week variations are standard in the industry.

How Pat's Select Compares Locally

Baltimore's coal-fired pizza scene includes Woodberry Kitchen in Hampden, which operates a wood-fired oven and emphasizes local sourcing across a broader farm-to-table menu beyond pizza alone. Woodberry's pizzas are well-regarded but sit within a more expansive seasonal menu; Pat's Select is pizza-primary with Italian grilling as the secondary focus. Ouzo Bay, a Greek seafood restaurant in Harbor East, occupies a similar price tier and sit-down format but serves entirely different cuisine. For Neapolitan pizza specifically, Pat's Select is the most direct option in Canton and competitive with Woodberry Kitchen in style, though Pat's leans more exclusively into pizza and grilling. Choose Pat's for a dedicated coal-fired pizza experience with Italian meat and wine focus; choose Woodberry Kitchen if you want broader farm-sourced cuisine in a wood-fired setting.

Who This Suits and Who It Doesn't

Pat's Select works best for diners seeking sit-down Neapolitan pizza with wines and cocktails to match, or groups comfortable ordering multiple small plates and pies to share. The coal-fired approach produces charred, assertive flavors that suit people who like visible crust browning and the structural differences between coal-fired and conventional pizza. It does not serve counter service, takeout speed, or budget-conscious solo dining well. The neighborhood parking and reservation situation in Canton should be confirmed before visiting, as weekend capacity fills quickly.

What to Expect on a First Visit

Arrive with a reservation if visiting Friday through Sunday; weekday walk-ins are more feasible. The server will likely guide you toward the signature Margherita or house specials before branching into customization. Expect to order multiple small plates and at least one or two pizzas to experience the full menu breadth. Pies arrive quickly due to the coal oven's speed, so timing appetizers or wine pours to match their arrival prevents one person eating while others wait. The bar is visible from most seating, so single diners or couples can occupy bar spots if tables are full.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Pat's Select operates dinner service only and does not serve lunch. Hours and whether it closes on specific weekdays should be confirmed directly with the restaurant or via its website, as seasonal adjustments are common. Street parking on Pratt or Canton Avenue is available but fills early on weekend evenings; no dedicated lot is mentioned. The location is accessible by the Canton circulator or water taxi stops if approaching from Inner Harbor.

Pat's Select fills a specific demand: sit-down, coal-fired Neapolitan pizza with intentional Italian wine and grilling, neither rushed nor casual. For Baltimore diners familiar with pizza styles and comfortable with a full-service price point, it offers execution that distinguishes itself from both casual pizza shops and broader Italian restaurants.