USA #1 Deli & Grocery in Baltimore: Square Pizza and Italian Sandwiches on a Tight Budget

USA #1 is a counter-service deli and grocery hybrid in Highlandtown that sells square Sicilian pizza by the slice, whole pies, Italian cold cuts, and prepared foods at prices that undercut most neighborhood pizzerias. The operation occupies a narrow storefront packed with refrigerated cases, a small dining counter, and a pizza kitchen in back. It draws a mix of local residents, construction crews, and people making specific trips for the sandwich or pizza combination that dominates its identity.

What USA #1 actually is

USA #1 functions primarily as a lunchtime and early-dinner stop rather than a destination for sit-down meals. The square pizza arrives cut into rectangular pieces and sold by weight or as whole sheet orders. The Italian deli case runs the full length of the counter, stocked with capicola, mortadella, prosciutto, and domestic options, typically sliced to order. The grocery side stocks imported canned goods, pasta, jarred peppers, and specialty items common to Italian households and cooking. No alcohol is served, and seating is limited to six or seven counter stools.

Pizza style and pricing

USA #1 makes Sicilian-style pizza on a thick, oiled crust with a crisp bottom and airy crumb. The signature offering is the standard cheese pie, which sells for roughly $2.50 to $3 per slice depending on size and toppings. A whole sheet, which yields 12 to 16 slices, typically costs between $18 and $28 before tax. Topping options include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Quality varies less by ingredient choice than by how fresh the slice is; morning batches stay superior through lunch, and afternoon pizza nearing close can dry out. Compared to Kooper's Tavern or Gino's in Fells Point, USA #1 offers neither New York fold-style nor upscale Neapolitan; instead, it delivers straightforward Sicilian at one-third the per-slice cost, trading atmosphere and novelty for value and speed.

The deli counter and sandwiches

The real strength of USA #1 is the sandwich. A 6-inch hoagie made to order with your choice of cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and oil runs $6 to $9 depending on meat selection and weight. The combination sandwich (capicola, mortadella, and provolone) is the house favorite and represents the best value for the quality of meat. These sandwiches are substantially larger and cheaper than equivalent offerings at chains like Wawa or local rivals such as Martick's. A visitor can walk out with a sandwich and a slice of pizza for under $12, a pairing that covers lunch for a day laborer, tradesman, or anyone eating on a schedule.

Who it suits and who it doesn't

USA #1 is ideal for people who want authentic Italian cold cuts at wholesale-adjacent prices, work nearby and eat the same lunch multiple times a week, or are buying a whole sheet for a job site or small gathering. It is not suited to diners seeking craft pizza, table service, wine pairings, or a relaxed social atmosphere. The counter stools fill quickly at peak hours (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and turnover is fast and functional, not leisurely. Cash and card are both accepted.

Your first visit

Walk in, scan the cases on your left for meat selection or look at the day's pizza in the window display. If ordering a sandwich, point at what you want and specify how it's built (oil, vinegar, spicy pepper oil, toast or not). If buying pizza, ask how fresh the current slices are or order a hot sheet if you have time to wait 15 to 20 minutes. Expect no frills, no waiting list, and a transaction that closes in under five minutes.

Hours and logistics

USA #1 is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it closes Sunday. It is located on Highlandtown's main commercial block, with metered street parking on the surrounding blocks. Verify current hours before visiting, as deli hours can shift seasonally. There is no parking lot, making it less convenient for drivers without nearby legal parking.

USA #1 survives in a neighborhood where most independent Italian delis have closed because it prices itself below competitor margins and serves a customer base that values speed and cost over environment. That formula has held for decades and remains valid for anyone in East Baltimore needing a substantial lunch at genuine value.