Maryland Pit Beef

From today's Baltimore Sun, Rob Kasper writes a pretty in depth piece on Pit Beef. Some of you might recall meeting Rob at Crabstock One.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bal-fo.kasper26jul26,0,3099738.column?coll=bal-home-columnists

Thanks, Signman. Good Write-up !!

Hey, Signman, Rob's one of my favorite columnists over at the Sun. You might also want to check out Kevin Cowherd’s column today, “The Grand Tour of the West is full of potholes.” In it he uses his pointed satire to talk about his Roadtrip to the West.

While, he doesn’t talk about food, specifically, it is an interesting write-up about traveling in the Southwest! So anyone heading in that direction might want to make note of some of the "potholes."

Check it out at: http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/lifestyle/bal-to.cowherd27jul27,0,244111.column?coll=bal-home-columnists

The hometown boys in Baltimore come up with some pretty good stories for us “hungry travelers” once in a while.

Thanks. There was a place years ago in Havre de Grace where we used to stop on the way to the marina. Great sandwiches. Curious how it appears to be solely a Maryland thing and hasn't spread elsewhere.

ctrueder, mark August 26th on your calendar to join us for Crabstock III, lunchtime, probably at G&M in Linthicum. Please e-mail me for more. Just click on my name for link.

The writeup makes me wish that we had it outside of Maryland. It sounds far better than a fast food burger

I go to Maryland almost every weekend and never get tired of the pit sandwiches (beef, turkey and ham)... all are GOOD!!!... thanks for the article... I'll put it to good use!!!...

To me a pit beef sandwich like a crabcake is always a "must do" whenever I'm in the Baltimore area.

My experiences with Pit Beef have been at chaps only, I would love to try others and compare.

I love pit beef and wish you could get it outside of MD. The beef/horseradish combo is great!!! Its a sort of BBQ thing from the "North" (OK, Border State, then!)

Didn't know pit beef had so many fans. Now, can anyone compare it to the just north of Boston roast beef places that were on the May tour, Kelly's, etc.

I'm embarassed to say that although I love regional food, I haven't tried a true MD pit beef sandwich. AND, it looks like one of the reviewed restaurants (Smokeys) is right near my house in Columbia. Anyone know the exact location? I didn't see it in the article. I wish it was open on the weekend...would be difficult to get there during the week as I am up in Bmore working...

joanie: in the article, there is a sidebar that includes the following
---------
Smokeys & Uncle Grube's
7300 Roosevelt Blvd., Elkridge
410-796-0024
Hours: Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
---------

The first time I tried Maryland Pit Beef was at a place called "Bull On The Beach" located at Rehoboth Beach, Deleware. I learned that they also had a location in Ocean City, Maryland too. However, the beef sandwich was absolutely one of the best I ever had. It was piled high with beef, the beef was very moist and juicy and then I could cover it with horseradish. One of the best sandwiches I ever tasted. You ate one of these and you didn't want to eat for the rest of the day. As a matter of fact just recalling the experience is making me hungry enough to eat a horse.

But I don't live on a farm, oh well. Here Rover here boy!! Just joking this is not asian food.

"Raichlen also noted that pit beef seemed to have a favorite side of town, the east side of Baltimore. "I was a Pikesville guy, and when I grew up I didn't know about pit beef," he said. Raichlen, who now travels the world cooking and eating barbecue, subsequently rectified that hole in his upbringing by visiting several pit-beef stands on Pulaski Highway."

Must be so because I grew up in Maryland in the 50's and 60's and spent 4 years in college in Baltimore in the 60's and never heard of the stuff until now. Actually, I suspect it's largely a recent invention.

But talk of Pulaski Highway does bring back memories as that was the location of the first Arby's I ever visited in the days when Arby's had genuine roast beef--huge "steamship" rounds, roasted and carved to order. This is another reason I question the authenticity of the "pit beef" "tradition". If "pit beef" was common on Pulaski Highway back then, seems unlikely a place like Arby's could have been as popular as it was (lines out the door).

Here's another interesting "take" on Baltimore pit beef:

http://www.citypaper.com/eat/review.asp?id=2619

AND, then there's this (by ole' Steven Raichlen):

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501EFD81230F93BA15755C0A9669C8B63&sec=travel&pagewanted=2

Man, have we (my wife and I) learned a lot about "gud" food since moving to Maryland!

ctrueder, methinks you have too much time on your hands. Since you're going back in time with those articles, here's one about coddies, totally unique to Baltimore.

http://www.citypaper.com/news/story.asp?id=2322

E-mail me and I'll tell you where you can still find them.

Are you free on Saturday 8/26 to join other Roadfooders for Crabstock III? Here's the details. http://roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12706

The Sun article mentions a pit beef sandwich with a "tangy tomato" sauce rather than horseradish. Has anyone tried it? What is it like? Ketchup?

MD-style pit beef, done right, is ridiculously good. It is so vastly superior to any beef brisket I've ever had (and I've had tons of it all through the south).

The Eating Team is hosting a Crab Cake, Coddie, and Pit Beef tour of Baltimore on Saturday, December 8th. There is no cost for this and anyone can jump on or off the tour whenever they want. We just want to share our adventure with anyone else who is interested in these kinds of things.

Please send me an email through the site if you want further details.

It seems like pit beef is a lot harder to find in Baltimore than it was a few years ago. I know there is still Chapps, but I was in eastern Baltimore county today, which I'll admit I dont' find myself in that area as much as I used to, and a lot of the old pit beef places I used to visit were gone.

quote:

Originally posted by Robearjr

It seems like pit beef is a lot harder to find in Baltimore than it was a few years ago. I know there is still Chapps, but I was in eastern Baltimore county today, which I'll admit I dont' find myself in that area as much as I used to, and a lot of the old pit beef places I used to visit were gone.

That is sad. I love pit beef. Maybe there would be more if it was a national CHAIN!!!

Its too bad the links are all dead. Nothing better then rare roast beef on a fresh roll. I used to bake fresh rolls for dinner service, not those huge multi-grains on a cutting board(I did those too). I used to slice off a pile of prime rib on my breal and make mini sandwiches and dip them in au jus. They got so popular we served them as bar food.
britt

There used to be a place called Fat Daddy's and Big Al's both on Pulaski Highway, but I don't think either of them are around at all anymore. Big Al's suppossedly moved from Route 40 to Eastern Blvd in Essex, but I went looking for it yesterday and I could not find it. There is a place called Al's seafood in Essex, but I don't think that it is the same Al.

The Pit Beef place on Rolling Road is still there and still great.

quote:

Originally posted by Greymo
The Pit Beef place on Rolling Road is still there and still great.

Pioneer Beef on Rolling Road at Johnnycake Road is excellent! Outside the Baltimore beltway by Security Square Mall, they give you a tasting slice of the beef you ordered to show you its done-ness. Rare IS rare, and juicy. Excellent fries too. Open Mon-Sat.

Kevin

Pioneer Beef
1600 N Rolling Rd,
Windsor Mill, MD
(410) 455-0015

It is my understanding that the Union Bridge Fire Carnival, which runs this week, has outstanding pit beef. Union Bridge is on the Carroll/Frederick County line.

quote:

Originally posted by Robearjr
It is my understanding that the Union Bridge Fire Carnival, which runs this week, has outstanding pit beef. Union Bridge is on the Carroll/Frederick County line.

Their's was pretty dry last year, though they did have very good fried chicken. Gamber's is also running now (a little closer to Baltimore than Union Bridge, but not much) and I've always had good luck with their pit beef.

St John's church in Westminster is also having their carnival now, though their pit beef has also been spotty. I usually stick with Italian sausage at St John's, or wait for a fresh made corn dog.

So how about some way us southern folks can make our own Pit Beef???
Joe

Joe, I've used[url='http://tvwbb.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6880069052/m/4980087105']this recipe[/url] several times with success. Once I even cured the beef for close to a week before grilling it...

The recipe is also published in Steven Raichlen's book "BBQ USA".

Brad

Anyone have a picture of pit beef that they could post on here so I could see what it looks like?

Here's a[url='http://www.costasinn.com/maryland_crab_cakes/images/pitbeef_003.jpg']photo link[/url] that's buried in the recipe thread I posted for Joe. Looks good but doesn't seem to have any sauce on it (personally, I like mine with just meat and sauce on the roll).

Because of the rub the beef has a nice black crust but inside it doesn't look any different than rare roast beef.

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by Brad_Olson

Here's a[url='http://www.costasinn.com/maryland_crab_cakes/images/pitbeef_003.jpg']photo link[/url] that's buried in the recipe thread I posted for Joe. Looks good but doesn't seem to have any sauce on it (personally, I like mine with just meat and sauce on the roll).

Because of the rub the beef has a nice black crust but inside it doesn't look any different than rare roast beef.

Brad

customarily pit beef is served on a kaiser roll or rye bread
and condiments include your choice(s) of bbq sauce, mayo, horseradish, mustard and raw onions

for those who wonder about what it looks like or tastes like- why not take a trip to Baltimore and find out for yourselves?

wandering I'm currently pretending to work right now so I can't. Can you pick me up one and deliver it to my office in New Jersey? It'd save me a ton on gas too

quote:

Originally posted by fattybomatty

Anyone have a picture of pit beef that they could post on here so I could see what it looks like?

Here's one I grilled earlier this year:
[URL='http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb109/Brad_Olson/Grilling/388217-R1-004-0A_004.jpg'][/URL] [URL='http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb109/Brad_Olson/Grilling/388217-R1-006-1A_005.jpg'][/URL] [URL='http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb109/Brad_Olson/Grilling/388217-R1-010-3A_007.jpg'][/URL]

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by fattybomatty

wandering I'm currently pretending to work right now so I can't. Can you pick me up one and deliver it to my office in New Jersey? It'd save me a ton on gas too

Well....

I wish it was that easy- if you asked me last August when I was in town- I could have done so...

Hey, there's always the weekend- right?

Chap's actually has a web site: http://www.chapspitbeef.com/

You'll find some pix there.

I wonder why pit beef is so popular in this area.
I mean southcentral PA and central MD. My dad grew up in this area and it seems like a very specific place with specific culture. e
When I think of pit beef, it is really a form of outdoor roast beef.
Does anyone know the history of pit beef?

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

quote:

Originally posted by fattybomatty

wandering I'm currently pretending to work right now so I can't. Can you pick me up one and deliver it to my office in New Jersey? It'd save me a ton on gas too

Well....

I wish it was that easy- if you asked me last August when I was in town- I could have done so...

Hey, there's always the weekend- right?

wandering if the gas prices weren't killing me I definitely would

How does Pit Beef compare to the Roast Beef Sandwiches found on the North Shore/ Cape Ann in Mass.?? It has been a VERY long time since I enjoyed a Cape Ann Beef Sandwich and a couple of years since we tried a Pit Beef during a crabfest visit to Baltimore. My memory of either isn't good enough to describe the comparison.

Thanks Brad! Now I get it. I liked the horseradish sauce recipe also. The rare rubbed beef w/ the sauce sounds great! This is on my long list of new things to try cooking.

Wanderer, easier said than done... but I wish I could sample the real thing in Baltimore.
Joe

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen


How does Pit Beef compare to the Roast Beef Sandwiches found on the North Shore/ Cape Ann in Mass.?? It has been a VERY long time since I enjoyed a Cape Ann Beef Sandwich and a couple of years since we tried a Pit Beef during a crabfest visit to Baltimore. My memory of either isn't good enough to describe the comparison.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9501EFD81230F93BA15755C0A9669C8B63

Al,

Here's an interesting article about pit beef

Pit beef is grilled over charcoal versus it being roasted

Is the Cape May sandwich served with horseradish mayo and onions?

What the heck is Maryland Pit Beef?!? I live 3 miles from MD and work there everyday for nearly 20 years and have never once seen anyplace serve pit anything. I'd love to have some pit turkey, wish there were someplace close. Ahhhh, I get it I bet it's from that fabled part of the state that we're not allowed to talk about. There's no life west of the Chesapeake Bay, but must be some pit meat over there.

You dont find pit beef east of the Bay Bridge.Balto County,AA County,a few places in Carroll and Harford and Howard counties.What kind of crack is "There's no life west of the Chesapeake Bay"? I've lived on both sides of the Bridge and I am pretty darn sure things are plenty lively over on the "mainland".And who said Delawareans aren't allowed to talk about it? Take a ride to Pulaski Hwy east of Baltimore and you can eat pit turkey till you turn green.And I think you will find just as much if not more "life" as there is in Delmar.

Gee, I live west of the bay and I sure feel lively! Must be all that pit beef that I am so close to.........

quote:

Originally posted by propertydamage

The first time I tried Maryland Pit Beef was at a place called "Bull On The Beach" located at Rehoboth Beach, Deleware. I learned that they also had a location in Ocean City, Maryland too. However, the beef sandwich was absolutely one of the best I ever had. It was piled high with beef, the beef was very moist and juicy and then I could cover it with horseradish. One of the best sandwiches I ever tasted. You ate one of these and you didn't want to eat for the rest of the day. As a matter of fact just recalling the experience is making me hungry enough to eat a horse.

But I don't live on a farm, oh well. Here Rover here boy!! Just joking this is not asian food.

I'll second that. I've eaten at the one in O.C. they also had a big jar of cherry peppers right on the counter to add to your sandwich !!! awesome!!

Pit Beef got its start in the working class areas of eastern baltimore county like Rosedale and Essex.

What is odd, is that many of the original places that sold pit beef are gone; however, you can now get pit beef in other parts of the state, including Boogs BBQ stand at Camden Yards

If you can't find a pit beef stand, another option in Baltimore is the Bull and Oyster Roast where the Bull is almost always pit beef.

Many places that serve pit beef also serve pit ham and pit turkey. Another thing you will ussually see at these places is boardwalk fries, which are skin on fries that are served with salt and vinegar.

Wow, thanks guys, sounds like a definate trip to Ocean City this weekend to try out Bull on the Beach. You think the food will be as good at the West OC location, or should I visit 2nd Street or 94th Street?

quote:

Originally posted by bwave

Wow, thanks guys, sounds like a definate trip to Ocean City this weekend to try out Bull on the Beach. You think the food will be as good at the West OC location, or should I visit 2nd Street or 94th Street?

Actually I think you should cross over the bridge to the west side of the bay where the pit beef is really good

Are there laws in some states that dont allow med rare or lower? SOmeone was telling me that and I didnt believe them. In Columbus a co-worker ordered a burger to go from a bar(not a fast foodie, but 1/2+ hand packed burger) It was pinkish in the middle(I ordered mine med rare) He actually called the police and tried to report them for breaking the law(he was an ex-food service worker and knew the laws-Pizza delivery boy. lol) He was serious.
Any way that coould spell the end of pit beef. BW3 used to have beef on weck that was pretty rare in the columbus store.
britt

The question then becomes: how did the police react? Perhaps your co-worker should've performed a citizen's arrest ala Gomer Pyle?

Since pit beef isn't made from ground beef I doubt it would ever be in danger.

Brad

I would imagine that such a law/regulation would be enforced by the Health department, and they and not the police would issue the citation.

Chaps will be featured on an upcoming episode of Diners Drive-ins and Dives. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_dv/episode/0,3151,FOOD_29156_57785,00.html

I wonder if Guy will pay a visit to the Gentleman's Gold Club next to Chaps?

I've had some great PB at a street fair just cross the border in Hanover, PA. Also I recall some in Carlisle PA.

So maybe it's creeping north. Hope so.

Way back when I first came to Roadfood someone (hmmm, who was that?) suggested a restaurant idea called "State Fare". All the great regional dishes from around the country would be served there. Great idea but it would need to be a BIG place. This pit beef would be a must on the menu!
Joe

quote:

Originally posted by PapaJoe8

Way back when I first came to Roadfood someone (hmmm, who was that?) suggested a restaurant idea called "State Fare". All the great regional dishes from around the country would be served there. Great idea but it would need to be a BIG place. This pit beef would be a must on the menu!
Joe

Great minds....I thought of a similar idea, but more a type of souvenir shop. It would be shaped oblong (with N,S,SW, Pacific NW, etc.) and sell items from each part of the country including conidmanets, packaged food mixes, etc. I thought of it when I was down in Wash DC in the Smithsonian gift shop. Fun to be the store buyer and do sourcing, no?


Oh, there was a "hip" restaurant in NYC called "America" that have a huge menu with regional foods.

NYNM, they have an America in Las Vegas. I think it's a branch of the NYC location? Good idea but I was not so impressed with the food. And, you might get a kick out of that old thread, where the idea I mentioned above came from, about new restaurant ideas. I bet you can find it.

state fare... might do the trick?
Joe

There is a neat little restaurant in Mt. Airy, Maryland (Exit 68 off of I 70) that offers a menu of regional fare. They have a standing menu that has items such as a Charleston Shrimp and Cheddar Grits (South Carolina) or Pecan Crusted Salmon with a Mandarin Rum Glaze (California). They also feature a different state each week. This week is Oregon, so they offer a drink, an appetizer, a soup, two entrees and a dessert.

Cascade Martini……….....…….……...…$5.95
Shaken Blueberry Infused Vodka with Raspberry
Liqueur and Blue Curacao

Stuffed Portobello……….……….….…...$7.50
Sherry Roasted Portobello Mushroom Filled
with Pacific Coast Crab and Herb Cheese Stuffing

Wild Mushroom Soup……….…..…..……$5.50
A Flavorful Mushroom and Leek Broth Finished
with a Chanterelle Cream

Sockeye Salmon…………....…........…...$21.95
Grilled Fillet Of Sockeye Salmon Finished with
a Cucumber, Shallot Chablis Beurre Blanc

Elk Willamette……….….............….…...$26.00
Twin Grilled Elk Chops Finished with a Brandied
Blackberry Conserve

Gingerbread Cake with
Caramelized Pear Compote………….….$5.50
Homemade Rich Spice Cake with a Sweet
Pear Compote and Vanilla Ice Cream


www.brickridge.com

Well tonight was the night Guy of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives enlisted the help of Duff, the Ace of Cakes for a visit to Chaps Pit Beef in Baltimore.

I think I'll have some kind of combo on my next visit.

Check out the replay later tonight, or early AM, and other repeats later in the month.