Chaps Pit Beef

http://www.chapspitbeef.com/

5801 Pulaski Highway
Baltimore, MD 21205-3046

(410) 483-2379





BEST BBQ IN BALTIMORE

Featured on the Food Network & Travel Channel

It was about time we officially reviewed Chap's for the blog. We've been here plenty of times and are well aware of how good it is, but now it's time to share with everyone else.

If you're a Baltimore resident and you have not gone here yet, I ask, why? Sure, it's in the parking lot of a strip club, of course it looks like a homeless person's shanty and yes it is in a rather...colorful part of town, but that is what makes so damn good. That, and barbecue.

We stopped here before grocery shopping yesterday (which we hadn't done in over a month which is why we've been using so many Groupons and reviewing so many places, we had NO FOOD in our house) because to grocery shop on an empty tummy is to ask the gods for a $600 grocery bill.

When Dave suggested that we stop there first, my first response was "Ok, but you can't order your special burger". Dave usually gets a Double D burger which is a 1/2 lb burger topped with about 1/2 lb of ham, then cheese, then mayo, mustard or whatever else you desire. Since these patties are 1/2 lb, and since they are about 4 inches thick, they take about 30-40 minutes to cook, and they cook theirs well done.

Dave likes his meat just a tad pink in the middle (except for chicken, natch) so they have to special make his pattie which takes a half hour, which was time we didn't have. This forced him to order something new. He ended up with the chicken breast sandwich with lettuce and bbq sauce on a kaiser roll. I got the fish platter (four chunks of fried cod, fries, tartar sauce, and coleslaw) and a bigass root beer.

My fish was awesome. It was so fresh it neither smelled nor tasted of fish. It was just crispy, flaky and good. All of their fried foods are cooked in peanut oil, so the fries are similar to what you get at 5 guys, except when they give you a side of fries, they give you about a pound of fries. We didn't even make a dent in the pile by the time we were done eating. The fries are soft, brown, and delicious. I also liked the coleslaw which is different for me because I'm really picky when it comes to my 'slaws. It's seasoned properly, not overdone whatsoever and provides a cool subtlety to the dish that works really well with everything.

Dave's sandwich was wonderful. The chicken was tender and juicy, the sauce sweet and tangy and the roll it all rested upon was soft and fluffy.

This place is great for a few reasons: the food is always good, the staff is always nice, it's cheap, and you will never leave hungry.

Dave didn't even have to order a side for his sandwich because we knew the fries coming with my platter would be plentiful and we were right. This is one of the places that is a Must Visit, which is why it's rated in our Best of the Best category. 5 Noms all the way.

Dave's 2cents:

There's not a lot I can say about this place that isn't positive. Great food, Ok prices, big portions. Customer service is always a delight, the lady handing out the order window will always give you an ear. As a matter of fact, this guy in the picture wouldn't stop yappin'.

Jenn and I have come here on our own dozens of times, and we will keep returning.

Even though it's not close to downtown at all, and you have to drive through sketchy areas to get to it (unless you pay a tunnel toll and go 95 to 695 and get off @ Pulaski). This is a true Baltimore treasure.

If you Love BBQ Pit Beef and want a taste of Baltimore, your neglecting yourself if you don't go here. Done and Done.