Pioneer Pit Beef
Barbecue restaurant · Woodlawn ·

Pioneer Pit Beef

Barbecue restaurant · Woodlawn ·

Smoky pit beef sandwiches, burgers, wings & sandwiches

Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null
Pioneer Pit Beef by null

Information

N Rolling Rd &, Johnnycake Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228 Get directions

$10–20

payment cash only

Information

Static Map

N Rolling Rd &, Johnnycake Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228 Get directions

+1 443 882 1005

$10–20

Features

payment cash only
reservations

Last updated

Dec 8, 2025

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9 Regional Beef Sandwiches From Around the U.S.

"A longtime Baltimore roadside and sandwich stand celebrated as a go‑to for pit beef, offering smoky, medium‑rare roast beef on a classic roll with raw onion and tiger sauce — a no‑frills sandwich that reflects the city's grounded approach to the style." - Pamela Vachon

https://www.foodandwine.com/regional-beef-sandwiches-11774465
Pioneer Pit Beef
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20,018 Postcards · 1,279 Cities

Baltimore’s pit beef tradition at its purest—thin‑sliced charcoal‑seared beef with tiger sauce. Celebrated by Eater’s roving critic and featured in Food & Wine roundups, this no‑frills stand runs prime lunch hours and embodies regional flavor.

https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/business-directory/maryland/catonsville/miscellaneous/2013520143-pioneer-pit-beef
Best Lunch Spots in Baltimore (2025)
Pioneer Pit Beef

Matthew Y.

Google
This is the most flavorful and juicy Pit Beef in town. In my opinion, it is the best! Quality is consistent every time, and I love that it is still a classic Pit Beef stand rather than a whole restaurant. It's quick and easy that way. They shouldn't change a thing...it is perfect! Just remember that it is cash only.

J

Google
Great example of Baltimore pit beef. Small menu, pit ham and turkey available as well. Only open lunch hours, 1100-1700. I've driven by here a few times, easily seen from the intersection and today it was on my route between jobs. Decent line when I showed up and an even longer line while I waited. I stood in line 20-25 minutes but once I ordered I revived my food in quickly. People ahead of me were ordering multiple sandwiches. Loved the pit beef, would try any pit meat here. Cash only. Good rolls, decent condiment section. The regular size sandwhich is a filling portion of protein, the super looks like a good one to pick loose pieces off of. Small no frills shack. There's a reason the line is long.

Kendra A.

Google
I ordered the Pitt beef sub. It was fresh. You can customize by adding cheese, toppings and sauces of your choice. Fries are hand cut and delicious. Usually there’s a long line but I went this time around 4pm and there was no wait

Ron P

Google
Pioneer pit beef is a Baltimore tradition. It is cash only and they only have picnic benches for seating. So what? They focus solely on pit beef and making it right. No frills. I took my wife this weekend and the food was amazing as always. I always get the "super" with "tiger sauce" and it is a monster sandwich. The beef is moist and tender never stringy or fatty. The quality is excellent. The folks behind the counter I've known for over ten years. They are awesome. Yes, it is behind a liquor store and almost under the overpass. Come here for the pit beef.

Shaina B.

Google
Straight up good food. Quick service, cash only. Worth the 2.5 drive. Very unassuming building, but the food was perfect. The pit beef is the best I’ve ever had. Brought a cooler so I could the turkey too! Love the prices and easy to choose from menu.

Emily F.

Google
Our pit beef place Fast Eddie's closed so we were in the search for a new place, it is 45 minutes away, but I would definitely make the drive, it was great. We got the super pit beef sandwhich and fries. So good!!

Jonathan R.

Google
I haven’t tried other pit beef spots, but this one was solid—very good food, quick service, and no frills. I stopped by while driving to Washington, D.C., and chose it because it was the second-highest rated on Yelp and conveniently along my route. For the original sandwich, my recommendation would be extra tomatoes, extra onions and adding Au Jus. Ps- the beef goes from the grill to the slicer to ur bun in seconds, so it is as fresh as u can get it, and there are the options for Raw-Medium-Well-done.

William S.

Google
Found this tiny place on Reddit since my road trip timed me in Baltimore during lunch hour. The sandwich was awesome and a couple locals in the line helped explain the me the ordering process since I didn't expect to have to give a meat temperature or know what the "standard" is for toppings(onions and horseradish sauce). That's what I got with fries which they hand cut there. Also, The prices were really good too. Overall, the hype surrounding this place is on the mark and I'm proud to have tried a Baltimore staple!
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Kevin S.

Yelp
If you know, you know. No dining other than some picnic tables outside. Cash only! Prices are very reasonable and the Guys are always friendly. One of the best Pit Beef Spots in Maryland. I've never had a bad put beef sandwich or sub. The turkey is great too.
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Peter P.

Yelp
This is what you'd expect for a tiny hole in the wall type place. So it's been around a long time, but I just now found out about it. It's a pit beef spot, very Baltimore. Is very simple and they are very good at it. FYI cash only!!! It's pretty much a shack with kitchen/grill/cash register lol. They only do pit beef sandwich/subs and basic sides, nothing fancy here but damn they do the beef right. I got a super beef Sando with medium beef and it was super soft and tender and juicy delicious. Asked for onions and bbq sauce and for $8.50 it was amazing and what a deal! The service was super fast and friendly. They have some tables outside for seating but most folks take it to go. Plenty of parking in the lot. Also next to a liquor store if you're wanting to pick up a cold beer/booze with your pit beef. Now there are other pit beef's spots and how does this place compare? IMO this place as the best pit beef, but that's all they do. If you want other meats/options somewhere like chaps would be better. But just for a pure pit beef sandwich this is the spot I'd recommend and I'll come back to.
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Ashley V.

Yelp
I've been reading such good reviews so had to check it out. I told the guy at the window it's my first time so I wasn't sure of what to get or what toppings to pick. He didn't seem to care to help or give suggestions so I rushed so I wouldn't hold up the line. Just got the regular pit beef sandwich with mayo and bbq sauce. It was just ok, wish he added more sauce. I don't see what the hype was about unfortunately.
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Hannah H.

Yelp
About a 2-2.5: Pioneer Pit Beef is another local favorite for their pit beef sandwiches; their menu is pretty simple and straightforward, offering different types of pit sandwiches, sides, and sodas. We came here for a later lunch, and we ordered: +a Regular Pit Beef sandwich +a Super Pit Beef sandwich +Platter with Gravy +Pit Turkey +Fries +and, Cole Slaw The sandwiches were okay; they were more on the medium rare end and more on the dried-out end. Weren't fans of the roll, as it was more on the stale end. The sauces were also not a good complement, which could have upped the flavors and the dryness. Fries could have been dropped fresh and drained properly, as they were more on the greasier end. Gravy could have been a bit more thick to dress the items well. Service was friendly, and parking available. +friendly service +parking available
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Kellie F.

Yelp
We slipped in right under the closing mark. So glad we did. One of the better things I've tried in my lifetime. But I'm also a simple girl who likes simple things. Meat was super tender and juicy, bun held up really well. The rest of our party had different toppings and all sandwiches were devoured. The fries were great, the gravy was an excellent topping. We even made some bomb leftovers. I'll go back every visit. It's off the path, drive behind the liquor store.
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Carlyn P.

Yelp
Everytime we drive past this place, there is a line of people. One day, we stopped to see what the hype was about. The parking lot has spaces but it's weirdly shaped. If the lot is full just park acrosd the street. Its a short walk. This is more like a food truck than a restaurant. There isnt a place to sit inside, but as we were standing in line, we noted the outside seating for nice weather. While the line looked discouraging, it moved well. The sandwich was worth every dime. The meat is juicy and savory, the bread is fresh, and the staff are very helpful with choosing the best option.
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Esther K.

Yelp
Hands down the best pit beef in the area! CASH ONLY! Located on a side road by Catonsville off route 40, there's a fairly large parking lot next to Pioneer Pit Beef. Outside are about 2-3 picnic tables for those who want to eat their food ASAP. It was a chilly day and a bit busy so we took ours home instead. The building itself is very small, so only a few people can be inside at one time. Once you get in, you can see the menu as well as pictures of some menu items and the sauce/topping list. You order directly from the kind man who carves the meat fresh. Pre-COVID, they let you taste a piece to make sure the cooked cut is how you want it. Not anymore, but nbd it's probably more sanitary that way anyway! I always get the regular pit beef, medium rare, with onions and tiger sauce. Sometimes I'll add horseradish, but I almost always get the barbecue sauce and extra tiger sauce on the side. Usually share an order of fries but if I was greedy I could eat the whole thing by myself lol. Gotta get the gravy on the side too--to dip both fries and the sandwich in! The meat is always so tender and juicy and seasoned well, the sauces complement the sandwich so well and the onion provides that nice texture difference. It is cash only, so make sure you bring cash or you'll have to use an ATM nearby. You can ask for sauces on the side or drinks at the register. Though the lines may be long at times, it goes by fairly quickly once you're inside. It usually only takes long if a patron has a big order. This is a definite must have when you're in the area!
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Ashley M.

Yelp
If you are looking for good pit beef this is your place. This is a cash only spot open Monday- Saturday. The prices are very reasonable. The beef was seasoned to perfection and very tender. The wait isn't long at all. They prepare your food as you're ordering. I got the beef medium well. Next time I will try rare. They also have turkey too but the beef is the best. My only suggestion is to ask for extra bbq sauce.
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Bob W.

Yelp
So good! Big sando for $8, fries and gravy for $3.50. Unbeatable! Nice people and ample parking too.
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Sean K.

Yelp
Phenomenal pit beef sandwich. Fries with gravy are delicious. People are friendly, prices are good. This is a take out only place (though they do have 2 picnic tables outside). Very busy with about 10 people in line when they opened, but service is fast. Plenty of parking- most customers seem to be the local contractors driving trucks - plenty of space for these. If you are looking for outstanding delicious pit beef in Baltimore, this is a great choice.
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Natalie V.

Yelp
When we visited Maryland they said that Pit Beef is a must. We've tried different Pit Beef places and I personally prefer Pioneer Pit Beef. This is s shack located behind a convenience store; as soon as you arrive, you can smell all the smoky goodness of their food. There was a long line but it moved fast. I like that the service is fast, I had a lot of add-ons I wanted on my sandwich, and their able to get it right. You get to choose how you like your meat cooked and all the sauces you want to add to your sandwich. I enjoy watching the crew prepare my sandwich, shaving the meat right in front of me, and constructing my sandwich while I queue in line to pay for my order. I got a Medium Rare Pit Beef with tomatoes, cheese, onions, tiger sauce, hot jus, and a side of french fries. For a sandwich this big and this good and crispy savory fries for less than $10, I can see why the locals highly recommended this spot and I agree with them. They have a couple of outdoor tables but this is a cash-only carryout spot, and you can withdraw money from the convenience store.
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Harper H.

Yelp
Outstanding meal - only $10.75 for a beef sandwich and fries! Super fresh, outstanding flavor, and an experience for sure. Don't let this tiny little shack scare you away. Big flavors are inside. Be prepared to eat in your car (during winter) as there are only 3 picnic tables outside to eat at. Saw this on Food Channel and this years' long bucket list visit was worth the wait! To get to the Pioneer Pit Beef, pull into the liquor store parking lot. The shack sits behind the liquor store out of sight from the road. 1600 N. Rolling Rd., Windsor Mill, MD 21244
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Richard W.

Yelp
Decided to take a Saturday drive to an new for me Pit Beef spot. Upon arrival at Pioneer Pit Beef, I had high expectations for my visit. Firs5 impressions are really important, first thing I noticed was the full parking lot, then the glorious smell of smoke wafting from the pit, next was the line of customers outside what can be best described as a shack with a cash only sign on the wall and did I mention the wood pile. The line moved quickly and I ordered a super pit beef, medium rare, with horseradish and tiger sauce. The sandwich was good, not great, but good. Roll was fresh and stood up to the juiciness of the beef, which was sliced thin and had a nice, pleasant Smokey smell and taste. The issue I had was with the condiments, the horseradish was very mild, did not have any bite at all and the tiger sauce, like was did not enhance or add to the sandwich. While very good Pioneer Pit Beef did not move to the top of my list for pit beef sandwiches. If I am in the area again, I will try, but with a jus instead of horseradish and tiger sauce.
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Mark E.

Yelp
I've gone to a number of different pit beef places west and north of Baltimore. Pioneer's pit beef sandwich is best of these. One of the reasons, besides the flavor and tenderness of the beef, is the tiger sauce. The tiger sauce is thin and plentiful, so that it soaks into the bun of your sandwich, and also tends to leak out and find its way to your chin, shirt, and pants, if you're not careful. In other words, it makes the sandwich "drippy" which is a good thing if you are enjoying a pit beef sandwich. You're also going to notice some dripping beef juice. And they give you plenty of napkins which you're gonna need. So, if you are looking for the best pit beef sandwich you can find, Pioneer Pit Beef is the place to be. There is also lots of easy parking. See below for my previous review.
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Linda P.

Yelp
Good pit beef sandwich's with good amount of beef. Can choose wellness options fast service with helpful staff. A good choice of condiments
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Elisa L.

Yelp
This was my first time having pit beef and it was amazing!! After the first bite, I gasped about 10 times because the smokey flavor, yet soft meat were unlike anything I've ever tried before. I got the regular pit beef with tiger sauce (mayo & horseradish), onions, and au jus. We also got a side of fries, gravy, coleslaw, and a pickle. The coleslaw was so good, but I made the mistake of adding a layer to my sandwich - it was good, but the sandwich lost a bit of its smokiness.. The fries were very soggy and needed the gravy because it seemed otherwise unseasoned. My boyfriend was ok with the taste, and once we chucked it into the air fryer they were fine. Overall, this place is great and I'll definitely be back! It's pretty cheap but only take cash.
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Simone L.

Yelp
The pit beef here is always good. I also loved the smoked turkey. There's usually a long line during lunch time but it moves pretty steadily. Parking lot has good amount of spaces. This is definitely grab and go.
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Eva W.

Yelp
They always give you a slice of what you ordered to confirm it is exactly right. It's the best thing about Woodlawn.

Bill D.

Yelp
Great beef sub meal for less than twenty bucks! Bring cash. That's all they accept. Line moves fast. CASH ONLY!!!!
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Nia W.

Yelp
I didn't like it but my boyfriend loved it. the food was very American tasting to me. Kinda bland. But again bf loved it. Know wat toppings you want beforehand bc the workers seem impatient given the working conditions I don't blame them. Only 4 stars instead of 3 bc bf loved it. Outside the jaunt smelled like piss. As a pregnant woman that turned me off. But wat can they do abt that
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Jude T.

Yelp
This is the hole-in-the-wall gem that exists in local food mythology - the place everybody has sort-of heard of, but isn't quite sure where it is, but if they have been there, they will fight you if you say it's not amazing. As far as its hole-in-the-wall credentials go, here is a list: 1. it's a brightly painted building 2. the sign on the building is faded as hell 3. not really visible from the main road 4. cash only! 5. a huge pile of wood outside, making the property look a little unkempt It looks like the kinda place you'd want to go for pit sandwiches, and well, howdy-doody, it freaking is! There was a small line out of the building at lunch time. I got in it and it took about 10 minutes to get inside, and maybe 5 more to order and leave with my food. Not a bad experience. I grabbed a pit turkey sandwich and some fries. You order at a window, and when you order, they slice the meat right in front of you while you're still naming your toppings. It was pretty cool to watch them prepare my sandwich to order right in front of me. The food then gets passed over to the next window, which is where you pay. The turkey was thin, flavorful, and juicy - everything I wanted and hoped for. I got bbq sauce, mayo, and S&P on mine - just the basics. The roll was pretty good, and it was strong enough to not fall apart under the massive weight of the meat, or from the juice from the turkey. The fries were hand-cut fries and pretty typical of a place like this, tbh. They were good, but nothing I'd rave about. But hey, they are the side. The main course was amazing. Service? Fast! The people in the kitchen listen and assemble your sandwich quickly. Cashiers are on top of their game, too. Notes: CASH ONLY. There is an ATM at the liquor store next door.
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Khiem H.

Yelp
I haven't visited for years. It's still as good as I remembered. I usually get medium rare but I wanted to try medium to see if the smokiness is noticeable. I was not disappointed, you gave up a bit of moisture but the smokiness definitely has a noticeable increase. The foods came out fast but beware during lunch time it get pretty crazy. There was a long line. Overall it's still one of the best pitbeef if not the best in DMV, much better than Chaps.
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Edward S.

Yelp
Not easy to find. Just a takeout. Food is terrific. Choices are limited but your sandwich is made while you are at the ordering window while you watch. You have choice of doneness Home made hand cut fries were very good.
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June K.

Yelp
I always find the places with the low-key location to have the best food. Hidden next to a liquor store, the restaurant doesn't have indoor seating but a couple picnic tables outside. When I visited around 1~ there was a decently long line, but it went by super quick. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, definitely a business worth supporting. I ordered a medium rare sub with a side of fries and gravy. The fries weren't my favorite and the gravy made it soggy. They give it to you wrapped in aluminum so it also got quite messy. But the sub.. so good. Juicy, smoky, tender, and a generous amount of meat. The price was also decent, this has become my to go place around the area.
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Mark N.

Yelp
Nothing fancy, just a really tasty Maryland style pit beef. Cash only business. Old school in every way. Total gem.
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Charles H.

Yelp
You will NEVER find a better pit beef sandwich ! Service is great. I love that you can only pay in cash. This place is exactly how a pit beef stand is supposed to be. Not fancy, just bare bones and smells like smoke.
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Saebin J.

Yelp
Doesn't look like much when you pass by because of how this place looks, but their pit beef is ON POINT. It's a little hard to find this place because it's in the corner of a parking lot behind a liquor store (it's also next to a dumpster) but there was still a line of people when I went despite this place being in hiding. I got the pit beef sub in medium with bbq sauce and tomato and onions, and the beef was soooo juicy and the meat was tender. I also got tomatos and onions in my sub because I usually like to eat with vegetables in my sandwiches/burgers/subs and I'm glad I did. But I needed more so I also ate it with some coleslaw and a pickle too. I recommend getting those extra sides if you need some veggies in/with your sub. I also got fries with gravy but I'm not sure if I enjoyed that as much. I'm not a huge fan of gravy so I don't even know why I got it, but if you like gravy then I think it's definitely worth. The workers there were super nice!!
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Josh J.

Yelp
You know its going to be good when theres a line but also because its so hole in the wall vibe. And it definitely delivered!! Like most of the reviews say, you should check out this place to grab a quick bite to eat (or a long one o.o). Came through here from a recommendation and am thoroughly surprised. While it might look grouchy from the outside, the food was good! I got the super sub with medium rare meat along with the gravy fries and a pickle and cole slaw. Yall the pickle was THICK...The only qualm I have is the bread isnt toasted (maybe you can ask? Im not sure) but because of that the meat juices made the bread quite soggy. However that didnt take away from the flavor. The fries are best when they are warm with the gravy. Pricing is reasonable and affordable! Overall, definitely would eat again. Just make sure to come on a nice day because they only have outdoor seating. I hope they can go to a bigger spot one day (if thats what they want as well - if not, then their current place is more than enough too haha) If this place was closer, I'd definitely go more often. Note: cash only. #supportsmallbusinesses
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James L.

Yelp
Seemingly every part of the country has their regional spin on barbecue. The Carolinas are about chopped/pulled pork sandwiches with a vinegar based sauce; Memphis is all about dry rubbed ribs; Texas is renowned for their beef briskets; Kansas City also lays claim to some of the best pork ribs in the US; and don't sleep on California and their delicious tri-tip. Here in the DMV, it's all about the Baltimore Style Pit Beef. Pit Beef traditionally use the bottom round cut of meat, and is cooked over charcoal to a medium rare - although some folks prefer more of medium to well-done cook. Doesn't have a dry rub or much seasoning at all except for a bit of salt, since the flavor is all about the smoke. While I still like going to one of the OGs of this genre, Chap's Pit Beef (https://www.yelp.com/biz/chaps-pit-beef-baltimore?osq=chap%27s%20pit%20beef&sort_by=date_desc), lately I've been coming to Pioneer Pit Beef when the craving hits me. I'm not going to kid anyone, this place doesn't look like much and is hard to believe that some of the BEST pit beef in the area emanates from this tiny shack along busy I-70. There isn't a seating area, except for some weathered outdoor picnic tables, so it's not uncommon to see lots of folks eating in their cars. I usually get the super pit beef and ask for tomatoes, onions, and the other regional specialty, Tiger sauce. Every place does it a bit different, but Tiger sauce is essentially a creamy horseradish which adds spice and a nice contrast to the flavor of the meat. And my goodness, does Pioneer have a great smoky flavor. The cook who took my order made sure to let me know that this place ONLY uses the big piles of chopped wood around the property to cook their meat - No commercially prepared charcoal for this place. And the real deal smoke makes all the difference. The meat is tender and so juicy; definitely grab 5-10 napkins when chowing down. Pioneer is still a bit of a "hidden" place mostly frequented by locals - but based upon my last few visits where I'm usually queuing up for 20-30 minutes to get my food, the word is starting to spread.
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Kimberly K.

Yelp
My FAVE pit beef spot to date If you haven't been to Pioneer yet, head on over stat because their food is straight fire. Here's what my bf and I got: Pit Turkey Sandwich ($7.75) - got this with BBQ sauce, and although it was tasty, their pit beef blew this sammie out of the water Regular Pit Beef Sandwich ($7.75) - so, SO good! LOVED the pit beef here. We got this with salt & pepper, onions, au jus and tiger sauce, and it was love at first bite. Fries ($2.50) - pipin' hot & REALLY tasty. Def get an order with your sammie! Additional Notessss The Reg Pit Beef was big so I can't imagine how large the super size is, lol. It's only like 75 cents more so I'll have to get it next time. This is a cash only establishment so make sure you come prepared They have a few tables outside, but it's very much a carryout joint I almost thought I was in the wrong place, but you have to park in order to see Pioneer. It's very much a no frills establishment, which only intrigued me more, lol. 11/10 recommend.
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Louis L.

Yelp
CRITICAL DETAILS: Cost: 3-17$ CASH ONLY GOOD: The fries, pit beef, and service BAD: roll is just okay; 11-5:00PM hours Let me say off the bat, skip fast food, Five Guys etc. If you are in the Catonsville area, this is an AMAZING stop for great eats. Cooking up pit beef for 40 years, the meat is smoky and tender, the fries are crispy and DELICIOUS with gravy, and the sauces - wonderful compliment (try the horse radish). For 10.75, I got an amazing, quick meal. As others state, definitely go med-rare for extra tender, juicy meat. My only criticism is the roll (which nearly gets forgotten by the wonder of the meat). It's overly soft and generic. I would ask for toasted next time. But still, a smaller flaw in a top rate experience. The service is friendly too. For more content on this great spot see Mikey Chen's video review - START at timestamp 16:10 for the Pioneer Pit Beef (he covers others too). Here's the video https://youtu.be/kzVGIxS-vqg. Check the video and do visit Pioneer Pit Beef ASAP.
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Adam G.

Yelp
OMG! Best put beef in all of Baltimore! Fast efficient and delicious! Friendly and I can still taste the fire.
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Carl T.

Yelp
This is the best pit beef place in all of Maryland. I have lived in MD my whole life and tried many others but this place is the truth. They use the highest quality beef from a local butcher shop. The sand which is to die for. The beef is so thin, tender and juicy it's amazing. They serve it on a fresh roll right off the slicer. They have several meats back there cooking to different temps and they pull it right off the pit and slice it as you watch. They never ever put the meat on a flat top with nasty burger grease and burned bits of whatever after they slice it to hear it up like that other place does. They also don't answer the phone with the same hand that makes your food or do other unsanitary things. This place has a meat guy, a sandwich maker and cash register guy and they don't cross contaminate. All you taste is smoke, oak and delicious beef so juicy, you will understand why people line up around the block. It is cash only and don't tell too many people about this place because we don't want it to get too crowded
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David N.

Yelp
Pit beef is Maryland BBQ. And Pioneer is one of the best. It's set up like an old timey BBQ shack - take out only, cash, limited menu. This place may not have the notoriety of Chaps but, to barrow an expression, they have the beef! If your a fan of pit beef, this place is a must. Just that simple.
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Vishal P.

Yelp
Pioneer pit beef is the best pit beef place in the area! It's a little hut located on rolling road. If you know the area, it's basically between route 40 and security boulevard. Prices are pretty decent. Nothing too pricy but not that cheap either. Also, they are cash only so make sure you have some on you. They have a little seating area outside but it can get filled pretty quickly especially during lunchtime. I almost always get a super pit beef which is extra pit beef meat. You can put a bunch of sauces/dressing on top if you want. One of my favorite parts about coming here is that after you order, they give you a piece of pit beef after you order. If you love some good pit beef, do yourself a favor a check out pioneer pit beef.
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Luther M.

Yelp
Restaurants overall have gotten considerably worse since the pandemic. Prices are insane, food quality worsening, service abysmal. Except pioneer. This place somehow manages to get better and keep their prices competitive. So blessed to have this within 10 mins of me

Alex D.

Yelp
Always well prepared pit beef sandwich at a great price. Prices reflected with tax included.
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Kelvin J.

Yelp
I had to rank think spot a 1 star only because back in the summer of 2022, while getting our food, our the corner of my eye is saw a tiny roach crawl up the wall!! No, no, NO!!!!!! I guess that's expected because it's behind a liquor store and near a dumpster, plus that day we went, it smelled of blood roasting in the day
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Kenita W.

Yelp
Excellent service and Excellent food. The pit beef was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. 1000% bussin bussin. Also, I was short a buck and they looked out for me. Will be back here 100 times.
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Van Anh N.

Yelp
SO SO SO SO NOMS. EAT HERE. Cash only :) Probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever had bc it's just MEAT. It's a shack and you order, they make it for you, you can eat outside at the picnic tables or your car or wherever!! They have a small menu of different sandwiches, but my go-to order is the normal Pit Beef Sandwich with onions and tomato, tiger sauce and bbq sauce. SO GOOD. like guys...it's so simple, and so good. Choose how you want your meat to be done, I get medium rare or rare. The pit beef sandwich already has soooooo much meat so I don't feel a need to get the super. Also the gravy fries are good and the pickle is a whole giant cucumber pickle log thing so it's worth. They have different sauces, but I highly recommend mixing the tiger sauce (kinda horseradishy) and their bbq sauce (so so so good and not like normal bbq sauce on wings idk) Overall it's super worth!! And a great lil place with great food that's not a chain. ** Covid review: masks are required and people kinda wait farther apart when in line so that's good!
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Derek X.

Yelp
We came on a Saturday early afternoon, I think we were just able to beat the rush. This place is a hole in the wall. It is located right off of i-70 and it is behind a liquor store. There are not indoor seating and only some benches for outdoor seating. This place is also CASH ONLY, so please come prepare with cash. Their menu isn't very extensive which I actually like because I am the type where it will be difficult to make a decision when provided with too many choices. From walking in, to ordering, to getting our food all took about 5-10 mins. It was super quick. We had to take out 1 star, because there were basically flies and ants attacking us while were were eating. I am not really sure if that is something they can manage, but it contributed to our experience there. This is not really a polite sandwich, it is messy and you will need a lot of napkins. It might also not be a good idea to get this to good if you have all the sauces inside the sandwich, it will get soggy pretty quick. The fries with gravy itself were not all that special. We didn't find it to be mind blowing, but it was good. The sandwich has a TON of meat. They definitely give you more than a fair share of meat in your sandwich. This was our first time here and was recommended to try to Tiger Sauce from other Yelpers, but I didn't find that it added a lot of flavoring to the sandwich. My girlfriend said the sandwich was actually kind of bland. I think this is definitely a restaurant we will return to but we will add more toppings to our sandwich and maybe even some salt and pepper or Old Bay to add more flavoring to the sandwich. Definitely worth a try and not to mention the price is very reasonable!
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Matt M.

Yelp
Yes, it is behind the shady liquor store in the middle of No Man's Land. Believe all the hype and the mystery. This is the real deal. My buddy and I were down to see the Phish shows at Merriweather and kept passing up the chance to grab Pit Beef over the years. So, after comparing some places we decided on Pioneer and it was on the way home taboot taboot. Got there around 12:30 on a Monday and decent line started forming. Got the Super beef platter with gravy fries. I asked for rare and I got it rare ! Excellent with just the meat and onions. The bbq sauce was a true MD style with a little sweet and heat. Tiger Sauce horseradish and Mayo I was double dippin triple dunking and it all came together in a glorious concoction of culinary deliciousness. Go here !!!
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Angela I.

Yelp
This place is consistently amazing! The beef alone is very flavorful! I'd previously always gotten it with just the Tiger Sauce (horseradish type sauce) which is delicious! But I followed a Yelp recommendation and got it with a mix of Tiger and BBQ sauces! That was definitely a winner and now my new fav! The bbq is tangy and more Asian inspired IMO. Not your typical BBQ sauce. It paired really well with the Tiger sauce! The fries are always crispy and hot! I typically just get mine plain and sprinkle the old bay on it and sometimes the vinegar. The portions are plentiful and you get more than your money's worth here. The regular sandwich and a side of fries always fills me up! The staff are always super friendly and I can certainly see why this business has been around for decades!
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Adolfo B.

Yelp
WARNING, this place is addictive! It's a no frill smoke shack that serves the absolute best pit by a very friendly and welcoming staff. It had been years since I had the opportunity to visit as I had moved out of the area and it is just about the same as I remember. A single line forms you order at the first window and pay and pick up at the second and it is CASH ONLY with tips accepted. Their beef is cooked to perfection whether you order it rare, medium, etc. A variety of toppings are available and try the tiger sauce - get a but on the sude. Their barbecue sauce is also quite good and has a bit if a tang to it. If you like pit beef don't miss coming here but note that they have limited hours.
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D. Lyn H.

Yelp
Really good food!!! Hole in the wall joint!!! Sandwich did not make it out of the parking lot! My suggestion is to get the sandwich medium with mayo onions horseradish tomato cheese and au jus sauce!
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Theresa H.

Yelp
This is a little hole in the Wall, located next to the Beltway I-70 behind a liquor Store. They have the best pit beef in town, in my opinion. The sandwiches are always meaty, you get more than your money's worth. The staff is very friendly and the service is fast. They only accept cash.
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Nikki Z.

Yelp
I have been going to this establishment since elementary school. Gosh. That's over 20 years. Anyway. This is a no frills pit beef sandwich that is juicy and flavorful. Before Covid, they used to give you a sample of beef, right before you pay for your meal. But gone are those days. The place is small, with lines that reach the parking lot at lunch time. The employees are efficient; and the pictures help customers with their orders. This is quintessential Baltimore Pit Beef. Don't miss out on it. My go to order is always a rare beef sandwich with tiger sauce (a blend of mayo and horseradish) and BBQ. Sometimes with onions. If you're feeling extra hungry, they have a super sandwich.. and don't forget the fries. I like mine crispy, so ask for it to be extra fried.
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Jennifer R.

Yelp
Best place to get Pit Beef in Baltimore. The food is always fresh and delicious. I will be visiting when I travel back to MD for Christmas!
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Paul C.

Yelp
This is the spot for pit beef. There was a line of working locals out to the parking lot. That says it all. Smoky roast beef sandwich sliced to order. Get it with all the fixings. Very good.