Pioneer Pit Beef
1602 N Rolling Rd, Windsor Mill, MD, 21244
Pioneer Pit Beef Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Windsor Mill for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Windsor Mill for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Windsor Mill for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1602 N Rolling Rd
Windsor Mill, MD, 21244 - Phone (410) 455-0015
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Jonny P.
Good, fast, and cheap! Go here, sucker!
(5)Jean L.
I would have never known about this place until my bf put me on to it. I really thought I wasn't a fan of barbecue until I met him and through him, tried a sandwich from here. I've been a convert ever since. He refers to it more by it's former name "Al's Pit Beef" and only on my latest trip here did I notice that the sign says Pioneer. Some people mention the run-down look of the place but it's the kind of mom-and-pop thing from which you can expect experienced people and a solid product. This place has been around for a long time so the people running the place know what they're doing. Even the slicing guy has been there for a while now. Everyone here's been really nice too. I'd take note of the hours (previously mentioned by Eva P.) Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, so it's a little harder to catch this place while it's open. Harder still to avoid the ridiculous lunch line that stretches out halfway through the parking lot. With that said, their regular pit beef sandwich is the smallest size (1/3 lb) and it leaves me feeling a little overfull, nonetheless pleasantly overfull. You walk through and tell them what kind of sandwich and meat you'd like, as well as the doneness, and the sauces. Simple, good... I think the rustic look of the place only adds to the appeal for me personally. I've only ordered the pit beef every time but only because it's just so darn good that it's hard to stray. Here's what works best for me: A regular pit beef sandwich, medium, with barbecue sauce, tiger sauce (horseradish/mayo), honey mustard, and onions (which, I might add are sliced very thinly--just the way I like them). The medium is always melt-in-your-mouth tender and the sample slice they give me always puts a smile on my face. The slices are really thin, which I seem to like better than thick slabs for some unexplainable reason. I'll warn you that when you order the sauce, you'd better have plenty of napkins on hand. Big sandwich + lots of sauce = sauce on face no matter how hard I try to take a big bite. My bf has a wonderful time wiping my face to get the spots I missed with my handful of napkins. But it's so good it's absolutely worth his chuckling at my childlike inability to keep my face clean. Frankly, I think part of the reason it gets so messy is because in that moment while I am eating until it sadly comes to an end, it is me and my ridiculously delicious sandwich. If you go for a side, I'd say to get the fries. They're pretty standard, but they're good and I have yet to get fries that aren't hot and fresh. I'll be honest and say I haven't tried out many other pit beef stands so I can't say how good this place is in comparison to others, but like I said before, it was good enough to convert me into a fan.
(5)Eva W.
Most pit beef places near Baltimore are located either on 40 East or north of Baltimore. This is one on the west side. Pioneer is in the same neighborhood as Social Security and Medicare so if you go at lunchtime, the line will probably have a lot of bureaucrats in it. But don't let that put you off, they have tasty sandwiches here. They have pit ham and pit turkey but the real star is the pit beef. There are three sizes of sandwiches (regular, super or sub), and some condiments. Side dishes are limited to cole slaw, pickles, or French fries. But what fries! They are made from fresh potatoes (the line often is by the sacks of potatoes) fried in small batches. They offer ketchup but also cider vinegar (alas, not malt, but better than nothing) and old bay seasoning. Don't bring your plastic here. It's strictly cash only (and the cook is armed, so behave). They don't open until 11 AM (and often you'll be in line coming even then) and close at 5 PM and are closed on Sundays. The service can't be beat. I used to eat here quite often when I was a Medicare contractor. I quit that job and moved south but when I found myself in the neighborhood two years later, I thought I'd get a sandwich, for old times sake. They took one look at me and recited my usual order at me. TWO YEARS LATER! And it was tastier than I remembered. If you're not sure what level of doneness you want, they'll give you a sample slice of beef. Even if you know, you'll get a sample slice. I really miss going to this place. I've been to other pit beef places with better menus (potato salad and baked beans in addition, etc.) but none of them could touch it for service and taste. Lunch minus a drink will run you about $7 here.
(5)Noreen L.
Amazing! I don't like horseradish so I got mine with onions medium rare. I gobbled it up and dreamed about it afterwards. I wanted au jus on it but they had just dumped it because it was close to closing time.
(5)Monte M.
Love places like this. Plenty of meat on the sandwich. Not sure I am sold on having gravy on my fries next time. But, the place is a great BBQ sandwich place. A must try.
(5)Steve K.
This is easily the best pit beef I've had in the area - and clearly better, more flavorful pit beef than what you get at Chaps. I don't know if I'd do fries with gravy again but they were good in a "different" kind of way and I suppose a Baltimore tradition. The fries by themselves are excellent - try them with just the vinegar and salt at the counter. Like good boardwalk fries. It's nice to find a Baltimore pit beef place that does it well - there really aren't many pit beef places left and very few with much attention to quality. It's a real Baltimore tradition that never spread much to other places. And yeah, get it rare or medium-rare, with horseradish and onions, or "tiger sauce" (horseradish and mayo) and onions.
(5)Eric E.
Best pit beef & fries around town! The pit turkey is not good though! It's the slimy water added turkey. Cash only.
(4)Chris B.
Really good. For my money this and Chaps are neck and neck for the best pit beef around, which is awesome because the two places are TOTALLY different. As opposed to the mammoth menu that Chaps has, this place doesn't mess around and has about 8 things: 3 sizes of beef, turkey, ham, fries, cole slaw. That literally may be it. They give you a sample of beef after you order to make sure it's the temperature that you want, which is awesome. The guys who work here are very nice too. Warning: cash only, and weird hours. Also no indoor seating: picture a snowball stand, but with beef. That's basically what you have here.
(5)Yeong M.
Their handcut fries are on and off depending on the freshness if the oil. The turkey is cheap turkey Go for the pit beef nice and smoky and beefy For about $8 bucks you will definitely get your beef fix. Lot better deal than paying $20 bucks for a crappy steak at a chain restaurant. A lot more beef than a comparably priced cheesesteak sub The best street food baltimore has to offer is the pit beef sandwich. Get one while you still can. With beef prices climbing through the roof I don't see pitbeef sticking around much longer at an affordable price
(3)Lesley B.
The BEST pit beef! And I love that it hasn't changed in years. Still just a small shack, only accepts cash, with a couple of picnic tables outside. It's always a treat when I make my way back to this side of town to stop and have a sandwich. Make sure to have extra napkins on hand!
(5)Dan A.
I love this place! The food is delicious and wonderful! My only gripe, is that they don't accept credit cards. And since my bank doesn't have a branch on this side of town, it means I have to plan ahead if I want them for my lunch. But... I understand this helps them keep the cost down, and it doesnt stop me from awarding them 5 stars just based on the food, service, and prices alone.
(5)Emily L.
Dear Baltimore, For all your flaws, you can always win me back with pit beef. Anytime I am grumpy about the violent crime rate or the Orioles' losing streak or the population's persistent lack of respect for public spaces, I remember that you invented this transcendent sandwich and I smile, and then I wonder, is Pioneer still open? I hope so, because when I start feeling this nostalgic, I long for a concrete-block shack with a friendly limited-English staff, where you wait in an overheated line and gratefully accept the curl of smoky, tender beef the line cook slips you while they're assembling your sandwich. (No one ever refuses this offer, as my dad is fond of saying.) The boardwalk fries with gravy are a must for my husband, but I generally pass, as my sandwich -- with piles of paper-thin onions, spicy horseradish and tangy barbeque sauce, on a huge sub roll that I usually abandon halfway through the messy adventure of my meal -- is enough. More than enough. It's why I love you so much. XOXO, Emily P.S. I know you're not supposed to try to change your loved ones, but please, would you reconsider your cash-only policy? Just as a personal favor? Consider it an investment in our relationship.
(4)Kristi D.
This is the best pit beef I have ever had. The guys who work here are really nice and they always give you a sample of the meat you order for your sandwich. The meat is always tender and moist. They allow you to mix your meat so I always get medium beef & ham, kids get turkey & ham, but they are willing to do any combo we have come up with. Their fries are similar to boardwalk fries, but sometimes they are not all fully cooked. The flavor is always good, plus they have vinegar to put on them. This is a CASH ONLY place and they have three picnic benches/tables for you to eat at outside. So if the weather is bad plan to eat in your car you take it with you.
(5)Phil Z.
My fourth stop for pit beef this summer and by far the best. Served exactly as ordered (medium rare), with a sample offered as I ordered. Excellent meat quality, very good bun, and good sauces (I had tiger and barbecue). The fries are also excellent, made from fresh cut potatoes. Super friendly service, and fast service from order to payment. A couple of small pluses also - the onions are salted to make them a bit softer, and they have toothpicks! You'll need one after downing one or two of these sandwiches! I'll also add that I think this place is the best value for quality pit beef. Cash only.
(4)Mike K.
A hidden gem in a shack behind a liquor store. it doesn't get better than that. rare pit beef horseradish barbecue sauce Yum Yum Yum
(5)Arun M.
The food helps to overlook the lack of seating, cash only, lunch only service, no address, and questionable location. The meat is seasoned well and has enough smoke that takes you back to memories of a summer cookout. It's also awesome that you can choose the done ness of your meat. The fries are fresh and I love that you can get them with gravy. If you're Canadian or not you'll love it. The people are nice and quick. My only wish is that they butter and toast the bun. Overall, If you're like me and you've been to pit beef places because they were on travel channel and food network and you have been disappointed it's because those channels suck and the real good places in a city like this is normally a hole in the wall like this place.
(5)AJ S.
If you do not eat here you are a FOOL! The building does not look all to appealing but the Beef is a gift from God!
(5)Paul S.
Best pit beef in MD! Always moist and juicy when ordered rare and their fries are fresh cut and CRISPY (not soggy like most places). I love how they give you a sample while you stand in line to order so you can test the meat temperature. Cash only and only a few picnic tables on premise.
(4)Danny C.
Out of a total of 81 reviews there are only 3, 3 star reviews, nothing less. That tells me this place is truly special. I've past this place numerous times going to Tokyo Seafood Buffet but never really paid attention to it until a friend told me this place is better than Chaps. I was like NO WAY! He said YES WAY! So I had to come here, as soon as possible. This past Saturday, I decided to go to Tokyo Seafood Buffet again but this time I didn't eat as much as I usually do (5 semi-small plates which is probably 5 plates to a lot of you lol.) probably because their selection wasn't as great as it usually is. Didn't realize we came at a "lunch" hour on a Saturday...... So I wasn't full (I'm fat I know) and had to have something to fill me up! Then I remembered that Pioneer Pit Beef was right around the corner, perfect! I finally stopped by the place and it was a lot smaller than I expected. You literally walk in the first door, order right when you walk in, take 2 steps deeper and get your food then walk out. I walked in and saw a guy standing around, I asked where I should order (There are only 2 windows in the building) and he points to his right. Okay so the Left window is where you're supposed to order. There's a menu on the Left side of the window. Very small but simple. Pit Beef, Pit Ham, Pit Turkey, Fries, Drinks and that's about it. I got the Pit Beef Sandwich and Sub with Fries and a Large Coke. Medium Rare, Medium or Medium Well. I got the Medium Rare. The guy that was cutting the gigantic slab of meat gave me a slice which tasted delicious. They then asked me what I would like on the sandwich and sub. I got Tiger sauce, Raw onions and BBQ sauce on the sandwich and the same plus Au Jus on the sub. While driving back home which took about 25 minutes, the smell permeated throughout my brother's truck. Went home and opened them up. Took my first bite and wow. The sandwich's juice was flowing all over my chin and cheeks while my teeth were penetrating the succulent and tender meat. The bread soaked up so much of the natural juices that it got kinda soggy but the flavors and textures immediately made me forget and reminded me of how amazing this sandwich was. The sub too was delicious, though the bread got a bit too soggy that the moment you touch the bread, it disintegrates into thin air so I'm left touching the meat. Damn you Au Jus! But it was still UHMAYZEENG! I actually wanted to order more than just the 2 sammiches but there was a family behind me and they looked really hungry, so instead of being selfish, I decided to be considerate so they could have access faster to their wanted foods from this hidden gem. Now is this place better than Chaps? I don't know, you'll have to try this place out to find out! :)
(5)Dash S.
Pit Beef and Baltimore are like Corn and Mashed Potatoes... ( I bet you thought you were about to read Peas and Carrots) It just works and it works well. As being someone NOT from here I didn't get the whole PIT BEEF thing at first. Then I tried this place... Damn. These guys have gotten it right. The only problem is due to the fact that this place is not only close to home and work... But, now that I have gotten greatness almost all other places are just Meh at best. This includes a certain Pit Beef Place in close proximity to the Gentelmans Club. Those that know... will know... IMHO, I'd eat here over C*****'s anyday.
(5)Bernie P.
You can get Legular or Superahh from Mrs W. Best beef in town by far. Pass on the fries, kind of soggy!
(5)Bugsy B.
I've passed this place so many times and never really thought of stopping here. I figured since I'm back on this side of town now, reading all the reviews, and after hearing a friend talk about coming here to eat, I should give them a try. Glad I did. You decide if you want a regular or super sandwhich, or you can get a sub (which is what I got). Then tell them whether you want it done medium rare, medium, or well. After you tell them, they'll cut you a slice of meat to try to make sure it's to your liking. Well, the sub (pit beef w/tiger sauce, bbq sauce, american cheese & onions) was delicious!! Handcut fries were also good and the staff was cool. They're only open from 11am-5pm and around lunch time there's usually a line, so I would say go after 1pm if you don't feel like standing in a long line, but they DO move fast. Only thing Chap's has on this place is more of a variety of sub's, sandwhiches, etc. like another reviewer said. But the food here tastes better in my opinion...and it's cheaper!!! I recommend this place definitely to anyone no matter what side of town you're on. It's worth it.
(4)Dionne D.
Definitely a hidden gem, as someone noted. I haven't been there in a while but certainly beats Chaps! Can't wait to return!
(5)Kristen Y.
This place is a hidden gem. The sandwiches are awesome and the meat is always cooked perfectly. Their fries are good also. All of the employees are very accommodating and pleasant. The only downside is their limited hours and the fact that they only accept cash. There is also no indoor seating. There are a few picnic tables outside, but that's it. I don't care though, this place is so good I'd eat it in my car if I didn't live close by.
(5)Dave L.
I always struggle with the idea of reviews for casual places like diners or pit beef stands. Certainly even the best of these businesses doesn't merit five stars if we are comparing them to fine dining restaurants. However, I've decided that I'm going to review places based upon comparisons to their peers (e.g. other diners or pit beef stands). In that case, Pioneer, which I visited for the first time today, is a slam dunk five star. It's everything a pit beef stand should be. Small, spartan, great service, outstanding pit beef, and cheap. I visited Chap's a few weeks back, and I also liked it a lot. They do it right, and they have the added cred of being in the parking lot not of a strip mall, but of a strip joint. However, Pioneer is in the parking lot of a crappy liquor store, so that is comparable. The only thing that differentiates them is that Chap's is a bigger place that offers a wider variety of sandwiches, and that Pioneer is a bit less expensive. But we're talking $5.75 for a regular pit beef versus $7 at Chap's. Neither is going to keep you from paying the rent. Both places have great food at good prices with excellent service. You really can't lose!
(5)Mike S.
Way better than Chaps. If you are looking for the best Pit Beef in MD you've found it.
(5)Crystal J.
Amazing sandwichs!! Bothy husband and I have tried many places, but it just doesn't come close to this place! I just wish their hours of operation where a little later...
(5)Mark H.
Gotta tell you folks who love things plain and simple with great flavor and no frills. That's what Baltimore Pit Beef is all about and these guys at Pioneer do it perfectly... Been here a few times before and have wowed some folks I work with when I bring them along, they had no idea this hidden gem was here! The first guy I had slicing beef for me was Rudy, super nice and great smile plus he knows how to put together a great sandwich with the Tiger sauce and onions the way it should be... Second time was the infamous Jesus working the slicer. Yet again, great guy with a warm smile and fine service. Rudy was in the background giving him a hard time and putting together my awesome super beef sub plus there was Ormondo in the very back trying to compete for the title of "Pit Beef Monster"! Not gonna find a better pit beef sammy around here, gravy fries or not, take out or on the benches out front on a nice day... Check this place out for sure, just weird enough to make you wonder at first but once you taste that beef you'll know why you're here... Thanks again guys!
(5)William A.
The pit beef is amazing, and I love that they let you taste a slice before making your sandwich. Plus, the fries are actually good. Chaps still has a warm place in my heart, but their fries suck in comparison to Pioneer. Get some cash out, go for a long lunch on a warm afternoon, and enjoy.
(5)Dan A.
A lot of places have famous sandwiches associated with them. Philly has the cheesesteak. New England, the lobster roll. Vietnam has banh mi. Lucky New Orleans has two--the muffaletta and the po boy. And the list goes on. Well, enter the humble pit beef sandwich. Baltimore's contribution to the sandwich world may not be as well known outside of the city (it should be), but it's equally as good. It's a top roast that's been slow cooked over a pit then cut in very thin slices (I'd recommend rare). The beautifully charred and smoky meat slices are then placed on top of a bun. Throw in some horseradish and mayo and you got a basic pit beef. And it's freaking good. Think of it as the mature, real-food version of Arby's roast beef sandwich. Pioneer Pit Beef has some of the best pit beef I've ever had. Yes, it's a tiny shack on the side of the road and yes, there's only outdoor seating... but it's really good. The meat is wonderfully seasoned and tender and everything just melds together in an epic ode to sandwich greatness. They also give you a free sample slice. In Baltimore, the most famous pit beef place is Chap's. However, for people in Howard County, it is a pretty long drive and because of that, many people haven't tasted Baltimore's sandwich. Pioneer, however, is much closer by; it's off of Rolling Road. And dare I say it's even better than Chap's? So even if you live in the suburbs of Baltimore, you have no excuse not to try some good pit beef!
(5)Blake S.
This hole in the wall place has no seats, no tables, and no credit card machine. The one thing do they do have is outstanding pit beef. Any way you order it, any sauces you get, you will not be disappointed. Horseradish and BBQ sauce on either a super or a sub is my pick. Don't forget to dump some old bay on those fries.
(5)Eva J.
Definitely a hidden gem. I always get mine with onion and horseradish. The location is a little out of the way but it's definitely worth the drive!
(5)Jason C.
4.5* I love Windsor Mill, MD. Never did I expect to find a joint that is worthy of a near 5* in this area. Finding Pollo Steak and Grill was a blessing and now this. I've been in this area for 3+ years and heard many good stories about "pit beef". I didn't really think much about it because most of these "raves" turn out to be disappointments and it certainly didn't help that I had to travel 60ish miles to the Baltimore area to try something that I was uncertain of. For those who don't know Pit beef. It's Baltimore's version of barbecue: beef grilled crusty on the outside, rare and juicy inside and piled on top of a sandwich. Unlike conventional BBQ, pit beef is grilled, not smoked, so it lacks the heavy hickory flavor. Also, it is usually served rare, which would be unthinkable for most BBQ types. The meat of choice is top round and not brisket and it's shave paper-thin on a meat slicer, which reminds you of roast beef. As for the beef at Pioneer, it is wonderful: extremely juicy and tender. It's enough to sink your teeth into the meat, turn into a tiger for a few minutes, and rip the meat into shreads. For ordering tips I suggest you order in the conventional way: 1. rare or medium rare beef 2. no sauce (for those who need sauce with BBQ, get sauce on the side and add it on but don't ask them to add anything to the sandwich. Sauce kills the taste in my opinion) As for minuses, I think the roll is substandard. When I ate my pit beef, I put the roll to the side and only ate the meat. Also, there are only few tables outside where you can eat so don't expect a restaurant dining experience. In sum, I'm extremely happy at discovering pioneer pit beef and windsor mills. This area is a home run win with Pioneer and Pollo Steak and Grill which I think are two champion meat joints that stand at the top in the DMV area. Enjoy this place! Summer is almost over and you'll have to eat outside in the cold if you go in the Winter!
(5)Wanda D.
Went here for lunch yesterday (1/20/2015) and got a Super Pit Beef (well done) with BBQ sauce and fries. The fries were ok (just because I am not a fan of potatoes with the skin still on them), but the sandwich, as usual, was out of this world. So tender that the beef melted in my mouth. I have been going here since a kid and it's still the best pit beef in Baltimore!!
(5)Paula K.
For a pit beef shack tucked between a hobo-infested bridge, a liquor store, an OB/GYN, and a church, this was a fascinating place. The folks there don't speak English well and it's cash-only (the liquor store has an ATM). I only had the pulled pork, so the rest may be better, but it was super greasy and immediately caused some gastrointestinal violence. Don't get me wrong, it tasted pretty good... but between the shady surroundings and the stomach pain, I won't be making a return trip.
(1)Al D.
This is the best pit beef I have ever had in Maryland, it was a hard choice between this establishment or Mission BBQ in Glen Burnie. Only drawback to pioneer is the seating, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating at Mission BBQ. Prices at Pioneer can't BB as well as the food quality. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CASH since it is cash only at Pioneer.
(4)Erika F.
The rain had no effect at the Pioneer Pit Beef shack. When I arrived it was only myself and a lady, but on the way out numerous people were filing in. I ordered the regular beef and turkey sandwiches medium well done. The menu wasn't confusing since it was pretty limited to a few items. The sample of fresh, thinly sliced, hot meat was nice while waiting in line. On your sammiches, you can get onions, tiger sauce, or salt and pepper. I opted for both sandwiches plain and got tiger sauce and gravy on the side. I got french fries too. I wanted to taste the fries plain and I used the gravy as my dipping sauce. I also dipped my beef sandwich in the gravy, it was yummy like roast beef and gravy. I liked the turkey when they served it to me in line, but as I ate the sandwich.... Ahhhh! It was super processed and I just couldn't finish it. I know lunch meat and this stuff was uber cheap, hella processed. I don't know how else to describe it, but I wouldn't order it again and I don't recommend it. The beef was great, super thin sliced, hot, fresh...I want more and I would love to order by the pound! Enjoy your experience I'm going back for more!!
(4)Scott R.
This is a great pit beef stand/shack that I went to after reading reviews on yelp. I live in Baltimore county and it's about 30 min away. It's WELL worth the drive. I am closer to chaps but I like this place better. It's freezing cold outside today and I don't care I am making the drive. I had the pit beef with tiger sauce. I prefer plain horseradish usually and very spicy but the tiger sauce was really good.
(5)Patapsco M.
Great, perfectly prepared pit beef sandwiches. Served really fast and to order, this place is an institution and I can't believe I've never been here before. Fries were just OK on my visit, but that's not what I came here for...
(5)Niran A.
Pit Beef is a Baltimore obsession, and Pioneer does it the best. The place does not pretend to be anything it isn't. I'm so sick of corporate restaurants and chains claiming they can make classic anything. This shack of awesomeness does everything right. They offer you a sample of the pit beef, no matter if you were there 6 times last week - which I love. On the larger sandwich they give you what seems to be about 1/2 lb of perfectly smoked pit beef. There is minimal seasoning, only enhancing the luscious beef flavor. I ordered my sandwich with the tiger sauce (mayo and horseradish) with the paper thin sliced onion for $6. We also ordered the gravy fries, around $3, which were drenched in peppery smooth gravy - also fantastic. The efficiency of the staff, and no-frills ambiance creates a hidden gem in Baltimore. On a side note, you can order your pit beef cooked to the temperature of your liking. There are other items on the menu, but unfortunately I don't remember what they are. The beef is the star here. Also, this place is cash only so be advised.
(5)Sclinda N.
The sandwich was okay, the soda was flat though.... the place is kinda filthy, lots of flies.
(3)Teddy B.
Thought I check it out after stumbling across this name via Google for pit BBQ in B-more area and seeing its Yelp rating. It was a little tucked behind a small liquor store. Fortunately that liquor store had an ATM too after noticing Pioneer's sign that they take cash only. Space between the entrance/exit doors and the order window literally looked like half my working cubicle; it was that tight. Menu appeared a la carte. While somewhat in a hurry, I only caught seeing that the only sandwich choice is pit beef but either in regular, medium, or sub size. Saw they offer fries (optionally with gravy at extra cost). The sauce section pretty much showed the most selections (10+ varieties). I ordered just a regular size pit beef sandwich and optionally added cheese for another quarter. One guy asked how I like the beef done to which I said medium-well. He sliced a piece and showed it to me to confirm if that's how I liked it; I green-lighted it. I was getting exciting too after seeing how juicy and smokey it looked. While one guy was slicing and weighing beef, another checked what sauce I like on my bread to which I chose the "tiger sauce" I keep hearing about. What irked me enough to dock 1 star short of 5/5 stemmed from seeing he was the only food-handler using bare hands. I tolerated it since he didn't touch the sauce while spreading it. Upon paying, I noticed they either didn't charge tax or it was included. After taking it back to work and devouring it, the beef was truly fresh and tender not to mention portion was reasonably generous. Tiger sauce tasted like a nice balanced blend of mayo and horseradish. I suppose $6 is a fair price.
(4)Hansel T.
When I want a meal in my neighborhood that is sure not to disappoint I get the rare pit sub with onions and double tiger sauce and fries. I've done this weekly for months sometimes. I can't imagine a better meal for under $10 . Sometimes it's more than once a week if I really don't feel like driving. They close early so I will sometimes go early to work to make sure I can grab it for dinner.
(5)Lynda T.
Little shack of deliciousness! Amazing sandwiches! I wish I could eat here every day. The beef and the sauces are out of this world! Love, love,love!
(5)Chris S.
This is the perfect pit beef place. Small building, small menu, free sample of the beef to make sure the temperature is to your liking (rare please!) and very quick service. This place knows its identity and it delivers the goods. Pretty sure my wife and I will be stopping by every Saturday we are in town!
(5)Jimmy D.
I've lived in this area my whole life and it's really rare to find a gem like this place. The flavor of the meat is just amazing. For pit beef, no one else in the area can compete. The prices are reasonable and the food is just solid. GET SOME!!
(5)Dan K.
Amazing pit beef.
(5)Meredith J.
Love the tiger sauce! Quick lines and service because of the small, reasonably priced menu. I would suggest leaving the city to venture here for some pit beef!
(5)Beekeeni N.
Small little place but amazing flavors and quality off beef is out of this world! So many other pit beef places are on tv, Pioneer gets no love yet I find it to be the best place in Baltimore for pit beef! Beef is cooked perfectly, tender juicy and the tiger sauce! Is amazing here, not too creamy. The bun doesnt fall apart like most other places, it holds together well. Great food for awesome prices!
(5)Brent G.
Awesome food. Would give it 5 stars if it had more selection but less is more sometimes I guess. Got a rare, super pit beef with tiger sauce, cheese, and onions. The onions are vidalia which made it even better. FAST service too which is always good and they let you sample the meat when they cut it fresh for ya. For 2 people, 2 sandwiches, gravy fries and two cokes, $19.50. I'm sold.
(4)Yaka H.
I can't help, but echo the reviewers on the sheer yumminess that comes from a simple pit beef sandwich from a simple place called Pioneer Pit Beef. Pit beef is just a large cut of beef that is slow roasted over a large pit, sliced thin on a deli slicer, piled up high on a kaiser roll with your choice of fixings. Here at Pioneer, they slice the beef right in front of you and offer you a free slice each time you order your sandwich. This way you can anticipate the juicy slices of smoked pit beef, streams of au jus running all over your face and arms, the zing of the horseradish and onion slices, the creaminess of the mayo you will encounter soon shortly. It is at Pioneer Pit Beef I really understood what a pit beef sandwich should be. SX really likes pit beef sandwiches, so we have frequented 4 or 5 joints, but it wasn't until we ate at Pioneer Pit Beef that I understood what the big deal was about. The other places I have tried do not compare to Pioneer's Pit Beef sandwich. Pioneer's is more juicier, actually not over cooked, and tender. While I do enjoy Chap's (probably the most well-known pit beef establishment in the surrounding area), I would only go to Chap's for their novelty mixed meat sandwiches (ie: smoked turkey, pit beef, pit ham sandwiches). Chap's beef wasn't cooked rare, wasn't as tender and juicy as Pioneer. The fries at Pioneer Pit Beef were actually decent and crisp, unlike Chap's. Pioneer Pit Beef is definitely a no-frills establishment, with the focus purely on their pit beef. Definitely a locals place given it's odd location.
(5)Matt R.
Been goin here since I was a lil kid. The quality has never changed. There are always long lines at lunch, especially when the weather is nice. Its next to I70 and busy Rolling Road, so no ambience if plan on eating outside on the picnic tables. But you'll be so happy about your sammich and gravy fries it wont matter. So good. Havent been there for a few weeks, think I'll go today actually.
(5)Daniel C.
This place is awesome. better than Chaps. i used to come here for lunch all the time. not the healthiest of options, but so delicious
(5)Jem D.
It's so, so good. Have yet to try Chaps, but why would I when I have a great place right on my side of the loop? I've had both the turkey and the beef. Although the turkey is good, the beef is the best. And the fries are also quite good; you get a ton of them if you order. Typically enough for two or three people in one serving. Yum!
(5)Derek I.
Rivals Chaps pit beef and is a very close second. I made a special run just to try it out and it was definitely worth the extra 15 miles I drove out of my way. I love the fact that you are able to taste a sample before ordering! Score one for Pioneer! The super pit beef (I had medium rare) was very tender, moist and savory (see pic) but did not have the smoke-flavor like Chaps. Pulled pork was excellent---well prepared, not too greasy and the pork flavor hits hard! Fries were ok--preferred Chaps' fries given they taste a little better and give you a whole lot more. My only beef with them is the fact that they do not have the selection or combinations of meat sandwiches. Maybe they will add these combos in the future?! Please do!
(4)Eric O.
Tasty beef sandwich Tons of meat and great flavor Don't forget the fries!
(4)Toby D.
Enjoy this authentic piece of Americana before they tear it down! Delicious hot roast beef cooked to order, sliced razor thin, piled high on a soft bun or sub and topped with your choice of onions, horseradish, horseradish mayo ("Tiger Sauce"), BBQ Sauce or just plain au jus! This exquisite taste treat, served amazingly fast and laughably cheap, is sort of what Arby's tasted like when they first opened literally about a half century ago. Arby's has been inedible for decades, but this is the real deal when it comes to pit cooked roast beef sandwich. It's behind the liquor store if you're coming at it from Johnnycake Road (Ain't that name sweet!). Set your GPS for 1602 North Rolling Road in Windsor Mill, MD. They have three picnic tables outside, so be prepared to eat in your car if it's cold outside. And their French Fries are great, too! Worth the trip! As the trucker said in the John Waters' movie Pecker, "There's nothing some men won't do for a pit beef sandwich!" When you savor this and look at the long line of pit beef disciples stuffing their faces in ecstasy, then ya'll really get the joke!
(5)Amanda M.
This is how you order: (it's based on weight) Regular Super Sub Platter Temperature: Medium Rare Medium Well Toppings: BBQ sauce Hot sauce Tiger sauce Onions Salt & Pepper Etc. I personally love a super medium rare with bbq sauce, onions, tiger sauce and salt & pepper. It's really yummy and I love stopping by to pickup a sandwich. They offer you a sample to taste to make sure you like the temperature and it's delicious. It is definitely a hole in the wall because it is a shack from the outside but there is typically a line around lunchtime but they're pretty quick.
(5)R C.
Didn't want to post anything 'til we'd tried out Chaps. My wife & I agree that Pioneer's product is better! Chaps has way more choices, but Pioneer's pit beef is more flavorful. My wife says Pioneer's tiger sauce is better too -- a bit more tang. Not a big deal, but I believe Chaps charges a little more for a little less too -- they've only got one size, same size as Pioneer's regular, but they charge a bit more for it than Pioneer charges for their large. A couple things about locations. Pioneer shares their parking lot with a liquor store / bar but the area is pretty decent. Chaps is in a seedier area. They're in the parking lot of a strip joint, across the street from an adult video store, and with a number of liquor stores nearby. Chaps, however, has indoor seating and the staff was friendly. Pioneer is all business but the food's delicious.
(5)Scott M.
When I go to a new city, I always try to sample the local speciality. I've found there is usually a popular speciality, and then one held in esteem by the Locals. Take Chicago-most Americans would say "Deep-Dish Pizza" or "Chicago-Style HotDogs" are the top foodie items, but we Windies know the Italian Beef is the coin of the realm. Baltimore? Maryland? Crab Cakes, right? But I learned something called "Pit Beef" is the local speciality. If I was to believe the TV guys, the place called "Chaps" has the #1 version. I was on business in the Hamlet of Catonsville, with no time to scurry up to "Chaps". A quick scan of Yelp showed this 5-star beauty within 2 miles of where I was. If I was going to take a whack at having some Pit Beef, this was my chance. I had two compatriots with me who entrusted me with the choice of Lunch, so they followed me on a scramble through the side streets leading to the unassuming shack that is Pioneer Pit Beef. Sitting in a parking lot, next to a ramshackle Liquor store and what looked like an abandoned Italian Ice stand, the Pioneer Hut has the look that either appalls or attracts, depending on how you view this kind of establishment. In Chicago, there are tons of shacks dispensing killer Hotdogs and Italian Beefs, so the "shacky" appearance of Pioneer did not put me or my pals off our feed. This is the place where I should say the aroma of Hickory Wood in the area was irresistible. Inside the shack there was room for about 3 or 4 folks, and you shared that space with a few cords of firewood. Some ancient-looking illustrations and menus, along with crude handwritten signs provided the fare. Basically Pit Beef, which is Wood-Grilled Beef at your choice of temperature in various sized sandwiches, with your choice of garnish and sauce. When you place your order, the attendant spears a large roast from the pit in the back of the temperature of your choice and shaves off the portion of your order, it is dressed, wrapped, and you're out the door. Fresh Fresh Fresh! The dining accommodations are a brace of picnic tables out front. I ordered Rare with onions and "Tiger Sauce" which seems to be the go-to garnish according to the Yelpers who champion this place. They are quite correct. The Beef was tender and perfectly delicious, needing no salt, pepper or anything else than a quick dispatch into a watering mouth. The Tiger Sauce had a Horseradishy zing, and was totally fabulous. You might think "Pit Beef" might be akin to our Chicago "Italian Beef", but it was a totally different joint. I can say with certainty, however, that if you like Chicago Beef, you will LOVE Baltimore Pit Beef. Don't be scared by the Dingy Facade--this is a top notch joint . And, oh yeah, the fries here are fresh cut and fresh fried. On a par with the Primanti Beauties I had in Pittsburgh. I'm throwing 4 stars, 'cos I've only had one Pit Beef Sandwich. I can't imagine how "Chaps" could be any better, but I'll reserve the 5th star for my next visit.
(4)Amy C.
Incredible place. Always worth the extra drive. Very friendly staff and great sandwiches! It blows I had to move to DC out of the daily run but if I head to Baltimore this place is always a must stop to get 2, 1 for now one for later. This is the place TRUE Baltimore foodies go for pit beef! I've had chaps too and its okay...good for their hours a bit more expensive but way too much hype from the two food shows. Make the effort...break away from the hype! You will love this beef! What this place lacks in hours and appearance it compensates in taste.
(5)Jody Z.
I had my first pit beef sandwich here recently. First one EVER! As someone born and raised in Maryland, I'm not sure how that happened, but it did. My husband is somewhat of a connoisseur of pit beef sandwiches. So when I found out about this place and he had never heard of it, I was excited to take him. It was a tad out of our way, but totally worth it!! The most important things to remember are that it is CASH ONLY and that the hours are Monday - Saturday from 11am - 5pm. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon and the line was about 10 people deep--always a good sign! The pit beef sandwiches come in 3 sizes and they also have pit ham and pit turkey. There are two windows. At the first window, you order your sandwich and tell them they type, size, and temperature (I recommend medium rare!). They give you a sample of the meat how you ordered it to make sure its to your liking. Then you go to the second window and order drinks, sides, and pay. There are a few picnic tables outside and the view of the shack, road, and rear of the liquor store ain't much to look at, but you'll want to consume your food as soon as possible so take a seat. The meat on the sandwich was SO good. So much flavor, no toughness, very juicy and served on a bun that doesn't collapse with the weight of all of that meat. I only had a dab of mayo on my bun. No BBQ sauce necessary. I think that would hide the delicious meat flavor. However, maybe next time I'll try a bit of the tiger sauce, which is horseradish and mayo combined, for a little kick. We were surprised to see that the fries are hand cut, boardwalk style, and very good as well! My husband said this pit beef sandwich is tied at the #1 spot with Andy Nelson's so I think we'll have to have another re-match. Since this is the only one I've tried, I think I'm probably spoiled because so many others won't compare. All in all, it was a great meal. For 2 sandwiches, a shared large drink, and an order of fries to share, it was somewhere between $15-20 and well worth it! If you can't get here during the week, take a drive on a Saturday...you won't regret it.
(5)Charissa H.
Went again and took 5 co-workers with me. They were speechless! They all have gone to the "Best One" and they said it did not come close. I still think they might want to use a more upgraded bread.
(5)Tom H.
First visit impressions: Very good pit beef, but wasn't crazy about the BBQ sauce (a little too sweet IMHO) & I'm not a horseradish fan, so maybe next time I'll ask for just a little sauce. Be ready for your sample slice when you order & be ready to order when you enter! Good fries, too and Old Bay can at the cashier counter! :) Parking behind the liqour store & picnic benches so you can dig in right away.
(4)Scott B.
This place is legit! While it lacks the tenderness & sexiness of what I'm used to in roadside bbq, its pretty amazing in what it is. Texas - while amazing - has ruined me for bbq. A chopped brisket sandwich... I mean a real one, where they use the fatty point of the brisket that was smoked that day is just in a class by itself. While not that, this place succeeds in putting forward an amazing homecooked sandwich that is the perfect alternative to the usual mindless chain restaurants that serve lunch. Anyway, my roast beef sandwich w/ fries was more than I could have ever expected from some shack that I happened to just drive by.
(5)David C.
Pioneer Pit Beef is very different from what you would expect. It is in the middle of nowhere and draws quite a crowd. They open at 11 am but the line starts to form before that. This is a cash-only place. Ask for how you want your meat beef, turkey or ham (Well-done, medium or rare) The meat is sliced thinly right in front of you when you order your sandwich or sub. You even get offered a taste first before they slice the rest of your order. The Tiger Sauce is good choice but please do not smother the meat. Their bar-b-que sauce is not the best so I avoid it. Sauce can make for messy eating so be careful as you hold your food to eat. There are a few flies around so watch out for them. The hand-cut cooked on the spot fries are good but skip the gravy unless you are into that. Malt vinegar, Old Bay Seasoning, Salt and Black Pepper are available for you to put on your crispy fresh fries. Outdoor seating is not plenty but most people do not stay and eat outside like we do.
(4)Robby B.
Pioneer is a great little pit beef shack. The line is often way out the door, which should indicate the place's quality. They have picnic tables outside, which is great on a nice day. The menu is fairly limited, but they also have turkey, ham, and the like. But definitely go for the pit beef. Keep in mind, Pioneer closes at 5pm, so don't try to go for dinner. Sandwiches are about $5.50 and subs (about 1.5 times the meat) are $6.50. When you order your sandwich, they'll cut you a piece of meat to sample while they prepare your food. This is an awesome touch, but will make the wait for your sandwich agonizing! The pit beef is tender, juicy, and delicious. It's sliced slightly thicker than other pit beef places. The barbecue sauce is sweet and tangy, not smoky. The tiger sauce (mayo and horseradish) is good, but doesn't have enough horseradish. The biggest problem is that they apply the sauce for you. This sounds petty, but they always put way too much on there. This problem is amplified by the crappy bread. If you get the sandwich to go, the bread will be mushy and drenched in sauce by the time you eat. It's still a great sandwich, but not perfect and very messy. The fries (about $3) are very good. They're not frozen and have a noticeable (but not overwhelming) peanut oil taste. They're decently firm so they stand up well when you get gravy on top. You can find better pit beef in other spots (namely Chaps), but Pioneer still rocks. I can't wait to stop back next time I'm in the area.
(4)Kim M.
This is the best pit beef in town! I've tried others that have resulted in severe disappointment. My go to is medium on a wheat roll with bbq and tiger sauce. If i'm feeling particularly ravenous, I'll get the super. The fries are fresh cut and delish. Make sure you get extra bbq sauce for them too.
(5)Dane K.
My first exposure to pit beef... but oh my god, just as memorable were their fries. Pit beef... ordered it medium rare with that horseradishy-mayo ('tiger sauce') they put on it, grilled onions, and yellow mustard. Meat was excellent. DELICIOUS with three D's. The fries were an art.. boardwalk fries done right. We added provisions of malt vinegar, a dash of hot sauce, then the real trick was a sprinkling of Old Bay. They were the best fries I've had in a long, long, long time. How can you say no?
(5)Su K.
I waited a whole year to review Pioneer Pit Beef. It's that good. I wanted to make it my 400th review. It's that good. I went back more times than I'd care to admit. It's that good. I even snuck out to get it for fear of my wife saying, "You're getting pit beef again?!" It's that good. I tried others in the area, including Chaps and Kirkwood and they don't come close. It's that good. Food - Seriously, if you've never been to Pioneer and you've seen pit beef featured on Food Network, head there posthaste. For those that are unfamiliar with pit beef, it's basically a glorious roast beef sandwich, served on a roll and topped with various sauces and veggies. I believe they used top round for their pit beef, which is typically a terrible cut of beef to eat in large portions. But the grilling and thin-slicing makes the meat incredibly tasty and juicy. Some of you may be familiar with pit beef from places like Bull on the Beach or Boog's Barbeque at Camden Yards, but let me tell you, those places and their dry, chewy sandwiches shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Pioneer. To speak of the latter, Boog Powell was an awesome baseball player but I have to think he hasn't visited the restaurants that bear his name because I think the "bbq" there is terrible. In fact, I think if he did go, he'd feel like Krusty the Klown when he visited Kamp Krusty and was shocked to find how horrible the kamp bearing his name was. But I digress. If you're like me, you always get suckered in by Boog's and Bull on the Beach whenever you head to Ocean City and you keep telling yourself, "NEVER AGAIN!" But let me tell you, Pioneer is totally different. The beef is grilled to juicy perfection. They ask you what temperature you want the meat cooked at and they'll give you a HUGE slice to sample it. I personally like to get mine with onions and tiger sauce (mayo + horseradish). I can't believe I'm typing this, but the turkey might be even better. Quite possibly the juiciest and tastiest turkey sandwich I've ever had. For $10, you can get yourself a huge, delicious sandwich and fries. Location - Cash only at this little shack with minimal outdoor seating. You walk up and order, they give you a sample, you confirm your order, pay, and receive your order. There's a snowball stand in the parking lot which I've yet to try. My only gripe about this place is that I wish they'd stay open later (they close at 5pm) and open on Sundays. Service - food comes out quickly since it's just a matter of them putting the grilled meat through the meat slicer. My perfect day in Baltimore always starts with a trip to Pioneer. You'd be wise to do the same.
(5)L. K.
Had the pit beef sandwich twice for lunch. The sizes are regular, medium, and large. The regular is ginormous! Not salty, no grease, on a soft kaiser roll. Plain with just the pit beef with horseradish and mayo on kaiser roll. Much better with lettuce, tomato, red onion, horseradish and is it cheese whiz? Get's super messy so take a lot of napkins. I have yet to try any of the sauces but delicious even without them. If you don't hold the sandwich correctly, everything could fall out, and the bun could also tear if it gets soggy from the tomato so I recommend holding on the left and right very tightly, with the pinkies holding the back in, although it smushes the bread a little.
(5)Ina C.
Holy crap.
(5)William G.
Saw that pioneer was popular on yelp which gave me hope that it would be good. I love the layout of the little house, Line is organized because there is only room for the line. Service was quick and is Cash only. No confusion with pickup and service was great and quick. The sample with the order is a great touch. I got the pit beef sub mid-rare with tiger sauce, bbq sauce, and onions (My usual with pit-beef). I thought the beef was juicy and cooked to a great temperature. The fries were nice and crispy. We ate outside right on the picnic tables. Overall I was really impressed. Note: they can be heavy with saucesand the bun seems structurally inferior to the roll. This is the fourth pit-beef place I have been to and between this and Canopy I can't decide which is better. Win-Win.
(5)Jason I.
My girlfriend lives right next to this place and I've always been curious to try it. When I finally did I was depressed I waited so long! If you're in the area , it's between the hours of 11am and 5pm and like beef you should stop whatever you're doing and immediately go here. I've tried all sizes of the sandwiches offered ( regular, Jumbo, and the Sub variety) and all are satisfying. I imagine a regular sandwich is more than enough for most people. The meat is tender, has a slight smoky flavor and smell, and is always juicy (provided you order rare or medium rare; If you're not willing to eat rare meat avoid this place entirely). The bread they use is perfect; it's soft and pillowy but not too soft. If you like horseradish and mayo order your sandwich with tiger sauce (a delicious blend of the aforementioned condiments). They always make sure to hand you a sample slice of the product while they slice and assemble your meal. I have also tried the pit turkey and it is tasty however I think the main draw of this place is their awesome beef sandwiches. Their fries are decent as well! The coleslaw they offer is pretty standard but has a nice kick of horseradish. The pickles they offer are nice dill cukes and quite large. 5 stars!
(5)Tony P.
An unassuming little shack tucked away next to the I-70 overpass on N Rolling Road and Johnnycake Road just past Security Mall. The facility is CASH ONLY and consists of a narrow corridor to step in and place your order. There are picnic tables outside if you choose to sit and eat on the spot. They have pit beef, pulled pork, pit ham and pit turkey. The cutter will offer you a slice of the meat of choice to affirm your decision. The 'super' pit beef is a generous 1/2 lb of thinly sliced succulent meat. The only sides offered is french fries with or without gravy and coleslaw. My favorite choice is a medium rare with horseradish, onion, bbq sauce and hot sauce. The meat is juicy with the appropriate amount of char on the edges. They do a nice cross cut so the meat isn't chewy but tears away nicely with every mouthful. The bun is firm and can handle the mound of meat and sauce stacked on it without falling apart. There are a lot of pit beef vendors in Baltimore. It's practically a staple diet. But there are few that can make a really good pit beef. This place is one of those few. Note: they only open from 11-5 Mon-Sat.
(4)Sam B.
Omg! This place is a little piece of heaven. I don't usually do pit beef but when I do its when I'm in the woodlawn area visit a friend. Because, that's where this tiny, cramped, and wonderful place is. The actual building is very small in size and they only accept cash, but that matters very little once you try the meat. They give a sample to try before you place an order, a giant slice right off the wood-burning grill. The medium well that I always get is delicious, juicy, and melts in your mouth. I take it with BBQ and horseradish. Seriously, if you're in the area and don't stop here for a sammich (get the super) and fries you're no longer my friend.
(5)Andrew R.
Eat it, period. This is a honest to god, old school meat hut. Just smoking, cooking, and serving up delicious beef on a bun with french fries doused in ketchup and hot sauce. Its cash only so be ready for that. Go and try it, your missing out if you dont, and they always give you a free sample to make sure that its right before it goes on the sandwich, so you'll get what you want. FYI, there's only outdoor seating so you may need to get it to go. Still worth it though.
(5)Cliff I.
Best Pit-Beef in Baltimore! Unfortunately not open on Sunday. I've never tried any of the other meats that they have, unfortunately. The french fries are handcut and delicious after adding a little salt and pepper. This is coming from a BBQ snob. All of their meat is is cooked using hickory. You can see it stacked up outside. I live 10 minutes away from Chaps and would rather drive 35 minutes to Pioneer because it's that much better. I've been eating here since 2002. BTW, they don't take credit.
(5)Bro H.
Shit is real good. My sandwich wasn't quite as rare as I would like, but the sample slice was perfect, so I think it was an aberration. The tiger sauce is real mild on the horseradish, but quite good. Gravy fries were great. The barbecue sauce was good sauce, but not what I would call barbecue sauce - sort of like sweet and sour? I have no basis for comparison (unless Arby's counts) but if you can plan a stop here into a road trip, or live in Baltimore, do it. Is it worth a trip from DC when gas is 4 bucks a gallon? Not for me, but maybe you're more bored and more rich than I am.
(5)Jessica A.
Sure it's in a liquor store parking lot under an overpass in a little shanty - but OMG the pit beef sandwiches are out of this world. Tender, flavorful and no nasty little bits of fat or gristle. Au jus with horseradish - perfection. The french fries are fresh, hot and delicious but shake a little extra salt on them before you go. They are just a touch bland without it.
(5)Jeff W.
Wow! Pioneer is even better than I had imagined. This is now the definitive pit beef experience for me. Their menu is simple, ordering is quick, and the staff is fast and efficient. I started off with the large pit beef, rare, with onions and horseradish. They immediately go over to the pit and pull off a giant chunk of meat and throw it down on the slicer. They start slicing and actually watching it is almost arousing as juices are flowing all over the place and they keep piling gorgeous pink meat as your sandwich is prepared. They will even give you a sample while they slice your meat; a preview of the joys to come. AWESOME! By the time you finish paying your sandwich has been fully assembled. There is not a second of waiting and the food is piping hot. We also got fries which are boardwalk style and outstanding as well. I excitedly ran outside to sit at one of the picnic tables and started to feast. First impressions is the size of the sandwich is fantastic. No elf food here. Piled high with meat and just enough toppings to add in some flavor and texture. The meat was so juicy and flavorful but I was a little disappointed that many of the pieces were not as rare as I would've liked. After putting a beatdown on the sandwich and fries I needed more. I ran back inside to try the turkey. Same drill: grab meat from the pit, throw down on slicer, free sample, pay and get out. But this time the sandwich almost made my knees buckle (with joy, not from fatness). The turkey is even better than the pit beef! Tender and juicy as can be. The meat was practically sliding off my sandwich as if trying to escape my rapidly closing mouth as I practically downed the thing in about 15 seconds. Absolutely fantastic. I will be back repeatedly! Note: I'm sure others have mentioned but be warned this is CASH ONLY so come prepared
(5)J P.
Really...realllllly good pit beef, turkey and ham. Wood fired ovens add to the air of the place... making the entire neighborhood smell fantastic. The french fries are made on site from real potatoes. You know what you are getting. Pros: Awesome beef. Deli style pit ham and turkey. Reasonable prices. Good fries. Tiger sauce! Cons: Gets really busy at lunch time. Limited outdoor only seating. Cash only.
(4)John T.
Pit beef with tiger sauce was incredible. Best Pitt beef on the west side if town. There neck and neck with chaps.
(5)M J.
I love their pit beef. I wish it wasn't cash only and it gets slightly uncomfortable with the employees gawking at women. But the food is on point.
(4)J S.
Order the pit beef sandwich with tiger sauce (horseradish and mayo) with fries. Do NOT order the BBQ pork. Bring cash and don't expect atmosphere. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Barry S.
Ok ... Finally checked this place out but it ain't chaps ... And to heck with you chaps haters ... Do try the pork here Don't try the turkey ... Don't Pit beef Is solid but I like more char
(3)Dale B.
Excellent food, friendly staff. Make sure to bring cash as they do not accept credit cards.
(5)Hansoo J.
This tiny wood-shack pit beef joint is located on prime real estate: under a high way overpass and behind a liquor store. But from the moment I pulled into the parking, I knew that I was going to thoroughly enjoy whatever I bought. There were several reasons for this: First, the place was completely unpretentious. Places that serve simple food have to be simple. If they're putting a lot of time and energy into the decor, chances are that they're not putting as much time and energy into the food. Second, this place opens at 11:00, when I got there at 11:15 there were already several cars in the parking lot: a red sedan, a plumber's van and a general contractor's truck. When you walk into the front door, you are greeted with the warm aroma of hot pit beef and french fries... drool... There's also a large easy to read menu on the wall next to two windows. The meat slicer is in the first window. You tell him what kind of sandwich you want, "Super pit beef, as rare as you got. BBQ, raw onions, and EXTRA, EXTRA horseradish." Before you can shuffle along to the next window, the meat cutter guy hands you a slice of pit beef, to see if it's the way you want it. Sweet! At the next window, you tell the cashier if you want anything else. Though all I got was the pit beef, the fries looked and smelled delicious. I noticed a potato slicer along the back wall. The sandwich was great. Very, very tender and moist. Sometimes rare pit beef can be stringy, but this was the opposite. Three words: Low and Slow. I could have used a little more smoke but other than that, I thought that it was seasoned well. The sauce is definitely homemade and very, very sweet. If you are unsure, try it on the side. The onions were sliced paper thin and went really well with the soft, tender meat. This sandwich was a great combination of taste, texture, and presentation. If you are looking for a great pit beef sandwich, check this place out!
(5)Sam O.
If you're a fan of pit beef, you'd be sorely missing out on one of Catonsville's greatest gems if you don't try Pioneer. It's everything you'd want in a pit beef experience: hole-in-the-wall, sample slices, excellent excellent meat, sauce, and bread, and generally quick lines. I came here upon a friend's recommendation and will certainly come back indefinitely.
(5)Andrew S.
Not that I'll probably end up in this part of Maryland again, but I wanted to check out Pit Beef after reading about it on a bunch of forums. I altered plans and sat in traffic worrying I wasn't going to make it there before 5pm (Closing time). Luckily, with 1/2 hour to go, we drive past the small shack with picnic tables on the side, hidden next the freeway overpass. No line at the time, They ask you what you want, how you like your meat done, and what toppings. The "Sample Slice" was amazing, smokey, tender, and delicious. On a Sub, the smoke flavor almost disappeared which I was horrified about, but the horseradish sauce with onions and au jus was amazing. I told my friend I'd save a small piece for him... but I accidentally ate it all :) If I somehow find myself in the area again I'll definitely make the trip out again.
(4)Lynn K.
Just a little shack that I have passed every day on my way to work for the last four years. Did not know about it till a Yelp event when we got into a decision about pit beef. Read the reviews and. so we decided to try it since we do not have students till next week and can actually go out for lunch. It was just a 5 minute drive around the corner and under the bridge to get there. It was around 12:30 and the place was starting to get busy. We decided to eat at one of the picnic tables outside as there was a nice breeze blowing. The whole time we were eating there was a steady stream of people in line. Most doing carry out. At one time there was a line out the door but it moved quickly. As we entered the small shack there is a huge sign with your menu choices. We all went for the regular pit beef. I got mine on a wheat bun which was nice and soft and fresh. There were over ten items you could have on your sandwich and I choose just horse radish and onions. There is tiger sauce, barbeque sauce, honey mustard, mayo, etc. Everyone made their sandwich unique. I ordered mine medium rare and was given a piece to sample. I licked my fingers it was so good. The beef is piled high on that sandwich and I enjoyed every bit of it. One of the best I have ever had. The fries were delicious....looked like boardwalk kinda fries. Only complaint is that I wish they were hotter but they gave you so many I was glad I split it with someone. The sandwiches were a little over $5 and the huge servings of fries was in the 2 something neighborhood. A wonderful inexpensive delicious lunch. Who knew this gem was always just a short drive from work. The servers were so friendly and seemed to really enjoy their job. So polite and helpful.You can bet this school year we will be sending someone to grab some of these sandwiches for lunch.
(5)Brad Z.
If you haven't had pit beef before, this is a good place to start. Big meaty sandwiches, a nice pillowy bun, finished off by crisp fresh-cut boardwalk style fries. It's one of those great unassuming cheap lunch spots, a cash-only, limited hours, tables outside overlooking a busy intersection, waddling back to your car with a full and satified belly kind of places.
(4)Andrew W.
If you want the BEST Pit Beef in Baltimore, then you must get to Pioneer. I used to live in Catonsville so I used to be here at least once a week. So recently on my way home from Towson I stopped by to pick up a few sandwiches for the fam. Walking in reminded me of how much I miss the place. First of all, Chaps is good for a novelty sandwich, but if you want pure Pit Beef, Pioneer is it. Got regular beef for everyone and I love their pit ham topped with cheese, tiger sauce and bbq sauce (dont knock it til you try it) so I had to get me one of those. Great product, great prices and still fast service. No reason to go anywher else.
(5)Brad B.
I've now visited a couple of other pit beef stands in Baltimore -- most notably Chaps in SE Baltimore. I've also visited Pioneer a couple more times. Not any bad experiences with Pioneer -- just a couple of revelations from other spots (again, most notably Chaps). I will try something besides the beef next time I'm in.
(3)Nick S.
Best pit beef in Maryland. Meat is tender, juicy, simple. I enjoy it with tiger sauce onions and salt and pepper. medium rare. The sample piece they give you is quite possibly the best thing youve experienced in a long time. fries are hit or miss. pickles are good. cash only.
(5)HowChow B.
The beauty of a pit beef sandwich -- the smoke, the beef, the slight char, the horseradish -- comes through at Pioneer Pit Beef in Woodlawn. This is a simple thing. The Pioneer is a shack on Rolling Road just north of Rte 40. Inside, there is just room to line up for a sandwich. Order beef, ham or turkey. Take the "tasting" slice to be sure that you're picking right from "rare, medium or well-done?" Ask for fries or cole slaw. Step outside. But you step outside for an absolutely delicious sandwich. I go for medium meat with horseradish and maybe some onion. In the crowd, people lather up with mayo, BBQ sauce and "tiger sauce" (mayo and horseradish combined), but I can't condone the practice. I don't want to cover up the meat -- the beef flavor of a tough cut, grilled and then sliced so thin that you bite through like filet.
(5)Stephanie Q.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
(5)David M.
Cash only. Good sandwiches. Wash your hands before you go so you can grab the sample slice when you order. Super long lines around lunch time. Around this time, one person can place an order for 10 people, so get there before 12p if possible. Even with the long line, they keep things rolling as long as the customers can keep up with the staff. Worth checking out if possible.
(4)Mark M.
Great pit beef. Better than Grubes, the Canopy and Kirkwoods. Order it medium rare. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Jeff C.
This is the place! Looks awful from the outside! Seriously though, they know what they're doing, and without a doubt they are the best in this area. Inexpensive, quick, and the food is tasty. Cash only, and make sure you ask for tiger sauce! If you get there at the right time, there is a single picnic table sitting outside that is sometimes free, but otherwise this is 100% take out.
(5)Cesar P.
This place is an old shack that doesn't look like it would hold some of the best beef around... But it does. Pit beef is quite the phenomenon in Baltimore, and this was prolly one of the best places I've tried it. You must order it rare unless you're odd and have something against rare beef... It will melt in your mouth. The fries are fresh and incredible. I didn't try it with any toppings except for some sauce, but just thinking about it makes me want to travel for it. Definitely worth it.
(5)