Baltimore BBQ

Best Joint: Chaps Pit Beef
Where: 5801 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore MD. (410) 483-2379
What: Pit Beef
Why: I saw someone mention Mount Vernon Stable but how can anyone nominate a baltimore BBQ joint that doesn't serve the only BBQ Balto can call it's own? Andy Nelson's is the best southern(alabama) style in balto, and Payne's and cozy corner in memphis are fantastic, but Chaps is it. There's nothing better than thinly sliced, perfectly medium-rare pit beef with just enough of the crunchy crust thrown in for flavor and Chaps delivers. Add onion, barbecue sauce and horseradish and it's heavenly and uniquely baltimorean. The price($4 a sandwich) location and set up(picnic tables along a busy truck route) and locals' fierce devotion are exactly what you expect in a great BBQ place.

Dave Maltese