Some lunch spots chase trends, and some simply keep doing the same good thing year after year. In Towson, Maryland, one small family deli has picked the second path, and the neighborhood keeps thanking it with steady return trips.
People drive in from other states just to load up on jumbo subs, shrimp salad sandwiches, and trays of Italian favorites. Parking can be tricky, there are no seats, and nobody seems to mind one bit.
The secret is not flashy at all. It comes down to good bread, carefully chosen meats, quick hands behind the counter, and a family that has run the business for five generations.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes the sandwiches special, how the little grocery shelves fit in, and the best way to plan a stop.
A Corner of Loch Raven Boulevard Worth Finding
Some of the best lunches hide in plain sight on busy suburban roads. Pastore’s Italian Delly sits at 8646 Loch Raven Blvd, Towson, MD 21286, in the United States, just north of Baltimore.
It is a neighborhood deli and shop, and that pairing is the whole idea. Customers come for sandwiches and jumbo subs, then leave with kitchen items from the shelves.
The space is cozy and compact. There is a counter, a team making orders, and rows of Italian groceries waiting nearby.
Nothing here tries to be a big restaurant. It is a place to order, chat for a minute, and carry lunch out the door.
That simple formula has earned a 4.8-star average from more than 300 people on Google. For a small shop on a commuter route, that is quite a stack of fans.
Spelling fans may notice the word Delly instead of deli. Consider it the first small clue that this shop does things its own way.
Five Generations Behind the Counter
Family businesses rarely last one generation, let alone five. The owners of this deli describe it as a 5th generation family-owned business, which says plenty about staying power.
Locals simply call it a place that has been there forever. That kind of longevity usually means the basics are being handled with care.
The staff greet regulars like old friends. Many customers mention having the same person build their sandwich trip after trip, which adds a familiar rhythm to each order.
Owners also answer online comments personally, often by name. Some replies even open with a cheerful Italian welcome, a small touch that matches the family feel.
Hospitality here is not a script. It shows up as patience with kids, quick help for first timers, and a cashier known for good vibes at the register.
Plenty of shops claim tradition on a sign. This one backs the claim with a family tree that keeps growing behind the counter.
Jumbo Subs That Earn Their Name
Subs are the headline act, and the crowd knows it. They come up more than any other topic when people talk about this deli.
The Italian cold cut sub leads the pack. Some fans call it the best in town, and one longtime customer named it an all-time favorite.
A transplant from New Jersey, where Italian subs are serious business, rated the cold cuts and bread as top tier. That is high praise from a tough crowd.
The meatball sub has its own loyal following. So does the Gonzo Italian sub, a bigger take that first timers often grab and quickly remember.
Custom orders are welcome too. A smoked turkey, Swiss, and roast beef combination gets made exactly as requested, no fuss involved.
Size matters on a jumbo sub, but balance matters more. The kitchen treats quality bread and well chosen meats as the starting point, not an afterthought.
Hungry readers, consider yourselves warned. These subs are built for appetites, and leftovers may follow you home.
Shrimp Salad on a Fresh Bun
Maryland and shrimp salad go together like a weekday and a lunch break. At this deli, the shrimp salad sandwich holds its own next to the Italian classics.
The filling mixes plenty of shrimp with celery, onion, and mayo. It arrives on a fresh bun with sliced tomato and a little shredded lettuce.
Generous is the word that keeps coming up. The shrimp count runs high enough that counting them becomes a fun idea, though most people just start eating.
One small note for planners: the bread for this sandwich is a bun, with no other bread choice offered. Fans of options can lean on the subs for that.
Having a seafood choice in an Italian deli is a nice local twist. It gives groups a way to mix things up when not everyone wants cold cuts.
Order one alongside a jumbo sub and split both. Sharing is caring, and it also means tasting twice the menu in one trip.
Muffulettas, Porchetta, and Other Deep Cuts
Regulars love a menu with secret handshakes, and this one has a few. Beyond the famous subs sit specialties that loyal fans swear by.
The muffuletta shows up in two forms, including a smaller muffalettini. It comes stacked with plenty of sliced meats.
Porchetta is another favorite. It is praised for crispy edges and tender meat, and the owners admit it ranks among their own picks.
Salami lovers get a tip as well. The Dilusso salami is a frequent recommendation for anyone ordering meats.
Hot dishes join the lineup too. Eggplant parmesan, stuffed shells, spinach and cheese ravioli, and sausage in sauce all appear on the menu.
Fresh made pastas also earn praise, along with pre-prepared meals for nights when cooking is off the table. A Greek salad rounds things out for lighter eaters.
The deeper the menu goes, the more reasons there are to come back. Working through it might take a few visits, which seems to be the plan.
Grocery Shelves and Sweet Endings
Lunch is only half the visit. The other half happens at the shelves, where Italian pastas, sauces, cheeses, and canned and jarred goods line the shop.
Pesto and other Italian specialties are part of the mix. Meats and cheeses can be bought for home, too.
The drink and chip selection draws compliments as well. It sounds minor until it saves a separate grocery stop.
Desserts deserve their own lap around the counter. Tiramisu, large cannolis, pizzelles, and rice pudding are all available.
Homemade cornbread is a quiet bargain. A piece has sold for 95 cents, a price that feels almost from another decade.
Many people describe stopping in for a few minutes of Italian culture. Browsing the shelves is a big part of that experience.
Leave a little room in the bag. The shelves have a way of filling it.
Who Feels Right at Home Here
A good deli has a broad guest list, and this one proves it. Neighbors, workers on lunch break, and out-of-state relatives all find their way in.
Families do well here. Staff have been kind to young kids, and the menu offers easy picks for picky eaters.
Hosts planning gatherings will appreciate the sandwich platters. A mixed small platter for an open house came out fresh and left happy leftovers.
Travelers make it a ritual. One family from Ohio stops every time they visit relatives in Maryland, ordering nearly half the menu.
The pace runs quick. Service is fast and friendly, though first timers may want to scan the menu before reaching the counter.
Anyone craving an old-fashioned neighborhood deli instead of a chain will feel right at home. Some say they gave up chain sub shops after one visit.
It suits nearly everyone with an appetite. Just do not expect to linger at a table.
Hours, Parking, and Planning Tips
Timing is everything with a lunch spot that closes in the afternoon. The deli opens Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Sunday and Monday are closed. Plan weekend cravings for Saturday, and do not count on a late lunch after 4.
Parking can be a challenge. Regulars admit it takes patience, but they still manage to find a spot.
There are no seats inside. Think of this as a takeout stop and have a picnic plan, office desk, or kitchen table ready.
Prices are called reasonable without cutting corners on quality. The low-cost cornbread and desserts show that value runs through the menu.
For events, platters can be ordered ahead. That is a smart move for open houses, office lunches, or family gatherings.
The official website, pastoresdelly.com, is a handy place to check details before heading over. A little planning keeps the trip smooth.
Why Towson Keeps Coming Back
Great Italian delis are getting harder to find, and that makes the survivors worth celebrating. This one keeps its spot by refusing to cut corners.
The formula is plain. Quality bread, carefully chosen meats, proper balance, and staff who know their craft.
Jumbo subs bring people in. Shrimp salad, hot dishes, and grocery shelves give them reasons to return.
The family touch seals the deal. Five generations of care show up in small ways, from a greeting by name to a sandwich made exactly as ordered.
Yes, parking takes patience. Yes, a seat would be nice.
Fans keep coming anyway, which says more than any sign could.
For anyone near Towson on a weekday or Saturday, a stop here makes good sense. Grab a sub, browse the shelves, and leave with dessert.
Some places feed a neighborhood. This one has been doing it long enough to become part of the neighborhood itself.
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