When the snow piles up in Maryland, the bread and milk aisles get cleared out fast, but plenty of us are really thinking about pizza. Some of the best pies in the state come from parlors that have been around for decades, long before apps made ordering easy.
This list covers eight longtime pizza spots, from a Baltimore storefront dating to 1943 to a Frederick shop that bakes its pies on pretzel dough. Every one of them offers delivery, so you can stay warm while someone else handles the slippery roads.
1. Matthew’s Pizzeria, Baltimore, MD
Back in 1943, Matthew’s started baking pies on Eastern Avenue, and that long run makes it one of the oldest pizza stops in Baltimore. The colorful storefront still has the no-frills, old-school charm you would hope for.
The star here is the pan-style pie. Expect a thick, chewy crust with cheese caramelized around the rim, a style many people compare to Detroit pizza.
Thin-crust pies are on the menu too.
For a true Maryland twist, the Crab Pie is the order to know about. The Greektown Pizza nods to the nearby neighborhood, and Anna’s Stuffed Pie is another house specialty.
Finish with a Vaccaro’s cannoli from the Little Italy bakery.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 PM on Sunday. Street parking can be tricky, which is one more reason delivery makes sense when the snow falls.
Reservations are not taken, and Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest stretches.
2. Pizza John’s, Essex, MD
Essex families have been ordering from Pizza John’s since 1966. That is nearly six decades of pepperoni pies on Back River Neck Road.
The pizza comes loaded with pepperoni and mozzarella on homemade sauce and a sturdy crust that holds up to the toppings. Beyond pizza, the menu covers pasta, subs, stuffed shells, chicken tenders, and a very Maryland bowl of cream of crab soup.
Here is a smart snow day trick. Pizza John’s sells bake-at-home cheese and pepperoni pizzas, so you can grab a few before the storm and bake them when the roads close.
The dining room is roomy, parking is easy, and milkshakes are on the menu for dessert. Delivery and no-contact delivery are both available.
Note that the restaurant is closed on Mondays, so plan your storm stock-up accordingly.
3. Rocco’s Pizzeria, Annapolis, MD
Late-night cravings are covered at Rocco’s, which stays open until 11 PM most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. That is a big plus when a snowy evening drags on.
This Bay Ridge Road storefront has been around since about 1974. It focuses on New York-style and Sicilian pizza, plus subs, at prices that stay reasonable.
The sauce and dough recipes get a lot of credit, and the pies arrive hot and well topped. Rocco’s has been named Best Pizza in Annapolis multiple times, which says plenty about its standing in the capital city.
Inside, it is casual and family friendly with counter service. The free lot makes pickup simple, and delivery is ready when the driveway is not.
4. Angeli’s Pizzeria & Bar, Baltimore, MD
Pepperoni lovers, take note. The pepperoni at Angeli’s curls up into little cups as it bakes, which is exactly what a good slice should do.
Located on South High Street in Baltimore’s Little Italy, this old-school neighborhood spot serves big New York-style slices with a soft dough and a crisp bottom. Pepperoni by the slice is an easy order, and the 16-inch cheese pie works for a crowd.
The menu also stretches into meatball and Italian sandwiches, an Italian salami salad, and the Hippie Calzone. Plant-based eaters get real options too, including a vegan cheese pepperoni and sausage pizza.
Banana pudding rounds things out.
Weekday hours start at 4 PM, while weekends open at 11 AM. Delivery and curbside pickup are both on the table, and reservations are accepted.
5. Gentleman Jim’s Restaurant, Gaithersburg, MD
Not every great pizza comes from a pizza shop. In Gaithersburg, Gentleman Jim’s has spent years as a go-to bar and grill where the pizza holds its own next to the burgers.
The pies are known for their square cut, a style many Marylanders grew up eating. It is the kind of pizza that is easy to share on a couch during a snowed-in movie marathon.
The rest of the comfort food menu helps too. Crabby fries, fried pickles, potato skins, French onion soup, and fish and chips all make the list.
Gentleman Jim’s opens until midnight every day, with weekend brunch starting at 10:30 AM. Delivery and no-contact delivery are available, the free lot is roomy, and reservations are accepted for groups.
6. Brothers Pizza Hagerstown, Hagerstown, MD
Western Maryland tends to get the heaviest snow in the state, so it helps to know a reliable pizza spot out that way. Brothers Pizza on Eastern Boulevard fits the bill.
This homey strip-mall pizzeria is known for thin-crust pies, and gluten-free thin crust is available. There is also a Sicilian margherita and a steak and cheese pizza made like a sub, with mayo instead of red sauce.
The menu goes well beyond pizza. Real wings, chicken diavola, cheese tortellini, salads, and crusty garlic bread all show up, and lunch specials keep prices friendly.
A military discount is offered too.
Delivery, curbside pickup, and no-contact delivery are all options. Hours run from 10:30 AM most days, with Friday nights going until 11 PM.
7. Frank’s Pizza & Pasta, Baltimore, MD
The man behind Frank’s learned to make pizza in New Jersey and has been in the business for over 30 years. That experience shows up in every crispy crust coming out of this Belair Road kitchen.
Frank’s is an unpretentious, clean, and family friendly spot. The Detroit-style pie is a standout, with a chewy middle and crisp, lacy edges.
I like that the menu has a few surprises. The eggplant parmigiana pizza, Big Mamma Burrata, mussels, and Old Bay fries all make it easy to build a bigger snow day feast.
Cheesesteaks are here too.
Save room for dessert, since cannoli and zeppoli are both on the menu. Frank’s is closed Mondays and offers delivery and no-contact delivery the rest of the week.
8. Pretzel & Pizza Creations, Frederick, MD
Pretzel crust pizza is not something you find on every corner. In downtown Frederick, it is the specialty at Pretzel & Pizza Creations on North Market Street.
The dough is light, airy, and buttery, with a slightly sweet, pretzel-like flavor. It works on the cheese pizza, the veggie pizza, and the BBQ chicken pizza.
The same pretzel bread holds sandwiches too.
The Four Cheese Medley Calzone is another good pick. There is a full vegan menu as well, and the vegan pizza on pretzel crust has a loyal following.
Downtown parking can be tough, especially after a storm, so delivery is a smart move here. Hours run 11 AM to 8:30 PM most days and until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
From a 1943 Baltimore storefront to a Frederick pretzel-crust pie, these eight parlors prove snow days taste better with a local slice. Save this list before the next forecast hits.
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