Every November, somebody in the family promises to make all the sides from scratch, and by Wednesday night that plan usually looks a little shaky. Maryland has a great backup plan in its delis and markets, where prepared foods, bakeries, and deli counters can cover a big part of the holiday table.
This list covers six spots, from a Roland Park grocery to an Amish-style market in Laurel and a classic Jewish deli in Silver Spring. Call ahead, order early, and save your energy for the turkey.
1. Eddie’s of Roland Park, Baltimore, MD
North Charles Street has its share of classic Baltimore addresses, and Eddie’s of Roland Park at 6213 N Charles St is one of the handiest for holiday planning. It is a gourmet grocery store with a well-regarded deli known for quality sandwiches and prepared foods.
For Thanksgiving, the draw is how much you can cover in one stop. There is a bakery, a salad bar, flowers for the table, organic products, and strong produce if you still want to cook a dish or two yourself.
Eddie’s also handles holiday orders ahead of time, including entrees and festive centerpieces, which is exactly the kind of help a busy host needs in late November.
Hours run 7 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 7 PM on Sunday. Afternoons and early evenings get busy most weekdays, so I would aim for a morning pickup.
Delivery and in-store pickup are both available, and there is on-site parking. Call 410-377-8040 to ask about holiday ordering.
2. Santoni’s Marketplace & Catering, Glyndon, MD
Big gathering, big guest list, big appetite? Santoni’s Marketplace & Catering in Glyndon is built for that kind of crowd.
The Butler Road market pairs a gourmet deli with fresh prepared foods and an extensive bakery. The deli has a huge selection, with soups, salads, sandwiches, Italian cold cuts, and a fried chicken that gets plenty of attention.
Catering is a core part of the business, so ordering a spread for an event is right in its wheelhouse. The shelves also carry specialty items that can be hard to track down elsewhere, which is handy when a recipe calls for something unusual.
Cakes from the bakery can handle dessert duty if pie is not your only plan.
Santoni’s opens early, at 6 AM Monday through Saturday, and closes at 7 PM. Sunday hours are 8 AM to 6 PM.
Friday and Saturday afternoons are the busiest stretch, while Sunday evening is quietest. There is a free parking lot, and the phone number is 410-833-6610.
3. Graul’s Market Annapolis, Annapolis, MD
Crab cakes on the Thanksgiving table are a very Maryland move, and Graul’s Market in Annapolis makes that easy.
The local grocery at 607 Taylor Ave has a quality deli, a small bakery, and a prepped food area stocked with things like pasta salad, German potato salad, sub sandwiches, crab cakes, chicken cordon bleu, cooked salmon filets, and meatloaf.
Ordering ahead is common here. Customers place requests for sheet cakes, crab balls, and party trays well before big family events, so a holiday order fits right in.
I like this stop for hosts who want a mix of traditional and local. A tray of crab balls next to the stuffing tends to disappear fast.
Graul’s is open 7 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Note that there is no delivery, so plan on picking up.
Weekday mornings and early afternoons are busiest. Call 410-269-5103.
4. Dutch Country Farmer’s Market, Laurel, MD
Timing matters at this one, since Dutch Country Farmer’s Market is only open Thursday through Saturday.
The Laurel market at 9701 Fort Meade Rd is a spacious stop with an Amish-made lineup. Expect fresh meats, garden vegetables and fruits, homemade cakes and pies, candy, and prepared meals in the Pennsylvania Dutch style.
That mix makes it useful for two kinds of shoppers. Some want a finished side or a pie, while others want good produce and meat to cook at home.
Hours are Thursday 9 AM to 6 PM, Friday 8:30 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to 3 PM. Saturday morning is the busiest, while Thursday and Friday evenings are calmer.
With Thanksgiving landing on a Thursday, I would check holiday-week hours by calling 301-421-1454 before you count on a last-minute run. Free parking is available.
5. Di Pasquale’s, Baltimore, MD
Plenty of Baltimore families put lasagna or meatballs next to the turkey, and Di Pasquale’s on Toone St is a smart place to source them.
This Italian food specialty store also runs a cafe with homemade soups, sandwiches, and pizzas. The market side stocks a big selection of meats and cheeses, salads, olives, oils, fresh produce, and frozen sauces and meats.
There is a bakery too, plus prepared dishes that can slide right onto a holiday buffet. Staff tend to help customers one at a time, which is helpful when you are building a spread.
An antipasto platter from the deli counter makes an easy starter while the bird finishes.
Di Pasquale’s is open 9 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Thursday through Saturday afternoons get busy.
Delivery and in-store pickup are offered, and parking options are available nearby. Call 410-276-6787 to plan an order.
6. Parkway Deli & Restaurant, Silver Spring, MD
A free pickle bar is a fine reason to love any deli, but Parkway Deli & Restaurant offers a lot more for holiday hosts.
The old-school, NYC-style spot at 8317 Grubb Rd serves Jewish deli classics like pastrami, corned beef, and turkey, along with matzoh ball soup. Glass displays near the seating area let you see the food choices before you order.
There is also a bakery and a sit-down restaurant, so it works for both picking up sides and grabbing a meal while you are there.
Takeout, delivery, and in-store pickup are all available. Meals typically run about 10 to 20 dollars per person.
Hours are 8:30 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 9 PM on weekends, the longest on this list. Weekend afternoons are busy, so call 301-587-1427 early.
From Roland Park to Silver Spring, these six spots make a stress-free Thanksgiving very doable. Order early and enjoy the day.
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