If you grew up in St. Mary’s County, stuffed ham probably showed up at every holiday table, church supper, and family reunion you can remember. For everyone else, here is the short version: a corned ham gets slit open and packed with a peppery mix of greens like kale and cabbage, then sliced cold so the green stripes show.
It is a true Southern Maryland tradition, and you will not find it on many menus outside this corner of the state. The good news is that a handful of delis, markets, and family restaurants still keep it coming, from classic sandwiches to egg rolls and even pizza.
These six stops are where to find it, whether you want a quick lunch, a sit-down meal, or a bag of sandwiches for the drive home.
1. WJ Dent & Sons/Chief’s Your Neighborhood Bar, Tall Timbers, MD
Stuffed ham egg rolls might sound like a dare, but in Tall Timbers they are a signature. WJ Dent and Sons sits on Tall Timbers Road in a quiet waterfront corner of St. Mary’s County near the Potomac River.
The place works as both a restaurant and a deli. Inside, a fresh meat counter sells St. Mary’s stuffed ham to take home, while the dining side serves a Stuffed Ham Sandwich and those crispy Stuffed Ham Eggrolls.
The menu goes well beyond ham, too. Fried oysters, seafood, and steaks round things out, and homemade rum cakes in vanilla and strawberry make a sweet finish.
The atmosphere is casual with a historic feel, and families and groups fit right in. Expect a crowd on Friday afternoons and evenings, while Wednesday mornings are usually calm.
Hours run from 10 AM daily, with later closing times Thursday through Sunday. Parking is free and plentiful, so it is an easy stop on a drive down the peninsula.
2. The Front Porch, Leonardtown, MD
Some restaurants get their name from a marketing meeting. The Front Porch got its name from, well, the front porch of the historic house it calls home on Washington Street in Leonardtown.
The local favorite here comes in biscuit form. Stuffed ham biscuits are a popular order, and they pair nicely with the tuna poke nachos for a table that wants to share.
The rest of the menu leans Southern with plenty of Chesapeake flavor. Think shrimp and grits, crab cake sandwiches, crab Benedict at brunch, Crab Dip Superb, and bread pudding for dessert.
Families get thoughtful touches like high chairs and a kids’ menu. Inside there is a fireplace, outside there are porch tables, and dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.
I would save this one for a relaxed lunch after strolling the town square. Reservations are recommended for brunch and dinner, especially on Friday nights and Saturdays.
3. The Slice House, Leonardtown, MD
Stuffed ham on pizza. Yes, really, and it is one of the more creative ways to try the county’s favorite dish.
The Slice House serves New York-style pizza right across Washington Street in downtown Leonardtown. Specialty pies include taco pizza, Cuban pizza, and a stuffed ham pizza with a peppery, Old Bay kind of kick.
Grabbing a single slice is the big draw in an area with few spots that offer pizza by the slice. Sandwiches are on the menu too, along with full vegetarian and vegan options.
Service is counter style and quick, which makes it easy with kids. High chairs are available, and dogs are allowed inside and out.
Plan around the schedule, since the shop is closed Monday and Tuesday and Sunday hours are short, from noon to 4 PM. Reservations are not taken, so just walk in.
4. Showtime Deli, Lexington Park, MD
Early risers, this one is for you. Showtime Deli on Three Notch Road in Lexington Park opens at 7 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, and 8 AM on Sundays.
The menu has a playful show-business streak. Sandwich names include A Streetcar Named Pastrami, The Cotton Club, and the Agatha Crispy BLT, plus a King Kong Kosher Hot Dog and the Chix-O-Philly.
Stuffed ham shows up here as a seasonal local favorite, so it pays to ask when you stop in. Breakfast fans can also go for a scrapple egg and cheese or a lox platter.
It is a small, family-friendly spot with a friendly owner who is known for remembering regulars. Weekday mornings and lunchtimes are the busiest, and the deli closes by midafternoon, so plan accordingly.
5. One Eyed Jacks Seafood Market And Deli, Hollywood, MD
Half seafood market, half deli, One Eyed Jacks covers two Southern Maryland cravings in one stop. It sits on Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood, a rural crossroads community in central St. Mary’s County.
Stuffed ham is a strong suit. You can get it as a sandwich, buy some to take home, or try the stuffed ham egg rolls.
The seafood side keeps things interesting, with fresh options like rockfish. Cheesesteaks and other signature sandwiches make it an easy dinner pickup for the whole family.
The market is open daily from 11 AM, staying until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Those Friday and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so weekday visits are calmer.
6. Chaptico Market & Deli, Chaptico, MD
Some travelers cross state lines and leave with half a dozen stuffed ham sandwiches in a bag. That says a lot about Chaptico Market and Deli, a country market on Maddox Road in the tiny historic village of Chaptico.
The stuffed ham is traditional and well seasoned, with a balanced level of spice. Fried chicken and fries are the other big names on the menu, and the deli offers plenty more beyond them.
It also works as a quick grocery stop with in-store shopping. That makes it handy for a road trip through western St. Mary’s County.
Hours are generous, opening at 6 AM every day and running until 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 6 PM on Sunday. Saturdays stay busy from morning to evening.
For a stuffed ham sandwich to go, this is a fine way to wrap up a Southern Maryland tour. Grab a few extras for the folks back home.
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