DiPasquale's Italian Market

Depending on where you grew up in Baltimore, you'll have associations to a specific Italian deli. If you patronize Trinacria, then that's where you'll keep going. If your family grew up with Mastellone's, that's where you go. Even if you have to drive across town. Even if the DiPasquale's now own it. It's a very interesting phenomenon. There are some good delis in town - don't get me wrong. But depending on who you talk to... the allegiance can be... impassioned.

So for those of you in SE Baltimore, Di Pasquale's is a no-brainer. It's close, it's the neighborhood deli, even if it is a gourmet deli: great eats and brick oven pizza. For those of you not from the area - it's worth a stop. in my not-so-humble opinion.

It's family-friendly. Not in the Chuck-E-Cheese vein, but in the we're-Italian-and-family-is-everything way. It's a family-run business, and after school hours or on weekends, you might see one of the kids stocking shelves, working behind the deli counter, working the register, or you might see their youngest playing at a table with one of his sisters. I remember eating there once (before i had my son) when one of the kids brought me a book and asked me to read it to her while i ate lunch. i loved it.

My husband and son have a standing Saturday date for a brick oven pizza at Di Pasquale's. The pizza they usually order is now on the menu as the "Costantino" - my son's name in Italian. It was a way for me to get more iron (probably, the perception of more iron) into his diet - the addition of spinach and chicken to the typico tomato and cheese pizza made me feel better when i couldn't otherwise get him to eat the rusty stuff. Yes, i know that calcium inhibits the absorption of iron, but a change of pace and not having to think about one meal a week is a real treat for me, and at least worth a shot. They used to order and hang out, but since my kid's reached toddlerhood and he derives great entertainment from hiding behind the counter and disrobing, they call ahead so that the pizza's ready when they get there.

Don't forget when you order a cappuccino to ask for some steamed milk for the kid - mine likes his in an espresso cup and calls it his coffee.

Di Pasquale's Italian Marketplace
3700 Gough Street in the heart of Highlandtown
Phone: 410.276.6787
FAX: 410.276.0161

Hours:
Monday thru Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm