Let me put you on to the pit beef sandwich that might have just bumped everything else off my personal top spot in Maryland. I know, I know, I’ve said great things about Pioneer and Jake’s, and I genuinely LOVE both, but hear me out. A ton of people kept telling me about Bayside Bull BBQ in Edgewater so I obviously had to go.
Bayside Bull sits on a little road off Central Avenue in South County, and it’s pure Maryland pit beef culture: walk-up counter, outdoor picnic tables, no frills and absolutely no need for any. We ordered the pit beef, the pit ham, and the sliced turkey, all $9.93 each, sat out in the sun, loaded everything up with sauces, and honestly it was such a good afternoon. Short answer: yes, Nomsters, the hype at Bayside Bull in Edgewater is 100% real.
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What Makes Bayside Bull a Standout Barbecue Spot in Edgewater
The concept at Bayside Bull is classic. They specialize in Maryland-style pit beef and a handful of other smoked and grilled meats, all served on kaiser rolls with every sandwich priced at $9.93. That’s seriously a steal when you factor in the quality. The beef’s smoky with a deep char on the outside, tender inside, and the kaiser rolls they use are sturdy but soft, which is exactly what you want when you’re loading up with tiger sauce and onions. They’ve also got a second location in Lothian if the Edgewater spot’s not convenient for you, and online ordering’s available on their site for pickup.
What Is Pit Beef, Exactly?
If you’ve never had Maryland pit beef before, here’s the quick rundown: it’s the state’s own style of barbecue and it’s completely different from what you’d find in Texas or the Carolinas. The beef (usually top round) gets grilled fast over hot charcoal until the outside has a deep, dark char while the inside stays rare to medium-rare. It’s sliced paper-thin, piled onto a kaiser roll, and traditionally topped with raw white onions and tiger sauce, which is a creamy horseradish and mayo blend. Pit beef is SO tied to the Baltimore and greater Maryland area that you almost never find it outside the state, which makes spots like Bayside Bull all the more worth knowing about.
What to Order at Bayside Bull
I ordered all three of the main sandwiches so you guys could get the full rundown. Here’s my honest take:
Pit Beef ($9.93)
This is the classic, and it absolutely delivers. The beef’s smoky with a beautiful char, sliced thin and SO tender. I loaded mine up with tiger sauce and raw onions (+$0.55), and the combination is just SO Maryland and SO satisfying. The kaiser rolls are key here too: they hold everything together without competing with the meat. If you only get one sandwich at Bayside Bull, make it this one. It’s a must-order.
Pit Ham ($9.93)
OK so this was the surprise of the visit, lol. I added cheese (+$0.85) and I genuinely think I liked the pit ham as much as or even slightly more than the pit beef? It’s got that same smoky char but the ham’s a little richer and it just pairs SO well with the cheese. If you’re going with someone, I’d honestly say split a pit beef and a pit ham so you can try both must-orders.
Sliced Turkey ($9.93)
My least favorite of the three, but I want to be real with you: it was still really good. It’s the leaner option, so if you prefer a lighter sandwich or you’re not a big beef or pork person, the turkey’s a solid choice. We had it with cheese too, and it holds up well on the kaiser roll. The turkey is far from a miss.
Beyond those three, the menu also has Smoked Pork BBQ ($9.93), Texas Beef BBQ ($9.93), Carolina Pork BBQ ($9.93, vinegar-based), and Grilled Italian Sausage ($8.74). All proteins are also sold by the pound if you’re feeding a crowd, and sides include long cut fries ($4.36), potato salad ($3.40), and coleslaw ($2.92).
My Personal #1 for Pit Beef in Maryland?
I take my pit beef seriously, and I’ve got a whole guide to the best pit beef sandwiches in Maryland where I cover spots I genuinely love. After this visit to Bayside Bull though? I think it might be my personal #1 right now. What pushed it there was the pit ham, which I was not expecting to love as much as I did. When the “supporting cast” is that strong, you know a place is doing something right.
The Vibe and Experience
Bayside Bull’s 100% casual, and that’s the whole point. It’s counter service, you walk up, you order, you grab your food, and you eat outside at the picnic tables. No reservations, no waiting to be seated. The Edgewater location has a parking lot right there and it’s easy to find off Central Ave. There’s no alcohol on-site, so it’s a great spot for a family lunch or a quick crew stop. It’s got that classic Maryland roadside pit beef energy, and I’m very much here for it.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 108 W Central Ave, Edgewater, MD 21037 (second location: 5078 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD)
- Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm
- Ordering: Walk-up counter; online ordering at baysidebull.com; DoorDash delivery available
- Parking: Free on-site lot
- Payment: Cards and Apple Pay accepted
- No alcohol served
- Heads up: Fries are cooked in peanut oil
- No vegetarian or gluten-free options on the menu
- In Edgewater: Black Market Bakers is worth a visit if you want to grab something sweet while you’re in the area
If you’re in South County or passing through Edgewater, Bayside Bull is a must-stop. At $9.93 a sandwich, the bang for your buck’s seriously on point, and the quality of both the meat and the rolls puts it near the very top of my Maryland pit beef list. I’d go with a group and order multiple sandwiches so you can try a few proteins. It’s the kind of spot you’ll want to come back to.
Have you guys been to Bayside Bull yet?! If you’re a pit beef fan or you’ve got another spot you think can compete, I want to know! Drop your picks in the comments below, Nomsters, and send this to someone you’d take on a South County road trip!