Tucked into the charming little town of Sykesville, Big Belly Deli’s a budget-friendly counter spot known for two things: amaaaaazing small-batch donuts (available Tuesday through Sunday, and they sell out FAST) and seriously huge deli sandwiches. It’s for anyone chasing a fresh morning donut fix or a meat-stacked lunch, and the standout’s the Cuban Press.
I’m SO glad I finally got to try this place, Nomsters. It was my first time visiting Sykesville, and I absolutely loved it, what a cute town. Big Belly Deli’s the kind of gem you want to put everyone on to, because it pulls off both sweet and savory really well. And they seriously have some of the best donuts I’ve ever had.
What Big Belly Deli Is Known For
Besides classics like glazed and chocolate, the flavors rotate by the day, and they get fun with it (more on that below). They’re so good that they earned a top spot on my roundup of the best donuts in Maryland, which is saying something because I’m a total donut fiend.
The other half of the menu’s the sandwiches, and these aren’t your average deli builds. They’re stacked, they’re messy in the best way, and they lean HEARTY. Think pressed Cubans and cheesesteaks that need two hands and a lot of napkins. It’s a solid one-stop spot if half your group wants sweets and the other half wants a proper lunch.
What to Order at The Big Belly Deli
Here’s everything I got, plus the honest verdict on each.
The Donuts
I grabbed four, and the flavors were good, but the texture’s what really stood out to me. Nice and chewy, which I loved. If chewy’s your thing, you’ll be happy here.
- Chocolate and Strawberry with Sprinkles: my two faves of the bunch. Simple, done well, and exactly what I want in a donut.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch: one of their fun rotating flavors, and I couldn’t resist trying it. A perfect example of why it’s worth asking what’s new that day.
- Apple Fritter: the one I regret NOT getting, lol. I’ll grab one next time. Quick note, their fritters and turnovers are the same price as an FYI.
The Sandwiches
I ordered two to try, and they did not disappoint.
- Cuban Press ($13.99): probably my favorite of the whole visit. It’s stuffed with pork loin, ham, cuban slaw, swiss, mayo, and pickles, and there was SO much meat. A must if you’re a Cuban fan.
- American Cheesesteak: topped with fried onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, hots, and American cheese. Hearty and delicious, though a little messy, so keep those napkins close.
- Shrimp Salad: I really wanted this one, but they were sold out the day I went. I hear it’s amazing, so it’s first on my list next time.
If you haven’t had one before, the Cuban Press’s a pressed sandwich built on roast pork and ham with swiss and pickles, flattened on a hot press until the bread crisps and everything melds together. Big Belly’s version is massive, piling on cuban slaw, mayo, and a serious amount of meat. One heads up on both sandwiches: eat them there if you can. They’re so loaded that I’m not sure either would travel well.
Do Big Belly Deli’s donut flavors change?
Yes, the fun flavors rotate by the day, so what you find really depends on when you go. Beyond the everyday classics like glazed and chocolate, they run creative options (like that Cinnamon Toast Crunch I tried), and those change often. If you’re a flavor chaser, that’s half the fun, just don’t get attached to any one option.
When’s the best time to go to Big Belly Deli?
Go early, especially on weekends. The donuts are available Tuesday through Sunday right when they open, but they sell out quickly, so the later you roll in, the slimmer the pickings. A morning visit’s your best bet for both the widest flavor selection and the freshest batch.
How big are the sandwiches at Big Belly Deli?
Big enough to earn the name, honestly. The Cuban Press alone was overflowing with meat, and the American cheesesteak was a two-hander. If oversized deli sandwiches are your love language, you’ll also want my roundup of must-try sandwich spots in Maryland, where places like Soko Butcher pile it just as high. Big Belly holds its own in that company.
And if cheesesteaks specifically are calling your name, Cheesesteak & Co. in Owings Mills is a Baltimore County spot that gets the basics right and keeps it really satisfying.
The Vibe
This is a casual, order-at-the-counter kind of spot, not a sit-down affair, and that’s part of the charm. The donuts are set out self-serve, so building a mixed box is easy (just mind the box-size sign next to them, unlike me, lol). Pair the low-key setup with a stroll around downtown Sykesville, which I was seeing for the very first time and completely fell for, and you’ve got yourself a genuinely fun little morning out. It’s the sort of local spot that makes the drive feel like part of the fun.
Good to Know
- 📍 887 Sandosky Rd, Sykesville, MD 21784
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday 7am to 4pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm, Sunday 8am to 2pm. Closed Mondays.
- Pricing’s budget-friendly, and the Cuban Press runs $13.99.
- The donuts are self-serve. There’s a stack of boxes next to them with directions on which size to use based on how many you’re getting, so keep an eye out for the sign (I missed it and grabbed an extra box, oops).
- Phone: 443-920-3423. Website: bigbellydeli.net.
It’s a great experience from start to finish – the donuts have that chewy texture I love, the sandwiches are massive, and the whole town of Sykesville’s worth the trip on its own. I’ll definitely be back to finally get that apple fritter and the shrimp salad I missed. Have you guys been to this spot yet? Let me know by commenting below, Nomsters. And if you have a donut spot you’d like to recommend, please do me a solid and tell me about it. I’m a sucker for sweets so I’m always on the hunt for yum desserts.