I’d heard Chris’s Charcoal Pit had good Greek food, so this spot in Edgewater’s been on my list for a minute, and let me tell you, I walked in and immediately understood the hype around the portions. This place does not play. I got the Greek Sampler Platter and it showed up as a genuinely MASSIVE plate of food. I’ll be honest with you, Nomsters, it wasn’t my single favorite Greek food ever, but for the sheer value and the amount you get, it’s a great option, and the meats were tasty. It’s a budget-friendly, no-frills Greek spot just south of Annapolis, and if you’re feeding a hungry crew or you just want leftovers for days, this is your move. Come hungry, or come with a to-go box, because you’re not finishing it in one sitting.
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What Makes Chris’s Charcoal Pit a Standout Greek Spot in Edgewater
Here’s what Chris’s Charcoal Pit’s really about: big portions at a budget-friendly price. And it was even voted Best of Central Maryland 2025 for Greek dining. Despite the name (which makes you think barbecue), the menu leans Greek, with a side of American and Italian comfort food, so you’ll spot subs, New York-style pizzas, and steaks right next to the gyros and platters. If you want another Mediterranean option in Anne Arundel County, Prino’s in Hanover is a favorite of mine, but for pure portion-to-price value, Chris’s is tough to beat. The move here’s the platters. They come loaded, they come with a Greek salad, and they’ll easily feed you twice.
What to Order at Chris’s Charcoal Pit
Greek Sampler Platter ($22.95)
This is the one to get if you can’t decide, and honestly, who can. It’s a MASSIVE plate that comes with pastichio, spinach pie, dolmades, a gyro, a chicken gyro, tzatziki, and pita, plus a Greek salad to start. It’s basically a greatest-hits tour of the menu on a single plate. The meats were tasty, the tzatziki was on point, and I could not finish it if my life depended on it. At just under $23 for this much food, the value’s hard to beat. If you’re new to Greek food, this is the perfect way to try a little of everything.
Korinthian Chicken Platter ($20.95)
Deke got this one and was just as stunned by the portion. It’s a HUGE chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta, served over rice with a mushroom sauce, and it also comes with that Greek salad and housemade dressing. He ate and ate and still didn’t come close to finishing it, lol. The chicken’s hearty and the stuffing keeps it from drying out. If you want one main to yourself instead of the sampler variety, this is a solid, filling pick.
Baklava ($4.95)
My favorite part of the meal, no contest. Their baklava’s really good, flaky and sweet and sticky in all the right ways, and at $4.95 it’s an easy yes. After a platter that defeats you, you’d think there’s no room for dessert, but trust me, make room for this one. It’s the bite I’d come back for.
One more thing worth calling out: the platters come with a Greek salad, and the housemade dressing on it was a highlight I wasn’t expecting. LOVED it. A few other things on the menu if platters aren’t your thing:
- The gyro and chicken gyro pitas, if you want the classic handheld instead of a platter
- Subs and New York-style pizzas, for the non-Greek eaters in your group
- Steaks and seafood, if you’re going bigger
What Is Pastichio, Exactly?
Pastichio (also spelled pastitsio) is basically the Greek answer to lasagna. It’s a baked pasta dish layered with thick tube-shaped noodles, a spiced ground-meat and tomato sauce (cinnamon’s the secret warm note), and a creamy bechamel on top that bakes into a golden layer. It’s rich, comforting, and a little sweet-savory from the spices. The dolmades on the sampler are the other thing people ask about: those are grape leaves stuffed with a lemony rice-and-herb filling. To be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of either dish from this spot, but I recommend trying it for yourself. Food’s subjective so you may really like it!
The Vibe and Experience
Chris’s Charcoal Pit’s a casual, order-and-go kind of place, not a sit-down date-night situation, and that’s exactly the point. It’s the spot you hit when you want a mountain of good food without spending a lot, whether that’s feeding the family, stocking the fridge with leftovers, or grabbing a platter on the way home. If you order online through their website you even get 10% off, which makes an already budget-friendly meal an even better deal. And if you’re already out in Edgewater, Black Market Bakers is a great stop nearby for something sweet. Go in with an appetite and low-fuss expectations and you’ll be happy.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 3283 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, on MD Route 2 about 8 miles south of Annapolis
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 11AM to 9PM, closed Sundays
- Cuisine: Greek, with American and Italian options too (subs, pizza, steaks, seafood)
- Price: budget-friendly, platters run around $20 to $23 and feed you more than once
- Parking: there’s a free lot on site
- Ordering: order takeout through their website for 10% off (there’s a small order minimum)
- Good to know: portions are huge, so plan on leftovers, and there are vegetarian options like the spinach pie and dolmades
It’s wouldn’t say it’s the most refined Greek food I’ve had, but I don’t think that’s what Chris’s Charcoal Pit is going for. It’s huge portions, tasty meats, a killer housemade salad dressing, and baklava I’d get again, all at a price that’s hard to argue with. I’d come here when I want to feed a group or eat well on a budget south of Annapolis. If you want a nearby diner classic to round out the area, Chick and Ruth’s in Annapolis is another one of my go-tos.
Have you guys been to Chris’s Charcoal Pit yet? Let me know what you order in the comments, Nomsters, and if you go for that sampler, come back and tell me if you actually finished it (I didn’t lol). Save this one for the next time you’re feeding a crowd.