ordered 3 platters medium well and asked for x-tra gravy had to saw the well done crust pieces of meat not sliced very thin and what do you do with 2 bone dry pieces of bread not very appetizing read more

The Canopy - Barbeque Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

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We can't always drive up to Baltimore for some good ol' Chaps Pit Beef but we're glad to have The Canopy as a worthy competitor. We ordered the pit beef sandwiches, onion rings, and puled pork bbq and they were quickly wolfed. Love that the pulled pork wasn't dry and not too stringy. My husband loved char on the pit beef and the kids loved the creamy mac and cheese. We tried the soup of the day, which was the cream of crab and you can definitely taste the crab. All in all, a winner! As a side note, we were very glad to see the place was crowded for lunch. We love seeing the support for small businesses. read more

I cannot believe this crap trap is still open for business! Their portions & presentation are a joke! I guess they get a lot of "patriotic" patronage with their discount for the military & first responders. Well, they definitely need a gimmick to attract attention because their food looks like what you would find at 7/11. In fact, you'd feel better about going to 7/11 than this hole. At least you know what to expect at 7/11. Going here & getting 7/11 quality food is very misleading. If I could give less than 1 star, believe me, I would! read more

Disappointed. There is a mission barbecue one light up and the food is good for chain barbecue but I told my fiancé let's get the canopy since it's local. Big mistake the potato salad is hard and just potatoes and Mayo no flavor had to add my own salt and pepper and seasoning to fix the terrible potato salad. The mac and cheese was so bad my fiancé told me store brand box mac and cheese is better. The burnt ends were hard not soft and tender like you would expect and the sauce they were kept in was so watery it couldn't give any flavor. The pit beef was bland and so was the pit ham no flavor to anything with the meal. This was the most disappointing 40 dollar meal I've had tasted like boxed food on a budget wasn't a good experience save yourself the waste and go down the road to mission bbq the foods better with way more flavor read more

Thank you, everyone working today, that got a last minute order for 10+ people rolling and ON TIME! Amazing food, even better service! Thank you so much, I will definitely be back read more

The food is good -- pit ham is my favorite - but they never get the condiments right. Four times I have asked for extra onions, and they don't put any on the sandwich. I feel like I have to open the sandwich and make sure it is correct before I leave. Four times is way too many for this to happen. read more

Spare Ribs taste like they were cooked at least 3 days ago. Their BBQ sauce is bland and the ribs have no real seasoning. For what I paid for 2 racks, I should've taken my business to Famous Dave's. The 2 stars is for the customer service, but that's about ALL I was pleased with. read more

Best pulled pork in town! Ribs looked tasty but couldn't for lunch. I'll definitely be back!! This place also caters!!! Thanks Mama Fern and Robert!! read more

The Canopy - Barbeque Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Best BBQ in E-city. Fries are amazing too. Can't go wrong with pulled pork or the beef. If you are from the area it is definitely a go-to.

Visited this humble bbq joint for lunch. The staff were friendly behind the walk-up counter and the menu was pretty easy to navigate. The large pit beef sandwich was good size (about 6oz meat), and I could choose how rare or well done I wanted the beef. While sandwich was good, the St Louis ribs were better. Moist and fall off the bone. Mac and cheese is of Bob Evans style, Cole slaw is mayonnaise based (we added some pepper). Portions bigger than Mission BBQ. They also have a rewards club to get a free medium pit beef sandwich after every $100 spent, so sign up when you go. read more

My Lady actually brought The Canopy to my attention after being referred by a patient at her office. I'm a fan of BBQ, so it's my goal to visit every bbq spot in the area at some point. I got the pit beef sandwich and the boardwalk fries, and it was good, albeit a little dry. My GF got the pit turkey, and it was absolutely delicious. I wish I would've chosen that. The fries were really good, and I will definitely be going back again to try some of the other items on the me menu. read more

Excellent BBQ! Being from Oklahoma I am always looking for good BBQ. It tastes like what I am used to from the South! Their sauce is excellent especially in their pulled pork. Also, you cannot go wrong with that Mac & cheese!! 5/5 would recommend again! read more

The best pit beef in Howard County. This is a can't miss place. I usually get a medium sandwich and it's a perfect portion. There medium well is exactly that. This is a carry out place, there is a small countertop that customers might stand at to eat but this is definitely carry out. Overall, this is a great sandwich. I've only had the pit beef but they have many other options for sandwiches. The fries are also great. Enjoy! read more

I love this place and I've been here a couple dozen times. My mom used to get food her once a week when I was staying with her. It's a small local spot off Rt40. in Ellicott City. It's good for the area because it's not easy to find Pit Beef unless you're on Pulaski Highway. I've tried most of their food and its above average. My favorite is the Pit Ham and Turkey Sandwich large with everything and extra mayo. The chili is good and its worth the upcoming bathroom visit. I love the baked beans too. Because my favorites, these guys sell Birch Beer! Yup..the kind we had as kids. Honorable mention to the friendly staff who are always cool. I cant tell you any of their names but it doesn't matter, they are all good people and we talk the whole time. I will always stop through here when I'm in town. read more

The Canopy - They are closed when they should be open. Yelp says 10pm and their door says 1030pm. - Barbeque Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

I've had a lot of BBQ, but this was easily the worst. Everything was bland, and the beef tips were bland AND tough. I also got half chicken, potato salad, and mac and cheese, and they were all so unflavorful. The service was good and fast, but the food itself was terrible. read more

Two words: Pit Beef. In my humble opinion, The Canopy serves the best pit beef in Baltimore, and has done so consistently since it opened. My standard order wherever I go is a rare sandwich with onions and horseradish. Most places end up serving medium (or well) cooked meat, because their focus is getting a good char on the exterior. Canopy manages to do both; a juicy, red interior with a well crusted, well seasoned exterior. I've ordered this in the middle of lunchtime rush, in the middle-of-the-afternoon doldrums, and right at closing time, and always managed to get it my way (take THAT, Burger King!). My only gripe is that The Canopy has no seating. It's not a problem when I'm by myself (my car already smells like a BBQ pit), but it's awkward when I share this find with others. BTW, I've never ordered anything but pit beef here. Based on other Yelp reviews, I'm missing out on a bunch of other fine choices - but in my book it's hard to beat perfection! read more

Since you only get MD Pit Beef in Md, we've been stopping by at the Canopy for the last 10-15 years whenever we visit the in-laws. I also go to the pit beef joint on Rolling Rd (Kirkwood) when I am up in Baltimore for business but I like the Canopy better. My standard order is the medium pit beef with bbq sauce, onions, and horseradish. Real tasty. The cole slaw is good also. Baked beans not so good. As others have mentioned the fries are quite soggy but not bad. Can't go wrong with the Pit Beef here... read more

I grew up in Ellicott City and do three things whenever I visit... 1. Buy three cases of Natty Boh at Jasons 2. Get a dozen crabs to go from J&T in Woodbine 3. Order a pit beef and medium fries at Canopy The service is friendly and fast. The pit beef sandwich is outstanding and the fresh cut fires are made to order and fried in peanut oil. A regular size sandwich with small fries is more than enough for lunch. This is a take out place, so don't expect a unique dining experience. Ellicott City has changed quite a bit over the years. Glad to see The Canopy is a survivor. read more

If you look at the most recent reviews, they fall into one of two camps: one star or five star. I am definitely a one star reviewer. I went on Friday at 6 PM and ordered a medium beef sandwich and a small fries. I'm glad I got barbecue sauce on the sandwich or else I'm not even sure I would know my taste buds were working. The beef had absolutely no flavor, was dry, overcooked, and as tough as shoe leather. The french fries were marginal, but they certainly were not boardwalk fries as advertised. Truth be told - you'll get a better meal at Mission BBQ, or Arby's. Don't waste your time or money here. read more

If I could give The Canopy six stars, I would. As I've mentioned in previous reviews, I am on a quest to find the same caliber of pit beef I enjoyed from road side stands as a kid. I have finally found it -- just 3 miles from home! I got a large pit beef sandwich (natch), cooked medium and large fries. The pit beef was cooked, but still pink, melted in my mouth and was delish. The fries are hand cut and cooked and were also delicious, but there were far too many to eat (that's a good thing, imho). My partner got the Maryland Crab Soup and told me that it is the best soup he has ever had -- even better than the fancy restaurants we spend too much money at. He also enjoyed the fries he got. All in all, this is a great place worthy of your visit if you like pit beef, bbq or crab soup! It is also great for carry-out, as the time to order to pickup was less than 10 minutes. Visit and you may see me there as it's now my favorite local joint. When it comes to a bit beef sandwich, I have simple tastes. I like bit beef, raw onion and mustard. No sauces or anything more. Some say that leaves the sandwich to taste plain or dry, but that is how I like it. I do prefer it on rye bread, but it seems like everywhere these days only offers it on a kaiser roll. read more

The Canopy - Front of Restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

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The Canopy is a local institution and gosh I've probably been eating there for 20 years. I'm more of a bbq guy than a pit beef guy so I don't eat here constantly but I can say that it has always been a very consistent experience. Solid sandwiches, solid prices, solid folks behind the counter. Even during lockdown they are cheerfully bringing food out to your car. If I'm on that side of 40 and just want a quick bite, this is my no-brainer stop. Note that there's limited space inside - you can eat at the counter, but there are no tables; it's really a takeaway place. Read the rest of the reviews, you can't go wrong here. Enjoy ! read more

I ordered a pit beef and fries. The fries were warm the meat was cold. I should've know something wasn't right because it didn't smell like cooking meat in there. The food was barely seasoned. There was a healthy serving of meat at least. The employees were pleasant. read more

Best cream of crab in Baltimore at this specific location. They need to bring back the option of rye bread and add pumpernickel if they truly want to be an authentic Baltimore pit beef institution. read more

I work right up the street and was looking for somewhere good to eat for lunch, the canopy did not disappoint. I got the open face beef with gravy and fries and side of mozzerella sticks. Everyone at work stopped by my office because of how good it smelled. The mozzarella sticks were crispy, everything was hot and fresh. The pit beef was very good and was very well seasoned. read more

Lackluster!! Ribs tasted old and as if they were boiled over boiled. Pull pork meh!! Chicken just chicken. Running potatoe salad and plain beans .. just that just plain boiled beans. Watered down BBQ sauce. Now the positive..the Cole slaw was good. read more

I went here when I was too far away from Pioneer pit beef to get lunch. It's been here for I think decades so I figured it had to be good. Nope. Even though I ordered rare pit beef it was totally dried out and flavorless. Needed lots of water to chase it down. I've had 2 day old pit beef in the fridge that was more moist and tasted better. Sorry guys. read more

This place is awesome! I recently moved to the area and was recommended to go here from someone behind me in line at Sprouts of all places. This place does not disappoint. The BBQ is tender and flavorful. Definitely try the tiger sauce for a little kick in your sandwiches. Good size portions and reasonable prices. I will definitely be going here again! Ordered the pulled pork sandwich and chicken sandwich the first time I was here and then went back for BBQ chicken and ribs the second time a few days later. When I told them it was my first time there, the guy at the counter told me I'd be back.. He was right! read more

Horrible, pit beef was dry & chewy, very little toppings. Ribs were tough and unseasoned

I'm not sure what the people who are posting all these "best pit beef" lists are smoking, but there is only one clear champion pit beef in Maryland. It is served at The Canopy in Ellicott City, and it's not even close. Pit beef, ribs, chicken, sides (especially cole slaw) are all head and shoulders above their competitors statewide. I've lived in Maryland for over forty years and I've tried them all. It's worth going to the The Canopy to just to find out what barbeque sauce is supposed to taste like. I know there are people in the deep south who would disagree, but I doubt they've ever never had Canopy. And anyway, although we may not think of it as such, Maryland is a southern state. If you come to Ellicott City from out of state you should make Chesapeake Bay steamed crabs your first priority, but make a Canopy pit beef sandwich second on your list. read more

I am upgrading my review to 3 stars from two only because Kevin the owner responded to my review and appeared to be genuinely concerned with my experience at his establishment. This carries a lot of weight with me. Kevin mentioned that he would be addressing the poor customer service experience I encountered. I will now revisit his buisness (where before I would not) and further upgrade upgrade my review if I find that the service is what it should be. Thanks for caring Kevin. read more

Excellent pit roast beef. I selected medium rare with onions and horseradish, added bbq at the counter. The fries were fresh cut and nicely fried. If I'm ever back in this area I will stop in again! read more

The Canopy - Delicious pit beef, I chose medium rare beef with onions and horseradish. I added bbq sauce at the counter. Fries are good, fresh cut. - Barbeque Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Darn good barbecue but no place to sit. I'd definitely recommend for a quick lunch stop to eat at work, home, or car. During my last visit, the chicken sandwich was just awesome. Not one of the prettiest meals I've ever had, but when I'm sitting alone in my car eating a delicious sandwich, sauce dripping down my to my elbows, I think of the experience as a judgement free zone! The canopy also does a mean pickle! Be sure to get it quartered though because, as the man behind the register said, "Who eats big pickles whole?" On that note -- generally fun staff! read more

The Canopy - Chicken sandwich from The Canopy - Barbeque Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Wow is it good! I come up from MoCo just for their pit beef. A large pit beef is $7.50 and a bargain for the quantity. The staff is extremely knowledgeable about their product and take pride in what they do. One more time; Wow is it good! read more

The Canopy - Barbeque Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Refused to accept coupon that was accepted over the phone 15 minutes earlier. While ordering over the phone, I stated that I had a recent mailer coupon and made my orders so that three(3) would apply. It included 2 beef sandwiches. When I picked up my order, I was told that the manager, Matt, sated that coupons could not be used on beef, due to the pandemic. At that point I had already eaten some fries and could not refused the order and have it all get tossed. I understand that beef prices have risen and that the printer had already printed the coupons, but I should have been told all that while ordering on the phone. The pandemic should not be an excuse for bad business practices. read more

this review is from my most recent and final visit to this place from 2-3 months ago...What happened to this place? it used to be amazing back in the day (1990s) when there were like a dozen of these places scattered throughout the state. Now, i think this one is the last one standing and... IT SUCKS! First of all, the asian guy behind the counter practically YELLS at you when he asks to take your order. And my sandwich, which i wanted cooked medium, was ICE COLD, dryer than the Sahara desert, and tougher than a piece of beef jerky. Thats pretty much what it was. A cold, dry, beef jerky sandwich. read more

The canopy has some great pit beef as well as other pit meats. The best part about their put beef is they will serve it rare unlike most of the other pit beef places around. Their sides are also great, including their beans which are my personal favorite. The only side which tasted strange when I had it the time was the coleslaw. It was extremely sweet and my wife described it as tasting like sugar cookies. Overall, this place is a great treat if you are in the Ellicott City area looking for a carnivore's delight! read more

This is purely a take out BBQ restaurant. No tables no chairs. Just a large pit area to cook the meat , a fryer for fries, a cash register and counter for condiments etc. About 7 years ago, I guess they tried the open fire pit bbq technique. The place burned down. They laid dormant and vacant for a few years then opened back up. After trying numerous BBQ places over the last couple of months ranging from Andy Nelson's, Poulet Gourmet, Boog's BBQ, Rumor Mill, Montego Bay, Willard's Real Pit BBQ etc.....Canopy's stacks up well. First was the pork back ribs. Although the doneness was correct, meat easily pulled off the bone but not mushy, the exterior looked like it was steamed. No charring at all, none of the characteristc smoky flaovor except for what was in the suace. 3 stars on the ribs. Next came the pit beef sandwich. They have various doneness grades of meat from rare to well done. I picked the rare. I saw them slicing the meat so I know it was real pit beef. The pit/smoky flavor was slight. The grade of beef was excellent. The meat was juicy and tender. Maybe slicing it in thin slickes prevents it from being shoe leather like I had at Boogs. Nonetheless, the beef quality was high. Soild 4 stars for the beef. The sauces were ok. Their standard BBQ sauce was just too sweet for me. Sweet with little flavorings. The mustard sauce was more like mayonaisse and sweet rather than with a bite to it. Horseradish was horseradish but a little watered down. Overall, if you want a very good sliced pit/roast beef sandwich heaped high, Canopy is a good choice if you are near one. Not a place worth driving 50 miles in DC traffic, but certainly worth being a regular place near home or work. read more

The customer service was terrible, the food was meh, the ribs had no smoke ring or smoked flavor, beans were ok and the potato salad was a bit different, they used sour cream instead of mayo. All in all I came I saw, and I will not be returning. read more

Most everything is "meh." I've had a lot worse and a lot better. The beef tips are flavorful in the outside but dry and pretty flavorless. Even after soaking in sauce for 30 min their still dry, but the portion is huge. The chicken breast was dry too. The ribs are pretty flavorless and not particularly soft -- certainly not falling off the bone. The spicy sauce is tasty, as is the Mac and cheese. The slaw is standard if not a little sweet. I think the best thing is their fries: the prions are huge and they're very tasty. read more

SX and I ordered 2 pit beef sandwiches (med rare) and a rack of ribs. The sandwiches were not bad, though I thought it wasn't as flavorful or moist as the Kirkwood's sandwiches. I think I needed an extra helping of tiger sauce to remedy this. Also, I wasn't able to see a true difference between the 2 sandwiches (SX ordered a large). The ribs, SX thought they were not bad. However, they just did not work for me. I think it had to do with the sauce. For the same price, I felt I could have gotten a more flavorful rib (rub/marinate = flavor!). read more