Deli Adds Gourmet Flair to Perry Hall's Sandwich Scene
Ravage Deli sells chef-made sandwiches in the Brick Bodies Square shopping center.
Photos
What do you get when you mix two fine dining chefs, a former bar manager and a revamped Chinese restaurant?
The answer is Perry Hall's newest sandwich shop: Ravage Deli at 9636 Belair Rd.
"I love making sandwiches," said Aaron Stahlmann, one of Ravage Deli's three co-owners. "I've cooked in about 20 restaurants, everywhere from fine dining to cruise ships to four-star hotels. I've done a little bit of everything and I've just always wanted a deli."
Stahlmann's journey to Perry Hall started at Yosemite National Park, where he worked as the executive chef of Evergreen Lodge. There he met bar manager and girlfriend Rachel Hanson, a Perry Hall native, and became friends with banquet chef Eric Davis.
Market pressures, however, caused the trio to leave California in 2011.
"I don't want to say that fine dining is dead, but with the economy, it's not how it was. All of sudden it got a lot slower and wages went down," Stahlmann said.
Hanson added: "We pretty much got tired of working 15 hours a day for other people."
After a stint in North Carolina, they traveled to Hanson's hometown, where her mother still lives in the Seven Courts neighborhood. When a former Chinese restaurant's space became available in Brick Bodies Square, they decided to try their luck at starting a deli.
Following a shared investment of about $75,000, Ravage Deli opened last month. Within the first week, they began selling between 40 to 50 sandwiches a day, according to Stahlmann.
The owners pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients and made-from-scratch sauces. Sandwiches with names like "The Mile High Rueben" and "The Noble Pig" range from $7 to $13.25. An assortment of sides include "Lump Crab Mac 'n' Cheese" and "Duck Fat French Fries."
Stahlmann said prices tend to be $1 to $2 higher than local competitors, but the upped size and quality account for the difference.
The shop's bread is from Stone Mill Bakery in Lutherville, the fresh pork and beef are from Wagon Wheel Ranch in Mount Airy, and the bison meat is from Gunpowder Bison in Monkton.
"We're supporting locals. It's farm to table—you want to keep it as fresh as possible," Hanson said. "If we were to have Sysco or US Foods bring in all of our supplies, it would be cheaper, which is crazy because it's coming from across the country. Local costs more but you need it to make good products."
Davis added: "Fresh is best. There's a new wave of people interested in where their food comes from, and we embrace that. We're trying to bring that here, northeast of Baltimore."
For Hanson, who now serves sandwiches to her family members and childhood friends around Perry Hall, the shop's culinary experiment is more personal.
"Every day we get a little busier. Hopefully people will come in and try us and keep coming back," she said.
Kathy
8:18 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Absolutely wonderful food!!! Thank you for coming to Perry Hall!
linda morgan
8:23 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Sounds like a good lunch option
T-roy BSOD Rescue
8:45 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Great article... Love the local idea behind the food! I will definitely give them a try.
Tim
9:08 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Interesting, good luck to you guys.
It will be interesting to see how these guys compete against the reigning heavyweight champs at Canella's.
Andrea H
10:17 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Awesome! I love the bread from the Stone Mill Bakery! It makes ANY sandwich better! Can't wait to try out the deli and their sandwiches! And I completely agree that ordering from Sysco or US Foods makes the product a little more like everything else out there, having experienced the same thing where I work :(
Matt
11:17 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Not impressed with the bread at Canella's, will have to give this place a shot.
Liz
11:32 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Best food ever!!! Canella's doesn't even compare!!!!
Brandon
11:47 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Are there any vegetarian options at this restaurant. A nice felafel would be good to find in perry hall.
Amanda
12:21 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Yes, the have a vegetarian powerhouse sandwich that my coworker got. He said it was good!
Amanda
12:19 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
This place is delicious!!! I will definitely be going back. The turkey club and old bay fries are awesome!!!
Honeygo Hal
1:51 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I tried the Mobtown (cold cut.) The roll tastes fine, but the hard crust made it hard to eat - the meat slides to the other end of the sub and starts to push out the end.
Also tried the cole slaw. Very well prepared, but not a taste that I like.
That said, I will go back to try some more - maybe the bison burger next.
And Cannella's need not worry - I'm happy there are more high-quality sandwich stores in Perry Hall (maybe not my wallet, though.)
Sarah Deacon
1:02 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
More vegetarian and vegan offerings are needed at all restaurants in Perry Hall... it is nice to have some choice. Roasted veggies are delicious and so healthy.
Stacey Schantz
2:52 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
You had me at StoneMill Bread!!! LOVE that place! Will absolutely try this place soon!
Nancy
5:17 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Do they wear gloves when preparing the sandwiches? The photos show no gloves - gross!!
Tim
9:19 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
OT: You are very right, I do watch them, even with gloves.
Spring Heeled Jack
8:20 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Oh please Nancy!
B
6:32 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
lol I suggest never watching food network then. When they plate their meals they literally play with the food. Clean hands or clean gloves make no difference to me.
Nancy
4:25 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
Don't "Oh, please" me Happy Wayne! I have a right to my opinion.
Thanks to the others who make a good point about the gloves.
Parkvillehoney
4:33 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
When I was growing up, no one wore gloves. Everyone I knew was healthy as can be. I don't condone filth but I believe germs build up an immunity in your system. I am sure Ravage Deli use gloves to make your food. If they don't, they wiil now after reading these Patch posts.
Canadian Bacon
7:30 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I have been there twice the last two weeks and I was not disappointed either time. The food is great and the staff is friendly. Best of luck!!
Spring Heeled Jack
8:17 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Awesome! A "real" cold cut, and true, fresh sandwiches. Love the fact they have bison! I have been a huge bison fan for 10 years now! All the other shops in the area have less then average subs and sandwiches that taste bland and spice-less. I have been craving real subs made right and fresh.
Audra Verga
9:12 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
I love ravage deli!!! Thank god we got an amazing sandwich shop in the P- Hall . Everything I've tried is awesome!!! Especially the duck fat French fries. And the staff is so friendly:)
B
6:30 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
I enjoyed my El Cubano samich and duck fat fries.
Brandon
8:41 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012
And I find it offended that you believe vegetarians are nut jobs. You, my friend are intolerant of diversity. BUt i will refrain from calling you names.
Parkvillehoney
4:56 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
I hope the owners post on this page how they can serve their customers. Easier to read menus, a place where you can look over the menu before you order, how about calling in an order for P/U. I always call in my order for P/U, so I need to look over a menu before I order. They are a new business, so there will be growing pains. Let's hope they take these comments to heart. I am sure they will be successful, if they just listen to their customers.
Brandon
5:04 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
My point is, they have a right to sell what they want. We still have that right in this coutry. If you want Ameri an average cheese go somewhere they sell it. If every restaurant were exactly tbe same we would never need to try any place new.
Parkvillehoney
5:20 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
It would make my life a little easier if they sold a basic cold cut sub with American chesse. I will try the more exotic subs. I would like to make one stop to buy the basic cold cut subs for my grandsons along with my sub. Hey, it gives Ravage Deli all my business (more money) instead of a portion of it.
Julia
3:58 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
The caprese sandwich is the best thing I've ever eaten!