If you walk down South Broadway in Fells Point, the smell of wood smoke usually hits you before you even see the sign. BOP Pizza Baltimore MD—officially B.O.P. Brick Oven Pizza—has been a fixture at the corner of Broadway and Thames since 1997. Honestly, in a neighborhood that changes its identity every five years, a pizza joint lasting nearly three decades is basically a miracle.
It isn't fancy. It's kinda cramped, the staff is usually moving at 100 miles per hour, and the heat from the oven makes the place feel like a sauna in July. But there's a reason people stand in line at 1 a.m. on a Saturday.
The Secret is the 24/7 Heat
Most pizza places turn their ovens off at night. BOP doesn't. That brick oven stays hot around the clock, which creates a specific kind of char on the crust that you just can't replicate with a standard deck oven. You’ve probably noticed the "Baltimore Flop"—that slightly doughy, heavy center—but BOP tries to fight it with a hearth-baked crispness.
The crust is thin, but not cracker-thin. It’s got a bit of chew.
Some people call it "roller rink style" because of the generous cheese-to-sauce ratio, but that’s a bit of a disservice. It’s better than that. It’s a hybrid. It’s what happens when New York style moves to Maryland and decides to get a little more experimental with toppings.
What to Actually Order (And What to Skip)
If you’re just looking for a quick bite, the 2 slices for $5 deal (prices fluctuate, but it’s always the budget-friendly go-to) is the standard move. But if you're ordering a full pie, you should probably step away from the basic pepperoni.
- The #7 Four Cheese White Pizza: This is a heavy hitter. It’s got garlic sauce, ricotta, Parmesan, fontina, and mozzarella. It’s rich, salty, and basically a dairy-induced coma in a box.
- The #5 Ocean Clams: Don't knock it until you try it. Garlic sauce and clams on a pizza is a Northeast staple that BOP actually pulls off well.
- The Greek: Loaded with feta, olives, and green peppers. It’s one of the few pizzas there that feels "fresh" because of the tang from the feta.
- The Chocolate Pizza: This sounds like a gimmick. It kinda is. It’s dough topped with raspberry preserves, dark and white chocolate, strawberries, bananas, and kiwi. It’s absolute chaos, but kids (and drunk adults) love it.
Pro tip: If you want your pizza truly crispy, you have to ask for it "well done." Because they move so much volume, sometimes the center can stay a little soft if the oven is crowded.
The Vegan and Gluten-Free Situation
BOP was actually one of the first places in Baltimore to take vegan pizza seriously. They use Teese vegan cheese, and unlike a lot of spots that charge $20 for a tiny "dietary restriction" pie, they offer vegan options by the slice.
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It’s a bit controversial among the regulars.
Some vegans swear by it; others find the "Teese" a bit sticky. If you're getting a slice, they usually take a cheese slice, swap the dairy for the vegan cheese, and throw it back in the oven. It works, but it’s not as good as ordering a whole vegan pie from scratch.
Finding the Vibe at 800 S. Broadway
The atmosphere is pure Fells Point. The table tops are decorated with maps of the neighborhood, and the walls have seen better days. It’s a "grab and go" spot more than a "sit down for a date" spot.
You’ll see everyone here.
Tourists who just got off the Water Taxi, locals who have lived in the neighborhood since the 80s, and the late-night crowd coming from The Horse You Came In On Saloon. It’s a equalizer.
Is It Actually "The Best"?
Let’s be real for a second. Baltimore's pizza scene has exploded recently. You’ve got Paulie Gee’s in Hampden and Joe Benny’s just a few blocks away in Little Italy. If you want a gourmet, artisanal experience, BOP might not be your first choice.
But BOP isn't trying to be that.
It’s reliable. It’s open late. It’s consistent. It’s the kind of pizza that tastes just as good—maybe even better—straight out of the fridge at 9 a.m. the next morning.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Parking is a nightmare: Don't even try to park on Broadway. Use the Fleet & Eden garage and walk down. It’ll save you twenty minutes of circling.
- Lunch Specials: If you’re there between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., they usually have a salad/slice/drink combo for under $10. It’s one of the best value lunches in Fells.
- Check the Specials: They often do heart-shaped pizzas for holidays or "Pizza Kits" ($8.95-ish) if you want to bake your own at home.
- Cash is fine, but they take cards: Unlike some of the older cash-only spots in the city, you don't need to hit an ATM before you walk in.
If you find yourself near the harbor and you’re hungry, just look for the corner with the red neon. Get the white pizza, find a bench by the water, and watch the tugboats. That’s the real Baltimore experience.