Catonsville, Maryland hides a delightful treasure that coffee lovers and sandwich fans can’t stop talking about. Caffè Di Roma has been serving up homemade goodness since 2008, and locals swear by its scratch-made menu.
Whether you’re craving a legendary sandwich, a warm bowl of soup, or just a cozy spot to relax, this family-run café delivers something special every single visit.
1. The Legendary Shrimp Salad Sandwich
Owner Yvonne crafted a shrimp salad recipe that turned into the café’s most talked-about item. Customers travel from all over just to taste this signature creation, which appears on nearly every review as a must-try.
The recipe combines fresh shrimp with Yvonne’s special blend of ingredients, creating flavors that keep people coming back week after week. Each bite delivers creamy, savory perfection that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Regulars often order it by name, and first-timers quickly understand why it’s legendary after one taste.
2. Homemade, Stacked-Thick Sandwiches
Forget those sad, flat sandwiches you find at chain restaurants. Caffè Di Roma piles their homemade egg, chicken, and tuna salads so high you might need both hands to hold them.
Yvonne personally prepares each salad from scratch every morning, ensuring freshness and flavor in every layer. The portions are generous enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites, and the taste proves that quality ingredients make all the difference.
Reviews consistently mention being impressed by how much food you get for your money.
3. A Guaranteed Daily Soup Selection
Walking into this café means you’ll always find between five and eight different homemade soups waiting for you. Maryland Crab, Cream of Crab, chicken varieties, beef options, chili, and vegetable soups rotate through the daily lineup.
Cold winter days feel warmer knowing you have reliable comfort food just minutes away. The café commits to keeping favorites available while also surprising customers with seasonal specialties.
No matter when you visit, something delicious and steaming hot will be ready to warm you up from the inside out.
4. The Famous Cream of Crab Soup
Maryland takes its crab soup seriously, and Caffè Di Roma delivers a version that locals praise as essential eating. Rich, velvety, and packed with real crab, this homemade specialty appears in the daily rotation and earns rave reviews.
The soup captures traditional Maryland flavors while adding Yvonne’s personal touch that makes it stand out. Each spoonful offers creamy comfort with generous pieces of sweet crab meat throughout.
Fans of Maryland cuisine consider tasting this soup a requirement, not just a recommendation, when visiting the café.
5. Quality Coffee Program with Name Brands
Coffee snobs and casual drinkers alike appreciate that this café doesn’t settle for generic beans. The menu specifically lists three respected brands: Lavazza, Chesapeake Bay Roasters, and Orinocho.
This commitment to quality means your morning cup delivers real flavor and aroma, not the watery disappointment some places serve. The variety ensures different taste preferences get satisfied, whether you prefer bold Italian roasts or smooth local blends.
Knowing exactly what you’re drinking adds transparency that coffee lovers respect and enjoy with every sip.
6. Truly Scratch-Made Food
Yvonne arrives at the café early each morning to personally prepare sandwiches, salads, and soups from scratch. Nothing comes pre-made from a factory or arrives frozen in a truck.
This old-school approach means flavors taste fresher, ingredients stay higher quality, and meals carry the care of someone who genuinely loves cooking. Reviews consistently mention noticing the difference between this authentic preparation and mass-produced alternatives.
Supporting a business that still makes everything by hand feels increasingly rare and special in today’s convenience-driven restaurant world.
7. Support a Local, Family-Oriented Business
Since 2008, this family-run establishment has served as a community pillar in Catonsville. Choosing Caffè Di Roma means your money stays local and supports a business that genuinely cares about its neighborhood.
Family-owned restaurants often provide personal touches and consistent quality that corporate chains can’t match. The owners know many customers by name and remember their favorite orders, creating connections that transform a simple meal into a welcoming experience.
Every visit helps a local family continue doing what they love while serving the community with pride.
8. The Cozy, Welcoming Vibe
Customers repeatedly describe this place as a hidden gem with a delightful, comfortable atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi makes it perfect for remote work or catching up with friends over coffee.
Both indoor and outdoor seating options mean you can enjoy beautiful weather or stay warm inside, depending on your mood. The space feels genuinely inviting rather than rushed or corporate, encouraging you to linger and relax.
Finding a café that balances quality food with a warm environment creates the kind of experience people seek out again and again.
9. Freshness is Worth the Wait
Caffè Di Roma openly communicates that scratch-made meals might take longer during busy times. This honesty shows respect for customers while managing expectations about quality over speed.
Most people happily trade a few extra minutes for food that tastes genuinely fresh and homemade. The café’s transparency about preparation time demonstrates confidence in their product and commitment to never rushing quality.
Customers consistently report that the wait proves worthwhile once they taste the difference between rushed fast food and carefully prepared meals.
10. Reliable Local Catering
Planning a family gathering or business lunch becomes easier knowing Caffè Di Roma offers catering services. The same homemade quality you enjoy in the café travels to your event through their local catering program.
Small events benefit from their attention to detail and commitment to fresh preparation, ensuring your guests experience the same delicious food that keeps regulars coming back. Supporting local catering means working with people who understand the community and care about your event’s success.
Having reliable, quality catering just a phone call away makes hosting stress-free.
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