HOMEWOOD DELLI

3105 St. Paul St. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 467-7882.

At one time or other many Baltimoreans cross the Homewood path -- before O's games, after a visit with a sick friend at Union Memorial, before a night class at Hopkins or on the way home from work. The deli's location and size make it a sure bet for reliable food to go.

Hot corned beef (cooked fresh daily) is the house specialty. The traditional sandwich ($2.99) is very good but the lean version ($3.45) is better for you served on real white, wheat, rye or Kaiser roll. Boomer rolls, a small version of braided challa bread, cost 69 cents extra, but it's worth the price if you like a bread with some chew to it.

The hot table also dishes up spaghetti, fried stuff, hot subs, and a super macaroni and cheese. For those with a hankering for it, the creamed chipped beef is great.

For lighter appetites, the salad bar at $2.29 a pound has a fine variety of fresh fruits and greens. Of the prepared salads, a tuna salad platter ($3.59) with choice of lettuce and tomato, slaw, potato or macaroni salad, makes a meal for a vegetarian.

The bakery produces Danish, muffins and some breads on the premises with the fancier tortes and cheesecakes from other suppliers.

It's easy to bag a meal at the Homewood.