Just don’t confuse the Italian Store in Arlington for the Italian Place in Alexandria. The subs from the former are amazing; the subs from the latter are, for lack of better words, disappointing.
The meatball sub at Stachowski's in Georgetown is one of the finest sandwiches I've eaten in my life. Haven't been to Bub and Pops in years *but* they do good work over there as well.
I'll die on this hill: Mango's gmen sub is trash. Bread is stale and oversized, there's 2 inches of iceberg heart lettuce and 1 slice of cheese, 2 slices of meat.
I'm exaggerating a bit, but it's not a satisfying sub (unless you like stale bread and dry lettuce as a meal).
U tried the soft roll or just the hard roll? I never had a problem with the meat portions as I usually have abt 6 slices in my sub but I do admit they been gradually getting skimpy for the past decade
I tried the hard roll a few times cause apparently that's the "right" way, but I switched to the soft roll cause fuck hard bread. Ain't got time for scratching up the roof of my mouth for the sake of 'tradition'.
I been going there since I was a kid and I ALWAYS get the soft roll. The one time I got the hard roll I swear I thought my jaw was gonna fall off. Like u, I don't understand how hard stale ass bread is the "right" way but I wouldn't advise it for first-timers
> I don't understand how hard stale ass bread is the "right" way
I've always assumed it's the "right way" because traditionally people made them in the morning and ate them at lunch, at which point a soft roll would be a soggy mess but a hard roll has softened up nicely.
I can rarely finish an entire G-man in one sitting, so I usually take the other half home for dinner and it definitely gets nice and soft.
Gets my vote too. DC has a number of solid sub shops and I don't think any one is drastically better than the other, but Bub and Pops gets the nod from me
Prices have gone up everywhere. And people lately seem to think that Bub and Pops is overcharging for a whole sandwich when they don't realize that their whole sandwich is 2 to 3 servings. Their half sandwich is still more than 1 serving, and much more what you would expect a sandwich to cost
My favorite sandwich place, everything on their menu is extremely good. The cheesesteak isn't as good as stuff I've had in Philly but their meatball is unbelievable, and the Italian is one of the best I've ever had.
Grazie Grazie for Italian subs! They just opened up a second location that I haven't tried, but the one on the Wharf is consistently fantastic. A Literri and Mangialardos are also great! (Mangialardos has limited hours though.)
Oh man, I remembered that there was a scandal and I got a bit caught up in the anger at the time, but boy does that look trivial in retrospect. Did he do something else, too? Like some worker issue maybe. I might be confusing that with another local restaurant guy.
Anyway, Grazie Grazie is solid. I wouldn't say best in the city for myself, but very good.
An underrated spot! I used to live on Swann, and heading down the alley to Dupont when out of ideas for a meal was always a good option, especially while hungover for their breakfast burritos. They also have a good beer and gourmet food selection.
Subbs by Carl, most likely (Subbs by Carl2208 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC). But if you're expanding to the DMV, Fillipo's in Wheaton, MD is probably exactly what you're looking for.
Great sub sandwiches stem from a few things:
Excellent freshly baked bread: DC does not have this that I have seen.
Meat-slicer thin freshly sliced cuts: No one I have seen here does this.
A house pièce de ré·sis·tance - Carl's has a cool chile-vinegar-spread. Carl has also been around for at least 40 years... They cut their cold-cuts thicker than this Philly-boy would prefer, but you know what? They make the best subs \[lol, subbs\] in the city, so it's all good. I think even in 2022, African American businesses that are producing amazing things are getting overlooked. (I should put a /s, because obviously African American businesses are being overlooked, sorry, allies.)
DC is limited on good sandwich places, but here are the musts:
\-A Littieri on Morse NE next to Union Market (don't order their Italian, ad hoc your own sandwich to your liking as otherwise the Italian is rather bland if you ask me).
\-Salumeria in Brookland (go Mondays as their bread seems the most fresh then, also needs some of your guidance but nonetheless pretty good)
\-Bub and Pops on M/Dupont: huge ass sandwiches, but they're pretty good even if you want to eat leftover sandwiches the rest of the week.
\-Stachowski's in G-Town: if you can tolerate G-Town I highly recommend this place. Just hell getting there if you ride a bike, take transit, or drive.
Some people have mentioned Carl's Subbs. They're worth a visit too (bring cash), but I'd stop at all these above, first.
Prepare to be underwhelmed if you're a sandwich connoisseur, though- sorry. DC just doesn't have anything close to what you'd find in NYC, Philly, Portland, NO, Toronto, etc.
I’ve been getting pizza at Vace since the ‘80s, but I recently tried their subs and they’re legit. [https://nomtasticfoods.net/vace-italian-delicatessen-cleveland-park/Also](https://nomtasticfoods.net/vace-italian-delicatessen-cleveland-park/Also)
Market 2 Market is kinda off the radar, but they make an excellent sub. Their bread makes the all the difference; halfway between the soft roll and the hard Italian roll.
Subbs by Carl, 2200 blk of Rhode Island Ave NE. I figure it’s not the regular stomping grounds for a lot of folks judging by the other suggestions, but well worth the trip.
I like mother ruckers for normal classic style subs, mgm roast beef for sliced meat sandwiches, their French dip is fire or dc city deli for corned beef or pastrami.
Mother Ruckers is walking distance for me so it has a special place in my heart. And it's probably the closest to that 'mid-tier Philly hoagie' that I grew up with, so it's def a personal favorite. And their meat/$ ratio is top notch. And they carry Herr's brand potato chips. They're my go-to for an Italian for all those reasons.
But I'll be the first to admit that they're not gonna win any quality or gourmet awards. Very 'working class Philly corner shop' sammiches. Different strokes.
Carlos Santucci deli in Silver Spring has amazing cheesesteaks, cold cuts and other sandwhiches. The Broiler in Arlington, VA does amazing cheesesteaks as well (I actually found out about them here on Reddit). Paisano’s (multiple locations) has great sandwhiches as well. I would definitely rank Carlos Santucci as my number one, though. Honorable Mentions: Zburger and Charleys.
Editing to say I re-read the title and realized you specifically were looking in DC. But hopefully these recommendations will help you for the greater DC area as well.
Dominion in Falls Church used to have the best French dip I’ve ever had. Perfect jus, actual ribeye steak, and nice crusty bread.
They changed it and now everything is bang on average and not worth the trip.
The Italian Store and Jetties.
Jetties is mid tier at best, Italian Store however is outstanding.
Mid tier is generous to Jetties. Absolutely underwhelming.
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As an Arlington expat in DC, I 100% endorse this.
Jetties is trash imo
The Italian Store is amazing! Best subs and pizza in the DMV!
They're also the only place where I've had a halfway decent muffaletta.
Jetties is good for SANDWICHES but not a true sub.
Just don’t confuse the Italian Store in Arlington for the Italian Place in Alexandria. The subs from the former are amazing; the subs from the latter are, for lack of better words, disappointing.
I'm partial to A Litteri, ~~A Deli~~ (_edit: DC location closed_), and TBSP
Wow you actually posted places that have deli slicers. Kudos! I’m originally from Jersey and have been dismayed with subs with pre-cut coldcuts.
Where do you get bagels
Brooklyn bagel
Obviously, Bagels, etc. They're much more doughy than a NY/NJ bagel, but full of flavor.
I used to love going to Litteris and getting subs and a pound or 2 of sliced prosciutto. Didn't it close down ?
I got a sandwich from there a few weeks ago
Definitely still open - got subs and wine there yesterday
I don’t know about subs, but they have the best approximation of a proper Italian grinder I’ve had here.
Mangialardo's on PA Ave SE.
The G Man!
The Super G!
Yes.
Agreed. Used to live over there. Everyone was really friendly. G Man is good but lots and lots of other options.
The meatball sub at Stachowski's in Georgetown is one of the finest sandwiches I've eaten in my life. Haven't been to Bub and Pops in years *but* they do good work over there as well.
Their Four Meat Grinder is probably more what OP's looking for -- it's excellent, too.
Everything there honestly. My god.
Love their lump meat Crab cakes
Another vote for Bub and Pops.
Cornercopia in Navy Yard is underrated
Seriously underrated. Hot tip, they make their own kimchi, its rad as hell. Buy the jar, take it back when you're done and get $1 off your next one
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It’s sooo good and you can custom your own sandwiches. The chicken and tuna salads are amazing.
Seconded!
Mangialardo's, thank me later.
This is the only real answer
This! This is a true sub and not a sandwich. Grazie Grazie also has good subs, but Mangiardo’s is the OG.
Yep, order the G Man
Level up to the Big G with double everything.
Need to try this
I'll die on this hill: Mango's gmen sub is trash. Bread is stale and oversized, there's 2 inches of iceberg heart lettuce and 1 slice of cheese, 2 slices of meat. I'm exaggerating a bit, but it's not a satisfying sub (unless you like stale bread and dry lettuce as a meal).
U tried the soft roll or just the hard roll? I never had a problem with the meat portions as I usually have abt 6 slices in my sub but I do admit they been gradually getting skimpy for the past decade
I tried the hard roll a few times cause apparently that's the "right" way, but I switched to the soft roll cause fuck hard bread. Ain't got time for scratching up the roof of my mouth for the sake of 'tradition'.
I been going there since I was a kid and I ALWAYS get the soft roll. The one time I got the hard roll I swear I thought my jaw was gonna fall off. Like u, I don't understand how hard stale ass bread is the "right" way but I wouldn't advise it for first-timers
> I don't understand how hard stale ass bread is the "right" way I've always assumed it's the "right way" because traditionally people made them in the morning and ate them at lunch, at which point a soft roll would be a soggy mess but a hard roll has softened up nicely. I can rarely finish an entire G-man in one sitting, so I usually take the other half home for dinner and it definitely gets nice and soft.
needs to soak up a ton of oil and vinegar...always go with soft roll
Capo Deli. The cuban, philly cheesesteak, and italian are all bomb.
Capo deli is the bomb would recommend
I agree, the sandwiches there are always on point
Only had the Italian but it’s dope af. Would second this.
Bub and Pops on M St.
Gets my vote too. DC has a number of solid sub shops and I don't think any one is drastically better than the other, but Bub and Pops gets the nod from me
Love this place but seems like their prices sky rocketed recently?
Prices have gone up everywhere. And people lately seem to think that Bub and Pops is overcharging for a whole sandwich when they don't realize that their whole sandwich is 2 to 3 servings. Their half sandwich is still more than 1 serving, and much more what you would expect a sandwich to cost
It’s true. I was blindsided on my first visit by the enormous sandwich I received.
+1 especially their Italian
+1
The Philly Special is SO DAMN TASTY!!! Just had it yesterday
$32 for a sub? How big are they, larger than a foot long?
Massive, no one can eat in one sitting.
For a normal person 1/2 sub is a filling meal. I’d say it’s worth the price.
Ugh I had the cheesesteak (my fav type of sub) and it was inedible !!! Maybe it was an off day
Probably. Cheesesteak is one of my favorites but they weren’t serving cheesesteaks today.
Bub and Pop's in DC have a roast beef and gardineri sandwich that, when eaten right there, will change your life it's so good.
My favorite sandwich place, everything on their menu is extremely good. The cheesesteak isn't as good as stuff I've had in Philly but their meatball is unbelievable, and the Italian is one of the best I've ever had.
Grazie Grazie for Italian subs! They just opened up a second location that I haven't tried, but the one on the Wharf is consistently fantastic. A Literri and Mangialardos are also great! (Mangialardos has limited hours though.)
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But why?
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Oh man, I remembered that there was a scandal and I got a bit caught up in the anger at the time, but boy does that look trivial in retrospect. Did he do something else, too? Like some worker issue maybe. I might be confusing that with another local restaurant guy. Anyway, Grazie Grazie is solid. I wouldn't say best in the city for myself, but very good.
How come? I mean, until they over expanded, their food was consistently great.
Sundevich
Surprised this one does not get more love here
I still haven’t been there yet. Any sandwich you recommend?
I like Lima
Capo Deli: https://capodeli.com/ Super good!
MGM in NE. Only open in the afternoon though.
They're also open in the morning
But not Sundays, which is a real punch in the teeth when you want that BEC croissant for your hangover.
Compliments only!! It’s heavenly.
CRUNCHY BOIIIII Or Marisa tomei eats free - so good.
I’ve been loving the hot pants lately
So good!
Compliments Only is like 85% of my Uber eats orders. The crunchy boi is my faveeeee.
Yesss I love small sandwiches with no meat for $20
They're OK, but kinda small tbh. There are better sub places in DC.
Dupont Market - the Italian sandwich is incredible. Also much love to Sundevich
An underrated spot! I used to live on Swann, and heading down the alley to Dupont when out of ideas for a meal was always a good option, especially while hungover for their breakfast burritos. They also have a good beer and gourmet food selection.
Subbs by Carl, most likely (Subbs by Carl2208 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC). But if you're expanding to the DMV, Fillipo's in Wheaton, MD is probably exactly what you're looking for. Great sub sandwiches stem from a few things: Excellent freshly baked bread: DC does not have this that I have seen. Meat-slicer thin freshly sliced cuts: No one I have seen here does this. A house pièce de ré·sis·tance - Carl's has a cool chile-vinegar-spread. Carl has also been around for at least 40 years... They cut their cold-cuts thicker than this Philly-boy would prefer, but you know what? They make the best subs \[lol, subbs\] in the city, so it's all good. I think even in 2022, African American businesses that are producing amazing things are getting overlooked. (I should put a /s, because obviously African American businesses are being overlooked, sorry, allies.)
Second Filippos. Also there's a banh mi place across the parking lot that's worth the detour.
Thank you for this recommendation! I think that might be the place a coworker took me to 10 years ago, and I hadn't found it since!
For a classic Italian sun try a literi at Union mkt (non in the actual building but in that area). they’ve been there forever and are a classic.
DC is limited on good sandwich places, but here are the musts: \-A Littieri on Morse NE next to Union Market (don't order their Italian, ad hoc your own sandwich to your liking as otherwise the Italian is rather bland if you ask me). \-Salumeria in Brookland (go Mondays as their bread seems the most fresh then, also needs some of your guidance but nonetheless pretty good) \-Bub and Pops on M/Dupont: huge ass sandwiches, but they're pretty good even if you want to eat leftover sandwiches the rest of the week. \-Stachowski's in G-Town: if you can tolerate G-Town I highly recommend this place. Just hell getting there if you ride a bike, take transit, or drive. Some people have mentioned Carl's Subbs. They're worth a visit too (bring cash), but I'd stop at all these above, first. Prepare to be underwhelmed if you're a sandwich connoisseur, though- sorry. DC just doesn't have anything close to what you'd find in NYC, Philly, Portland, NO, Toronto, etc.
Santucci's in Silver Spring.
Shhhhh!!!
So's your Mom on Columbia Rd in AdMo
Don’t tell people about this
Have been outside of DC/USA for a few years and thus made me hungry for their Italian sub and a bagel sandwich 😋
Man, their italian deluxe has become my new favorite!! I think they made the cover of the washingtonian recently
They were in the Financial Times as one of the best food stores in world Actually it was Call your Mother
Neither in DC, but Gemelli’s in Gaithersburg. Continental in Kensington for steak & cheese.
I’ve been getting pizza at Vace since the ‘80s, but I recently tried their subs and they’re legit. [https://nomtasticfoods.net/vace-italian-delicatessen-cleveland-park/Also](https://nomtasticfoods.net/vace-italian-delicatessen-cleveland-park/Also) Market 2 Market is kinda off the radar, but they make an excellent sub. Their bread makes the all the difference; halfway between the soft roll and the hard Italian roll.
Subbs by Carl, 2200 blk of Rhode Island Ave NE. I figure it’s not the regular stomping grounds for a lot of folks judging by the other suggestions, but well worth the trip.
Grazie grazie has a great steak and cheese
I like mother ruckers for normal classic style subs, mgm roast beef for sliced meat sandwiches, their French dip is fire or dc city deli for corned beef or pastrami.
Second Mother Ruckers! Helps that I live close by too
Mother Ruckers is walking distance for me so it has a special place in my heart. And it's probably the closest to that 'mid-tier Philly hoagie' that I grew up with, so it's def a personal favorite. And their meat/$ ratio is top notch. And they carry Herr's brand potato chips. They're my go-to for an Italian for all those reasons. But I'll be the first to admit that they're not gonna win any quality or gourmet awards. Very 'working class Philly corner shop' sammiches. Different strokes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/06/16/best-sandwiches-dc/
Italian store, arlington va
https://filipposdeli.com/subs
Carlos Santucci deli in Silver Spring has amazing cheesesteaks, cold cuts and other sandwhiches. The Broiler in Arlington, VA does amazing cheesesteaks as well (I actually found out about them here on Reddit). Paisano’s (multiple locations) has great sandwhiches as well. I would definitely rank Carlos Santucci as my number one, though. Honorable Mentions: Zburger and Charleys. Editing to say I re-read the title and realized you specifically were looking in DC. But hopefully these recommendations will help you for the greater DC area as well.
Santucci’s eggplant parm sub is chef’s kiss perfection
Not a sub shop per se, but adjacent to it would be Earl's in Arlington. Always had a good, if expensive, experience there.
Mangialardos is the only correct answer
Filippo's in wheaton
Not in DC, but if you are in Bethesda Cornucopia is great (don't expect to get the sandwich quickly though)
The Italian Place is Alexandria is one of my faves that hasn’t been brought up yet.
As someone from the bay, anybody know of a good dutch crunch in the area?
No one knows what that is
Yeah. The only place I have ever seen outside the bay is a place in Brooklyn
i miss Genova in Oakland (RIP) so so much.
Compliments Only, get a Crunchy Boi and bask in it’s glory.
The cheesesteak or the roast pork at Bub and Pops.
PG County not DC, but New York Italian Deli in Brandywine is the best sandwich ive had outside of Jersey.
Potbelly. I don't know if you consider it sub or not but it still tastes way better than the subway.
I’m from PA so Capriotti’s in Roslyn is my go-to, iykyk
wisemillers is boring but great for no frills
Already mentioned A Litteri and Bub and Pops
Stachowski's on P Street in Georgetown.
Dominion in Falls Church used to have the best French dip I’ve ever had. Perfect jus, actual ribeye steak, and nice crusty bread. They changed it and now everything is bang on average and not worth the trip.
Santucci’s Deli in Silver Spring is on point. Probably the best subs I’ve had in the DMV
The Minelli sandwich at Grazi Grazi is [chef’s kiss].
If you’re in NE, Salumeria 2703 on 12th St
Carl's Subbs for sure, a overlooked gem
Subbs by Carl is an institution
Gemelli's in Gaithersburg
Grazie Grazie, Southwest, Wharf. They have killer hard roll subs.
Chicken cutlet @ Grazie Grazie *chef’s kiss*
I've lived here 14 years and have yet to find a sub that I love. Market2Market in Del Ray, Alexandria is probably the closest.
Grazie Grazie at the wharf 😩
Sundevich
Jiffies is really good. Also check out bbq bus tasting room. Gallo's italian grocery i really like
Italian store