The Early Word on Capo Deli

D.C. transplant Capo Deli opened this month in the heart of Shaw, hoping to lure in a round-the-clock city crowd hungry for hoagies. The new neighborhood eatery is actually a longtime fixture in Florida, debuting in Boca Raton in 1985.

Capo co-founder Andy Seligman, co-owner of Brickside Food & Drink in Bethesda, Maryland, and Grand Central DC, runs the 750-square-foot establishment with his longtime business partner Brian Vasile. It carries much of the same products as its sibling, V & S Italian Deli, down south: think The Capo Special (sopressata, mortadella, provolone) and hot plates like chicken Parmesan, lasagna, and baked ziti.

There are also grocery items, including gourmet meats, cheeses, crackers. (There’s also a secret speakeasy called the BackRoom hidden behind a freezer door, but reviews below just focus on the sandwich shop up front.)

Read on to hear what eaters are saying about the fledgling deli just a few weeks in:

The Italian Decor News: DCist writes, “Though small, the space has homey touches. A gorgeous Instagram-worthy mural is splashed across the wall in Italian-flag colors, and black-and-white portraits grace the walls, from the 1937 Cardozo High football team to Falcone’s grandparents.” [DCist]

The Authentic AF News: Facebooker Robert Walls calls it a “pure New York-Style deli! Go! Eat! Take a quick breathe! Then, eat more!” Facebooker Robert Kinsler thinks “anything run by these guys is excellent. Awesome food. Authentic deli sandwiches. The best.” Instagrammer @mdvega23 says, “I'm a total sandwich snob and this little guy from #capoitaliandeli made me a happy camper!” [Facebook, Instagram]

The Feeling Full News: Yelper Craig P. calls it an “excellent, authentic Italian deli with large sandwiches that are good for two meals. Get the seeded bread.” Yelper Alex B. “got a large turkey sub with hot peppers and the Italian dressing. It was enormous and I had it for 2 meals.” Yelper Richard D. “got the large Capo and the sandwich is pretty solid. It's a hefty (length and weight) lunch so you're gonna be full.” [Yelp]

The Late-Night News: Facebooker Ziad Abulaban says the, “Best part ... they open until 3 am on weekdays and 4 am on Friday and Saturday! My new late night spot (I'm not going to lie, probably be my day time spot too) for a great sandwich.” [Facebook]

The Get It Together News: Yelper Maura T. says “two out of five [sandwich orders] have been incorrect. That's not a great track record, but I keep going back because the other three sandwiches were all the Italian combo. It's AMAZING.” [Yelp]

The Quality Control News: Facebooker Mark Szymanski says, “They don't skimp or cut any corners. High quality bread, meat, and cheese. Everything you'd expect from a deli anywhere else but DC.” Yelper Ali M. notes it’s a “fresh deli, on point bread, and very friendly people. The best sandwich shop in the area imo.” [Facebook, Yelp]

The Bread and Butter News: Washingtonian says “the fresh rolls — seeded or plain, crispy or soft — are the base for a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. One of Falcone’s specialties is house-roasted rare Italian beef that’s shaved to-order and layered with marinara, romano cheese, and melty mozzarella.” [Washingtonian]