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Old Town newcomer Eddie’s Little Shop and Deli sends out a slow-roasted ribeye on a hoagie roll.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

17 Sandwiches to Try Around D.C. Right Now

Where to grab one of these handheld masterpieces

by Tierney Plumb and Missy Frederick Updated
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Old Town newcomer Eddie’s Little Shop and Deli sends out a slow-roasted ribeye on a hoagie roll.
| Rey Lopez/Eater DC
by Tierney Plumb and Missy Frederick Updated

D.C. has no shortage of great grab-and-go meals. But there are certain sandwiches, hoagies, and grinders that every Washingtonian should seek out almost as a civic duty. Some can transport diners to far-off destinations like Italy, Mexico, or Vietnam. Others are so historic, they’re edible nostalgia.

Many of these essential sandwiches are found in 9-to-5 lunch zones, but others serve residential neighborhoods with fewer dining options, creating a cast of loyal regulars. Some are even worth a short drive. And to salute the summer tomato, try one of these excellent BLTs.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

The Girl and The Vine

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Takoma Park’s adorable cafe and wine shop counts the “Chip-wich” hoagie as one of its most popular orders since day one. The sandwich hides house kettle chips inside for a surprise crunch in every bite, joined by smoked turkey, smashed avocado, pepper jack cheese, bacon, sprouts, and dijonnaise.

7071 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 272-1230
(301) 272-1230

Also featured in:

Wagshal's (Multiple Locations)

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This D.C. delicatessen is a standard-bearer for pastrami, not to mention beef brisket. The ever-popular Reuben stacked corned beef or turkey, Swiss, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut on toasted rye.

3201 New Mexico Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 363-5698
(202) 363-5698
Wagshal’s display case, with several meats showing behind glass
The display case at Wagshal’s
Wagshal’s/official photo

Mechos Dominican Kitchen

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Since its fall 2019 debut, Mechos has been in the business of introducing boardwalk-style chimichurri sandwiches to D.C. There are four types available: try the pork chimi, which is stuffed with pulled pork, cabbage, carrots, and pink salsa, and served on a torta.

2460 Market St NE, Washington, DC 20018
(202) 629-4847
(202) 629-4847
A close-up of a chimi de pierna, a Dominican sandwich on a torta stuffed with pulled pork, cabbage, carrots, and pink salsa.
A Dominican sandwich on a torta at Mechos.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Lulu’s Wine Garden

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The Southwestern-style replacement to Vinoteca serves a solid smoked pork belly pastrami sandwich on Texas Toast, piled high with fermented red cabbage, pickles, crispy shallots, and an aioli made from pork drippings.

1940 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-9463
(202) 332-9463
A smoked pork belly pastrami sandwich at Lulu’s Winegarden comes on Texas Toast with fermented red cabbage, pickles, lots of crispy shallots, and an aioli made from pork drippings
A smoked pork belly pastrami sandwich at Lulu’s Winegarden.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Capo Italian Deli (multiple locations)

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The home of the original Fauci Pouchy is also famous for its Italian combo subs absolutely stuffed with sliced meats. Its newer Western Market food hall stall is joined by a Northern Virginia location in Tysons Corner.

715A Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 827-8012
(202) 827-8012

Also featured in:

Colada Shop

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A good Cuban sandwich can be surprisingly tough to find in the greater D.C. region, but Colada Shop has an excellent version. Theirs leans traditional, with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles and cilantro aioli, on Cuban-style bread, of course.

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-8800
(202) 332-8800
A Cuban sandwich, cut in half and being stretched apart
The Cuban sandwich at Colada Shop.
Maya Oren

Also featured in:

Jetties

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There’s a special appeal when it comes to Thanksgiving sandwiches that can be found year-round. The Nobadeer at Jettie’s puts roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo on sourdough bread, and there’s no need to make the turkey dinner the day before in order to sample it.

1609 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 891-7690
(202) 891-7690

Also featured in:

Compliments Only

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Dupont’s nostalgic sub shop that just won the Rammy for hottest sandwich shop sends out a top-selling Teamster Italian sub with ham, capicola, and Genoa salami, hot and sweet peppers, onions, oil and vinegar, and shredded lettuce. Other 10-inch options to try include a veggie-filled Farmers Market After Dark and meatball-and-melted mozzarella grinder.

2029 P St NW Front 1, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 794-4638
(202) 794-4638

Also featured in:

Stachowski's Market

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Around since 2011, Georgetown’s beloved butcher has a devoted neighborhood following for its hot pastrami, roast beef on rye, and meatball grinders. Its half-smokes and bratwurst are also featured on the menu at at Solace Brewing’s Navy Yard tap room.

1425 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 506-3125
(202) 506-3125

Also featured in:

A. Litteri, Inc.

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This Italian market near Union Market has been a low-key destination for Italian hoagies for many years. The classic features a mixture of capicola, Genoa salami, mortadella, Prosciutto, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, hot peppers, and Italian seasoning.

517 Morse St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 544-0184
(202) 544-0184

El Sol Restaurante & Tequileria

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A pambazo torta stuffed with mashed potatoes and chorizo is a top seller at Shaw’s El Sol. Its chef Alfredo Solis used to make the dish for dinner as a teenager in Mexico. 

1227 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
El Sol pambazo
A pambazo torta from El Sol
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Bub and Pop's

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Family-owned Bub and Pop’s has the answer to just about any imaginable sandwich craving — whether that’s chicken and eggplant Parmesan, a classic Italian cold cut hoagie, or Pop’s beefy brisket sandwich. Sandwiches are available in half or hefty, whole portions.

1815 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 457-1111
(202) 457-1111

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Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill

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The family-owned icon on H Street NE offers an extensive selection of its eponymous sandwiches, all served with a side of Cajun fries. Shrimp po’boys here come three ways (barbecue, grilled, or battered), but pulled pork, lobster, steak and cheese varieties are also fan favorites. An additional outpost sits in Columbia, Maryland.

709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-7071
(202) 621-7071

Also featured in:

Fight Club

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The popular pop-up birthed inside Beuchert’s Saloon during the pandemic planted a permanent sandwich flag on Capitol Hill last year. Best sellers in the ring include the “F.C. Chicken Doink” — its ode to a McGriddle, built with crispy buttermilk-brined chicken thighs, maple cake, and Crystal hot sauce; and the namesake Fight Club, a spin on the classic club assembled with roasted club steak, bacon, roasted tomato, shredded lettuce, and brown butter mayo on white country bread.

633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 885-9714
(202) 885-9714

Also featured in:

Grazie Grazie

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Taylor Gourmet founder Casey Patten launched a second act with this Philadelphia-style sandwich shop in 2019. The tiny store is best known for its cheesesteaks built with grass-fed beef and Cooper sharp provolone.

85 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 216-2999
(202) 216-2999
A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie shows off layers of grass-fed beef, Cooper sharp provolone, lettuce, red onion, and tomato on a golden roll
A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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Banh Mi DC Sandwich

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Excellent crispy bread and affordable prices help distinguish this banh mi purveyor from the pack (though D.C. has no shortage of excellent versions of the traditional Vietnamese sandwich). Go with the #1 (Banh Mi Dac Biet), a combination of various meat fillings, including Vietnamese cold cuts and pate.

3103 Graham Rd #C, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 205-9300
(703) 205-9300
A station of cold cuts and condiments with a worker slathering on dressing
The sandwich station at Banh Mi DC Sandwich
Bahn Mi DC Sandwich/Facebook

Eddie’s Little Shop & Deli

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This new addition to Old Town has been turning some eyes with its stunning sandwiches. Bronx native Ed McIntosh has taken inspiration from the bodegas of his childhood, while also expanding on typical offerings. Look for slow-roasted prime rib sandwiches, a corned beef Cubano spin, various Italian cold cuts, and more.

1406 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 312-8615
(571) 312-8615
A meaty sandwich with cheese placed on top
The ribeye comes with creamy horseradish, provolone, and pickled peppers.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

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The Girl and The Vine

7071 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Takoma Park’s adorable cafe and wine shop counts the “Chip-wich” hoagie as one of its most popular orders since day one. The sandwich hides house kettle chips inside for a surprise crunch in every bite, joined by smoked turkey, smashed avocado, pepper jack cheese, bacon, sprouts, and dijonnaise.

7071 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 272-1230
(301) 272-1230

Wagshal's (Multiple Locations)

3201 New Mexico Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

This D.C. delicatessen is a standard-bearer for pastrami, not to mention beef brisket. The ever-popular Reuben stacked corned beef or turkey, Swiss, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut on toasted rye.

3201 New Mexico Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 363-5698
(202) 363-5698
Wagshal’s display case, with several meats showing behind glass
The display case at Wagshal’s
Wagshal’s/official photo

Mechos Dominican Kitchen

2460 Market St NE, Washington, DC 20018

Since its fall 2019 debut, Mechos has been in the business of introducing boardwalk-style chimichurri sandwiches to D.C. There are four types available: try the pork chimi, which is stuffed with pulled pork, cabbage, carrots, and pink salsa, and served on a torta.

2460 Market St NE, Washington, DC 20018
(202) 629-4847
(202) 629-4847
A close-up of a chimi de pierna, a Dominican sandwich on a torta stuffed with pulled pork, cabbage, carrots, and pink salsa.
A Dominican sandwich on a torta at Mechos.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Lulu’s Wine Garden

1940 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Southwestern-style replacement to Vinoteca serves a solid smoked pork belly pastrami sandwich on Texas Toast, piled high with fermented red cabbage, pickles, crispy shallots, and an aioli made from pork drippings.

1940 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-9463
(202) 332-9463
A smoked pork belly pastrami sandwich at Lulu’s Winegarden comes on Texas Toast with fermented red cabbage, pickles, lots of crispy shallots, and an aioli made from pork drippings
A smoked pork belly pastrami sandwich at Lulu’s Winegarden.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Capo Italian Deli (multiple locations)

715A Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

The home of the original Fauci Pouchy is also famous for its Italian combo subs absolutely stuffed with sliced meats. Its newer Western Market food hall stall is joined by a Northern Virginia location in Tysons Corner.

715A Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 827-8012
(202) 827-8012

Colada Shop

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

A good Cuban sandwich can be surprisingly tough to find in the greater D.C. region, but Colada Shop has an excellent version. Theirs leans traditional, with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles and cilantro aioli, on Cuban-style bread, of course.

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-8800
(202) 332-8800
A Cuban sandwich, cut in half and being stretched apart
The Cuban sandwich at Colada Shop.
Maya Oren

Jetties

1609 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007

There’s a special appeal when it comes to Thanksgiving sandwiches that can be found year-round. The Nobadeer at Jettie’s puts roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo on sourdough bread, and there’s no need to make the turkey dinner the day before in order to sample it.

1609 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 891-7690
(202) 891-7690

Compliments Only

2029 P St NW Front 1, Washington, DC 20036

Dupont’s nostalgic sub shop that just won the Rammy for hottest sandwich shop sends out a top-selling Teamster Italian sub with ham, capicola, and Genoa salami, hot and sweet peppers, onions, oil and vinegar, and shredded lettuce. Other 10-inch options to try include a veggie-filled Farmers Market After Dark and meatball-and-melted mozzarella grinder.

2029 P St NW Front 1, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 794-4638
(202) 794-4638

Stachowski's Market

1425 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Around since 2011, Georgetown’s beloved butcher has a devoted neighborhood following for its hot pastrami, roast beef on rye, and meatball grinders. Its half-smokes and bratwurst are also featured on the menu at at Solace Brewing’s Navy Yard tap room.

1425 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 506-3125
(202) 506-3125

A. Litteri, Inc.

517 Morse St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

This Italian market near Union Market has been a low-key destination for Italian hoagies for many years. The classic features a mixture of capicola, Genoa salami, mortadella, Prosciutto, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, hot peppers, and Italian seasoning.

517 Morse St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 544-0184
(202) 544-0184

El Sol Restaurante & Tequileria

1227 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

A pambazo torta stuffed with mashed potatoes and chorizo is a top seller at Shaw’s El Sol. Its chef Alfredo Solis used to make the dish for dinner as a teenager in Mexico. 

1227 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
El Sol pambazo
A pambazo torta from El Sol
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Bub and Pop's

1815 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Family-owned Bub and Pop’s has the answer to just about any imaginable sandwich craving — whether that’s chicken and eggplant Parmesan, a classic Italian cold cut hoagie, or Pop’s beefy brisket sandwich. Sandwiches are available in half or hefty, whole portions.

1815 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 457-1111
(202) 457-1111

Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill

709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

The family-owned icon on H Street NE offers an extensive selection of its eponymous sandwiches, all served with a side of Cajun fries. Shrimp po’boys here come three ways (barbecue, grilled, or battered), but pulled pork, lobster, steak and cheese varieties are also fan favorites. An additional outpost sits in Columbia, Maryland.

709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-7071
(202) 621-7071

Fight Club

633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003

The popular pop-up birthed inside Beuchert’s Saloon during the pandemic planted a permanent sandwich flag on Capitol Hill last year. Best sellers in the ring include the “F.C. Chicken Doink” — its ode to a McGriddle, built with crispy buttermilk-brined chicken thighs, maple cake, and Crystal hot sauce; and the namesake Fight Club, a spin on the classic club assembled with roasted club steak, bacon, roasted tomato, shredded lettuce, and brown butter mayo on white country bread.

633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 885-9714
(202) 885-9714

Grazie Grazie

85 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Taylor Gourmet founder Casey Patten launched a second act with this Philadelphia-style sandwich shop in 2019. The tiny store is best known for its cheesesteaks built with grass-fed beef and Cooper sharp provolone.

85 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 216-2999
(202) 216-2999
A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie shows off layers of grass-fed beef, Cooper sharp provolone, lettuce, red onion, and tomato on a golden roll
A Philly Special cheesesteak from Grazie Grazie
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Related Maps

Banh Mi DC Sandwich

3103 Graham Rd #C, Falls Church, VA 22042

Excellent crispy bread and affordable prices help distinguish this banh mi purveyor from the pack (though D.C. has no shortage of excellent versions of the traditional Vietnamese sandwich). Go with the #1 (Banh Mi Dac Biet), a combination of various meat fillings, including Vietnamese cold cuts and pate.

3103 Graham Rd #C, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 205-9300
(703) 205-9300
A station of cold cuts and condiments with a worker slathering on dressing
The sandwich station at Banh Mi DC Sandwich
Bahn Mi DC Sandwich/Facebook

Eddie’s Little Shop & Deli

1406 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

This new addition to Old Town has been turning some eyes with its stunning sandwiches. Bronx native Ed McIntosh has taken inspiration from the bodegas of his childhood, while also expanding on typical offerings. Look for slow-roasted prime rib sandwiches, a corned beef Cubano spin, various Italian cold cuts, and more.

1406 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 312-8615
(571) 312-8615
A meaty sandwich with cheese placed on top
The ribeye comes with creamy horseradish, provolone, and pickled peppers.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Related Maps