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The Eastern’s popular BLT makes a summertime comeback on Friday, June 30.

Salute the Summer Tomato With These Standout BLTs in D.C.

16 spots that do the straightforward sandwich justice

by Tierney Plumb and Lani Furbank Updated Jun 29, 2023, 4:15pm EDT

3 comments / new

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The Eastern’s popular BLT makes a summertime comeback on Friday, June 30.

| The Eastern

by Tierney Plumb and Lani Furbank Updated Jun 29, 2023, 4:15pm EDT

3 comments / new

A BLT may be one of summer's simplest pleasures. The stars of this sandwich shine on their own, but in tandem, they're taken to the next level. Juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, and crunchy lettuce come together to form the perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Each summer, D.C. chefs find a way to make this trio even harder to resist. Many enhance the key flavors of the sandwich with interesting sauces or toppings like guac, lemon-dill or Sriracha aioli, or even egg salad. Others cater to carnivores even more with the addition of turkey and chicken. Some substitute bacon with vegetarian options like fried green tomatoes or tempeh.

But mostly, the secret to a great BLT is to put it on the menu when the circular red fruit is at its best. As the height of tomato season nears, here are some mouthwatering creations centered around the perfect trifecta of bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

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Parkway Deli & Restaurant

The treasured Silver Spring deli takes orders on DIY BLTs (starting at $9.49) with endless options for toppings and bread (pumpernickel, rye, gluten-free, sourdough, bagel).

8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Visit Website

Parkway’s packed interior

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Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

Brookland’s Finest caters to veg-lovers with their Fried Green Tomato “B”LT ($16). The B stands for black-eyed peas, which are spread across the sandwich with arugula, fried green tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and chipotle mayo. A grilled salmon BLT with applewood-smoked bacon comes stacked on brioche ($18).

3128 12th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20017

Visit Website

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A post shared by Brookland's Finest (@brooklands_finest)

Also featured in:

So's Your Mom

For a no-nonsense sandwich that’s easy on the wallet, head to Adams Morgan’s family-owned, cash-only deli for a toasted whole wheat BLT with mayo ($7.95).

1831 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Also featured in:

18 Places for a Hot Pastrami Sandwich in D.C.

Buffalo & Bergen (multiple locations)

Buffalo & Bergen’s towering BLT bagel sandwich doesn’t play games. The “Hey Y’all…It’s a BLT” ($11) starts with a slather of pimento cream cheese whipped with roasted red peppers, shredded cheddar, and spices, followed by bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Open in Google Maps

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Buffalo & Bergen’s longstanding BLT bagel sandwich.

Neopol Savory Smokery

Showcasing their house-smoked delights, Neopol’s Salmon BLT ($12.50) stars flaked smoked salmon and Berkshire bacon. An avocado BLT ($9.95) comes with house-smoked Duroc bacon. Both come topped with mixed greens, tomato, red onion, and lemon-dill aioli. An egg salad variety is also an option. Order online for pickup in Union Market or Alexandria. Choose from toasted white, rye, sunflower-flax, or gluten-free bread.

Open in Google Maps

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Smoked salmon, sandwiches and salads in Baltimore & DC (@neopolsmokery)

The Tombs

Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s iconic underground hangout fuels up Georgetown college crowds with a meaty BLT engineered with a hefty helping of turkey and applewood-smoked bacon, plus Bibb lettuce, tomato, and mayo. The $17 order comes with a side of mixed greens or Old Bay-tossed fries.

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

The turkey-topped BLT at the Tombs.

Also featured in:

Feta Bakery And Cafe

Georgetown’s dreamy Greek cafe serves a mean B.L.T.A. made with applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and Sriracha aioli on homemade sourdough ($11.99).

Open in Google Maps

2805 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Feta’s beloved BLTA.

Baker’s Daughter

Michelin-starred chef Matt Baker puts a poultry spin on the classic at his D.C. cafes. The BLT packs grilled chicken breast, bacon, sun-dried tomato aioli, Bibb lettuce, and white cheddar between whole wheat. Available for pickup or delivery from its Ivy City and downtown digs.

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit Website

The chicken “BLT” at Baker’s Daughter.

Also featured in:

BLT Steak DC

Even though the steakhouse isn’t named for the sandwich (BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, after the chef and restaurateur), it does offer a take on the BLT. The power lunch order ($19) is a panini-style sandwich filled with smoked bacon, “special” sauce, tomato, and lettuce and comes with truffle fries.

1625 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Sandwich Shop

Vienna’s reliable sandwich shop slings a BLT-A made with applewood smoked bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and herb aioli on toasted ciabatta. The $10 handheld is available for online takeout and delivery.

132 Church St NW, Vienna, VA 22180

Visit Website

The Sandwich Shop’s BLT gets a West Coast edge with slices of avocado.

Also featured in:

Where to Eat in Vienna, Virginia

Duke's Grocery

The beloved British pub’s Posh B.L.T.A. ($16) is a towering medley of applewood smoked bacon, tomato, creamy avocado, cucumber-garlic aioli, and “rocket” sauce layered between soft ciabatta. The popular handheld makes appearances during lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at Duke’s Foggy Bottom, Navy Yard, and Woodley Park locales.

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006

Visit Website

The Posh B.L.T.A. is available all day at Duke’s.

Also featured in:

Sticky Fingers Diner

Plant-based Sticky Fingers stays true to form with a vegan take on the BLT. Their TLT ($11) includes homemade tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, and egg-free mayonnaise on multigrain.

406 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sticky Fingers Diner (@stickyfingersdiner)

Also featured in:

Bayou Bakery

The Bayou BLT ($11) at Arlington’s New Orleans-themed cafe gives a little extra TLC to the T. It features oven-cured tomatoes, double-cut smoked bacon, greens, and mayo, sandwiched between two slices of toasted white bread. Order online for pickup.

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

Bayou Bakery’s BLT.

Also featured in:

The Eastern

Executive chef Walfer Hernandez brings back his well-executed BLT at Capitol Hill’s modern wine bar starting Friday, June 30. The summer smash hit ($15) joins a variety of new seasonal dishes.

Open in Google Maps

360 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by the Eastern (@theeasterndc)

Kirwan’s on the Wharf

The Wharf’s resident Irish bar is big on fish and chips, but its BLT is also not to miss. The sleeper hit piles extra-crispy, smokey American bacon high on multigrain alongside mayo, lettuce, and tomato ($18).

749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Enjoy a waterfront BLT at Kirwan’s on the Wharf.

Also featured in:

Mason Social

Mason Social’s crowd-pleasing BLTA (the “A” stands for aioli) features bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado ($14). Make it a half-sandwich with a side for $12.

728 N Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Mason Social’s BLT can be split in half as part of a combo deal.

Also featured in:

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Parkway Deli & Restaurant

8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

The treasured Silver Spring deli takes orders on DIY BLTs (starting at $9.49) with endless options for toppings and bread (pumpernickel, rye, gluten-free, sourdough, bagel).

8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Visit Website

Parkway’s packed interior

Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

3128 12th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20017

Brookland’s Finest caters to veg-lovers with their Fried Green Tomato “B”LT ($16). The B stands for black-eyed peas, which are spread across the sandwich with arugula, fried green tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and chipotle mayo. A grilled salmon BLT with applewood-smoked bacon comes stacked on brioche ($18).

3128 12th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20017

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brookland's Finest (@brooklands_finest)

So's Your Mom

1831 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

For a no-nonsense sandwich that’s easy on the wallet, head to Adams Morgan’s family-owned, cash-only deli for a toasted whole wheat BLT with mayo ($7.95).

1831 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Buffalo & Bergen (multiple locations)

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Buffalo & Bergen’s towering BLT bagel sandwich doesn’t play games. The “Hey Y’all…It’s a BLT” ($11) starts with a slather of pimento cream cheese whipped with roasted red peppers, shredded cheddar, and spices, followed by bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Open in Google Maps

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Buffalo & Bergen’s longstanding BLT bagel sandwich.

Neopol Savory Smokery

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Showcasing their house-smoked delights, Neopol’s Salmon BLT ($12.50) stars flaked smoked salmon and Berkshire bacon. An avocado BLT ($9.95) comes with house-smoked Duroc bacon. Both come topped with mixed greens, tomato, red onion, and lemon-dill aioli. An egg salad variety is also an option. Order online for pickup in Union Market or Alexandria. Choose from toasted white, rye, sunflower-flax, or gluten-free bread.

Open in Google Maps

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Smoked salmon, sandwiches and salads in Baltimore & DC (@neopolsmokery)

The Tombs

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s iconic underground hangout fuels up Georgetown college crowds with a meaty BLT engineered with a hefty helping of turkey and applewood-smoked bacon, plus Bibb lettuce, tomato, and mayo. The $17 order comes with a side of mixed greens or Old Bay-tossed fries.

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

The turkey-topped BLT at the Tombs.

Feta Bakery And Cafe

2805 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Georgetown’s dreamy Greek cafe serves a mean B.L.T.A. made with applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and Sriracha aioli on homemade sourdough ($11.99).

Open in Google Maps

2805 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Feta’s beloved BLTA.

Baker’s Daughter

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Michelin-starred chef Matt Baker puts a poultry spin on the classic at his D.C. cafes. The BLT packs grilled chicken breast, bacon, sun-dried tomato aioli, Bibb lettuce, and white cheddar between whole wheat. Available for pickup or delivery from its Ivy City and downtown digs.

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit Website

The chicken “BLT” at Baker’s Daughter.

BLT Steak DC

1625 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Even though the steakhouse isn’t named for the sandwich (BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, after the chef and restaurateur), it does offer a take on the BLT. The power lunch order ($19) is a panini-style sandwich filled with smoked bacon, “special” sauce, tomato, and lettuce and comes with truffle fries.

1625 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Visit Website

The Sandwich Shop

132 Church St NW, Vienna, VA 22180

Vienna’s reliable sandwich shop slings a BLT-A made with applewood smoked bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and herb aioli on toasted ciabatta. The $10 handheld is available for online takeout and delivery.

132 Church St NW, Vienna, VA 22180

Visit Website

The Sandwich Shop’s BLT gets a West Coast edge with slices of avocado.

Duke's Grocery

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006

The beloved British pub’s Posh B.L.T.A. ($16) is a towering medley of applewood smoked bacon, tomato, creamy avocado, cucumber-garlic aioli, and “rocket” sauce layered between soft ciabatta. The popular handheld makes appearances during lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at Duke’s Foggy Bottom, Navy Yard, and Woodley Park locales.

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006

Visit Website

The Posh B.L.T.A. is available all day at Duke’s.

Sticky Fingers Diner

406 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Plant-based Sticky Fingers stays true to form with a vegan take on the BLT. Their TLT ($11) includes homemade tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, and egg-free mayonnaise on multigrain.

406 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sticky Fingers Diner (@stickyfingersdiner)

Bayou Bakery

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201

The Bayou BLT ($11) at Arlington’s New Orleans-themed cafe gives a little extra TLC to the T. It features oven-cured tomatoes, double-cut smoked bacon, greens, and mayo, sandwiched between two slices of toasted white bread. Order online for pickup.

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

Bayou Bakery’s BLT.

The Eastern

360 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Executive chef Walfer Hernandez brings back his well-executed BLT at Capitol Hill’s modern wine bar starting Friday, June 30. The summer smash hit ($15) joins a variety of new seasonal dishes.

Open in Google Maps

360 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by the Eastern (@theeasterndc)

Kirwan’s on the Wharf

749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The Wharf’s resident Irish bar is big on fish and chips, but its BLT is also not to miss. The sleeper hit piles extra-crispy, smokey American bacon high on multigrain alongside mayo, lettuce, and tomato ($18).

749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Enjoy a waterfront BLT at Kirwan’s on the Wharf.

Related Maps

Mason Social

728 N Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Mason Social’s crowd-pleasing BLTA (the “A” stands for aioli) features bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado ($14). Make it a half-sandwich with a side for $12.

728 N Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Mason Social’s BLT can be split in half as part of a combo deal.

Related Maps