You’ve been to Potbelly a billion times, and the cashier at Pret A Manger greets you by name. Sound familiar? Lunchtime go-tos are nothing to be ashamed of (the above describes this writer’s midday habits perfectly), but it’s nice to mix it up once in a while. Whether you’re looking for a quick grab to take back to your desk or a meal to linger over, we have eight new lunches for you to try.
All of the sandwiches are available in half and whole portions at this lower Dupont family-operated eatery, which is a good thing: Halves of an Italian hoagie or braised beef brisket sandwich are as large as most restaurant’s wholes, and full-size means a feast (or leftovers). A variety of salads, pizzas, and soups round out the menu, as do a selection of seasonal pickles.
You can always get a pastrami sandwich to go, but it’s tempting to post up with a beer at this neighborhood deli’s bar and dig into a Reuben with 21-day-cured corned beef or roast lamb on ciabatta with pickled veggies and yogurt sauce. Vegetarians can feast on a variety of Moroccan-style vegetable dishes, egg salad, and a three-cheese melt.
DGS Delicatessen Sandwich Shop
We’ve been waiting for the Dupont deli to open its counter-order service since the sit-down restaurant debuted back in November. As of last week it’s finally taking orders, meaning you can get nosh like thick-cut pastrami on rye, smoked salmon on a Montreal bagel, and matzo-ball soup.
You’ve had that kind of day in the office, and you’re fiending for lunch and happy hour all at once. Lucky for you, the newest addition to the K Street dining scene starts drink discounts at noon (and runs them until 9), meaning you can get a $5 glass of wine and a Brie-topped Kobe burger or bacony pulled chicken club at nearly any time.
We head to this Dupont Russian joint at night to drink vodka martinis while clapping along to a Russian accordionist, but that’s a little ambitious when the sun is shining. Easier to handle: a new lunch service, which starts at 11:30 AM on Monday, March 25. Look for a $19 prix-fixe menu with a choice of salad or soup like Russian country veggies or borscht, followed by a main course such as chicken stroganoff with buckwheat pasta or a vegetarian avocado sandwich.
It’s tempting to luxuriate over a pile of hickory-smoked ribs, slaw, and a cold beer, but not everyone has time for that lunch of dreams. Bethesda’s newest barbecue joint encourages diners to call in orders for speedy pickup and takeout (we recommend a pulled pork sandwich if you’re going to eat in the car), so you can have slow and low in a flash.
Chivitos, Cubans, and a variety of tapas are the staple fare at this eatery from former Fast Gourmet chefs Manuel and Juan “Nacho” Olivera. The brothers also debut their first Sunday brunch this week: a $35 menu with bottomless mimosas and sangria, tapas, and entrĂ©es like eggs Benny with Serrano ham.
Casey Patten and David Mazza open their seventh Philadelphia-style sandwich shop this Thursday in the former Meatballs location. Look for 36 varieties of hoagies, with delivery service in the works. More of a breakfast person? You can snag egg sandwiches on the weekend.