When the daily lunch bell rings, Washingtonians have a wealth of choices. But it wasn’t always that way. The business neighborhoods that are now lined with national sandwich chains, fast-casual kitchens, and food trucks used to be anchored by smaller, local options that catered more to the necessity of a quick meal than the hottest new build-your-own-bowl concept. The constantly escalating competition can make it tough for the small fish to survive, even for the most beloved of options. Look no further than Pedro & Vinny’s. The simple streetside burrito cart was an institution at 15th and K NW for years thanks to its affordable and filling food. But owner John Rider decided to close last month due to declining sales, which were no doubt accelerated by the saturated market. The end of Pedro & Vinny’s was a significant loss for those who appreciate quality and quick local lunch meals where it’s easy to feel like a regular. Still, there are other similar restaurants and food stands around the city churning out honest and no-frills food worth the money. Here are DCist’s picks for the best small time lunch stops that we hope stick around for a long time.
Moussaka, served on Wednesdays at Alfa Pie House. (Photo via Facebook)
ALFA PIE HOUSE: Whether arriving downtown for an early breakfast or picking up lunch, Alfa Pie house offers a taste of the Mediterranean with freshly made Greek pies, salads, and specials. The sweet and savory fyllo dough pies are the stars of this local spot, running from about $6 to $8 and made with only authentic ingredients, including imported Greek feta cheese and thyme honey from Crete. And while the pie selection, often made with cheese and spinach, changes daily, so do the specials. Make sure to check what traditional Greek dishes—like pastichio, moussaka, or beef bryam—are available when you stop in.—Alex Beall
Alfa Pie House is located at 1750 H St. NW
A. LITTERI: You may have missed this market as you’re coming out of nearby Union Market, as it sits surrounded by warehouses. Colors of the Italian flag are painted on the door, piquing passerby’s curiosity. A staple of D.C.’s food market community, customers are greeted by floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked with Italian goods. But one of its most hidden gems is the deli. Expertly shaved meats, charcuterie, cheeses, salads, and sandwiches are freshly prepared for those who know to head to back of the store. Order in advance, as the line is bonkers during lunch. But the food is well worth the wait. Pick up the antipasto platter for your office, which can include ham, salami, pepperoni, cubed provolone, fresh mozzarella balls, stuffed olives, artichoke hearts, and mushroom salad. But don’t forget to grab a sandwich or two for yourself. The the classic Italian sub is always a good place to start.—Jai Williams
A. Litteri is located at 517 Morse St. NE
(Photo by Travis Mitchell)
BUB AND POP’S: The overstuffed subs at this small mom and pop shop are made with tons of fresh ingredients—enough to conquer just about any appetite. The varied menu is anchored by Bub’s Italian Hoagie, a stack of meats, cheeses, tomatoes, arugula, and relish. From there, consider either chicken parmesan, the beef brisket with apple-horseradish cream and aged gouda, or the vegetable-loaded Bulgarian Feta. Prices may seem comparatively high at $10 for a half sub and $18 for a whole, but the portions are serious. A full sandwich can easily be split between two, especially when paired with chips, a pickle, or a cup of the soup of the day. The shop is open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and daily inventory is limited. So be sure to show up early for the best hoagie selection.—Travis Mitchell
Bub and Pop’s is located at 1815 M St. NW
EL POLLO SABROSO: If you’ve never had Peruvian chicken, do yourself a favor. This bare-bones brasserie in Columbia Heights serves it chargrilled to crispy perfection with a little spice, a little salad, and creamy aji sauces—in styrofoam containers for easy take-out. Substitute fried yucca for French fries or try the fried plantains for something sweeter, and you’ve got a meal for less than $10.—Kate Stoltzfus
El Pollo Sabroso is located at 1434 Park Rd. NW
GREEK DELI On the list of popular downtown lunch spots, Greek Deli occupies a tier of its own. Owner Kostas Fostieris opened his grab-and-go counter-serve kitchen back in 1990, and the lines haven’t stopped. Come for platters like Greek meatballs, lamb, or chicken breast served with orzo, vegetable, and salad. The chicken and lemon avgolemono soup is equally well known. Try it ladled over a plate of orzo and feta cheese. With all the choices, regulars know to have their order ready without delay, lest they are berated for holding up the line. Greek Deli also does catering, making it a fine option to inject some Mediterranean flare into business meetings.—Travis Mitchell
Greek Deli is located at 1120 19th St. NW
Photo by LaTur.
JULIA’S EMPANADAS: Nothing is more comforting than a fresh-baked empanada after a stressful morning. For years, Julia’s presence—first in Adams Morgan, then in Dupont and Brightwood—allows these cravings to be fulfilled with handmade empanadas stuffed with fresh ingredients. The Chilean empanada is a menu favorite. It’s a whopper of a meat pie filled with a flavorful mixture of chopped beef, hard-boiled egg, raisins, and spices. But the Bolivian saltena also hits the spot. For those seeking heat, there are Jamaican empanadas that are really very close the country’s renowned street food patties. And no one makes a black bean soup as good or as filling as Julia’s. A quick lunch is available every day for under $10 dollars, including an empanada, a salad or soup, and a drink. And if you have a sweet tooth, head for the guava and cheese or peach filled pastelitos. The delicious flaky pastries are perfect if you need something to get that 4 p.m. sugar fix with your afternoon coffee.—Johanna Mendelson Forman
Julia’s Empanadas has locations at 2452 18th St. NW, 1221 Connecticut Ave. NW, and 6235 Georgia Ave. NW
PETE’S DINER: This cash-only diner sits in the shadow of the Capitol and grills up everything required for a budget lunch, complete with a side of grease and political people watching. Classic sandwiches run under $7, with simpler options like the BLT and grilled cheese both less than $5. Take a quick seat while you dine, or grab your food to go. It closes at 3 p.m., so don’t count it for a late afternoon pick-me-up.—Travis Mitchell
Pete’s Diner is located at 212 2nd St. SE
(Photo via Facebook)
STACHOWSKI’S MARKET: The meat is piled in practically Dagwoodian-high levels on the sandwiches at this corner butchery on a quaint corner lot in the residential part of Georgetown. Jamie Stachowski makes his own cold cuts, smoked meats, and sausages for the sandwiches that comprise his menu. A four-meat grinder with Italian style charcuterie and fixings is ever popular. Pastrami on rye is about as big as your face and while it’s a pricey sandwich at $14.99, it can easily fill two hungry lunch customers. Possibly four. Roasted chickens and rotating dinner specials are also available to pick up on the way home before the small business turns off the lights at 8 p.m.—Josh Novikoff
Stachowski’s Market is located at 1425 28th St. NW
SUSHI EXPRESS: The prices on the sushi menu posted in the back of a K Street office building come as a bit of a shock. Maki are in the $3.50 range, and combination platters that allow a choice of two items—rolls, sashimi, teriyaki, and tempura—sell for under $10. The nondescript lunch spot is a hidden gem in the middle of the city’s Golden Triangle. Served by longtime chef Yoshifumi Yasuoka, the sushi lunch spot offers the best value on raw fish and other straightforward Japanese dishes in the city. When entering from K Street, head up the elevators and go straight back, or use the side entrance on 20th Street closer to the take-out restaurant.—Josh Novikoff
Sushi Express is located at 1990 K St. NW
WELL DRESSED BURRITO: One of the best places for Mexican fare downtown may be tucked away in a nondescript alley, but the secret is out. The lunch crowd’s line can get long. Classic eats—giant stuffed burritos smothered in house sauce, chips and guacamole, deep-fried chimichangas, fajitas, loaded nachos, and quesadillas—for a single-digit price make it easy to see why.—Kate Stoltzfus
Well Dressed Burrito is located at 220 19th St NW.
