Amanda Michelle Gomez
Why wait until Thanksgiving to delight in turkey and cranberry sauce?
For locals who don’t want to wait until the end of November (or don’t want to make their own Thanksgiving meal), there are plenty of D.C.-area restaurants already selling a sandwich that can stand in. Sometimes called gobblers or Thanksgiving sandwiches, these over-stuffed menu items satisfy the craving while (maybe) helping you avoid the food coma.
Here’s where to get stuffed:
Chutzpah Real New York Deli, 12214 Fairfax Towne Center, Fairfax
This is a “Really, Really Good Sandwich.” But actually, that’s what the sandwich is called — look for R.R.G.S ($19) on the menu. There’s a kick to this hot turkey sandwich with cranberry compote: horseradish cream sauce. Have your fill on a hero roll served with a side of white gravy.
Earl’s Sandwiches, 2605 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Throughout the month of November, the Arlington sandwich shop sells a house-roasted white and dark turkey sandwich. The “Early Thanksgiving” ($17.48/whole sandwich, $9.49/half) is loaded with stuffing and gravy on a grilled brioche roll with a side of cranberry relish. The sandwich shop also has five other turkey-filled options to pick from, plus a grilled brie sandwich with homemade cranberry relish for vegetarians looking for some Thanksgiving cheer.
Fight Club, 633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Not all seasonal sandwiches come with the quintessential Thanksgiving side dish, mashed potatoes, but the one at this D.C. restaurant does — in mayonnaise form. In addition to mashed-potato mayo, Fight Club’s sandwich ($16) comes with the other obvious fillings including roasted turkey, sausage stuffing, and cranberry sauce all topped on a hoagie roll. The “Biden’s Bobby” — possibly a reference to the OG Bobby from Biden favorite sandwich chain Capriotti’s — will probably only be available until the end of the year, according to the owner, so get your fill by January.
Hill East Burger, 1432 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
For people who prefer burgers, there’s always the “Frazee.” The Capitol Hill spot’s turkey burger is topped with a sausage and cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry compote and beefonaise. Expect the Frazee to be on the menu come Monday through Thanksgiving Day. The price varies depending on how hearty the meal is: $13 for a single patty, $16 for a double and $19 for a triple.
Jetties, multiple locations in D.C. and Maryland
Indulge in Thanksgiving sandwiches all year long at Jetties. If you are looking for a classic rendition, then the “Nobadeer” sandwich ($13.95) with roasted turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on sourdough bread is for you. Or, you can go the day-after-Thanksgiving route with a turkey salad sandwich (Steps Beach, $12.95) or a classic roasted turkey club (Tom Nevers, $15.95) on sourdough. A lot of locals keep raving about Jetties, so we suspect you won’t be disappointed.
A taco is not a sandwich. But the restaurant’s “Bawk Bawk Taco” ($4.50) can surely satisfy a craving for turkey. The taco fillings include beer-braised turkey in gravy, sweet potato salsa, cabbage onion slaw, and cranberry/hibiscus jelly. The Thanksgiving taco will be sold starting Nov. 9.
RegionAle, multiple Maryland locations
While this regional mini-chain’s locations are further outside of D.C. in Annapolis and Baltimore, it might be worth the drive for its unique take on a gobbler topped with thyme gravy ($13). The gravy is dosed over a sandwich filled with roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, arugula, and cranberry aioli on sourdough bread.
Wagshal’s, multiple locations in D.C. and Maryland
The longtime family-owned deli has its own gobbler, “Turkey Stuffing Thing” ($12.50). The hot sandwich comes with turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce on a french roll. Get your Thanksgiving fix year-round, or if Thanksgiving is just not your thing, there are other turkey sandwiches on the menu, such as the turkey spinach special or the turkey and chopped chicken liver sandwich.
