The DC Traveler

Be prepared for long lines during the exceptionally popular lunch hour (at times, close to an hour) at The Italian Store in suburban Arlington, Virginia.

It’s a Mecca for hungry lunchtime diners who flock to this Italian sandwich deli landmark, that’s been serving lovers of authentic Italian sandwiches since 1980.

The small Italian market and sandwich shop does a booming lunchtime business, thanks to its dozen-plus Philly-style sub sandwiches ($ 6.19-$ 7.69). The sandwiches come in two sizes and are served on soft or hard Italian style rolls, along with sweet or hot peppers, lettuce, onions, oregano, and their own special dressing.

Grab a number at the door as you review the list of sandwiches, which is a virtual tour through Italy, with each sandwich representing a major Italian city. The Capri sandwich combines Prosciutto, genoa salami, provolone cheese and capacola. The shop’s most popular sandwich, the Roma, comes with prosciutto ham, mortadella, genoa salami and provolone cheese. My favorite is the spicy Napoli sandwich, a combination of spicy pepperoni and capacola, topped with a creamy mozzarella cheese.

A New Orleans classic Muffuletta sandwich is also on the menu, served on round Sicilian bread with piles of prosciutto, genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, and the classic pickled olive spread.

For something different, try the pate and brie sandwich on a crusty roll. As one person mentioned, “it makes my eyes roll into the back of my head”.

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Don’t feel like cooking dinner? Take home one of their 20 Italian dinners which only take 20 minutes to heat in your home oven. Dinners-to-go cost $6.99 - $8.99 per pound. Try their veggie or meat lasagna, chicken parmigiana or roasted rosemary chicken with pasta.

Want some fresh pasta? Add one of their dozen home-made sauces on hand to take home to complete your easy to make meal. From the classic meat, tomato, Alfredo, and red or white clam sauces, to a few less traditional sauces, such as wild mushroom, pink vodka, arrabbiata, veal bolognese, gorgonzola and a unique eggplant sauce, there’s something for any pasta lover. Sauces are also sold by the pound, from $5.49 to $7.49, except pesto at $14.99 per lb.

The Italian Store also bakes rustic thin-crusted or Siciliana (thicker crust) pizzas, by the slice or the whole pie. If you are a bit adventurous, pick up a bag of their pre-made pizza dough and toss your own pizza at home. Or do as I often do, use the dough to make a homemade focaccia bread any night of the week.

Here’s a pic of one of my home tossed pizzas. This one I combined caramelized onion, goat cheese, plum tomatoes, roasted garlic, hot peppers and fresh peaches (yes, peaches). It was delicious and looks pretty close to one of The Italian Store’s pizzas.

If the line is long (after grabbing a number), spend some time checking out The Italian Store’s selection of Italian foods, Italian wines and other yummy delicacies. Or call ahead to have your to-go order ready when you arrive.

The staff at times may seem a bit disorganized or slow in preparing your sandwich, but most customers feel it’s worth the wait.

And don’t forget to grab an extra cannolli, chocolaty famous Berger’s cookie or other sweet treat for the ride.

The Italian Store
3123 Lee Highway, in the Lyon Village Shopping Center, just a couple blocks off I-66 at Route 29
Arlington, Virginia 22201 (map it)
703-528-6266

Hours - Monday - Friday 10- 9, Saturday 10-8, Sunday 11-6. The weekend lunch hour can be mobbed, with standing room only. There is no indoor seating, only outdoor seats.

Nearest Metro Subway Station - Clarendon - Orange line, then a ¾-mile walk or Rosslyn - Orange line then take the 3A Metrobus towards Annandale.

Parking - Free parking is available in the shopping mall.

Images - Flickr - pizza with olives, truck, storefront, pizza from Jon’s kitchen - personal collection- © 2008 - Jon Rochetti

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