Eating in Westover – The Italian Store
June 12, 2015I don’t know about you, but it seems nearly impossible to find really good Italian food in the DC Metropolitan Area. Growing up in New Jersey and spending time on the Jersey Shore, I have a real appreciation for some fine Italian foods that are sorely lacking here in the DMV. Luckily my family travels to Ventnor, New Jersey each summer to get our fill of great slices of pizza, Italian subs, meatball subs, steak and cheese subs, calzones, etc.
Whenever I’m in Arlington, Virginia, I make a point of stopping by the Italian Store and getting one of their specialty subs. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who loves the Italian Store; there is always a long line at lunch time. Believe me it’s worth the wait.
Same great food in a second Arlington location.
As of May 18th, there is a second Arlington branch of the Italian Store in the Westover community. I took our summer intern on a little trip to give the newer Italian Store a try.
First things, first – take a number.
My husband will tell you that the best sub The Italian Store has to offer is the Large Philly on soft sub roll with everything except peppers. I’ve tried all of the specialty subs and they are all fantastic, but I’m partial to the Capri on the hard sub roll with everything plus sweet and hot peppers. I decided to order the Capri to see how it compares to the original location.
How do the two Italian Stores compare?
There is nothing like the original store in Lyon Village with it’s cozy shop tightly filled with waiting people and the long-timers behind the counter making sandwiches from memory. It’s hard to imagine anything better.
The Westover Shop is bright and spacious and offers the same high quality of food. My Capri was just as delicious as I would get Lyon Village. It took the sub maker a long time to make it and he didn’t really chat with the customers, but he did a thorough job .
The Westover Italian Store has much more space and includes a separate sandwich and sub area, pizza area, gelato bar, coffee and sweets counter, and lots of cases displaying groceries. There is even a little dining room near the back. I imagine this store will handle a much larger volume than the original. And in time they will recognize this neighborhoods regulars and their service will be more personalized. I would say that they are different, but both worthy of a visit as soon as you can get there.
If you are interested in trying some delicious Italian food or buying some authentic supplies so you can cook your own, visit the Italian Store at 5837 Washington Blvd, Arlington, Virginia.
If you are looking for a home in Westover, Arlington, Northern Virginia, or the DC Metropolitan Area, give me a call to Get Started.
Interested in reading some other local food reviews by Dana Hollish Hill? Here are some of her latest reviews:
- Eating in Westover – The Italian Store
- A Regular Lunch in McLean
- Eating in Bethesda on a Cold Autumn Day
- Eating in Potomac – Brooklyn’s Deli
- Eating in Cabin John – Wild Tomato
- Eating Lunch in Westlake Area of Bethesda – Fu Shing Cafe
- Eating Lunch in Downtown Bethesda – Taylor Gourmet Deli
- Eating in Alexandria – Waffle Shop in Potomac West
- Eating in Potomac – Sugo Cicchetti
- Eating in Bethesda – Tia Queta Restaurant