The Italian Store
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, November 21st, 2011
Yes, that is my olive oil-soaked brown paper sandwich bag.
This weekend I had the grand pleasure of going to The Italian Store for the first time. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a place with such a name, which I heard in vague description as some sort of hybrid, half-Italian market, half-deli, with the best sandwiches ever (and that’s a pretty bold statement to make!).
If I were told to picture a scene of mob-looking Italians in Northern Virginia, I don’t think I could do it. Being from Northern New Jersey, I’ve seen my fair share of mobsters, guidos and guidettes. But as I grabbed the only open table outside of the Italian Store on a Sunday afternoon, next to a gray-haired man with a pop belly, a can of Dr. Brown’s cream soda, and a big fat cigar, I felt like I was home.
The sandwich wasn’t bad, either — actually, it was amazing. We called in our order in advance because of expected crowdedness, so when we arrived our fresh mozzarella and prosciutto on a soft sub roll was waiting for us. The bread was fresh and soft, the prosciutto nice and fatty and salty, and the cheese — oh my goodness. The word “fresh” before the Italian Store’s mozzarella is an understatement. Their mozzarella is so moist and tender, sprinkled with just the right amount of sea salt and basil flakes and cut so perfectly into made-for-an-incredible-sandwich medallions that it made the sandwich. With my last bite and a sip of Dr. Brown’s to wash it down, I slipped into an Italian Store sandwich coma.
The Italian Store is located at 3123 Lee Highway in Arlington (703-528-6266 or www.italianstore.com).
-Julia Harbo
Tags: dr. brown's, fresh mozzarella, guido, Gut Check, Italian, Italian food, julia harbo, mob, mobster, new york city, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, sandwiches, subs, the italian store
One Response
native new yorker Says:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:17 pm
November 21st, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Hands down, the closest any NY ex-pat will come to true NY eats. This place doesn’t just consistently produce delicious sandwiches, such a rarity in this area (regularly overpriced and sadly bungled at most NoVa “delis,”) but also delicious pizza by the slice (the quick way to judge a good pizzeria, BTW.) Be sure to specify your preference for hard or soft roll when ordering these delicious sandwiches. Whenever we are “East” on 66, we make a point to stop and have never, ever been disappointed.