This Yelp review has taken me more introspection and thought than any Yelp review I have ever put finger to app. Bub and Pops is by far the best sandwich place in DC and I feel I am on stable footing to say, one of the best sandwich places in the United States of America. I have been an avid fan/supporting of Bub and Pops since 2015 and continue to make decent sized orders during the current pandemic. One of the joys in life is when you love something so much and that love is returned; with Bub and Pops each sandwich and soup returns that love and more. Below are some of my favorite menu items that you need to order (be bold, don't just order a cheese steak or chicken parmesan sandwich, even if they are both extremely good as well):
Sandwiches
1.The Philly Special (previously known as the Roast Pork) - This is my go to sandwich on the menu. I can't seem to get enough of Chef Jon's Porchetta, the way the meat is prepared just melts in your month. Add to that the perfectly sautéed broccoli rabe with aged provolone and you have a sandwich fit for a trick super bowl winning play. The default is to have the sandwich come with hot cherry peppers, but I like to keep those off my sandwich like Flea keeps his shirt off.
2.The Hebrew Hammer (previously known as the Jewish Hoagie) - This is the ultimate bang for your buck on the menu as you get not 1, not 2, but 3 meats on your sandwich!!! The corned beef, roast turkey, and beef brisket play perfectly off each other to orchestrate a perfect symphony on your taste buds. The Swiss cheese is also grade A and the coleslaw on top is the only way to top off a behemoth like this thing. I'm actually not normally a fan of coleslaw, but I could eat this coleslaw all day!!! The final kick is the spicy mustard, which if not to your liking, you can always ask to leave off.
3.Pop's Beef Brisket (previously known as Pop's Beef Brisket) - This for me is another old reliable. When I'm feeling a little bit unsure of what to pick, I know that ordering a Pop's Beef Brisket with a fried egg will put a smile on my face and happiness in my stomach. The slow braised brisket on this sandwich is so good it'll make you cry. The horseradish and sharp provolone are the perfect complements, but the underrated part of this sandwich is the veal jus, it takes this thing to another level! Finally you have to get the fried egg on this sandwich or you just aren't doing it right.
4.Fried Chicken Cutlet Hoagie - This sandwich is the most underrated sandwich on the menu, much like Oscar Robertson is underrated in the discussion of the greatest basketball players of all time. Like the Big O, this sandwich is a walking triple double. It has a double meat component, with perfectly fried chicken cutlets and mouthwatering bacon. The triple threat of mayo, provolone and hoagie relish top off the slam dunk on your taste buds.
5. Chicken Salad Hoagie - Chicken salad, much like coleslaw, is something that I normally do everything in my power to avoid consuming, but this chicken salad can be backed up and dumped into my mouth any time. They also give you the option of having this sandwich toasted, which I would definitely take advantage of because that toasting is what the phone booth is to Clark Kent, it turns this thing into a super sandwich!
Soups - While Bub and Pops is top notch at making the sandwiches, they are also probably one of the best soup shops in DC as well!
1. DC Clam Chowder - This chowder puts to shame an entire region of the United States because this clam chowder is hands down the best that I've ever eaten, you heard that right New England, up your chowda game! The white wine & blush sauce is what makes it so special and separates it from all other chowders. I can say one of my favorite parts of the calendar turning to October is I know that the DC Clam Chowder will be back on the menu at Bud and Pops. I would highly recommend getting a quart of this chowder for leftovers throughout the week because it only gets better with time, much like Dame Helen Mirren.
2. Creamy Tomato Soup - This creamy tomato soup looks Campbell's Soup right in the eye and kicks down the door as the king of tomato soups. What makes this soup so special is the flavorful pesto, pecorino romano and ricotta cheese that are included. The combination of these three ingredients to the already great soup is a threesome that would make Alexandre Dumas very proud.
3. Chicken Noodle Soup - Once again a classic soup taken to another level by Chef Jon. This soup sticks to all of the classic chicken noodle soup ingredients, but they are all taken to a level of 10! The noodles and vegetables used are both top notch as you come to expect of Bub and Pops and the broth makes this thing scream like Steven Tyler in the climax of Dream On. read more