Once a pop up inside Columbia Room (RIP), Your Only Friend is near Blagden Alley along 9th Street NW. It's perfect because the first room is set up like a fast casual restaurant selling eight different sandwiches and snacks like caramelized shallot dip and miso chex mix. And that's their vibe. They take accessible food like chex mix and elevate it. Proof is a cocktail on the menu made with Mountain Dew (awesome!). Just past the sandwich shop is one large room with a bar in the middle below a stained-glass art piece. The cocktail list will expand, but for now, there are ten options, wine, and beer, including a yellow beer. My friend and I each ordered two drinks each and really enjoyed one of ours. The Amaretto Sour was very smooth and refreshing. The Clarified Orange Julius was unique, but I personally found it too sweet. (I usually have a sweet tooth!) Enjoying less sweet drinks, my friend found the Celery Gimlet excellent. His next drink- Espresso Martini- was a little watered down. Overall, it was a great experience. It's near many other restaurants and bars. Service was impeccable. The bartenders are good at their jobs, friendly, and attentive. The space is beautiful and inviting. It's a great place to catch up with friends. read more

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Adding the sub club and cool ranch onion rings to my go-to order here! The sub club is a classic turkey sub but the added parm really elevates it for me. The cool ranch onion rings are covered in seasoning and delicious. Honorable mention of the hot fish sandwich served on Fridays. So good!! read more

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Your Only Friend is a new casual sandwich and cocktails spot tucked into NW DC near the Convention center. They opened just 3-4 weeks ago, so the business is still pretty new and was reasonably crowded for a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant is split into two parts; the first half is a fast causal setup with a large window for order and 6-8 barstools for quick sitting, waiting, and eating. I imagine they're mostly serving to go orders from this window. The second half has a large U shaped bar that sits 12ish people and 4-5 four tops for sit down eating. There's beautiful open faced brick on the exterior walls with really high ceilings that make the space feel open and bright. The service was really top notch; we were greeted as soon as we walked in and escorted to the bar area. Our bartender, Morgan, took great care of us. She engaged in some light conversation, shared her favorite sandwich recs, and was very attentive - thank you! There were a lot of staff in the bar areas - I imagine they're working through various trainings and orientations. Everyone we chatted with was so welcoming. Their current food menu has 8-10 sandwich options and a few light bites such as elevated fries and seasoned chex mix. We tried the Nashville Hot sandwich and the Turkey 'Sub Club' for $16 each. Be careful with the Nashville Hot, it's tasty but was pretty high on the spice level - definitely made my nose run. The sub club turkey sandwich was solid - had a delicious mayo spread, crispy bacon, and juicy chunks of turkey. For $16, I wish the sandwiches were either a little larger or came with a small side of some sort - chips? fries? slaw? a pickle spear? The available drinks are mostly elevated cocktails starting around $16. We saw many guests getting margaritas, rum and white cokes, and espresso martinis. We got the Brooklyn Cider for $10 which were really delicious. They also service wine and a handful of other rotating beers. Fun and friendly atmosphere, beautiful decor + ambiance, top tier service, and quality bites. A nice spot that I'd be happy to return to. read more

Overall, solid place for filling sandwiches, though it is a bit pricey. I would come back to try the drinks My first experience with your only friend was when they collabed with Columbia Room (rip) during pandemic days. I remembered eating their sandwiches and thinking "this is the best sandwich I've ever had". However, I've left DC since then and Columbia Room is no more, but i was glad to see Your Only Friend opened up their own place! Since I was visiting for the weekend, I had to go back and revisit a favorite. My husband and I got spicy panes con Pavo and the chicken pep. I think both were solid sandwiches, but none were as amazing as the experience I remembered. The chicken pep was our favorite, sandwich was warm, chicken breading was still crispy, but it was just a tad too salty. I didn't expect the Spicy panes con Pavo to be a cold sandwich, but I enjoyed the flavors and the mustard. I don't know if I loved the braised turkey meat, just personally, but it was still good. Our friends got caul me maybe and RPG. Each sandwich was one of their favorites, so it sounded like they were both good. The RPG seemed to have a LOT of meat, and caul me maybe "tasted like a bahn mi" While we just ordered for takeout, service is super friendly. One weird thing is they were "out of the cacio e Pepe fries". It wasn't super busy for lunch (~12PM) on Sunday. Theres two bathrooms (one for each gender). read more

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Thrilled to finally experience the perfection that is Your Only Friend! We had the best lunch followed by a serious food coma. Exactly what I'm looking for on Saturday of a long weekend. Highly, highly recommend the caramelized shallot dip and the cacio e Pepe fries to share. I had the RPG sandwich (char siu pork, pickled daikon, spicy duck sauce, and of course the essential fussed-up Duke's mayo). Sandwiches are huge! You could share, but then you wouldn't have half to take home for later. And why would you do that to yourself? I'm going to have to slowly drink my way through the artisanal cocktail menu. My choice this visit was the celery Negroni. Oh my word! Spectacular. Love the mayo stained glass above the bar and the cheeky wallpaper in the restrooms. They have a walk up counter, table seating, and a wraparound bar, so however you prefer to dine, you're covered. We had the sweetest server, whose name I unfortunately have not retained, and we were starstruck to meet Sherra, one of the owners/geniuses behind this concept. 5* all around read more

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This is without a doubt the best sandwich shop in DC! Their menu is solid and they regularly feature limited time options as well--the Chicky Caesar Sarnie was phenomenal. You definitely get what you pay in not only creativity, but also the amount of food you get. Every sandwich I've gotten was packed with plenty of meat! I've only gotten takeout but can't wait to come back and dine-in with a cocktail or two. I love the stained glass decor! read more

The food and service at Your Only Friend truly impressed me. Every item featured excellent flavors, and presentation was very appealing. The atmosphere was lively yet, at the same time, comfortable. The staff were extremely attentive to the customers and served everything in a timely manner. read more

Why hasn't anyone thought to merge a simple Hipster Sando Shop with a bar???? I guess maybe others have smuggled a solid bodega sandwich into a Brooklyn Bar that didn't sell food, but in DC, this is innovation. I call it Hipster because the bar brings nostalgia and gastronomy to the next level. Example 1) a giant chicken nugget hot spice sandwich 2) home made Mountain Dew and booze served in a brown plastic cup like the ones you get at an Asian Food Buffet 3) An orange Julius clarified cocktail that will have your jaw hit the floor!! This space packs a lot into a little space but where they shine is the minimalist but comfortable bar, fast and efficient sandwich counter and the amazing service. Proud of their ability to go high brow and low brow, the staff are all smiles and accomodation. From the healthy greeting at the door to the bartender who helped me and my friend shift over to stop the tow truck blinking lights from blinding us, this place lives up to it's name. It's the only friend you'll need! read more

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Oh, I had no choice but to stan. I ordered the char siu pork sandwich and a couple cocktails. The clarified orange julius was a sweet little orange creamsicle summer vibe and so cool served with a gummy candy orange slice. The espresso martini was alright, but I loved that they made it with tequila. The sandwich was a 10/10. Super yummy and meaty and not too saucy or messy. It's also filling, so it might be best to share with others. I took a bite of their Nug fried chicken sandwich and it was also juicy and delicious. The ambiance is casual and relaxed. There are maybe about 15-20 bar seats and a handful of tables for 2-4. It's warmly lit with a gorgeous stain glass skylight with playful sandwich imagery on it. I wish this was closer to work or that I lived closer to it because I could easily imagine being a regular and coming here with friends after work. I absolutely recommend checking it out. read more

Your Only Friend - stain glass skylight at the center of the room - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really enjoyed the variety that your only friend has to offer. The menu is loaded with familiar favorites with slight unique twists. From cocktails to sandwiches and apps you won't be disappointed. Also, very convenient that they offer counter and seated service depending on your needs. read more

Really cute spot with a great vibe, perfect for date night or a girls night! The food was actually so good - the RPJ, which features a char siu roast pork, was PHENOMENAL. The char siu itself was soooo good, which is such a random and wonderful surprise being that this is a sandwich shop/cocktail bar, not a Chinese restaurant. Sandwiches were also huge and well portioned, so either come hungry or get one to share! Service was also great, staff were friendly and gave good recommendations. Cocktails were on the sweeter side, but that was up my alley. Would love to come back to try more things! read more

Those who know me know I don't leave bad reviews because it is unfair to the establishment. At the same time I don't give restaurants 5 stars unless I've dined there several times. So I'm breaking that rule. "Your Only Friend" took my order just after the kitchen closed and I bit into one of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever eaten. Forget all the hype between the fast food giants. This chicken sandwich is the winner hands down. Crispy, spicy, and freaking delicious. I don't care what you think you MUST try Your Only Friend. Guaranteed delight!!!!! read more

You're in the right the place when compromising on your order STILL includes 5 sandwiches. My brother and I arrived right at 11 on a Saturday to a flourishing back kitchen and welcoming staff. And, after viewing the open kitchen, we pivoted right. An open room hosting a centered, round bar is where we met our soon-to-be server and our sandwich sommelier. He answered any/all questions then advised we move to a bigger table once we decided on the order. Protip right there... Our order consisted of the following: Chicky Pep No.2, Mort & Mootz, Spicy Panes Con Pavo, The RPG and Gas Station Migos. 'Migos appears to not yet be a menu staple so that was my first vote. The remaining four were toss-ups yet curated choices. See, I'm not picky but aim for sandwich size. My brother, on the other hand, IS and aims for quality above all. Your Only Friend showcases both. Again, came to the right place. Sandwiches came out one after another in no particular order. Oh, and after the quickly prepared and promptly fried Cool Ranch Dorito'd onion rings. Meant to mention these. Much like every single sandwich were phenomenal. Review over. Really though, there's no ranking. No comparison. No YOF "favorite" here. Every sandwich from the 5(!) were standouts, worthy of all the glory and praise one could give, well, a sandwich individually. Quality coupled with satisfaction delivered bite by bite made ordering dessert a no brainer. Insert the Atlantic Beach Pie, a custard pie reminding me of a tartless Key Lime one if there ever was such a thing. Well done. While I don't plan on ordering 5 sandwiches my next visit, I DO plan on returning for cocktails and wings. Oh, and their absinthe pie! Pretty sure it won't have me hallucinating on how great it is either... read more

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Your only friend has some of the most unique snacks and drinks I've ever tried!! Our favorites were the cool ranch onion rings, the miso Chex mix, the clarified orange Julius, and the Midori Ecto-Cooler. My friend also loved the inception old fashioned. The only miss was the pimento cheese dip, which we found bland. I can't wait to come back and actually try the sandwiches! read more

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I've visited this spot a few times whenever I'm in the area for work and it NEVER misses!! I've eaten in as well as carried out. On this visit, I dined in at their bar in the back, but you can also order takeout in the front window. The Chicky Pep No. 2 has to be my absolute favorite!! I love that they use Duke's mayo and the sauce and chicken were SO delicious. Just be aware of the long hots they use! I've also tried their espresso martini which was with tequila instead of vodka so it wasn't my favorite, but their other drinks looked super interesting and I'd love to try on my next visit! Overall, love this little tucked away spot and can't wait to return. read more

Your Only Friend - Chicky Pep No 2 - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Treat yourself! I will admit that $18 for a sandwich is a bit sweet, but at You're Only Friend, it is totally worth it. The Hot Nut was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. So hot, but so good and I'll definitely be going back to try another one. read more

This spot has an unusual setup, somewhere between a bar and a takeout joint, but they've made smart use of the limited space. The bar area, in particular, has a relaxed, inviting vibe that works fine for grabbing a casual drink. The menu is tough to navigate. It's cluttered with overly clever names and quirky descriptions, which makes it harder than it should be to figure out what the heck you're actually ordering. The offerings are creative though and seem to rotate regularly, with a focus on specialty sandwiches and bar snacks, including some veggie options. I was really wanting some kind of Italian cold cut sandwich, but of all the options, oddly that wasn't one. I went with the Spicy Panes con Pavo, a Salvadorean sandwich which sounded promising on paper. Despite a long list of toppings and a supposed kick of heat, the sandwich was nearly flavorless and had a mushy texture--like someone's choking, dry, cold chicken salad kitchen experiment gone awry. The fries were decent, though a bit more dressed up than they needed to be. As with most places these days, prices are a little steep compared to the recent past, but about in line with what you'd expect from fast-casual spots. May give one of the other sandwiches a try. read more

This is my favorite place in my neighborhood! The staff is so kind, the food is creative and delicious, and the sandwich-themed decor is fun and unique. I really liked the Spicy Panes con Pavo and the Hot Nug. I was hesitant to order the Hot Nug because it seemed a little basic, but I'm glad I did because it is such a top-notch example of a hot chicken sandwich. Now I have trouble branching out, because I crave that sandwich in particular. I like the cocktails as well, but this place is a little expensive (justifiably so), so I don't order them often. The clarified cocktails just don't absolutely knock my socks off, so I usually opt to go without. read more

The woman who took my order at the counter was the sweetest person and so warm and welcoming! The sandwich was fantastic - fresh bread, and above all great, flavorful fillings with varied textures and just a 10/10 sandwich experience. The only thing I think would have been better for me is more variety in bread - when I went, pretty much everything was served on a soft roll, which was good, but their sandwiches draw from a lot of different cuisines and it could be cool to see more variety! (Fine, I just love ciabatta.) There's plenty of seating and a nice waiting area if you're ordering take out like me. I'm always on the hunt for a good sandwich and I'm so glad to have stopped by! I'll be back to try the RPG and more of their rotating sandwich specials for sure. read more

The sandwiches are really big and so yummy. I would definitely recommend. Get the big chicken nug one. Service was great and the stained glass was beautiful. read more

Tried YOF for the first time on a Wednesday night for dinner and cocktails. Walked in around 5:15 and there were a few small tables up for grabs along with some seats at the bar. Bartenders doubled as servers and were all extremely friendly and attentive. It's a cute cozy space that has a nice ambiance despite being small. Had the seasonal chicken Caesar salad sandwich and the RPG pork sandwich--both were delicious. Our favorite snack of the night, though, was the Cool Ranch onion ring appetizer. Partner ordered the Dole Whip cocktail--a little sweet but not bad. read more

Amazing, amazing sandwiches- I love the chicky pep no. 2. They are large, delicious, and truly worth the cost. Be careful with the cacio e pepe fries because you're not going to want to share those! I wasn't a big fan of the cocktails. I like my drinks a little more traditional, but definitely worth a try. The location is great, very chill vibes inside, and friendly service. read more

I am so thrilled that this place finally opened. From the team that curated the Columbia Room for years, and created this concept to keep the business afloat during the pandemic, Your Only Friend is the perfect combination of creative cuisine and comfort favorites. Perfect for both takeout and sit down. Paul is a sandwich master, spinning fast food faves into elevated experiences and creating new totally craveable favorites. Sherra is a cocktail and service queen. The cocktail program is also exceptional, also leaning hard into nostalgia while also delivering on a cohesive and delicious craft cocktail program. But make sure that you look up! You can't miss the Duke's Mayo Sistine Chapel. It really ties the room together. read more

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it is a little bit different with what I thought. It is more like a bar than a restaurant. The area is divided into two parts. The inside one is a bar. We had Sub Club and The RPG sandwich. The RPG tastes like Chashao in Hong Kong restaurant. read more

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if was going on a first date and the person suggested here, I'd know we had aligning core values - please, this place is legit so cute, the bathroom wallpaper is pop mayo jar art - when you walk in there is a takeout window giving classic deli, but to the right is the dining room with a big center bar surrounded by various seating options - this menu is exactly what I desire in a bar. It's the perfect size. just a few options for a shared plates, a few sandwiches, and a few cocktails. the menu names are hilarious (Jo Jo sea wings?!) and very trendy without a sacrifice to quality. - on game days (which at this point is the majority of the week) they have wings, so I went with the garlic parm and oh my crisp!! I don't understand how the outside skin can be so crispy without the rest of the chicken damaged. also wow that blue cheese dip is CHUNKY and unlike any other I've had - my friend got the hot nug sandwich and reportedly it packed a PUNCH. I had my eyes on the cool ranch onion rings but ummm sold out somehow at noon?!? caciao pepe fries were very crisped up as well, not the strongest flavor which I wanted from those onion rings. read more

Your Only Friend - Hot Nug sandwich, garlic parm wings, fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazing spot with some of the most creative sandwiches I've ever seen! A must if you are in the area. read more

Your Only Friend - The RPG. Amazing!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Excellent food, drinks and service! Highly recommend if you are in the convention center area!

Yes I was heavily influenced by social media:)) The restaurant is surprisingly spacious with an outside fast-casual setup where you can grab and go and a gorgeous bar area inside. You've probably seen the famous Duke's mayo ceiling all over Instagram and it's honestly even cuter in person. Make sure to see the wallpaper in the restrooms as well! I came on a weekday lunchtime so the restaurant was not too busy and I was able to grab a table by the window and have lunch in the sun. Service was absolutely top-notch both at the cashier and at the bar. The bartender was so helpful in explaining the menu and helping guests make decisions while checking on them and refilling water frequently. I got the cacio e pepe fries as an appetizer. The cacio e pepe seasoning was amazing - very pronounced cheesy, peppery flavor. I was not expecting waffle fries because the pictures I saw online had regular fries, but it worked. Although the combo of waffle fries and a sweet and spicy barbeque-y dipping sauce kind of reminded me of Chick-fil-A, in a good way!! For sandwich, I got the Spicy Panes con Pavo and it was absolutely divine. The portion size was not bad at all and the filling was almost falling off. The braised turkey was served cold and went surprisingly well with chili oil (a lot like a Sichuan mouth-watering chicken). I kept forgetting it was turkey because the meat was really tender and not gamey at all. It was a saucy sandwich (not an ideal first-date meal as they say) but I surprisingly didn't find it overwhelming - the creaminess of the mayo and tang from the mustard complemented the spicy turkey well. Overall it was such an enjoyable dining experience and interesting concept - a sandwich shop with drinks and fun bar bites/a bar with actually delicious and filling food options. I definitely see myself coming back! read more

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In a place where it is hard to find anything to eat, this place was music. So clean, so comfortable and the selection very intriguing. The food so good. I ordered the pie, beach pie! So awesome. The Dope Beetz, YUM! I am so sorry that I didn't order the Cacio e Pepe Fries that I going back tomorrow. The staff total pro's, friendly and good gracious fast. read more

Your Only Friend - Dope Beetz... enjoyed. - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Average sandwich...all hype. Won't come back. I could t eat the sweet pork sandwich, greasy and gross, it was like candied pork that didn't taste good on a bun, didn't appeal to me. Cocktail was ok, service ok. Came at lunch excited to try this place but was disappointed with food. read more

Your Only Friend is quickly going to be a happening spot here in D.C. If you love sandwiches, then the only thing better is adding a cocktail to accompany it. I ventured here recently and devoured the Mort & Mootz with a Clean Dirty Martini on the side. They were both incredible. An eclectic bar ambiance, there are touches of old time, neighborhood watering hole decorations that make me feel nostalgic for my Midwestern childhood. The staff is kind and attentive. I can't wait to be back. read more

Your Only Friend - Mort & Mootz, Clean Dirty Martini - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Sure, I knew it was going to be Shaw prices ($16/craft cocktails and $16/sammies), BUT: YOF truly has some great cocktails: YOF's tequila-based espresso martini is one of the best I've had. YOF's club sammie--a great sammie to measure any shop--is strangely, one of the best I've had. That's two best-I've-ever-hads. read more

Excellent sandwiches!! Service at the bar was great. Nice cold beer! Didn't try the onion rings but they looked amazing.

Absolutely bomb sandwich. I ordered togo through their website, and it was a super fast process, with my food ready exactly when they said it would be. Overall great experience ordering. I got the Chicky Pep No. 2, and it was fantastic. The chicken was seasoned perfectly (if maybe a tad bit undersalted), with a great crispy coating. I'm still not 100% sure what the green stuff on top was (maybe peppers??), but it added a ton of texture and flavor. The bread somehow held up perfectly even with all the sauce that they added, and the dust stuff they added really packed a strong strong flavorful punch. Would 100% be back to try some of the other sandwich options! read more

Your Only Friend - Chicky Pep No 2 - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was unbelievable. The people working there were really nice and helpful. And the ambience is nothing really to look at, but I love little holes in the wall like this. read more

Great sandwiches! It's obvious why this place is so popular with locals. Sandwiches are quirky but delicious..

Great little joint, a sandwich window connected to a bar. Take out or small seated area. We had a spicy little Italian chicken sando and a slice of chocy chess pie. read more

I want to preface that the service/staff was exceptional, and vibe is super fun! My review is mostly towards the food and price. The hot nug sandwich was incredibly bland and dry, and the "dorito powder" onion rings were almost inedible with such a strange, potent aftertaste. They do not have any sort of happy hour either FYI. All in all, it is pretty expensive for a casual sandwich meal plus a drink. With $10 sides and $16+ sandwiches, I was expecting something better. Maybe I'll have to try another sandwich sometime. read more

Your Only Friend - Hot nug sandwich and onion rings - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I came here over a year ago and it was that fire back then! So I recently had to work at the convention center.. so I said lemme check to see if this place is still putting out the dope.. and yeah lol If anything the sandwiches are veg better and they opened a bar next door attached so yeah... that's one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Creativity up there and the lady helping was really helpful. PLUS THEY HAD A LIFE SIZE CUTOUT OF BABY BILLY FROM "THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES" LMFAO!!! Pull up and be impressed and follow me on IG: EATFATBOY TIKTOK:PROMOJIMMY AND RECENTLY ADDED YOUTUBE: FOLLOWTHEFATBOY read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Such a fun atmosphere and a really cool vibe. The staff is SO friendly and attentive. The cocktails were amazing. The food -- OMG. Best fried chicken sandwich in D.C. hands down. The cacio e pepe fries literally tasted like cacio e pepe? They were unreal. I can't remember what my friends ordered, but everything was delicious. If you are looking for a very relaxing dinner, though, this isn't your spot. It's tough to get a table/spot at the bar because it's so packed, but it's so worth it and a really fun time! read more

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