The "G" Man is an Italian sub, piled with ham, salami, mortadella, pepperoni, provolone, fontina and hot peppers: demonstrating historical or cultural significance, composed of local ingredients, and supportive of local independent businesses. The legend of the sandwich, according to the Washington Post, goes something like this: "Two FBI agents en route to a Redskins game in the 1970s stop into the mom-and-pops shop on Pennsylvania Avenue SE and demand that owner Antonio Mangialardo whip up something special. This heap of meaty deliciousness is what they get. Word later spreads throughout the Justice Department about the tantalizing creation and soon the tiny deli is crawling with feds requesting that G-man sub."
The bread is locally made: hard rolls baked in the District by Catania Bakery; soft rolls come from H&S Bakery in neighboring Baltimore. And the still popular subs keep the family-owned deli rolling along into its 60th year in business. In addition to Capitol Hill residents and federal office workers, patrons include a large number of police officers, firefighters, garbage workers, mail carriers and other flavors of blue-collar Washington. Keith frequents this sub shop quite often, on days when he works from home. He's also tried the hot Meatball sub, and prefers the classic "G" Man ($6.50) above all. You can also order a "Big G" for $8, which is twice the meat. I don't care for mortadella, the Italian bologna, so I get my sub without. Overall, the subs are large, fresh, and offered at a great price but the shop is cash-only, takeaway, and open on Mondays-Friday from 7:30am to 3pm.
Total Rating: 4.35
Food: 4.5, Price: 5, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 3.5
What I ate:
"G" Man
ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, fontina
lettuce, tomato, oil & vinegar on a soft roll
♥"G" Man♥
ham, salami, mortadella, pepperoni, provolone, fontina
hot peppers, lettuce, tomato, mayo, oil & vinegar on a hard roll
Meatball Sub
with marinara sauce on a hard roll
