The Sandwich: Roasted Eggplant Pita

Where: Little Sesame, 1828 L St. NW

Price: $9

Bread: Pita

Stuffings: Roasted eggplant, green schug, tahini, pickled red cabbage

Thickness: 2 inches

Pros: Any vegetable lover will come back for seconds of this simple but flavorful sandwich. Eggplant is the predominant taste, accented by the combination of two sauces—creamy tahini and schug (or zhug). For the uninitiated, schug is an herbaceous, earthy, and fiery condiment popular in Yemeni cuisine. Connoisseurs of Middle Eastern food know that all pickled cabbages are not created equal, but Little Sesame’s delivers just the right amount of acidity.

Cons: While some vegetarian sandwiches aim to mimic the salty, fatty taste of meat, this one is all about flora, which might disappoint some carnivores. It’s not the most beautiful sandwich out there, but who really cares about getting likes on social media when what you’re eating tastes this good?

Sloppiness level (1 to 5): 3. Most pita sandwiches are messy because the pocket inevitably rips while you eat it. Your hands will likely get doused in sauce, but the flavor justifies the mess.

Overall score (1 to 5): 5. The combination of vegetables and herbs is harmonious and the size is just right, leaving you sated, not stuffed. Leave the dull desk salads behind and seek out this sandwich instead.