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The Sandwich: Pulled Pork Sammy
Where: Walter’s, 3632 Georgia Ave. NW
Price: $9
Bread: Toasted sandwich roll
Stuffings: Pulled pork, tomato, red onion, garlic aioli
Thickness: 4 inches
Pros: Despite this Park View bar’s tiny kitchen—which precludes a huge variety of food offerings—this simple sandwich is executed quite well. The roll, which looks bland, comes out buttery and crisp, and the garlic aioli has a pleasant saltiness. With the pork piled at least two inches high on the bun, this sandwich won’t leave you hungry.
Cons: Because it’s kept warm for hours before it’s served, the pork tends to have a slightly squishy, mushy texture. The sandwich also lacks any sort of sour or sweet element that might break up its aggressive porkiness. (The onion and tomato fail at this.) Things improve when you add a healthy dose of yellow mustard, conveniently located on every table, to the bun.
Sloppiness level (1 to 5): 2. The toasted roll is enough to contain the messy meat mass that rests on top of it. A bit of juice and aioli might drip onto the plate, but since it’s not covered in sauce, this is surely one of the neatest pulled pork sandwiches you’ll ever eat.
Overall score (1 to 5): 3.5. If you’re looking for a carb-heavy sandwich to pair with your beers while watching the Nats stumble across the field, this is a decent option. However, the spongy meat and lack of contrasting flavors makes for a slightly boring eat. Bring on the acidity.
Photo by Caroline Jones