The Sandwich: The Muffuletta
Where: Three Little Pigs Charcuterie & Salumi, 5111 Georgia Ave. NW
Price: $12
Bread: Ciabatta bun
Stuffings: Mortadella, capicola, soppressata, olive salad, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise
Thickness: 3 inches
Pros: TLP cures its own meat, and the layers of freshly sliced cold cuts are rich and salty without the oily sheen associated with the prepackaged variety. The ciabatta bun appears caked with flour, but the crunchy crust and fluffy insides taste buttery, not bland, and absorb the tangy, housemade olive salad.
Cons: Purists might not call this a true muffuletta because the bread doesn’t contain sesame seeds, and it substitutes capicola for ham and omits mozzarella and provolone, but flavor-wise, this sandwich has no negatives. I only wish it were larger so I could eat more of it.
Sloppiness level (1 to 5): 1. The bread contains the olive spread and mayonnaise so well that the sandwich can travel from store to home without anything leaving its place.
Overall score (1 to 5): 5. Equal parts sour, spicy, and salty, this sandwich scores by layering fresh ingredients on top of a perfect bun. If you’re looking for flavors reminiscent of New Orleans and Sicily, you can find them in Brightwood Park.
Photo by Caroline Jones