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The good folks at GOOD asked Young & Hungry to nominate one sandwich that best represents D.C. for the magazine’s forthcoming map of the best creations on bread, state by state. Y&H put the question to readers. You guys overwhelmingly endorsed the “G-man” (pictured) at Mangialardo and Sons on Capitol Hill. A solid nomination. This souped-up Italian sub, piled with ham, salami, mortadella, pepperoni, provolone, fontina and hot peppers, meets all the criteria: demonstrating historical or cultural significance, composed of local ingredients, and supportive of local independent businesses.
How’s this for historically and culturally significant? The sub is sort of emblematic of how federal Washington dictates the way local D.C. does business. The legend of the sandwich, according to WaPo, 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 58th year in business.
Check out the nationwide results here.
Photos by Chris Shott