For the Pack of Hungry Kids
Earl’s Sandwiches 2605 Wilson Blvd., 703-248-0150 (Clarendon); 4215 Fairfax Drive, 703-647-9191 (Ballston), Arlington; www.earlsinarlington.com
Earl’s Pork and Fries sandwich. Photo by Liam Sullivan
I’m taking the first bite of my Earl’s Club—a winning combo of roasted white and dark meat turkey, cranberry relish, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on sourdough toast—when Falls Church resident Angelina Lopez walks into the eatery and inquires about ordering some sandwiches for a high school graduation party.
“My son, Gabriel Lundquist, considers himself a sandwich connoisseur,” she explains, noting that her son’s favorite is the Pork and Fries (roasted pork loin on ciabatta with chipotle mayo, roasted peppers, pickles, onions and—you guessed it—french fries). She orders a couple of those, plus six Turkey Cranberry, six medium-rare Roast Beef and Barbecue Sauce on sesame rolls, seven Roasted Earls (pork loin, red peppers, roasted-garlic mayo) and some side salads, amassing a quick and delicious buffet for a party of 18 on her family’s new deck. The whole transaction is completed within 10 minutes.
“We will be [in downtown D.C.] and this will have already been delivered, ready to go when we get back,” Lopez says. Pro-tip: Bagged lunches (which include your chosen sandwich, plus potato, pasta or fruit salad and a chocolate chip cookie or brownie for $12.99 per person) can be ordered through the catering department and make for a headache-free kid’s birthday party.