Mini-sandwiches headline this ghost-kitchen-powered pop-up
If you like tiny food, this might be your sandwich shop: Itty Bitty Sandwich City, debuting December 16. The takeout-only pop-up is a new venture run as a ghost kitchen, introduced by the owners of the Imperial, who also own Jack Rose Dining Saloon. A new menu of 12 slider–sized sandwiches, imagined and created by Executive Sous Chef Chris Reynolds, delivers a playful and nostalgic aura to the Adams Morgan-based ghost kitchen.
A virtual menu of tiny
Itty Bitty Sandwich City offers its mini-sandwiches in 3, 6 and 12 portion size per box. Expect to see a Filet O-Fish-inspired cod, IPA battered, as well as a crispy, onion-straw-topped sloppy joe. There’s also a chili maple-drizzled fried chicken on herb waffles, and vegetarian Buffalo’d cauliflower po’boy.
For upscaled tastes, the virtual pop-up offers four-bite Beef Wellington pockets, and mini Connecticut-style Lobster Rolls.
Diners can complete their Itty Bitty Sandwich City meal with house-cut fries, which come in regular size for $5 or large for $8; or the mac n’ cheese with parmesan & gruyere mornay and herb breadcrumbs; the 8-ounce is available for $5 and the 16-ounce can be had for $10.
For dessert, try the trio of housemade pie bites featuring dark chocolate mousse, a brown butter apple tart, and peppermint cheesecake. Six bites run $6 and the 12-bite order is priced at $12.
“The inspiration for this pop-up actually came about more than 17 years ago, in 2003, from a special menu we offered at our original concept Bourbon in Glover Park,” says co-owner Steve King. “We created a mini-sandwich promo which focused on fun, comfort, and nostalgia; taking our favorite, classic sandwiches we grew up with, creatively made for the current time. With everything happening in the world at the moment, we think this is perfectly needed right now—little bites of fun and comfort.”
Not so itty bitty cocktails
Management seeks to provide affordability, and this can be seen in the 12-ounce, $12 bottled cocktails to go. When sharing each drink serving is only $6, notes an announcement. Cocktail Director Andy Bixby is behind the libations.
Here are the $12 drinks, as well as the $30, 33-ounce family-style cocktails:
- The Imperial’s beloved Spanish-style G&T – a simply “Good Ol’Fashioned,” a carbonated low-ABV and fortified wine-based “Sham-Wowsco!”
- holiday-inspired “MuleTide Grog”
- Spiked Cider – whiskey, Maryland cider, star anise, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg ($30 for 33 ounces)
- Winter Punch – rum, wintry mix amaro, sherry, spiced cranberry, black tea, lemon ($30 for 33 ounces)
Imbibers will also have a choice of 6-packs of canned beer or cider, and $25 wine bottles.
Itty Bitty Sandwich City’s website at ittybittysandwichcity dot com on or after December 13, which is when it will go live. The menu is here.
Ordering: For pickup orders, order online through the website or via Tock. DoorDash and Caviar will also handle pickup, as well as delivery (4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m).
Itty Bitty Sandwich City at The Imperial, 18th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009
Photo credit: The Imperial (featured preview, inline images)
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