SUNdeVICH

SUNdeVICH

A couple years ago Zeke Anders shot some of his KAD Diaries project at the Longview Gallery in Washington D.C. It was a full day of photography and videoed small group sessions of Korean adoptees discussing questions germane to their experience. For example, questions about growing up in predominantly white households and communities, the decision to conduct birth searches (or not), women’s experiences with exoticism or “yellow fever,” and navigating racial and ethnic assumptions and expectations. A lot of folks who participated hung around throughout the day, catching up with friends or meeting new ones. Inevitably there was a need for some good eats.

La Colombe Coffee Roasters is just an alleyway away. So the coffee cravings were satisfied. But, after hanging out for a few hours, more than coffee was necessary.

Enter: SUNdeVICH. Located in another alleyway less than a block from Longview Gallery, SUNdeVICH offers a variety of sandwiches on French style demi-baguettes. In other words, some good ass bread.

Outside SUNdeVICH in Shaw neighborhood Washington DC

The sandwiches are themed after a dozen or so international destinations. There’s the Kingston – jerk chicken, pineapple salsa, greens, spicy slaw, garlic mayo; Cairo – hummus, cucumber, brined vegetables, walnuts, fresh herbs; and Memphis -bbq chicken, sharp cheddar, iceberg, pickles, onion, mayo.

There are also breakfast sandwiches (served all day!) which I sadly have not tried but sound delicious. A couple of those are the Mexico City – ham, eggs, avocado, tomato, chipotle butter; and Oslo – smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onion, tomato. I’d definitely get the Oslo if I were to ever venture onto the breakfast side of things. I should also mention that you can add a fried egg to any sandwich, which means you can breakfast up the entire menu!

In addition to stellar sandwiches, SUNdeVICH also has an assortment of sides: hummus, brined veggies, lentil salad, tzatziki, Russian salad, eggplant dip, and potato salad, to name a few. I can personally attest to the deliciousness of the tzatziki and the potato salad.

On my original encounter with SUNdeVICH someone graciously shared their Capri – fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato, pesto, balsamic reduction – which was out of this world. Shortly thereafter I had to return to grab a sandwich for my bf. Since then, every so often I swing by SUNdeVICH and grab a couple to go (which I why I’ve never had one of the breakfast sandwiches).

On this occasion, I got the Buenos Aires – steak, sautéed onions, chimichurri – and the Seoul (one of my favorites) – bulgogi beef, kimchi, asian slaw, greens, garlic mayo.

Two sandwiches from SUNdeVICH in Shaw neighborhood Washington DC

Now I’ll be honest, I hate how everyone thinks they can do bulgogi or kimchi. Like I get that Korean food is becoming “trendy” but not everything is for everyone to try to do. But, SUNdeVICH gets it right. The Seoul sandwich is super flavorful. You get the sweetness of the bulgogi and the sharp tang of the kimchi plus the mildness of the asian slaw and the creaminess of the garlic mayo. When those flavors combine – perfection! 

Seoul sandwich from SUNdeVICH in Shaw neighborhood Washington DC

For a double dose of honesty, I’ll say that the Buenos Aires was not that flavorful. In fact, it was almost bland. It needed a little bit more, maybe even a splash of spiciness. Since it was my first time trying it, I won’t go too hard on the lackluster Buenos Aires. Plus, everything else I’ve ever had from SUNdeVICH has been on point.

Buenos Aires sandwich from SUNdeVICH in Shaw neighborhood Washington DC

If you’re in the area, or even if you aren’t, you should check out SUNdeVICH. There are locations in Georgetown and Park View as well as the Shaw location where I frequent. Eat in or make this your go-to to-go spot.

 

Multiple locations, but I went to:
SUNdeVICH SHAW
1314 9th St NW
[Alley between N & O St]
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 319-1086