Carl’s Foods

One day I said to Carl «Do you offer catering?» He smiled and said no, that he was busy enough. Busy enough to pay his bills for 30 years from making just one thing– subs– 6 days a week until just before 5pm each day. He said «Do you know why this business is so successful? Because I know how to stay in my lane.»
Classic wisdom from Carl.
I almost didn’t go in to this place because I thought it looked shady. The word «SUBBS» is written in big letters on the window. I thought «What kind of place misspells the name of their only dish?» Well, just stop all that thinking and put one of those sandwiches in your mouth. Makes you wanna spell subbs that way from that day forward. Stay in your lane Carl. It’s working.

Free Sandwich-​Yes that’s right. Carl gave me a free sandwich on the house after I told him I that I recently encountered a house fire. Not only was it a humbling experience was the sandwich was fresh and delicious. Great location and off street parking is plentiful. What a great way to treat your customers!!!

Great sandwiches. The number one is my favorite. Cash only, and sometimes there is a line but you can call ahead and pick up. Closes after lunch.

Got the number 7 with hot peppers. Amazing! Fast service too. Definitely will be going back. I did make sure to check previous reviews, having cash is a must.

Mess around and get a #20 with everything if you want to! You will fall into a fit of orgasmic food euphoria. This is definitely a DC hidden gem. Carl is awesome, funny dude. Food is fresh and the portions are generous.

It can be 10 degrees outside and this place still will have a line of people wanting a cold sub. Need I say more. Love this place. Carl the owner is a down to earth guy. 5 stars

First time working from home in the new house and decided that I wanted a great Sub. I found this place on Unilocal!Being from NY, I love a great sub/wedge/hoagie…whatever you like to call it.
This place rocks and you will feel good about supporting a local business. Little bit of a whole in the wall. Super friendly staff… everyone took the time to say hello to me and asked me how I was doing. Very fast service. About 6 people ahead of me and I wanted less than 10 minutes — maybe 5 minutes.
I got the number one. Fresh meats overstuffed in a soft roll with hots. I saw a staffer cutting everything fresh towards the back.
Make sure you have cash — CASH ONLY!

This is it. Best Italian cold cut subs south of Boston. Great service, fresh over-​stuffed delicious combos. No need to go to the Italian store in VA, your authentic sandwich is right her in DC

Delicious, fresh subs in a friendly shop. I had the #1 and my boyfriend had the #9, both super happy with our choices. Take note: no seating and cash only, but the National Arboretum is close by and a perfect spot to enjoy your sandwich in the shade.

I’ve been going to Carl’s for the past 15 years. During this time I have consistently received great food and great service. The monsterous subs are nothing short of superb. While he offers about 20 varities of subs, he also encourages you to build your own. When I asked for a sub that wasn’t on the menu, Carl’s reply was «Of course, I work for you.» With that type of service I hope to support Carl’s for another 15 years.

Best Dang subs this side of The Pecos. I don’t even know where The Pecos is but I know where Carl’s Food is and that’s all that matters. This simply is what a sandwich shop is suppose to be; uncomplicated, real named sandwiches – Roast Beef, for instance. Not, Roasted Top Round with Peruvian sun-​dried parsnips with infusion of leek leave mustard. Okay I don’t know if that sandwich actually exist somewhere in the world but if it did it would be soundly punked by one of Carl’s Real and Super loaded sandwiches. These subs are so heavy you won’t feel guilty about missing the gym because u can just do a couple of curls with one of these sandwiches. So keep your fancy named sandwiches… I’m going to Carl’s.

I am a hoagie sandwich affectionado and have found Mecca in NE DC. Carl the owner is one of the most opinionated men I believe I’ve ever met but his opinions are all about his business. The price on all of the more than ten sandwich varieties l have personally devoured are more than fair and just cant be beat. The rolls are extremely fresh and properly dressed for the road. If you go light on the oil the bread is still delicious even the next day. Ample street parking and easy to get in and out of the neighborhood. There is a renaissance taking place in NE DC and Carl’s in the thick of things.

Great subs. Very fresh ingredients, soft bread, and generous portions. I just wish they had a whole wheat roll option.

The best coldcut subs EVER! This place beats Jimmy Johns/​Subway/​Mr Goodcents/​Any sandwich place you’ve ever been to.

Cheap cold subs that’re fat. Really fat. The most expensive is 6.99, which is a steal. They can also make it how you like.

Fellow Unilocalers Lena W., Wesley Z., and LaToya P. have said it all.
Carl’s Subs is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
There are about 20 sub types to choose from, or you can make your own. The prices range from $ 4.20 to $ 6.99 (without tax).
Tell me where else can you get a great fresh, large sub sandwich for that little money in the DMV?
I double dog dare you to.
This place is a gift.
Carl’s was Potbelly’s before Potbelly’s ever existed. And Subway? Can’t hold a candle to this place.
The bags of chips are two for a dollar – UNHEARD OF in the other highfalutin parts of DC. Plus, lots of cold drinks to choose from when you are on the fly.
Carl, you just keep on keepin’ on.
Man, I hope the word doesn’t get out and the prices go up…

This place is a hole in the wall, but don’t let the appearance fool you! The subs are sensational! The give you a ton quality meat and cheese in each sub, and the bread is soft and fresh! The prices are very affordable. Hard to get lunch in the city for $ 6+ bucks! Carl’s is my new Go-​To sub shop! Cash only and the hours are limited.

Please,
This place has been open for years!!! I love Mr. Carl; he is such an institution. His sandwiches are seriously amazing. A #9 with hot peppers is my go to sandwich.
My dad took me to Carl’s when I was young, over 15 years ago. Still rockin’ 5* well deserved.

Man, listen…
We’ve been on the hunt for GOOD sub shops for a long, long time. Carl’s is IT.
The prices are crazy affordable and the portions are out of this world.
Fresh deli slices, crisp toppings, soft rolls.

The ONLY reason this place isn’t getting 5 stars is because they only accept cash and they only operate 9am-4:50pm Monday — Saturday.
The subs at Carl’s are fresh and filling. There’s a good variety of subs to choose from (my favorite is the #1 WITH HOTS), so no matter what you’re craving, there’s sure to be a sub to meet your needs. The prices are incredibly reasonable — most subs are only about $ 6.35, which is almost unheard of, considering what you’re getting. It’s about an 10 inch sub filled with fresh meats, cheeses, fixings and some love somewhere in there.
What I like most is that it’s a place that you can tell focuses on the product more than anything else. There’s no website to peruse before you come down here, and there’s no twitter, facebook or other online presence. You’ll probably only hear about it through word of mouth, but whatever you hear will let you know you need to get down to Carl’s FAST! I admit it’s a hole in the wall. I had to look it up on Google stree view to see exactly where it was located, but once I did that, I found it without a problem. Inside it’s not bright and shiny like some newer sandwich shops, but it’s not a place that’s violating health codes, either. But really, who cares? You’re here for the food!
The staff are always friendly, but not overbearing. When you walk in, you’re acknowledged and engaged in a carefree way. Even if it’s your first visit, you’re treated like a regular, which I appreciate. It reminds me of how it might feel if your favorite uncle had a sub shop.