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We looked at pictures of the menu on Yelp and thought the options looked good. Turns out that is an old menu from previous owners. The menu is limited. Either a beef or pork sandwich and about a dozen Asian dishes. We opted for the sandwiches in both beef and pork. We were pleasantly surprised. They were good sized sandwiches and had great flavor. Service was great. Price was likely okay for this area.
This is a cute little café that doubles as a small convenience store. The café serves coffees, and sandwiches. They used to serve breakfast but has discontinued that for now. There is a small private parking lot in front of the café, but most of them are reserved for businesses in the strip mall that the café is co-located. They have coolers full of drinks, chips and random items such as bleach, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry shop, and paper cups. The place also looks like it is a pick-up spot for dry cleaning. Talk about your one-stop shopping. They have bar seating along the wall, in the front of the store and a few tables and chairs on the opposite side. The seating is very limited. There is music playing throughout the café. They had some Stevie Wonder playing while I was there. They have a wide selection of sandwiches. I was in an exotic mood, so I decided to go with the Thanksgiving Morning Sandwich. It is a one-person operation, so it took a little time for me to get my food. I would say about 15 minutes. The woman working there was extremely friendly though. I got a drink from the cooler and a bag of chips to go with my sandwich. The sandwich looked small at first glance, but was filling, fresh and delicious. It was packed with flavor. I really liked it. This little hole-in-the-wall café that you will find in a little duck-off, has some awesome food and top-notch service. I really enjoyed my meal here. I highly recommend checking this place out.
I've tried the Chinese pork burger 肉夹馍 and the box lunch 盒饭 and they are both excellent! I especially loved the box lunch, you get to sample a lot of different authentic Chinese food for only $12.99! I'm definitely goin back for more. The service is wonderful, the owners are very friendly! And the ambiance is very relaxing:) try them out!
Incredible cute little cafe! Smell of delicious food hit as soon as I walked in. They have a variety of different snacks and a beverage fridge. I got the #6 and it was delicious, wish I got 2 sandwiches. Will definitely be back.
I have no doubt in my mind why Paramount Cafe has 245 reviews and 5 solid stars. Well, there's several reasons. 1. The owner is one of the most welcoming, caring, and sweet individuals you'll ever meet. 2. The food is fresh and made with love. 3. It's pretty darn convenient. Especially if you live in the Paramount Apartments that sit atop the Paramount cafe. Or even if you're passing by in Pentagon City. They have a few dedicated parking spaces out front for the store, and it was a quick easy delicious meal. From the very moment I walked through the door, the owner of the cafe was treating me like family. "Hey there, how are you doing? What can I do for you? Are you here to have a sandwich?" I have to assume that her sandwiches are what's really bringing in people from far and wide. Sure there's a drink fridge with a variety of different bottles and canned beverages. Sure there's a mish mosh of common household goods like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, canned goods etc. I'd be willing to bet that her biggest revenue stream is from these loaded hearty sandwiches. They're just about 12-15 on the menu. She also does gyro sandwiches too. And right behind the counter there is a little conveyor belt oven that she uses to whip up a pretty darn tasty sandwich. She's an honest business owner (completely fine with me), the competition from the Whole Foods that opened a year ago down the street has definitely taken a big bite out of her business. But if you trust me at all, and I know there's a few of you out there that do, the sandwich that I got at Paramount Cafe stands on a different level than the super giant down the street. It's truly made with love. Is the bacon cooked perfectly? No. Is the bread artisan? No. Is the turkey handcarved fresh right there? No. I can't exactly tell you why, but like I said, trust me; it does. I ended up getting the Roasted Turkey BLT. She first roasts the turkey meat and puts it on a very sizable piece of marble rye. Second she makes sure I want the default horseradish sauce as the base. I opt for mayo, but get horseradish on the side. She then hand cuts avocado, piles on lettuce tomato and bacon, and throws it in a panini press. The result is a SOLID sandwich that I'd be happy to serve in my home. She tells me I can pay later and not to worry, just enjoy my sandwich and relax. She then comes to check-in JUST at the perfect time to make sure that everything is too my liking. "Do I need any more horseradish sauce?" I tried it, its delicious, but "No, I'm good for now." It just goes to show that Customer Service can be everything. From start to finish I felt cared for, cared about, and taken care of. Just an absolutely pleasant experience. Food gets a 4 stars. Customer Service gets 10 stars. Overall: 5 stars.
Nearly hidden on the ground floor and Bank of America side of the Paramount Apartment building is a true gem of a mom and pop convenience store. (More of the latter than a Cafe - but it serves dutifully as both.) As you walk in through a narrow seating area near the front door, your senses likely will be stimulated by the appealing aroma of fresh Expresso being brewed or the wafting, toasty notes of a grilled panini sandwich. Operated by a family - not a corporation - this small den of delights, aka snacks, notions, drinks, and sundries, is a repository for all the little things you might have forgotten at the big grocery store (or on your vacation trip). From popcorn and chips to ice cream and candy bars, seltzer to soap, and single serve headache remedies to Ben and Jerry's ice cream, this small store seems to stock a little bit of everything. Freshly made delicious sandwiches, beer, wine, and soft drinks fill the bill for folks in the apartment complex above the store and those in the hotel right around the corner. The list of what they stock is figuratively endless. Love the service, friendliness, and congeniality of Mia and Dave.
The BEST sandwiches in the area, and the owner is the sweetest lady. This was voted as the best sandwich shop in Virginia in recent years. Help support small businesses like this stay open!
Two words that set this place apart from most other places you'll find in the area: customer service. I stopped in and was a bit taken aback as it was nothing like I expected. It's located under an apartment building is like a little shop that happens to also be a cafe where you can buy coffees, teas, and small eats, like sandwiches, etc. They have alcohol, bottled beverages, random snacks, and lots of other random finds. I opted for lunch and got the veggie mozarella sandwich, per Kim's suggestion. I also got an iced tea. Kim was phenomenal from start to finish. She helped me decide which vegetarian option was the best. Within a few minutes, instead of handing me the sandwich at the counter, she walked the dish to my table and insisted on doing so. After I was finished, she then made sure that everything was nothing but delicious. I requested that she pour my leftover tea into my reusable water bottle I had to not waste it, and she had no issues with this. Customer service wins the five stars at this location. Food is about 4 stars. Interior could use some love, but the service is the star of this place.
Was really excited to check this place out since it had five stars for a quick lunch while at a conference at the Crystal City Marriott. It was definitely a neat shop, with lots of fun drinks and necessities. The woman behind the counter seemed nice. We ordered sandwiches. It was fine, but definitely nothing to write home about.
Only in town for a few hours and needed a quick lunch. So glad I found Paramount Cafe. The food is good but I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and the friendly owner. I enjoy supporting establishments like this one!
After working for years nearby this small bodega below a Crystal City apartment building, I finally went with my eight-year-old daughter. With an impressively high Yelp rating, I was disappointed to hear the new owners say the glowing reviews are from the previous owner (though I respect the honesty). Despite that, we really enjoyed our visit. The new owners live up to the legacy. First of all, the service is excellent. An older man makes the food and who I assume is his daughter takes the orders. Both are kind. At the end, she gave my daughter a granola bar for free. The menu is a mix of Korean food and the small market in the back sells Korean products and more. It's very fun to browse and pick up some snacks and treats. My daughter loved the juicy grape fruit snacks. To eat, we ordered the Japanese curry and milk tea. Both were full of flavor and made with love. "This is my new favorite meal of all time," said my daughter. She devoured the bowl herself! There's a small parking lot in front of the cafe. It's within walking distance from the Crystal City Metro. read more
For lunch this past Sunday, a few of us stopped by Paramount Cafe since they actually have 卤肉饭 (Taiwanese braised pork over rice) here. Who knew that there would be a cafe in Pentagon City with this option? The interior is a bit cramped with many cardboard boxes piling up. We were able to order the food at the counter and waited about 5-10 minutes before the food was ready. BRAISED PORK OVER RICE (卤肉饭) - 15.49 Lots of rice, more rice than I could finish with the amount of braised pork belly they give. The pork was very fatty, which made it tasty and juicy, but it wasn't very saucy. There were two halves of a bokchoy and half of an incredibly boiled egg, which was meh. Still, I finished all the toppings and maybe a little less than half of the rice. I was full, but $15.49 for the food was not worth it. Overall, 3.5/5 but bump it to a 4/5 since there's a scarcity of food like this in the area. They sell other comfort Asian dishes too, like coconut chicken cutlet rice and Japanese eel rice. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
We looked at pictures of the menu on Yelp and thought the options looked good. Turns out that is an old menu from previous owners. The menu is limited. Either a beef or pork sandwich and about a dozen Asian dishes. We opted for the sandwiches in both beef and pork. We were pleasantly surprised. They were good sized sandwiches and had great flavor. Service was great. Price was likely okay for this area. read more
This is a cute little café that doubles as a small convenience store. The café serves coffees, and sandwiches. They used to serve breakfast but has discontinued that for now. There is a small private parking lot in front of the café, but most of them are reserved for businesses in the strip mall that the café is co-located. They have coolers full of drinks, chips and random items such as bleach, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry shop, and paper cups. The place also looks like it is a pick-up spot for dry cleaning. Talk about your one-stop shopping. They have bar seating along the wall, in the front of the store and a few tables and chairs on the opposite side. The seating is very limited. There is music playing throughout the café. They had some Stevie Wonder playing while I was there. They have a wide selection of sandwiches. I was in an exotic mood, so I decided to go with the Thanksgiving Morning Sandwich. It is a one-person operation, so it took a little time for me to get my food. I would say about 15 minutes. The woman working there was extremely friendly though. I got a drink from the cooler and a bag of chips to go with my sandwich. The sandwich looked small at first glance, but was filling, fresh and delicious. It was packed with flavor. I really liked it. This little hole-in-the-wall café that you will find in a little duck-off, has some awesome food and top-notch service. I really enjoyed my meal here. I highly recommend checking this place out. read more
I've tried the Chinese pork burger 肉夹馍 and the box lunch 盒饭 and they are both excellent! I especially loved the box lunch, you get to sample a lot of different authentic Chinese food for only $12.99! I'm definitely goin back for more. The service is wonderful, the owners are very friendly! And the ambiance is very relaxing:) try them out! read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
Incredible cute little cafe! Smell of delicious food hit as soon as I walked in. They have a variety of different snacks and a beverage fridge. I got the #6 and it was delicious, wish I got 2 sandwiches. Will definitely be back. read more
I have no doubt in my mind why Paramount Cafe has 245 reviews and 5 solid stars. Well, there's several reasons. 1. The owner is one of the most welcoming, caring, and sweet individuals you'll ever meet. 2. The food is fresh and made with love. 3. It's pretty darn convenient. Especially if you live in the Paramount Apartments that sit atop the Paramount cafe. Or even if you're passing by in Pentagon City. They have a few dedicated parking spaces out front for the store, and it was a quick easy delicious meal. From the very moment I walked through the door, the owner of the cafe was treating me like family. "Hey there, how are you doing? What can I do for you? Are you here to have a sandwich?" I have to assume that her sandwiches are what's really bringing in people from far and wide. Sure there's a drink fridge with a variety of different bottles and canned beverages. Sure there's a mish mosh of common household goods like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, canned goods etc. I'd be willing to bet that her biggest revenue stream is from these loaded hearty sandwiches. They're just about 12-15 on the menu. She also does gyro sandwiches too. And right behind the counter there is a little conveyor belt oven that she uses to whip up a pretty darn tasty sandwich. She's an honest business owner (completely fine with me), the competition from the Whole Foods that opened a year ago down the street has definitely taken a big bite out of her business. But if you trust me at all, and I know there's a few of you out there that do, the sandwich that I got at Paramount Cafe stands on a different level than the super giant down the street. It's truly made with love. Is the bacon cooked perfectly? No. Is the bread artisan? No. Is the turkey handcarved fresh right there? No. I can't exactly tell you why, but like I said, trust me; it does. I ended up getting the Roasted Turkey BLT. She first roasts the turkey meat and puts it on a very sizable piece of marble rye. Second she makes sure I want the default horseradish sauce as the base. I opt for mayo, but get horseradish on the side. She then hand cuts avocado, piles on lettuce tomato and bacon, and throws it in a panini press. The result is a SOLID sandwich that I'd be happy to serve in my home. She tells me I can pay later and not to worry, just enjoy my sandwich and relax. She then comes to check-in JUST at the perfect time to make sure that everything is too my liking. "Do I need any more horseradish sauce?" I tried it, its delicious, but "No, I'm good for now." It just goes to show that Customer Service can be everything. From start to finish I felt cared for, cared about, and taken care of. Just an absolutely pleasant experience. Food gets a 4 stars. Customer Service gets 10 stars. Overall: 5 stars. read more
2 years ago
Nearly hidden on the ground floor and Bank of America side of the Paramount Apartment building is a true gem of a mom and pop convenience store. (More of the latter than a Cafe - but it serves dutifully as both.) As you walk in through a narrow seating area near the front door, your senses likely will be stimulated by the appealing aroma of fresh Expresso being brewed or the wafting, toasty notes of a grilled panini sandwich. Operated by a family - not a corporation - this small den of delights, aka snacks, notions, drinks, and sundries, is a repository for all the little things you might have forgotten at the big grocery store (or on your vacation trip). From popcorn and chips to ice cream and candy bars, seltzer to soap, and single serve headache remedies to Ben and Jerry's ice cream, this small store seems to stock a little bit of everything. Freshly made delicious sandwiches, beer, wine, and soft drinks fill the bill for folks in the apartment complex above the store and those in the hotel right around the corner. The list of what they stock is figuratively endless. Love the service, friendliness, and congeniality of Mia and Dave. read more
5 years ago
The BEST sandwiches in the area, and the owner is the sweetest lady. This was voted as the best sandwich shop in Virginia in recent years. Help support small businesses like this stay open! read more
Two words that set this place apart from most other places you'll find in the area: customer service. I stopped in and was a bit taken aback as it was nothing like I expected. It's located under an apartment building is like a little shop that happens to also be a cafe where you can buy coffees, teas, and small eats, like sandwiches, etc. They have alcohol, bottled beverages, random snacks, and lots of other random finds. I opted for lunch and got the veggie mozarella sandwich, per Kim's suggestion. I also got an iced tea. Kim was phenomenal from start to finish. She helped me decide which vegetarian option was the best. Within a few minutes, instead of handing me the sandwich at the counter, she walked the dish to my table and insisted on doing so. After I was finished, she then made sure that everything was nothing but delicious. I requested that she pour my leftover tea into my reusable water bottle I had to not waste it, and she had no issues with this. Customer service wins the five stars at this location. Food is about 4 stars. Interior could use some love, but the service is the star of this place. read more
3 years ago
Really delicious sandwich. Staff was super friendly. Only cons are the lack of air conditioning and the store hours. I wish it was open more often! read more
Was really excited to check this place out since it had five stars for a quick lunch while at a conference at the Crystal City Marriott. It was definitely a neat shop, with lots of fun drinks and necessities. The woman behind the counter seemed nice. We ordered sandwiches. It was fine, but definitely nothing to write home about. read more
8 years ago
Only in town for a few hours and needed a quick lunch. So glad I found Paramount Cafe. The food is good but I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and the friendly owner. I enjoy supporting establishments like this one! read more
6 years ago
5 years ago
Small but cute restaurant with a homey atmosphere with friendly staff. The roasted turkey and avocado BLT was well presented, tasty and a generous portion. The staff was friendly as well as efficient in getting our food out in good time. Locals drop by for coffee, a treat or a meal. read more
I have driven past Paramount Cafe for over a year without stopping in, so I figured, after I was returning from my field placement in SE DC on Friday afternoon I'd stop in for lunch to-go. There is a counter with some seating when you first walk in plus a couple of tables. While I was there around 2pm, there were three people dining in, but they were mostly doing take-out service. I asked if I could have the roast beef wrap (roast beef, horseradish sauce, swiss, lettuce, tomato, red peppers) as a panini instead, and the woman who was making the sandwiches was enthusiastic and said she'd give me "the best kind of bread-focaccia!" I paid ($8.50) for the sandwich, and the gentleman ringing me up said he'd bring it out when ready. Only one woman is making the sandwiches, so I was expecting to wait, which I did-to the tune of 15 minutes. While I was waiting, a guy came in and mentioned to them that he just moved to the area, so he wanted to stop in and check their hours and menu. The woman told him "we are rated #1 on Yelp-best sandwiches!"- I thought that was kind of cute. A couple of regulars also came in while I was waiting and both the woman and the man knew them by name, which is always nice for a neighborhood cafe. I also noticed an extensive beer selection in the back for beer to go and BYO six packs. When I got home and opened my sandwich, I was disappointed that it was not the roast beef wrap sub panini but the actual roast beef panini (roast beef, provolone, roasted red pepper spread, red peppers, and tomato). I wasn't going to go back and point out the error since I was already home, so I just went with it. The sandwich was good-not in the category of best sandwiches I've ever had, but I'm also not a huge fan of roasted red pepper spread. I am a fan of horseradish sauce, which is why I ordered what I did, so perhaps I would have been able to bump my rating if I received the correct sandwich. I did like the focaccia bread, which had an olive taste to it. The roasted red pepper spread was rather thin, and I added mustard (spicy ground) at home to kick the sandwich up a notch. The size of the sandwich was large for the price. I'd say this was 3.5 stars but I'll bump it to 4 because of the kindness of the owners and the fact it is a small local business. I'll return eventually to try something else, but this time I know to not vary from the menu with any substitutions or special requests. Also, Parking can be tricky so be aware of that situation if you are planning a visit here. read more
6 years ago
8 years ago
Omg love this cute little sandwich shop. Has random store items that bring so much personality to the shop. Owner of the shop was SO sweet and adorable. Good vibes. The sandwiches tasted like they were made with love. Can't wait to go back for the Reuben read more
6 years ago
Stopped in to grab a sandwich on Saturday afternoon. Ordered the Pastrami and roast beef paninis. Not all paninis are created equal. Bottom line is the Pastrami is a must order and the roast beef was just alright. The Pastrami panini came with the standard toppings but with the addition of a tomato pesto and delicious in every way. The roast beef panini came with the same pesto but didn't really impress me. I'll definitely be back to try more in the future. read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
9 years ago
After a job interview I was in search of a quick breakfast option. Fortunately for me, Paramount Cafe was right around the corner. I walked in and was welcomed by a nice woman who seemed to be operating the place alone. It had the ambiance of a privately-owned establishment, but in a good way. It's a combination of Cafe and convenience store, also selling cigarettes and bottled beverages in addition to freshly made sandwiches and espresso. The woman was quick to make recommendations, which was great for someone like me who was indecisive at the time. She recommended the sausage, egg and cheese croissant and a caramel macchiato (hot). The croissant was not made ahead of time, and it was all cooked to order! Yes, even the eggs were made to order and were absolutely amazing. Altogether, the breakfast sandwich was a success and coupled nicely with the macchiato. The woman served it up to me while I was still sitting, making the remark "best croissant in Crystal City." Although I am not from the area, I surprisingly believed her based on how amazing everything was. Stop in here and I promise it will be with it! read more
6 years ago
I absolutely love this place. It's such a hidden gem of crystal city. Going here feels like picking up lunch from your grandmothers house because Ms Kim (the owner) treats every customer like family. Sandwiches are unique and super tasty. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
The Turkey Club was excellent. This is a great spot to stop for lunch if you're in the area read more
6 years ago
We both got the mozzarella veggie sandwich and it was delicious! I got mine toasted on focaccia bread and I would recommend it!! Kim is very sweet and set up outdoor seating for us. I will definitely be going back. read more
7 years ago
4 years ago
Whether it's hangover food, or just a delicious meal that you crave, Paramount Cafe has it all. This establishment has 5 stars and 166 reviews. Impressive? Heck yeah. I had to see for myself what all the hype was about! I was staying with friends in Pentagon City when we were craving Brunch. I suggested we check out this place because of the food potions, and unbelievable reviews it had. Boy oh boy, I'm so glad I checked YELP and had an exact location. You would NEVER see this place from the road, nor know of its existence if it weren't for YELP. The restaurant/store is tucked away in a building where you can't quite read the sign as you pull in. Once you park, it's easy to see the main door and you proceed straight inside. Yes, the have both cold and hot sandwiches/wraps/panini's available. But most importantly, they sell alcohol and snacks as well. I ordered the #4 which was turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado and bacon. I put mine in a spinach tortilla and added a little ranch for flavoring. The sandwich portion was big, and the ingredients were fresh and delicious. My only gripe is that I live so far away! I wish I could eat here more often. The staff was extremely courteous, and more then willing to accommodate whatever substitutions you wanted. What better way to run a business then to cater to your customers needs, and deliver a solid product. Absolutely I would recommend this place, and I will be back!!! read more
5 years ago
This is an incredible and absolutely delicious hole-in-the-wall shop. The shop has an unassuming exterior and interior, but the sandwiches and gyros are a hidden treasure. Additionally, the owner is wonderful and very kind. She takes the effort to talk and to take care of all the customers who come through. The food itself was phenomenal. I got the pastrami sandwich that was delectably juicy with an explosion of flavor. My girlfriend ended up getting the lamb gyro that was just delicious, plain and simple. The servings were generous, and I came out stuffed! This shop is one of those rare mom-and-pop shops that is definitely worth the support and the visit! I would definitely make it out to Crystal City again just to get another sandwich or gyro! read more
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More info about Paramount Cafe
1425 S Eads St
Ste C
Arlington, VA 22202
Pentagon City
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(240) 797-3857
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http://www.paramountcafearlington.com
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