Great subs. Carl is friendly and makes good conversation. Wait for order wasn't too long.

Best subs in the DMV hands down.. This place has been a staple in the community for years. Amazing customer service as always. Food is always made to order with fresh ingredients. I usually get the #20 but this time I got the #9--just turkey and provolone. You can count on consistency when visiting Carl's, I'd definitely recommend. The hours are a bit different than most, I believe 9am-4:55pm--oh and don't forget to bring cash as they do not except cards of any type. read more

Subbs by Carl - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This use to be one of the best sandwich spots in the city. Now, not so much. The meat they are using is processed meat. Not like pre-COVID, when the meat was not processed. The sandwich was very light and not a lot of meat either. I assume its because they are trying to keep the cost down. However, the taste was good and the staff is very friendly. read more

Subbs by Carl - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

I had #20: Roast beef, turkey, ham & provolone, with everything including hot peppers. Was 9.98 plus tax = 11.03. It was delicious! read more

Subbs by Carl - #20: Roast beef, turkey, ham & provolone, with everything including hot peppers. Yum! - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Seven years after my first review of this place, and it is still SO good. Delicious! Service is friendly and speedy, and chatting with Carl is uplifting. read more

One of my go to sandwich places for a cold cut. Been in dc since the late 80s. Make sure you bring cash! read more

Subbs by Carl - Cold cut sandwich from Carls - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went to this place for the first time today, and it was really great. The sandwich was delicious, well prepared, and a great value. I'd definitely come back here again. The place is pretty simple and not flashy, but definitely a better sandwich and a better deal than so many other places, and the people are very friendly. Definitely worth it. read more

I can't believe I've waited this long to try Carl's. I, finally, had cash on me so stopped in. So friendly and quick. Carl told me the #9 is the most popular so I bought 2. Let me tell you, a huge under $10 sub that is from a local shop with a friendly owner and staff is completely worth taking time out to get some cash. One of the best subs I've ever had. Proportions are perfect. And, first impression- Carl seems like a living angel, a true gem. read more

Subbs by Carl - #9- turkey, provolone, condiments, hot peppers - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

DC staple food spot. I got the turkey provolone with lettuce mayo and oil. Taste perfect. Place was clean. The owner Carl was pleasant as always. It's a cash only spot. Thoroughly enjoyed my sandwich. read more

Subbs by Carl - Turkey and provolone - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

10 subs ordered and were picked up within 30 minutes. Everyone enjoyed their sub. Comments by all was that the quality is the same as it was 20 years ago. read more

Great no frills sub shop. Great taste and low prices. Mr Carl is a delight and very personable. A DC staple.

I have been eating Carl's Subbs for almost 3 decades. My husband and his father have been eating them a lot longer. Carl knows my family by name. He treats his customers like family. This man works in his own shop. He greets his customers with a smile, a joke, by their names, and the food is always made to order. This is a small shop and therefore you'll be in and out of there in no time. I cannot ever remember a time that Carl has ever messed up my sandwich. He always gets it right. He's a humble person and the community loves and adores him. Carl's Subbs is a CASH ONLY business. Please do not go into this establishment with a debit / credit card or Google / Apple Pay thinking you're going to change the way Carl has been doing business his entire life. Stop by the ATM, grab some cash, and be ready to pay for your order. Most subbs run about $10 bucks each. So multiply that by how many people you are buying subbs for and get your money out of the ATM accordingly. Thank you! Lastly, Carl's has merch now!! He has a nonprofit called EGOS and all merchandise proceeds go towards educational purposes. These items can be purchased with cash as well. I purchased the Tupac T-shirt today for $20 bucks. Pac said, "All Eyes On Me." I love Carl's. I would suggest you swing through for a bite. Carl's closes promptly at 5:00 pm. He doesn't take anymore calls for orders after 4:30 pm and he locks the doors precisely at 4:45 pm. If you're not inside the door by 4:44 pm, you're SOL (Short On Luck or S**t Out of Luck) because you'll miss that sammich tuh-day. You already know Carl's Subbs is a 5 Stars. read more

See all

Specialize in sub sandwiches which are absolutely delicious! It is my no. 1 favorite place to get food in DC. If you haven't experienced Carl's, you're in for a new awakening for your taste buds! Can't say enough about the taste. Phenomenal! read more

So on this day I was simply craving a Carl's Sub. That's it. I pulled up to his well known spot, & the reviewer in me could not help but to...REVIEW!! So that's what I did...AGAIN!! Subbs by Carl y'all... . Where I am: Subbs by Carl . Location Reviewed: 2208 Rhode Island Ave N.E. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: Subs-Genoa Salami, Cooked Salami, Pepper Ham, Capicola, Mortadella, Pepperoni, Roast Beef, Turkey, Bologna, Pastrami, Provolone, American Cheese, Swiss, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Onions, Hot or Mild Peppers, Chips, & Bottled Beverages. . Items Reviewed: Their Roast Beef Sub #10(with lettuce, tomato, mayo, provolone, onions, & hot peppers $8.98). STAMP!! These sandwiches ALWAYS hit the spot. Thick, fresh, & topped perfectly!! Their Turkey Sub #9(with lettuce, tomato, mayo, provolone, onions, & hot peppers $8.45). STAMP!! This spot has been consistent for YEARS!! Again, thick, fresh, & topped perfectly!! Their Genoa Salami, Pepperoni, & Provolone Sub #17 (same toppings as the aforementioned 2 $8.45). STAMP!! This is my GO TO!! Spicy, a good balance of saltiness, just a great sub!! Martin's Red Hot Chips $1, & a Peach Orange Nantucket $2. STAMP!! I put the nostalgic hot chips IN the sandwiches, & wash it down with the good drink!! . Customer Service: I've never personally had a bad experience in here. But I've seen a couple folks that weren't good customers, get not so great customer service. Know what you want...you will get skipped (look at the menu on the wall before getting in line...CASH ONLY)!! . Online Navigation: N/A. It's no official website, but folks have posted their menu, & reviews all across social media (Me)!! . Parking: Rough. Period. . Recommendations: Any Sandwich. Period. That #17 is my favorite!! =STAMP =LIKE THAT =DELICIOUS =DECENT =PASS =NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

See all

I wish I'd taken pictures of our sandwiches, but they didn't last that long. True to the other reviews, this is an authentically old-DC sandwich shop. Cash-only, no frills, and probably could be cleaner, but the subs are delicious! We had the genoa salami, provolone, pepper ham, and capicola as well as the roast beef and provolone sandwiches. All sandwiches come with tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, and sub oil plus your choice of hot or mild peppers. The bread is soft, but holds up well - even the next day. They certainly don't skimp on the ingredients. One sub is plenty for two people to split. Each sandwich will run you about $11. read more

Carl is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Not even in a customer service way, he just radiates positive energy and is happy to be serving you good food. On that note, his subs are spectacular. They're so good that I would still give this place 5 stars even if Carl had slapped me in the face when I walked in. 6 stars for Subbs by Carl! Just make sure you bring cash, they don't have a card reader. read more

Subbs by Carl - Pastrami - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A very good deli sandwich shop in NE Washington DC on Rhode Island Avenue. This place isn't glamorous on the inside, by any means, however the sandwiches are very delicious and filling. This sandwich shop has an old-DC, urban sandwich shop vibe. Concrete slab floors, old refrigerators housing classic DC soft drinks, and a chips rack that showcases all of the old school DC chips such as Bon Ton bbq corn chips, Utz, Martins, etc.. I've been a customer of Carl's for years and it is so noteworthy how consistent the quality of his subs are. These subs are relatively larger than subs you might get at sandwich shops in DC. The meat is sliced to order. One thing of note is the meat here is thick-cut. I've never asked whether the meat can be cut thinner, so if that is something you are interested in it might be worth asking Carl or whoever takes your order. Carl is the older, shorter gentleman at the register who normally takes orders. You'll know it's him because he is the only employee who actively engages all customers. Carl is very straight-forward and speaks with wisdom. What I love about Carl is he is very friendly and engages people, naturally, with genuine concern and respect. This place doesn't have any handheld menus as the sandwich options are taped to the top of the wall to the right of the lobby upon entering the shop. My go-to is always the pastrami with everything, including hots (hot cherry pepper relish). Overall a very good experience. Give them a try. read more

See all

Great cold sub sandwiches at a very affordable price. The sandwiches are listed by numbers as posted on the wall. If it's your first time juat tell Carl what you want, if roast beef and cheese, and let him do the rest. It's merely a store front and counter but, it's all very good. Being cash. This is cash only and you will not be disappointed. read more

Every now and then I get a craving for a cold sub. Subs here are the absolute best! The bread is unique and delicious. I don't generally like bread at all but here, it's my exception. Carl is a moody man but he's got a great business going. You never know which Carl you're going to get. He can sometimes talk a little crazy out if his mouth, especially to his employees. If he's in a decent mood, he's very conversational. He's rich in knowledge and information as well. He's a living breathing historian. He's like a DC museum. Hands down and no question he's demolishing any sub spots in the area. I've been to them all and Carl is the undisputed champion. MGM, Prego, or McGruders ain't got nothing on these subs here. It would do well to highlight that it's Black owned and operated, been in business for 40+ years, he's a college educated black man selling cold sandwiches, like I could go on and on. This is what successful entrepreneurship looks like. No, you can't dine in. No it's not the most aesthetically appealing but what it is is REAL! Real life, real struggles and real people "hustling and surviving" in my Good Times voice!! I only pray that my business ventures can see this level of success and beyond. I hope that he has his successors lined up and I pray that they don't fumble this awesome opportunity. The prices are unbeatable and the quality is impressive. They don't need to change a thing. If it ain't broke don't fix it and no one can get all the money....well unless you're Amazon or Walmart lol. You get what I'm trying to say....I've visited this establishment several times but have never done a review and for that I apologize. read more

Great Italian sub! If you're not eating right away get the dressing on the side, the sun id plentiful and enough for two people,

Subbs is so delicious! They are one of the only things I miss about working in DC. I will need to make a visit over there from VA soon.

Subbs by Carl is an unassuming top-rated sandwich shop in Woodridge NE near shops like Zeke's Coffee and Momo Yakitori. Philly native, Carl, went off to Boston College and then received his MBA from Northwestern University in Illinois. Rather than head to Wall Street, he moved to the DC area to start a small sandwich shop. Whether it's his cooking skills or business degree or both, something is working. He makes a mighty fine sub. Here's what's to love: 1) Food: You cannot go wrong! Carl combines simple ingredients to craft a masterful sub. If it's your first time, I recommend the genoa salami sub. Most subs are under $7 making it one of the cheapest lunch (yep, it closes before the dinner hour) in the city. Portions are perfect to fill you up, but not overly. 2) Service: When asked if the man behind the counter was Carl, he replied, "It doesn't matter if I am the owner. What matters is that we serve you good food and great service. " Carl and his team live up to that promise. They are attentive and kind. 3) Space: It's a tiny shop that's been in the same building for 32 years and 37 on the block. There's no tables so most people grab-and-go. If you want, you can sit in the large window sill inside or along one of the neighboring buildings outside. This spot is a true hidden gem in DC (unless you look it up on Yelp and see how many people give it two thumbs up!). read more

See all

Been eating there for over 30 years. The best cold cut subs in DC hands down. They only sell cold subs.

I love when I'm in the area and get to enjoy a great sub from Carl. Never misses. Keep it up, Sir!

Awesome cold cut subbs Great taste Must pair with Martin hot chips or Bon Jon bbq #1 Everything with extra hots is my go to read more

Dish right here is good quality eating I couldn't ask for a better sub 10 out of 10 we go again.

Still The best place for a sub in Washington DC period just remember to bring Cash . Mr Carl suggested to a mix of a no1 and a no2 And now I can't stop thinking about it too bad that they are not open later but I'll be back read more

This place is good. They treat you like shit and close 1 hour earlier then the time posted on the door. They do not care if you traveled over an hour two days in a row. read more

Subbs by Carl - They closed 1 hour early. 2 days in a row - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Anyone and everyone around DC, if asked where to get the best sub sandwich, will suggest a sub from here. It's the "Go To" spot. Only makes subs and has been doing this for years. Very nice selection to choose from and fast service. Lunchtime is always the busiest time to visit but they keep it moving. Hard not to give it 5 stars. Number 9 is my favorite! read more

Subbs by Carl has the best subs sandwiches in D.C.! They also have chips, juices and sodas. They are no frills and only take cash! My husband and I go here often! read more

When I'm on the East Coast, I want to eat a good submarine sandwich and Subbs by Carl came with the kind of street credibility that will make you go out of your way to try their food. I had a great visit with the owner. He's a great guy who is clearly proud of his accomplishments. I did my homework and came prepared to know what I wanted and how I wanted it prepared before going to the counter to order. I got the #2-mortadella, pepper ham, provolone and capicolla, a Nantucket Cranberry/Pear Juice and some Frank's Red Hot Potato Chips. There's no dining inside the store so I took my sandwich to go. The one standout about Carl's Submarine sandwiches is that they are "stuffed" full of all the good stuff. The deli meats are cut once you order the sandwich and the slices are thick. Go check out Subbs by Carl. cuts. read more

you want a sub sandwich go to carl,s.you wont go any where else for a sub.no joke.on my way right know.just try one and there prices are very cheap and a very good brand of meats an bread no not bread there sub rolls always fresh and toppings good quality. read more

Who needs subway when you have Carl's!! I first discovered Carls when I first moved to the neighborhood back in 2018. They are always fast, always friendly, and sandwiches always on point!! And not to mention cheap! Cheaper than every chain footlong price. Although recently the cost of sandwiches have gone up $1. Doesn't matter because it's still cheap!! And they only take cash. What I love most about the Subs here are the fact they use real thick meats & thick cheese. There is usually someone in the back using a meat cutter to cut the meat. This is not subway where the meat is salty and processed. All the ingredients from the bread down to the toppings are always fresh and sandwiches made to order. Next time you consider going to a chain sandwich shop or in the mood for a sub!! Please come here you will not regret it. And try the #6 the pastrami is the best one in my opinion. read more

See all

While I'm not one to snap photos of my food and post to yelp (sorry yelpers) this sandwich truly was a work of art. Subbs by Carl is a small, neighborhood sandwich shop that unceremoniously serves really great sandwiches. It doesn't try too hard with gimmicks - unless the gimmick is delicious, well-portioned sandwiches at a more than reasonable price. They had nearly 20 types of sandwiches that were made to order, packed with meat, and that were under $7. The staff was friendly, sandwiches were made quickly and to perfection, and I'm at a loss thinking of all of the times I passed on Subbs and what I missed out. Don't make my mistake - pay this place a visit! One thing to note is that it is cash only so bring your $! read more

Subbs by Carl - #17 Salami and pepperoni - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I grew up in Ward 5 used to live on 20th street. I've been going to Carl's since I was in elementary school. The food is always great, the quantity of protein and toppings you're given on the sandwiches can't be matched by any other sandwich spot in the city. Mr.Carl always gives superb customer service and the ambiance ok. I definitely recommend checking them out if you're out of town or just looking for a good cold cut read more

they truly are the best subs in town, and the nicest people! they are so genuine and kind. subs are thick and tasty. you definitely need to stop here! read more

I was told about this place and it didn't disappoint. The staff is friendly the food is awesome, and I would definitely recommend going there just keep in mind you have to order and go. I love the atmosphere and smelling all the good flavors from the food read more

Carl's Subs is a small local sub shop, located off of Rhode Island. Owned by Mr. Carl (who is usually there as a cashier and gets you checked-out), the place offers 20 different types of subs. Meats used are Genoa salami, mortadella, pepper ham, capicolla, roast beef, pastrami, cooked ham, hickory smoked ham, turkey, pepperoni, etc.; cheeses include provolone, American, Swiss, etc. All the subs come with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and onions, with an optional addition of hot or mild peppers. I ordered the #1 - a soft fluffy bread filled generously with slices of Genoa salami, pepper ham, capicolla, provolone cheese, as well as an addition of pepperoni that I requested. I think there was also some oil and vinegar, with some sprinkling of pepper and oregano threw in there; it was dressed well, tasted super fresh, and was pretty good. I'm not sure if it large enough to count as two meals, but it would definitely make a satisfying lunch! This place is carry-out only, and you order up at the counter, give your initials, and then you pay up afterwards. Mr. Corwin got my order, and he was friendly and personable, and made some recommendations. Mr. Carl was also super sweet and welcoming and seems to remember all the regulars. I'd like to come back and try out their #10 - Roast Beef with Provolone and the #17 - Genoa Salami, Pepperoni, and Provolone. There's limited parking along Rhode Island, but there are some spots off the side streets. Just note that this place is cash only. +cash only +fresh, handmade subs +carry-out only +ask for Mr. Carl and Mr. Corwin :D +limited parking off of Rhode Island read more

See all

~ I was back home visiting D.C and a family member recommended I tried the "Best Cold cut spot In the city " . So, there we went. First thing first, we were met by a disgruntle old cranky employee who was rude from the start. I'd ask a question about a cold cut selection, and he'd immediately look at me like I was suppose to know the answers about their business. Then, they had this lady who kept messing up my sub and makin it obvious by asking me " you didn't want .. did yu ? " . The whole vibe in this place is off. And how in the world are you the best cold cut spot In D.C if you don't have a variety of meat ? (pause). I wanted to make sure that the bologna wasn't pork bologna, because I don't eat pork. They ONLY had pork bologna. Cold cut was weak. Skinny, no meat (pause), and they only gave me like two bananas peppers. Only good thing was the bread. Workers looked shakey. Shop looked shakey. Food was shakey. I've had better cold cuts from WaWa honestly. I respect the tradition, but naw. This spot ain't it. Blessed #TeamDiesel4Evaaa read more

See all

No frills local sub shop that serves HUGE sandwiches for about $8. No seating so all sandwiches are to-go, cash only, and they're STRICT about their closing time so be warned. This spot is often crowded though the line moves quickly. TBH we don't come here for the customer service, but given the price and the size of the subs we don't have any complaints at all! read more

Subbs by Carl - a person holding a sub sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia