JIMMY JOHN'S
BETHESDA REVIEW:
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO!
Famous Sandwich Shop Opens Doors on
Bethesda Avenue Yesterday
Yet another long-awaited grand opening has happened in downtown Bethesda. And much like the recent Kraze Burger opening, it was a quietly surprising one.
"Shh!" is the operative word in openings these days in Bethesda. But with the legendary name of Jimmy John's over the door, don't expect this new shop on Bethesda Avenue to stay quiet long!
Whether it's college students home from campus, or graduates with nostalgia for their home on campus, "when will Jimmy John's open?" is the only question that comes up more often than "when will Jetties open?" did over the summer.
Well, get ready to be BMOC or BWOC on Bethesda Avenue, because Jimmy John's is here at last.
Right next to Bethesda favorite Zen Tara Tea, a variety of neon signs beckon you with promises of "Free Smells," "Extremely Fast Delivery" and "Tasty Sub Shop." Once inside, you'll find a clean and retro design, with a dining area of booths about as cozy as you'll find in a sub shop. There are communal areas for larger groups, as well. Light colored walls are interrupted halfway to the floor by a checkerboard pattern that brings the 1950s to mind in a positive sense. Other "they didn't have to" touches that impress include individual covered light fixtures over each table, and nice wood finishes on those table surfaces.
If you're new to Jimmy Johns, there are two large menus to peruse. You have two main menu sections: Subs ($4.50) and Giant Club ($5.50) sandwiches. You've also got lighter options in the Plain Slims ($3.50) and lettuce-wrapped "JJ Unwich" categories. There are Jimmy John's own brand of potato chips, and desserts like homemade cookies are available.
But if you're an old hand at this, you'll step up to the counter and ask for your favorite. Don't worry, it's still on the menu.
I ordered the Turkey Tom, which is perhaps the most popular item on the menu around the country. But there's also The Pepe with ham and provolone, a vegetable sub, the Big John with (medium rare) roast beef, among many others. And for the biggest appetites, only the $7.50 J.J. Gargantuan will suffice.
The Turkey Tom has lots of lean, sliced meat, shredded lettuce that's as fresh as it gets, fresh tomatoes, mayonnaise and sprouts. [I said "hold the sprouts," however. I'm not a sprout person]. All this is loaded onto Jimmy John's' own original French bread, freshly baked each day, and you can really tell that when you bite into it. Everyone has individual preferences about bread; some like a chewier roll while others find those hard to chew. This bread is pretty easy to chew while still holding up to the fillings until the last bite. So that counts as a success in my book, and the great bread flavor is what's most important in the end. Jimmy John's has that.
So give it a try. The weather is bad today, so if you're not right near Bethesda Row, you can give them a call and they'll bring lunch or dinner right to your office or home "so fast you'll freak," as they say.
I have an exclusive video review of Jimmy John's, and you can see the restaurant and the Turkey Tom for yourself.
http://youtu.be/iPSDXKYlZaY
Jimmy John's joins Taylor Gourmet and Jetties, as well as Jiffy Shoppes and South Street Steaks. And then there are the gyros at Yamas Grill. The Parva has sandwiches on bread baked daily by Chef Andy. And... Well, you get the idea.
Bethesda is now a sandwich capital of the world. Which one is your favorite? Who will prevail, and/or is there a big enough audience of hungry people to support them all?
"Begun, the Sandwich Wars have."
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