clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
The Eastern’s popular BLT makes a summertime comeback on Friday, June 30.
The Eastern

Salute the Summer Tomato With These Standout BLTs in D.C.

16 spots that do the straightforward sandwich justice

View as Map
The Eastern’s popular BLT makes a summertime comeback on Friday, June 30.
| The Eastern

A BLT may be one of summer's simplest pleasures. The stars of this sandwich shine on their own, but in tandem, they're taken to the next level. Juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, and crunchy lettuce come together to form the perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Each summer, D.C. chefs find a way to make this trio even harder to resist. Many enhance the key flavors of the sandwich with interesting sauces or toppings like guac, lemon-dill or Sriracha aioli, or even egg salad. Others cater to carnivores even more with the addition of turkey and chicken. Some substitute bacon with vegetarian options like fried green tomatoes or tempeh.

But mostly, the secret to a great BLT is to put it on the menu when the circular red fruit is at its best. As the height of tomato season nears, here are some mouthwatering creations centered around the perfect trifecta of bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Parkway Deli & Restaurant

Copy Link

The treasured Silver Spring deli takes orders on DIY BLTs (starting at $9.49) with endless options for toppings and bread (pumpernickel, rye, gluten-free, sourdough, bagel).

Parkway’s packed interior
Parkway Deli & Restaurant/official photo

Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

Copy Link

Brookland’s Finest caters to veg-lovers with their Fried Green Tomato “B”LT ($16). The B stands for black-eyed peas, which are spread across the sandwich with arugula, fried green tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and chipotle mayo. A grilled salmon BLT with applewood-smoked bacon comes stacked on brioche ($18).

So's Your Mom

Copy Link

For a no-nonsense sandwich that’s easy on the wallet, head to Adams Morgan’s family-owned, cash-only deli for a toasted whole wheat BLT with mayo ($7.95).

Buffalo & Bergen (multiple locations)

Copy Link

Buffalo & Bergen’s towering BLT bagel sandwich doesn’t play games. The “Hey Y’all…It’s a BLT” ($11) starts with a slather of pimento cream cheese whipped with roasted red peppers, shredded cheddar, and spices, followed by bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Buffalo & Bergen’s longstanding BLT bagel sandwich.
Buffalo & Bergen/official photo

Neopol Savory Smokery

Copy Link

Showcasing their house-smoked delights, Neopol’s Salmon BLT ($12.50) stars flaked smoked salmon and Berkshire bacon. An avocado BLT ($9.95) comes with house-smoked Duroc bacon. Both come topped with mixed greens, tomato, red onion, and lemon-dill aioli. An egg salad variety is also an option. Order online for pickup in Union Market or Alexandria. Choose from toasted white, rye, sunflower-flax, or gluten-free bread.

The Tombs

Copy Link

Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s iconic underground hangout fuels up Georgetown college crowds with a meaty BLT engineered with a hefty helping of turkey and applewood-smoked bacon, plus Bibb lettuce, tomato, and mayo. The $17 order comes with a side of mixed greens or Old Bay-tossed fries.

The turkey-topped BLT at the Tombs.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Feta Bakery And Cafe

Copy Link

Georgetown’s dreamy Greek cafe serves a mean B.L.T.A. made with applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and Sriracha aioli on homemade sourdough ($11.99).

Feta’s beloved BLTA.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Baker’s Daughter

Copy Link

Michelin-starred chef Matt Baker puts a poultry spin on the classic at his D.C. cafes. The BLT packs grilled chicken breast, bacon, sun-dried tomato aioli, Bibb lettuce, and white cheddar between whole wheat. Available for pickup or delivery from its Ivy City and downtown digs.

The chicken “BLT” at Baker’s Daughter.
Baker’s Daughter/official photo

BLT Steak DC

Copy Link

Even though the steakhouse isn’t named for the sandwich (BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, after the chef and restaurateur), it does offer a take on the BLT. The power lunch order ($19) is a panini-style sandwich filled with smoked bacon, “special” sauce, tomato, and lettuce and comes with truffle fries.

The Sandwich Shop

Copy Link

Vienna’s reliable sandwich shop slings a BLT-A made with applewood smoked bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and herb aioli on toasted ciabatta. The $10 handheld is available for online takeout and delivery.

The Sandwich Shop’s BLT gets a West Coast edge with slices of avocado.
The Sandwich Shop/official photo

Duke's Grocery

Copy Link

The beloved British pub’s Posh B.L.T.A. ($16) is a towering medley of applewood smoked bacon, tomato, creamy avocado, cucumber-garlic aioli, and “rocket” sauce layered between soft ciabatta. The popular handheld makes appearances during lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at Duke’s Foggy Bottom, Navy Yard, and Woodley Park locales.

The Posh B.L.T.A. is available all day at Duke’s.
Duke’s Grocery/official photo

Sticky Fingers Diner

Copy Link

Plant-based Sticky Fingers stays true to form with a vegan take on the BLT. Their TLT ($11) includes homemade tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, and egg-free mayonnaise on multigrain.

Bayou Bakery

Copy Link

The Bayou BLT ($11) at Arlington’s New Orleans-themed cafe gives a little extra TLC to the T. It features oven-cured tomatoes, double-cut smoked bacon, greens, and mayo, sandwiched between two slices of toasted white bread. Order online for pickup.

Bayou Bakery’s BLT.
Bayou Bakery/official photo

The Eastern

Copy Link

Executive chef Walfer Hernandez brings back his well-executed BLT at Capitol Hill’s modern wine bar starting Friday, June 30. The summer smash hit ($15) joins a variety of new seasonal dishes.

Kirwan’s on the Wharf

Copy Link

The Wharf’s resident Irish bar is big on fish and chips, but its BLT is also not to miss. The sleeper hit piles extra-crispy, smokey American bacon high on multigrain alongside mayo, lettuce, and tomato ($18).

Enjoy a waterfront BLT at Kirwan’s on the Wharf.
Kirwan’s/official photo

Mason Social

Copy Link

Mason Social’s crowd-pleasing BLTA (the “A” stands for aioli) features bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado ($14). Make it a half-sandwich with a side for $12.

Mason Social’s BLT can be split in half as part of a combo deal.
Mason Social/official photo

Parkway Deli & Restaurant

The treasured Silver Spring deli takes orders on DIY BLTs (starting at $9.49) with endless options for toppings and bread (pumpernickel, rye, gluten-free, sourdough, bagel).

Parkway’s packed interior
Parkway Deli & Restaurant/official photo

Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

Brookland’s Finest caters to veg-lovers with their Fried Green Tomato “B”LT ($16). The B stands for black-eyed peas, which are spread across the sandwich with arugula, fried green tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and chipotle mayo. A grilled salmon BLT with applewood-smoked bacon comes stacked on brioche ($18).

So's Your Mom

For a no-nonsense sandwich that’s easy on the wallet, head to Adams Morgan’s family-owned, cash-only deli for a toasted whole wheat BLT with mayo ($7.95).

Buffalo & Bergen (multiple locations)

Buffalo & Bergen’s towering BLT bagel sandwich doesn’t play games. The “Hey Y’all…It’s a BLT” ($11) starts with a slather of pimento cream cheese whipped with roasted red peppers, shredded cheddar, and spices, followed by bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Buffalo & Bergen’s longstanding BLT bagel sandwich.
Buffalo & Bergen/official photo

Neopol Savory Smokery

Showcasing their house-smoked delights, Neopol’s Salmon BLT ($12.50) stars flaked smoked salmon and Berkshire bacon. An avocado BLT ($9.95) comes with house-smoked Duroc bacon. Both come topped with mixed greens, tomato, red onion, and lemon-dill aioli. An egg salad variety is also an option. Order online for pickup in Union Market or Alexandria. Choose from toasted white, rye, sunflower-flax, or gluten-free bread.

The Tombs

Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s iconic underground hangout fuels up Georgetown college crowds with a meaty BLT engineered with a hefty helping of turkey and applewood-smoked bacon, plus Bibb lettuce, tomato, and mayo. The $17 order comes with a side of mixed greens or Old Bay-tossed fries.

The turkey-topped BLT at the Tombs.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Feta Bakery And Cafe

Georgetown’s dreamy Greek cafe serves a mean B.L.T.A. made with applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and Sriracha aioli on homemade sourdough ($11.99).

Feta’s beloved BLTA.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Baker’s Daughter

Michelin-starred chef Matt Baker puts a poultry spin on the classic at his D.C. cafes. The BLT packs grilled chicken breast, bacon, sun-dried tomato aioli, Bibb lettuce, and white cheddar between whole wheat. Available for pickup or delivery from its Ivy City and downtown digs.

The chicken “BLT” at Baker’s Daughter.
Baker’s Daughter/official photo

BLT Steak DC

Even though the steakhouse isn’t named for the sandwich (BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, after the chef and restaurateur), it does offer a take on the BLT. The power lunch order ($19) is a panini-style sandwich filled with smoked bacon, “special” sauce, tomato, and lettuce and comes with truffle fries.

The Sandwich Shop

Vienna’s reliable sandwich shop slings a BLT-A made with applewood smoked bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and herb aioli on toasted ciabatta. The $10 handheld is available for online takeout and delivery.

The Sandwich Shop’s BLT gets a West Coast edge with slices of avocado.
The Sandwich Shop/official photo

Duke's Grocery

The beloved British pub’s Posh B.L.T.A. ($16) is a towering medley of applewood smoked bacon, tomato, creamy avocado, cucumber-garlic aioli, and “rocket” sauce layered between soft ciabatta. The popular handheld makes appearances during lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at Duke’s Foggy Bottom, Navy Yard, and Woodley Park locales.

The Posh B.L.T.A. is available all day at Duke’s.
Duke’s Grocery/official photo

Sticky Fingers Diner

Plant-based Sticky Fingers stays true to form with a vegan take on the BLT. Their TLT ($11) includes homemade tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, and egg-free mayonnaise on multigrain.

Bayou Bakery

The Bayou BLT ($11) at Arlington’s New Orleans-themed cafe gives a little extra TLC to the T. It features oven-cured tomatoes, double-cut smoked bacon, greens, and mayo, sandwiched between two slices of toasted white bread. Order online for pickup.

Bayou Bakery’s BLT.
Bayou Bakery/official photo

The Eastern

Executive chef Walfer Hernandez brings back his well-executed BLT at Capitol Hill’s modern wine bar starting Friday, June 30. The summer smash hit ($15) joins a variety of new seasonal dishes.

Kirwan’s on the Wharf

The Wharf’s resident Irish bar is big on fish and chips, but its BLT is also not to miss. The sleeper hit piles extra-crispy, smokey American bacon high on multigrain alongside mayo, lettuce, and tomato ($18).

Enjoy a waterfront BLT at Kirwan’s on the Wharf.
Kirwan’s/official photo

Related Maps

Mason Social

Mason Social’s crowd-pleasing BLTA (the “A” stands for aioli) features bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado ($14). Make it a half-sandwich with a side for $12.

Mason Social’s BLT can be split in half as part of a combo deal.
Mason Social/official photo

Related Maps