Fast Gourmet - Columbia Heights 3/25/2011

Fast Gourmet is located in the Lowest Price Gas Station on 14th St. and W St. NW. The interior has been redone and is actually fairly spacious and comfortable. The staff is also very friendly, especially considering we are in a gas station, and were fairly prompt. While the place is called Fast Gourmet, this is not a fast food restaurant (I waited a good 10-15 minutes). But, it was worth the wait to get a freshly made sandwich rather than one sitting underneath a heating lamp.

I ordered the Chivitos, a Uruguayan sandwich that has beef tenderloin, ham, melted mozzarella, bacon, a hard boiled egg, tomato, lettuce, pickled red bell peppers, and chopped green olives. While the ingredients as a whole were fresh and delicious, it was the green olives which elevated the sandwich, bringing much needed brightness and lift with their acidity, tempering the heaviness of the other ingredients.

It was a legitimately great sandwich. Probably one of the better sandwiches I've had in DC (though that isn't necessarily saying much). But, it also cost $13, which, while a fair price considering the quality of ingredients, is not inexpensive. But, definitely worth at least one visit.