Newton vs. Leibniz. Itchy vs. Scratchy. Disraeli vs. Gladstone. Michael Scott vs. Toby. The writer Elbert Hubbard once said that rivalry is the life of trade, and if you take a look at the local Georgetown food circuit you’ll see that he was right.
The Georgetown Sandwich Rivalry is as old as Cain vs. Abel and is the most well known: Wisemiller’s Deli v. Booeymonger’s. In ridiculous names they’re just about even, but the sandwich experiences are worlds apart. Wisemiller’s (aka Wisey’s), home of the Chicken and Burger Madnesses, which both warm your heart as they clog it, has tastier, fuller sandwiches than Booey’s. The only downside to this sandwich bliss is that Wisey’s orders are take-out only, so keep it movin’.
If you’re hankering for a sit-down meal, Booey’s is what you want. Their Sunday brunch is worth rolling out of bed at noon for and an expansive sandwich and bagel list will surely have something you want.
Verdict: Wisey’s for take-out at home or on the go, Booey’s to get out and relax.
Booeymonger’s is at 3265 Prospect Street, NW, and Wisemiller’s is at 1236 36th Street, NW.
The Georgetown Pizza Rivalry is a new skirmish that started last semester when Tuscany Pizza came out of nowhere and challenged the established Philadelphia Pizza Company; it’s Georgetown’s own John McCain v. Paris Hilton, sans bathing suit.
Much like the Great Sandwich Rivalry, Tuscany Café offers indoor seating while Philly Pizza diners have the pleasure of the curb along 34th Street. But, to count that against Philly Pizza would be to deny it part of its collegiate charm. With throngs of students queuing on the sidewalk, Philly Pizza after 1 a.m. is not just a pizza outing, it’s a social destination.
The difference between the two pizza styles is about as subtle as the fine line between Wikipedia and plagiarism, but with a cheesier taste, a slightly cheaper price and a more expansive menu, Tuscany Café has won some converts. For the observant crowd, all of Tuscany’s meat is certified halal.
Verdict: Philly P still reigns supreme, but grassroots Tuscany supporters may make it the new chill-out spot this term.
Philadelphia Pizza Company is at 1201 34th Street, NW, and Tuscany Cafe is at 3261 Prospect Street NW.
The Georgetown Burrito Rivalry. Chipotle Mexican Grill v. Qdoba Mexican Grill has been the neighborhood’s hottest rivalry ever since last spring, when Chipotle and Qdoba threw down in a week of promotional one-upmanship that left many a student’s stomachs satisfied and their wallets still full.
It happened like this: for years Chipotle ruled the Georgetown southwest cuisine scene with a guacamole fist—if you wanted a burrito in this town, you had to go through Chipotle to get it.
Fast forward to spring ’08 when dark horse Qdoba started offering Georgetown students half price burritos and a free drink on Mondays. Chipotle felt threatened, and lashed out like gangbusters with free burritos for a day for people with a Georgetown ID. Not to be beaten at their own game, the Qdoba cabal upped the ante with more Mexican machinations; gift certificate giveaways, free drinks every day and their half-price Monday now stands for good.
Despite these successes, the Chipotle burrito is still a higher quality product and those loyal to Qdoba on non-Monday days are the exception rather than the rule.
Verdict: Qdoba Monday, Chipotle the rest of the week.
Qdoba can be found at 3303 M Street NW, and Chipotle at 3255 M Street NW.
West Georgetown may seem quaint and charming, but make no mistake, such is the battleground of great food rivalries. Fortunately, unlike Alien vs. Predator whoever wins, students win too.
