Around Town

New Sandwich Shop Opens in Clarendon

(Updated at 7:00 p.m.) A new sandwich shop has opened in Clarendon at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Garfield Street.

Le Sandwich, a venture started by Mehdi Ben, opened yesterday at 3033 Wilson Blvd, replacing Street Corner Cafe, which had replaced Paciugo Gelato at the end of 2012. Ben said he signed the lease in early 2014 and was able to open so quickly because the eatery is focused on simplicity.

“We believe that simplicity wins,” he told ARLnow.com today. “That’s why I didn’t want to choose some extravagant [concept]. Sandwiches are what we sell here.”

Ben said the concept for the restaurant is just “a regular guy” who decided he didn’t like the sandwich offerings in the area, so he opened his own restaurant. Instead of creating a list of signature sandwiches, Ben offers customers a list of meats and toppings to put on a baguette or croissant — baked daily in-house — or on a salad with a house vinaigrette.

Among the meats are roasted Wagyu roast beef, fresh herbed ham, gourmet spicy salami. The add-ons included imported dry sausage from France and brie cheese. Ben said the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and until 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.