Kind of old news, but it sounds like Pret-a-Manger has plans to expand down here. Nothing too complicated, but everything very fresh, tasty and natural. Pret-a-Manger expansion

Their chicken salad with avocado and basil sandwiches were so good, especially for a poor student like me. Though I wonder if that sandwich made it in the transition across the Atlantic.

That makes me so happy. I studied abroad in London years ago- but still crave a tuna mayo on baguette. I hope they are here soon!

Yea for Pret! I'm guessing that some of the sandwiches won't make the trip across the pond. I remember liking the crayfish and rocket.

Pret's been in NYC for years now... love it

It appears from the signage in the windows at 18th and I that Pret a Manger has begun its invasion of DC.

This makes me so so happy.

I'm sure everyone here will hate this, but any idea when it will be open, or how far along it is? Which space at 18th and M? Thanks

I'm excited that Pret is coming to DC (and around the corner from my office to boot!), but given the glut of decent lunch places around here it's not fantastic news. It will replace Potbelly as my I-only-have-5-minutes-and-really-want-a-sandwich option. I'm guessing they won't have Prawn and Rocket sandwiches, though

If it's at 18th and M, it could well be an invasion. I just saw a sign for one at 18th and I as well.

Actually you are right, it was 18th and I, I was half asleep and not caffeinated enough.

[Rocks please change my mistaken sub-title]

Blast! That's too far to walk from work. Oh well...

Well if they hit DC like NY they should be popping up like Starbucks.

Are there signs up on when the Pret will open? I am VERY eagerly anticipating its opening but I don't work in the neighborhood to keep tabs on their progress.

I don't think any dates are mentioned on the signs. I suspect it will be fairly soon. Why? Well, because it's located right at the Metro entrance I use twice a day, five days a week. But that ends tomorrow; starting next week my office moves to the middle of nowhere, or at least as close to that as you can get while still technically in the heart of the city. The sooner it opens, the more it will hurt.

I saw the sign for this the other day when getting off the metro and squealed with delight! Like several here, I studied in London a few years back and hit up Pret all the time for fresh, cheap sandwiches. Can't wait til this opens!

Oh! This is exciting news. I ate my fare share of Pret's Chicken Tika sandwiches while I was a student living in London way back in '98. Yum, I just can't wait!

Interesting to note, in Pret's history on NYC: in 2003 Claudia Fleming, Gramercy Tavern's award winning pastry chef with accolades such as working with Gramercy Tavern's chef, Tom Colicchio; winning the James Beard Award for "Outstanding Pastry Chef" in 2000; winning the 2002 Best Pastry Chef of the Year from Bon Appetit, took the job as Pret A Manger's food director. I was living in NYC at the time and I remember the gasps that the NYC restaurant industry made when Claudia decided to make her move from pastry to sandwiches. I have lost track if Claudia is still the Food Director or has she moved on? Was this a successful move for her and/or Pret A Manger?

.hobbes