darkstar965 Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Interspersed among all the great restaurant-specific topics under DC Restaurants and Dining are a smattering of topical food threads. I won't link to them here but "ice cream sandwiches" was a recent one. "Milkshakes" yet another I started several months back.Before starting this topic, I checked to be sure it didn't already exist. Sure enough, there is a topic under shopping/cooking for chicken parm sandwiches but that was more narrowly focused since just about sandwiches. And, it was about how to craft a great one at home versus where to procure a great one made by a pro (or at least someone whom you pay for the privilege).So, as one who grew up in the northeast with a great love for the Italian American classic (sandwich and otherwise), I though it deserved its own topic. A topic that welcomes any and all thoughts so long as about chicken parm. With thanks to ktmoomau for the inspiration Oh, and aside from the Italian Store version about which ktmoomau wrote, I'll also throw the non-sandwich a la Lucia (in Alexandria--didn't post about that previously so no link) version I had last month and really enjoyed. Simple and generous portion of quality chicken breast hammered thin, lightly breaded and baked under the broiler/salamander with a very flavorful and tangy tomato sauce and cheese (can't recall whether provolone, mozz or other though realize that's as important as anything in assessing/discussing the merits of chicken parm).Final thought: when I was a kid growing up in the northeast, my parents used to take me to a place where the chicken parm dinner was served with bone-in pieces of chicken. A couple legs, maybe a breast, some pasta, sauce, definitely mozzarella (and absolutely not bufala). Loved that but haven't come across it 'round these parts. Where else to get interesting, different, updated or just really good chicken parm? A dish perfect with a great milkshake by the way; way better than the more talked about shake and freakin' burger if you ask me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWBooneJr Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 The best Chicken Parm I've had in years -- if you like the OLD SCHOOL -- is at the Palm. It's exactly what you're looking for. But it's like $32 and huge, and I sort-of have an agenda, so my recommendation comes with a disclaimer and a tip. The disclaimer is that I would know nothing about the Chicken Parm at the Palm if I wasn't turned on to it by my girlfriend, who works there. And the tip is that if you go to the bar and order a half portion, which they'll gladly do and which makes it about the size of a normal dinner, it costs $16. Seriously, a half order is the size of a normal dinner. If you skip the Spaghetti, which is just overpriced Spaghetti, you'll leave happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnnchas Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I'm embarrassed to admit it here, but I remember really enjoying the chicken parm at Maggiano's in Tyson's (sure it is the same everywhere) a few years ago. Another spot where the portion is obscenely large. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I second the chicken parmesan at A La Lucia. Much as I would like to try other things on their menu, I can't help but to order the chicken parmesan once again. It is juicy, not dry, and reminiscent of all the great chicken parmesans I had growing up in Brooklyn. It is a big piece and I end up making a sandwich out of the leftovers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collije Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Nice RWBooneJr, I appreciate an old-school Chicken Parm. Thanks for the tip about the 1/2 portion at the bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I'm embarrassed to admit it here, but I remember really enjoying the chicken parm at Maggiano's in Tyson's (sure it is the same everywhere) a few years ago. Another spot where the portion is obscenely large. Nothing to be embarassed about and... that's the way it should be! If it ain't flopping over the plate, well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wysguymd Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 My favorite chicken parm is at That's Amore in Rockville. It's got a really nice crispy breading, and just the right amount of chunky tomato sauce. It often tends to be a touch over cooked, but its such comfort food, I still order it every time. Haven't tried the parm at Maggaianos, but their Saltimoboca is really good - more for the flavor than the quality of the chicken. But still good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simul Parikh Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Any updates on best chicken parm/sandwich form? I think it's one of my favorites. Have had really good ones in NJ/NY, but don't really have any go to place in DMV, other than a place by work that's pretty good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I have had the one by Mike Isabella's G and it was very good. Â 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Any updates on best chicken parm/sandwich form? I think it's one of my favorites. Have had really good ones in NJ/NY, but don't really have any go to place in DMV, other than a place by work that's pretty good. Oooh oooh.  Haven't had one in a while.  Now I'm hungry.  Chicken parm, veal parm (which is better).  I see its been 2 years since I've been to Pasta Plus in Laurel, but after going there, commenting and reading the thread I quote Justin Bittner on their veal parm from 2013.... Clams with white wine appetizer and veal parm with pasta side entree. And zabaglione for dessert. It's probably what I'll ask for if I'm ever on death row. Hey from Alexandria its not a terrible ride...into DC out NY Ave, hit Rte 1 North and go to Laurel.  As for me...I'll check out the Italian Store, its convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Any updates on best chicken parm/sandwich form? I think it's one of my favorites. Have had really good ones in NJ/NY, but don't really have any go to place in DMV, other than a place by work that's pretty good. Stopped at Earl's Courthouse/Clarendon today and saw Steve Dugan the owner. Â Put in a plug for a chicken parm sandwich. ( He responded with "good idea" but maybe he was just humoring me) Â Â I offered to be a tester. Â Â If I hear he is going to test it, I'll dm you Simul. Â Most of the sandwiches Earl's puts out are better than excellent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 That would make my husband so happy, DaveO (and I'd be pretty happy too). He had a craving for one a couple weeks ago and we got one at the Italian Store that he liked a lot. I miss Listrani's precisely for their chicken parm sub. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSnake Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 I always felt Faccia Luna in Alexandria did a good chicken parm. It's not a sub though 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyrotica Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Valentino's does a good chicken parm; I prefer it to their slices (I usually get a whole pie for carryout). Dilly's in Springfield does a solid diner chicken parm sandwich, but I prefer the bulgogi cheesesteak. Cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Bub and Pop's, the Philly-style sandwich joint at 18th & M, does a great chicken parm hoagie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Chief Wiggum: Whatcha got there, Simpson? Homer Simpson: Just my lunch. Roast beef parm, meatball parm, eggplant parm, moo goo gai parm, my wife can parm anything. Chief Wiggum: My wife only parms for me on my birthday, and that's only if I give her the sad puppy face look. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Il Forno in Ballston has a chicken parm sandwich on their lunch menu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rieux Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I had an extremely mediocre Chicken Parm this past weekend at Olazzo in Bethesda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandres374 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Hank's Pasta Bar has a chicken parm sandwich on their lunch menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanchai Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Damnit people, the discussion should be about a chicken parm hero! Oh, sorry, my apologies. My Queens, NY soul spoke for me. And I actually had a delicious one at G Sandwich. Non-traditional version with the lemon zest but still ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Damnit people, the discussion should be about a chicken parm hero! Oh, sorry, my apologies. My Queens, NY soul spoke for me. And I actually had a delicious one at G Sandwich. Non-traditional version with the lemon zest but still ... Yep, I had a Chicken Parm at G Sandwich (thanks to a recommendation from Mark Kuller), and it was fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Fortunately our office is ordering in lunch a bit. The staff chooses the place and I'll order what ever looks good. We are hitting up places now that include chicken parm sandwiches, and I'll keep trying and testing. I could easily do 2 or 3 chicken parm sandwiches a week for a month before it grows old. So far: Mom's Pizza in Arlington, at South Glebe and Columbia Pike. I've never been there. Didn't see it referenced in DR. Per their website they have been open over 50 years!!!!! Sad to say:  Terrible, at least for takeout. Poorly wrapped. Everything on the sandwich slipped off to the side. Nothing memorable, not the chicken the cheese, the sauce (really weak sauce) the bread. Pretty inexpensive though. But Mom's has been around for over 50 years so it must have other redeeming qualities. drum roll.....--> Cheese Cake Factory in Clarendon. This is good. Hey folks, while perusing the takeout menu they let you know they offer 250 items FRESH on the menu!!!!! Large chicken parm. Hard roll. Big portion. It came with a good bit of extra sauce in the container. I like this sauce. Its a bit complex .   Chicken, cheese, nice batter on the chicken.  An All around good chicken parm. Its been years if not over a decade since I've eaten at CheeseCake Factory but I certainly have had quite a few meals at different locations. What held true long ago, holds true today.  A lot of food for the price and I think this version is on the plus side. (Now I have a hankering to order a half portion at the Palm per the advice upthread.)  (hopefully the experiment to be continued..........)  2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 So, as one who grew up in the northeast with a great love for the Italian American classic (sandwich and otherwise), I though it deserved its own topic. A topic that welcomes any and all thoughts so long as about chicken parm. With thanks to ktmoomau for the inspiration Trader Joes has a decent frozen chicken parm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 4 hours ago, Mark Slater said: Trader Joes has a decent frozen chicken parm. Mark, what section of the store is this in? You might think you wrote a throwaway post, but if you found a good chicken parm that people can buy at a store, that's fairly significant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 I look forward to your reports! Never would've considered Cheesecake Factory. Do they deliver? (We would not make them a frequent stop - also haven't eaten there since the year they opened, once - but for chicken parm sandwiches we might do it occasionally.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 4 hours ago, Genevieve said: I look forward to your reports! Never would've considered Cheesecake Factory. Do they deliver? (We would not make them a frequent stop - also haven't eaten there since the year they opened, once - but for chicken parm sandwiches we might do it occasionally.) No delivery but order and pick up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 On 8/4/2016 at 10:26 PM, Mark Slater said: Trader Joes has a decent frozen chicken parm. On 8/5/2016 at 3:20 AM, DonRocks said: Mark, what section of the store is this in? You might think you wrote a throwaway post, but if you found a good chicken parm that people can buy at a store, that's fairly significant. Sorry, not frozen. In the prepared food section. At the Foggy Bottom TJ's it's the first cooler inside the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Our office has done take out from CheeseCake factory multiple times now. The chicken parm sandwiches are good. A cheese steak was quite tasty. I had a pasta lunch portion with veggies today; reasonably good. Boxed pasta but the veggies, spicing, and a light sauce were all quite good and the portion was ample. I have yet to step inside the Arlington CheeseCake Factory but I would dine there. All of the takeout is quite good, and the staff clearly favors it as they have reordered from there several times.  It is a step above quite a few restaurants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandynva Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 My husband likes the one from A Litteri 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibbee Nayee Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Here is the recipe from Pietro's in New Jersey....looks like something I would love to try. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now