Washington Post Express
December 13, 2007
by Marc Zawel
WASHINGTON IS A CITY OF CHOICES. All it takes is a glance at the Brickskeller’s beer list or a Smithsonian events calendar to realize that residents in the nation’s capital have plenty to pick from besides their political affiliation. New York City-based Chop’t Creative Salad Company, the new design-your-own-salad joint on 7th Street NW across from Gallery Place, is no exception.
With more than 60 ingredients to choose from — including five types of lettuce and eight cheeses — and a mind-boggling 26 dressings, those in search of a healthy fix have been cramming into the first D.C. location since Chop’t arrived last month. Salads, priced $5.99 to $10.99, are offered with homemade grilled flatbread or can be built into a salad sandwich.
And Chop’t will soon be delivering even more choice. It plans on opening three additional locations, one in Arlington County and two in the District over the next several months. “Business at lunch and dinner has been great,” said Colin McCabe the company’s co-founder/owner. “Evening sales in D.C. have been better than any of our New York locations, and have exceeded our expectations.”
First up in January will be a Chop’t shop in the former Sticks & Bowls space (1300 Connecticut Ave. NW), just south of Dupont Circle. This will be followed by a Rosslyn opening (1735 N. Lynn St.) in mid-February and one more by early spring in the heart of the Golden Triangle (1899 L St. NW). A fourth location near Metro Center is currently being negotiated.
McCabe’s business parter and Chop’t co-founder Tony Shure said the company’s target audience is “anyone who enjoys good food.” He cited use of local produce and the expert mezzaluna choppers as two things that separate Chop’t from other popular lunch spots that feature salads.
Will the new locations lead to a lunchtime food fight? “There are some great concepts on 7th Street, like Chipotle and Potbelly,” McCabe said. “But we’re just trying to do our best without focusing on any one competitor.”
» Chop’t Creative Salad Company, 730 7th St. NW; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Gallery Place-Chinatown)
Marc Zawel 