Attman's Potomac Deli — Restaurant in Maryland

We ate here for the first time recently. The food, for the most part, was excellent. The brisket was like cardboard though and the eclair and other pastry we got were not much better. However, the deli meats, soup and knish were wonderful. The reason I deducted two stars, is as follows:

First off, we ate in the restaurant which we will NEVER do again. We will only order to-go in the future. During dinner, I went to the bathroom and there was not a drop of soap to be found. The dispenser was clearly empty for a while. I went out and asked two staff members for soap. Togther, they shuffled around boxes for a while and finally told me to use the men's room. I ultimately returned to my seat. When I went back after dinner to wash my hands, still no soap. That really is unacceptable for any dining establishment. Not to mention that there was some weird "plastic wrap" looking thing on the drain of the bathroom. If you are out of the soap refills, go down the block to the supermarket and buy some bottles in the meantime. That's very disconcerting if your staff members are not washing their hands properly (there was also no sign in the bathroom the way most restaurants have to say that staff must wash their hands before returning). The pickle bar was also in disarray with a random pickle in a dish on the stack of dishes to take to help yourself. Not cool to have people with dirty hands making your food and probably some serious violations.

If that wasn't bad enough, the service was abysmal. To the owner, your staff is truly doing a disservice to your restaurant, not only in cleanliness, but attitude as well. When we were first seated and several times throughout the meal a busser was sent to our table to take our drink orders and etc. The problem was he spoke no English and couldn't understand our drinks and ultimately went and got the server. Why come over and ask if we want drinks if you don't understand what we want? Our server was one of the most unpleasant people I've ever met in my life. A frown a mile long and you could tell that anything you asked for was a MAJOR inconvenience. Never received a thank you from her, despite how polite we were, not so much as a crack of a smile, she never once checked on us, we had to flag her down multiple times (to ask for other inconveniences, like drink refills) and the huffs and puffs she gave as she stormed away were just remarkable. The busser did come by to see if we needed anything and we asked him for small plates and forks to share dessert. I might as well have asked him about the War of 1812 because it would have been just as effective. Still, at least he tried to help but ultimately had to get the server again.

Normally, the above two offenses would lead to a 1-star review, however, being from NY and growing up on NY deli food, this really was the closest I could find to that when it came down to it. We will return (after some time has passed, to ensure they have time to get soap first for their bathrooms) to get the deli food again but only to-go, unless management seriously re-does their staffing. As I said, they are truly hurting your brand and doing you a...

Update for 2021 - This place is awful now.

Tuna sandwich, western fries, small crab soup, coddie.

Tuna sandwich was barely edible. Lumps or white meat albacore are gone to be replaced by a tuna "paste" with little shreds of light (not white) tuna floating in mayo). Sort of a reddy light brown mix of tuna. Kinda fishy tasting. They even seem to have added relish which for me is the absolute sign they are trying to cover up second rate tuna. And prices were up 50% or more.

Crab soup was a good vegetable soup with a hint of small crab flakes floating around. Not crab soup.

Coddies were ice cold, too big hockey pucks with no mustard and no crackers. Called Bawlmer coddies. I'm from Bawlmer and these things a'int.

Western fries were good.

Lunch was $35 before drink and tip. That's a sandwich lunch. Not a full meal during Restaurant week.

I'm down with this place. The only guy I know who still makes decent tuna is the Corned Beef King in Rockville. I'll try him next.

This place goes back to "I remember when Attmans used to be good". Memory lane only. Avoid.

2013: Still a frequent visitor to the original in Baltimore since I have business up there. Thought the Potomac location was great.

Corned beef, rye, mustard - just the way it should be done. Nice meat, soft bread, hearty mustard. Ordered regular and came with very little fat. Piled high, not skimpy.

Wife got tuna. Nice large pieces of white meat. She was very pleased.

Ordered by phone so did not have to wait (the Baltimore tradition is you just go the front of the line). Only moderately crowded on a Saturday afternoon. Lots of people behind the counter. Expected it to be busier.

Don't see any reasons for the negative reviews. Better than Brooklyn Deli (and I like those guys too). Liked it just fine. I'll be back.

Maybe the Bethesda /Potomac crowd is just a little too full of themselves compared to we mellow...

Sorry, but sorely disappointed in the selections/meal. I had pulled up website prior to coming to restaurant (seeking the patty melt). But was told that they (Park Potomac) did not offer. What’s the big deal by placing a hamburger with Swiss cheese and grilled onion (NOT square/cut onions) and mayo on two pieces of RYE bread/grilled!! So I ordered the Monti Cristo. Disaster! The “French toast” was cold - NO powder sugar on the sandwich! The cheese did not melt! The Turkey tasted awful - very dry and “old/tainted” taste! The steak fries tasted “strange” - some type of thick “sweet” coating deep fried - weird? I also asked for a root beer float; but they said “No!” Unbelievable! If they can make various milkshakes - surely you can offer a glass of Dr. Brown’s root beer and ADD a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Last; but not least - I ordered one Eclair and took it home. Later this evening I cut it in half - was pleased with the filling, BUT the patisserie/doughnut was old/rubbery and tasteless!!! OMG! This eclair must have been on the shelf for several days! Overall, none of the food was fresh at all - except for the garden salad! Shame on Attman’s - not like it use to be. P.S. - I am a former employee of Marriott Corp. - so I know how foods should...