Who didn’t grow up loving a good grilled cheese sandwich?? Warm, melted, gooey cheese… maybe a little ham or turkey inside- all on warm, toasty bread. Throw in some soup and Kool-aid, and I am 6 years old again sitting cross legged on the floor watching Scooby Doo cartoons! Maybe that’s why one of my favorite sandwiches in world is a Panini- grilled cheese for grown ups. I try them every place they are available, and so far, no local panini has come close to the Spicy Pickle. 

This cool little sandwich shop won my heart with its Sausalito Bandido- Sausalito turkey, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, pepperjack cheese and chipotle mayo. Balance is so important in a great sandwich- you don’t want to take a bite and taste all mayo but no turkey! Spicy Pickle layers the meat, veggies, cheeses and condiments just right so that you savor each distinct ingredient with every mouthful. I’m also a big fan of the Sinker- Spicy Pickle tuna, lettuce, tomatoes, pepperjack cheese and horseradish mayo. (Try it with honey mustard instead of mayo sometime- excellent!) My biggest complaint about tuna sandwiches is how soggy they leave the bread- not so with a Spicy Pickle Sinker! Their tasty tuna is fresh and not loaded down with mayo, and the fresh sub roll keeps it texture. Petty? Maybe, but little things can ruin a sandwich- am I right?? Like veggies that are too big, or not well drained, meat that’s not tender or too fatty, or a roll that isn’t absolutely fresh.  Never experiences any of these issues at the Spicy Pickle, and I’ve been at least 8 times (make that 12, I recently updated this review!)  

You can even create your own sandwich from a large menu of ingredients and condiments, but so far their combinations have been so well done I haven’t felt the need to do change a thing. They’re not your typical ingredients, so they aren’t your typical sandwiches. Artichoke hearts, corn relish, spinach- combine that with a wide variety of meats and spreads and you can have a new experience every day! 

And of course- the crowning accent- the spicy pickle itself. A fat, juicy pickle soaked in a special brine that has that secret something extra that makes it a darn good pickle with a kick.  Not since the New York delis I've dined in while visiting my in-laws have I had such a hearty pickle. You can grab a bag of chips on the side, or better yet- try one of their homemade soups. The She–Crab soup is a rich creamy delight that will fill you up quickly, laden with crab and full of flavor. I wish I could review the other soups but I can’t bring myself NOT to get She–Crab every time I go!  Somebody please come with me and order Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup so I can try a bite...

There are traditional and original salads as well: like the El Rancho- Romaine lettuce, mesquite turkey, black beans, corn relish and chopped tomatoes served with spicy ranch dressing.  The fast, friendly service makes this a nice place to stop for lunch or a light dinner, and the atmosphere is pleasant: clean, uncluttered, and comfortable. Plenty of local papers are lying around for you to browse through while they build your sandwich.

Outdoor seating adds to the experience when the weather is good- people watching while enjoying a great meal just can’t be beat. If you haven’t given this sandwich shop a try- take the time to go- it’s worth it to try the innovative creations and if nothing else- that special, spicy pickle! 

Spicy Pickle Passes with Flying Colors!