Have you ever looked at a submarine sandwich roll and thought, “Hey, that looks just like a giant pickle”? The culinary masterminds at Jimmy John’s certainly did, and this spark of inspiration has led us to a bold new menu item: “The Picklewich.” Available for a limited time, this creation has turned our sandwich expectations on their head. As a seasoned fast-food critic with considerable experience in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of quick eats, it fell to me to bravely sample this sodium-packed novelty for the benefit of everyone, whether you’re a Jimmy John’s regular or just a curious foodie.
As someone who genuinely loves both pickles and sandwiches – independently, and with great passion – I must admit, the concept of ditching the bread entirely for a massive pickle felt like a step into uncharted, and potentially salty, territory. Would the intense pickle flavor overpower everything else? Could I even discern the fillings? And perhaps most importantly, could I eat this in public without making a complete spectacle of myself?
Driven by professional curiosity and a slight sense of bewildered anticipation, I headed straight to Jimmy John’s the moment the Picklewich was launched. Here’s my honest take.
What Exactly is the Jimmy John’s Giant Pickle Sandwich (Picklewich)?
The name really does say it all: pickle + sandwich = Picklewich. For this limited-edition offering, Jimmy John’s takes a giant dill pickle – and we mean giant – slices it lengthwise, and uses these halves in place of their signature French bread. Inside this briny vessel, they pack in the usual sandwich suspects: meat, cheese, and your choice of condiments.
According to the official Jimmy John’s menu online, the Picklewich is supposed to come in two main forms: the Vito Picklewich, loaded with salami, capocollo, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, vinegar, and oregano-basil; and the Turkey Picklewich, featuring turkey, provolone, lettuce, and tomato. However, when I went to order in person, the friendly staff let me in on a little secret: almost any Jimmy John’s sub can be transformed into a Picklewich. This unexpected flexibility was a welcome surprise, hinting at a willingness to experiment beyond the pre-defined options.
Taste Test: The Cubano Picklewich Experience
Jimmy John
A Jimmy John’s Cubano Picklewich is presented, showcasing a giant pickle halved and filled with sandwich ingredients.
Intrigued by the possibilities, I challenged the Jimmy John’s team to “Picklewich-ify” the Cubano. This sandwich already includes sliced pickles, along with bacon, ham, provolone, mayo, and mustard. I have to give them credit; they didn’t flinch at my request for a pickle-on-pickle creation. However, as perhaps expected, it turned out to be a bit of an over-pickled predicament. After just one bite, I decided to evict the inner sliced pickles, carefully setting them aside for future snacking.
Even without the added pickle slices, the main issue remained: it was still overwhelmingly pickle-y. This experience highlighted a crucial role that bread plays beyond simply being a holder for sandwich fillings. Bread acts as a neutral base, a binder that allows different flavors to harmonize. Without it, the sheer saltiness of the giant pickle took center stage, overpowering my taste buds to the point where I could barely detect anything else. In a regular sandwich, bread politely mediates between the tangy pickle and the savory ham. In the Picklewich, it’s a flavor free-for-all, and the pickle wins, decisively.
While the Picklewich, in my opinion, doesn’t quite succeed as a well-balanced sandwich, it undeniably excels as a fast-food curiosity. It’s the kind of food item that sparks conversation and elicits reactions, and in that sense, it’s quite entertaining. I could see this being a fun, albeit intense, snack to share with a group of pickle enthusiasts, ideally those without any sodium sensitivities.
Is the Giant Pickle Sandwich a Hit or Miss?
Ultimately, the Jimmy John’s Giant Pickle Sandwich, or Picklewich, is more of a novelty than a culinary masterpiece. It’s a bold experiment that pushes the boundaries of what we consider a sandwich, and for that, it deserves some recognition. However, if you’re looking for a balanced and flavorful lunch, the intense pickle flavor might be too dominant.
Availability and Final Thoughts
The Picklewich is currently available at Jimmy John’s locations nationwide for a limited time, specifically until November 14th. If you’re a pickle lover intrigued by the concept but perhaps hesitant about the full-pickle commitment, Jimmy John’s has also brought back their pickle-flavored potato chips. These might offer a more approachable way to satisfy your pickle cravings. As for the Giant Pickle Sandwich itself, it’s worth trying if you’re adventurous and have a serious love for pickles, but be prepared for a flavor experience that is, shall we say, heavily skewed towards the briny side.
