Have you ever pondered the uncanny resemblance between a submarine sandwich roll and a colossal pickle? The culinary masterminds at Jimmy John’s certainly did, birthing a gastronomic marvel – “The Picklewich.” For a limited time, until November 14th, we exist in a universe where pickles reign supreme in the sandwich world. As a seasoned fast-food critic, it is my duty to explore this sodium-packed creation for the benefit of sandwich enthusiasts everywhere, regardless of their proximity to a Jimmy John’s.
As someone who holds both pickles and sandwiches in high regard, the concept of substituting bread with a giant pickle seemed like a bold step, potentially pushing the boundaries of taste and sodium tolerance. Would it be an overwhelming pickle experience? Could the flavors of the fillings still shine through? And could one consume this in public without attracting undue attention?
Driven by curiosity, I ventured to Jimmy John’s the moment the Picklewich debuted to experience this intriguing creation firsthand. Here’s my take on this pickle-centric sandwich.
Unpacking the Picklewich: What Is It?
The name says it all: pickle + sandwich = Picklewich. This limited-edition offering from Jimmy John’s reimagines the traditional sub by replacing their signature French bread with a substantial dill pickle. The pickle is expertly sliced lengthwise, creating the perfect vessel to encase the sandwich fillings – meat, cheese, and condiments.
According to the official Jimmy John’s website, the initial Picklewich lineup featured two distinct options: 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, during my in-person order, the Jimmy John’s staff pleasantly surprised me by revealing that any sub on their menu could be transformed into a Picklewich. This unexpected flexibility opened up a world of pickle-sandwich possibilities.
Taste Test: Is the Jimmy John’s Picklewich Actually Good?
Jimmy John's Cuban Picklewich
For my Picklewich experiment, I challenged the Jimmy John’s team to “Picklewich-ify” the Cubano, a flavorful creation boasting bacon, ham, provolone, mayo, mustard, and notably, sliced pickles. While I commend their adventurous spirit in crafting a pickle-on-pickle sandwich, my suspicions were confirmed – it was, perhaps, a step too far. After the first bite, I decided to remove the original sliced pickles, salvaging them for later enjoyment.
What remained was, unfortunately, still an intensely pickle-forward experience. It became clear that bread’s role in a sandwich extends beyond mere containment; it serves as the crucial binding element that harmonizes the diverse toppings. Without bread, the sodium content becomes overwhelming, overpowering the palate and masking all flavors except salt. Bread acts as a buffer, creating a balanced interplay between the pickles and ham. In its absence, the result is a flavor imbalance, leaning heavily towards pure pickle.
While I appreciate the vast world of pickle varieties, their form matters significantly when incorporated into a sandwich. Whole pickles, as used in the Picklewich, deliver an assertive flavor – fantastic on their own, but dominating when paired with other sandwich components like ham. Despite its shortcomings as a traditional sandwich, the Picklewich undeniably succeeds as a fast-food novelty. It’s a fun, shareable item for pickle enthusiasts, best enjoyed in moderation and with good health in mind due to its high sodium content.
Catch It While You Can: Picklewich Availability
The Jimmy John’s Picklewich is currently available at all Jimmy John’s locations nationwide. This limited-time offering will remain on the menu until November 14th. For those who appreciate the pickle flavor profile but find the Picklewich concept a bit too extreme, Jimmy John’s has also reintroduced their popular pickle-flavored potato chips, providing another avenue to satisfy your pickle cravings.
