Jimmy John’s, known for its “Freaky Fast” sandwiches, has never shied away from bold moves. But their latest offering, the Picklewich, might just be their most audacious yet. Swapping out bread for a giant dill pickle? It’s either genius or madness. As your trusted fast-food critic at johnchen.net, I bravely ventured into the world of pickle-based sandwiches to bring you the definitive review of the Jimmy John’s Picklewich.
Decoding the Picklewich: What Exactly Is It?
The name pretty much spells it out: Picklewich = pickle + sandwich. This limited-time menu item from Jimmy John’s takes a massive dill pickle, slices it lengthwise, and uses it as the “bread” to house your favorite sandwich fillings. Forget your usual French bread; this is all about the pickle.
According to the official Jimmy John’s website, the initial offerings were supposed to be the Vito Picklewich (featuring salami, capocollo, provolone, and Italian dressing) and the Turkey Picklewich (turkey, provolone, lettuce, and tomato). However, during my visit, the friendly staff let me in on a delicious secret: you can actually “Picklewich-ify” any Jimmy John’s sub. This opens up a whole new dimension of pickle possibilities.
My Picklewich Experience: A Dive into Dill-iciousness (or Disaster?)
Jimmy John's Cuban Picklewich
To truly test the limits, I opted for a Picklewich version of the Cubano. This meant a pickle “bun” filled with bacon, ham, provolone, mayo, mustard, and – ironically – sliced pickles already included in the Cubano recipe. The Jimmy John’s team was game for my pickle-on-pickle experiment, and I commend their adventurous spirit.
Initially, the added sliced pickles seemed like a fun, extra layer of flavor. However, it quickly became clear that this was overkill. The internal pickles were promptly evicted and set aside for later consumption.
Even without the extra pickles, the experience was…intense. Bread, it turns out, plays a crucial role in sandwich harmony. It’s not just a vessel; it’s the mediator, the neutral ground where flavors mingle and balance. Without bread, the sheer saltiness of the pickle overwhelmed everything else. My taste buds were bombarded with sodium, making it difficult to discern any other flavors from the ham, bacon, or cheese. The pickle became the dominant, almost aggressive, flavor profile, eclipsing all other ingredients.
While I’m a devoted fan of all types of pickles, using a whole pickle as a sandwich base presents a challenge. Pickle slices in a sandwich offer a pleasant tang and crunch, but a whole pickle delivers a flavor punch that’s hard to integrate with other ingredients in a balanced way. It’s a pickle lover’s dream in theory, but in practice, it’s a flavor battle where the pickle wins by knockout, potentially at the expense of your taste buds’ overall enjoyment.
The Verdict: Novelty or Culinary Breakthrough?
The Jimmy John’s Picklewich, in my expert opinion, is less of a successful sandwich and more of a fast-food spectacle. It’s undeniably a conversation starter, a quirky and memorable food experience. I can see the appeal for hardcore pickle enthusiasts, especially as a fun, shared novelty item among friends who appreciate a good, salty thrill. However, it’s crucial to approach it with realistic expectations and a healthy cardiovascular system.
Picklewich Availability: Catch It While You Can
If you’re intrigued and brave enough to try the Picklewich, head to your nearest Jimmy John’s location soon. This pickle-powered creation is only available for a limited time, until November 14th. And for those who love the pickle flavor but prefer it in a less overwhelming format, Jimmy John’s has also brought back their pickle-flavored potato chips – a potentially more balanced way to get your pickle fix.
