A Pickle Lover Tries Jimmy John’s Picklewich Meal (& The Takeaway Is Surprising)

• What It Is: protein of your choice (options include ham, turkey, roast beef, tuna, veggie and Vito) with lettuce, tomato and provolone cheese on a pickle
• Price: $8

I’ll start by praising the pickle itself, which was thick, crunchy and delightfully sour. It wasn't dilly or herbaceous necessarily, but still vinegary and tangy, like a pickled cucumber in its purest form. I opted for turkey and all the fillings that came with it. The ingredients were fresh and high-quality…but it was hard not to be disappointed by the sandwich. My main issue was how small it was, especially compared to the promotional photos. Eight bucks felt steep for this puny-looking handheld. Plus, Jimmy John’s has incredible bread that’s always impeccably fresh, so it was easy to miss. Personally, I’d order a regular sammy and get a pickle on the side next time.

• What It Is: dill-flavored vinegar potato chips
• Price: $2

Zesty, herbaceous, oniony and delectably crunchy, these are begging to be smashed onto a sandwich—a real one, with bread. The chips are thick and crisp enough to maintain their texture, even in a layer of mayo or between cold cuts. If you love salt and vinegar chips, these dill-forward poppables are a natural next step.

• What It Is: ranch dressing with dill and pickle flavor
• Price: $1

I didn’t expect to be so wowed by the condiment over the main and side, but here we are. Tangy (from what I assume is buttermilk) and slightly acidic, it’ll liven up any humdrum sandwich you order. It doesn’t bash you over the head with pickle-y flourishes, but rather amplifies the pickle qualities of the chips and sandwich with herby notes and extra vinegar. As someone who’s tasted an unearthly amount of ranch dressing in her time as a food editor, take it from me: This one’s a keeper.