Spicy Pickle

Staff is incredibly friendly and attendant, but it doesn’t quite make up for the relatively bland food.
I got the santa cruz sandwich the first time, which was fine, but I was just expecting more I guess. The chipotle mayo did not have the kick I was expecting. I like spicy stuff and I like pickles, so I was def a fan of the pickle that came with the sandwich.
Went back for a salad a few days later. The name escapes me, but it was a southwestern-​style chicken salad type of thing. It was good, but the dressing came on the side, and I guess I was expecting it to be mixed in and tossed. No real complaints, but nothing I couldn’t make myself.
The menu looks like it has variety, and it seems good for a quick bite, but I have pretty high sandwich standards.

I am loving this place. Great sandwiches, good prices and super friendly staff. Best part is that it’s just far enough out of Little Italy that it’s rarely ever busy so you can easily get your order and a table and be out in less than 30 minutes.
My fav is the Santa Cruz the corn relish and avocado are a tantalizing combination for my little taste buds. Love it.

I recently discovered this place and actually really like it. I’d recommend the turkey sandwich on wheat. It’s a really healthy sandwich option that is moderately priced and I believe one of the cheaper sandwiches they offer there. I also really enjoy the macaroni salad side (although very small. amount 4 – 5 bites) and the SPICY PICKLE.
Can take awhile to get your sandwich during lunch hours so I’d recommend calling in your order to get your sandwich faster.

I’m surprised about this place — funny name and convenient location, and after trying it out this week, the SP definitely warrants a return visit.
We had a panini & a sandwich, which were both above average.
–I minorly question the pricing at just under $ 8 a sandwich, as I didn’t think anything was superb.
–The menu indicates the sandwiches/​paninis are served with a pasta side or side salad. I wasn’t given an option at time of ordering, and the pasta side salad was tasteless. *Do not recommend*
–Weren’t given napkins when food was brought to our table, the napkins are not in the logical condiment area
–Minor confusion as to if you are supposed to «bus» your own table or not. Not clear.
Would try a salad next time I go.

This place is right across from our building and we have re-​named it the Pricey Pickle.
Do people not realize that India Street is 3 blocks away? Max of a 5 min walk?
Go to Mimmos or Filippis for a delicious and gigantic sandwich for less than $ 7.
The couple of times we HAD to go there was enough for us for a lifetime. Once they got the order wrong and said it was a mix-​up and had us wait 20 min for a re-​do without any apology or throwing in a drink or anything for the inconvenience.
Customer service is not a strong point here.
But people like it, I just am at an utter loss of exactly why…

True story from Tara P, that they messed up your order. I thought this place was a pretty delightful sandwich and the potatoe soup was nothing to snear at either.
They did forget: Chips, Drink, Cookie and the extra soup on an order of over $ 70 that I placed for my office. In the rain, running back and forth to retrieve items that were left off, is definitely a bit annoying. But, alas, I’ll let it go and would be pretty likely to attend again.

Nom nom nom! its really good. i love the englishman and the gobbler. Pretty tasty soups to boot!
My biggest beef is that i think for 8 bucks a sandwich should come with something… a scoop of tater salad or a handful of chips or something…

Spicy Pickle is awesome! One of the only places that makes a great veggie panini! Love the pickles too! Staff is very polite and attentive to customers as well. Hope this place opens more locations!
Will be going back soon!

I really enjoyed the Santa Cruz Sandwich. I was unsure about corn relish but it ended up being a good sandwich addition. The Caesar Salad was a bit too sweet for my liking but I thought adding artichokes to it was a clever twist. The food came out pretty quickly once the order was placed but the employees seemed super ditsy and easily confused. I’ll probably eat here again.

The pickle really is spicy! And delicious.
Was downtown for a job orientation and grabbed a quick lunch at the Spicy Pickle. For 12pm on a Tuesday, it was surprisingly slow. I got the greek sandwich, it was great. My only gripe: pretty expensive. Plan on spending $ 8+ for lunch.

What do Captain Crunch and Spicy Pickle paninis have in common? The number they do on the roof of your mouth. They tear shit up. I went for the Sausalito Bandido, so, the swallowing of sharp carbohydrates was followed by a very fiery finishing touch. If I weren’t such a masochist, you’d think I was complaining.
Our food came out rather quickly, despite the lunch rush. I’d say our sandwiches came out within 10 minutes. The outdoor seating made for a pleasant (albeit, brief) wait. I’ll return for the convenience and to check for consistency. Next time I’ll try the Italian «Punani» Sandwich that Craig W. mentioned below. Teehee!

No complaints at all from my experience at the Pickle.
The Gobbler was interesting and delicious but I really liked my Italian punani sandwich. The sandwiches were large and everything tasted very fresh. And the «spicy» pickle thrown in with each sandwich was also excellent (note to owners: Go ahead and sell those pickles for a quarter each. People will buy them. Trust me.) And the staff was very friendly.
I will be back to try more of their sandwiches. It’s a little pricey, overall, but the stuff you get is quality and for that I will pay a little extra.

I fell in love with Spicy Pickle when I lived in Denver, CO so I was thrilled they had one out here in Little Italy in downtown San Diego. Yummy sandwiches, my favorite being the Roma or custom made.
Your sandwich always comes with a (spicy) pickle, crispy and delicious.

Just finished eating my panini right now. Built my own with… basil mayo, turkey, sun dried tomatoes, cheddar cheese, lettuce and spinich. VERY DELICIOUS and I am very satisfied and full :)
I had never been and really only went in because i liked the name (haha) and felt unsure of what to get. The cook came out and gave me some SPECIFIC suggestions on what he liked and didn’t like and that made everything much easier and faster.
Chick at the register was very fast and friendly and pretty cute haha
Highly recommend this to anyone out for lunch or a quick bite. Great prices, great food and great service. What else do you need?

I was briefly terrified one morning to see a giant, green, phallic pickle mascot lumbering toward me on the sidewalk outside my place. It was a few seconds before I noticed the Spicy Pickle sign — apparently he (she?) was off to drum up business in Little Italy.
A mere block from my house, I finally tried Spicy Pickle a few weeks ago. Good food, helpful and patient staff, and a decent ambiance (although they seem to close early-​ish some nights).
I’ll have to go back to know for sure, but given the location and my initial impression, this could become a regular sandwich stop.

You know it, I know it and Southern California is getting ready to know it too.
So I’m from Denver, living in LA and out in San Diego for the weekend looking at condos when I turn a corner and BOOM. I see it.
My thought process…
«hey a spicy pickle»
«Wait a minute, a Spicy Pickle?»
«Hold on here, A SPICY Pickle??»
«HOLY FRIGGIN CRAP, A SPICY PICKLE!!!»
I Immediately rush RIGHT the F in, still almost hyperventilating from what I’ve just seen outside.
«HI! CAN YOU MAKE ME A SANDWICH, ANY SANDWICH WILL DO PLEASE, ANY SANDWICH THAT YOU JUST COULD SLAP TOGETHER WILL DO JUST FINE» I say as the cashier looks at me like I’m on some sort of crack.
«Um, sure… are you okay though?» she asked
At this point I realized I was kinda making an ass out of myself and started to settle down from all the excitement that had just overwhelmed me.
«Sorry» I say «Just well, you know, I’m from Denver and…»
Her look is not changing from the «AND??» look.
Nevermind, just let me build my own and I’ll get out of your way.
I am a VERY happy camper.
Now please hurry with the LA stores… please?

I’m so suprised I have not written a review for the Famous SPICY PICKLE.
Yes, they actually do give you a spicy pickle with your meal.
The panini’s are very good!
Highly recommended!

This place is legit. Some stuff is a little over-​priced — like the Roma panini that is just mozzerella and tomatoes for the same price as the meaty panini.
But, it is close to my school and I’m willing to pay a little more than I think I should for their sandwiches.
So far I’ve had the Bastille panini and the Roma — the Bastille is way better, but get it without alfalfa sprouts, unless you LOVE them.

This place completely surprised me. Being from the Bay Area, I’ve never heard of Spicy Pickle because we have nothing even remotely close by. I went online trying to find the nearest location because I loved it that much. This franchise is less than 2 blocks from the DoubleTree Hotel that we were staying at, so it was very convenient.
I love Panini & ordered the Bastille (pretty much vegetarian) for under $ 7.00 (no drinks), which was delicious. They included a Spicy Pickle!

Okay so I was expected something less corporate but I’m not 5 star stingy so I’ll throw the red 5 out for the vegetarian panini which was huge and DELISHH and the fact that they really do have SPICY PICKLES!
I like honesty, so sue me.
What are people expecting? Backrubs? Quick sammiches with ice tea. Nom nom nom.