Pickles are making a comeback—and how! The latest trend is the pickle sandwich which first became famous at Elsie’s. By “pickle sandwich,” of course, we mean a sandwich served on a pickle. It has a dill pickle half where each slice of bread would normally be. You read that right!
Elsie’s is a tiny sandwich shop in Haddon Township, New Jersey (sorry New Yorkers, this place is practically in Philly.) From Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Elsie’s serves a variety of sandwiches that all have one thing in common: huge dill pickles instead of bread. In fact, the salty sandwiches have become so popular that they’re set to open a 2nd location in Northfield, NJ sometime this year (nope, it’s still not New York, sorry).
Find all sorts of ways to make a low-carb sandwich without bread.
What Is a Pickle Sandwich?
Elsie’s is the self-described “Home of the Pickle Sandwich.” And pickle sandwiches are all they serve! Don’t worry, though. You’ve got two types of pickle sandwiches to choose from. You can go with a classic pickle (sliced down the middle), served with the fillings piled high, like a sub sandwich or hero. You can also choose a pickle or cucumber, sliced as thin as a tortilla, and used to make “roll-up” sandwiches.
“We’re a sandwich shop without the bread,” Elsie’s co-owner Katherine Cohen told Thrillist. “We have a family pickle recipe that we resurrected.” If Cohen ever gets tired of making pickles, maybe she’ll add her secret recipe to our collection of vintage pickle recipes!
The Story Behind the Pickle Sandwich
So, how did the owner of Elsie’s “cook” up this genius, low-carb, salty sandwich? “My mom is a diabetic, and I made her a pickle sandwich instead of using bread,” Cohen told the Courier Post. Soon enough, people started noticing those pickle sandwiches and asking where they could get ’em.
Is It Worth the Trip?
That depends! Just ask yourself the questions below, and we’ll tell you if you’re ready for the greatest thing since sliced pickles:
- Since the day we tipped you off about Gordy’s Fine Brine pickle juice, have you been splashing it into anything and everything (we’re talking mac and cheese, pork chops, deviled eggs and potato salad)?
- Is there any distance you wouldn’t travel for a refreshing swirl of pickle ice cream on a hot summer evening?
- Does the thought of these Lay’s Fried Pickles With Ranch potato chips make your mouth water?
If you answered “yes,” go ahead and satisfy your pickle craving with a trip to New Jersey. For anyone not on the East Coast, shop for salty pickle-flavored foods on Amazon. Of course, you can always make a pickle sandwich at home, or any of these delicious pickle-based recipes.
Find More Things to Eat When You're Obsessed With Pickles
Taste of Home
Enjoy deep-fried pickles? You’ll love this version even more. Dill pickle slices are coated with panko bread crumbs and spices, then air-fried until crispy. Dip them in ranch dressing for an appetizer you won’t soon forget. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Go to Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger CasseroleThis casserole has it all: ground beef, bacon, onions and cheese, all baked up in your trusty 9x13 pan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Dill Pickle DipMy love for pickles led me to create this dill pickle dip. It's so easy to whip together. But be warned...it's addicting! —April Anderson, Forest Lake, Minnesota
Dill Pickle SoupThis dill pickle soup is made from a century-old Swiss recipe. Traditionally, it is a winter soup, but we serve it year-round because of the demand. —Nancy Ross, Salem, Oregon
Cuban SlidersThese wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
Cheeseburger PizzaMy husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pie with mayo and dill pickle juice. People who try this cheeseburger pizza always laugh in surprise because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois
Dill Pickle Potato SaladThis creamy dill pickle potato salad makes a flavorful and attractive addition to a Fourth of July picnic or church supper.—Nancy Holland, Morgan Hill, California
Cheeseburger NachosCheeseburger nachos are the perfect game-day graze. Load them up with all the toppings or let everyone claim part of the platter that they can top with their faves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Fried Dill PicklesYou may be surprised when you see how easy it is to make a batch of Fried Dill Pickels. Don't be surprised if they get snatched up in a flash! —Eloise Maynor, Scottsboro, AL
Dilly Turkey MeltThis is a hearty grilled sandwich with a distinctive and delicious combination of ingredients. The pickle slices add a bit of fun, and the barbecue sauce provides a hint of sweetness that's irresistible. —Henry Mujica, North Riverside, Illinois
Pastrami Roll-UpsFor a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty bites quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois
Dill Bloody MarysWith a nice level of pepper, and just enough dill from the pickle, these Bloody Marys are sure to please. To make Contrary Marys simply leave out the vodka. —Jay Ferkovich, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Cheeseburger PieThis cheeseburger pie tastes so much like its namesake—right down to the pickles in it! We home-school our children so I like easy recipes like this that get them involved in cooking. —Rhonda Cannady, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Dilly Mini Cheese Balls??These mini cheese balls are perfect for any gathering, no matter what time of year it is! Kids love the cheesy, salty flavor, and adults appreciate how easy they are to make. —Carole Lanthier, Courtice, Ontario
Moist N Tender WingsHere are some irresistible, fall-off-the-bone chicken wings that everyone will love. Chili sauce and powder give them just a bit of heat, while molasses lends a hint of sweetness. They make a fantastic meal served with rice. –Sharon Morcilio, Joshua Tree, California
Cubano Macaroni SaladOne of my favorite sandwiches is a hot Cubano, piled high with juicy pork, layers of ham and melty Swiss cheese. These same ingredients are amazing in a macaroni salad. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Cheeseburger NachosCheeseburger nachos are the perfect game-day graze. Load them up with all the toppings or let everyone claim part of the platter that they can top with their faves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cuban Roasted Pork SandwichesFor an incredible hot sandwich, slowly roast pork in a seasoned citrus marinade, then layer slices of the meat with pickles, zippy mustard, ham and cheese. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Ham & Pickle WrapsI decided to try this recipe on my card club, and it was a big success. They loved it. This ham pickle roll up recipe can be swapped around and changed in so many different ways and always turns out as an awesome appetizer or great-looking centerpiece over a hand of cards.
Chili Dog PizzaMy girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It’s a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri
Garlic-Dill Deviled EggsIn my family, Easter isn't complete without deviled eggs. Fresh dill and garlic perk up the flavor of these irresistible appetizers that you'll want to eat on every occasion. —Kami Horch, Calais, Maine
Sweet and Hot Chicken with Dill Pickle SauceThis is my low-carb version of Nashville hot chicken. We try to cut carbs as much as possible, so the fried breaded version and the sandwich version of this dish were out. Instead, I make a baked rendition with the same delicious flavors. This is also amazing made with chicken tenders and served in wraps. —Fay A. Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Peanut Butter Pickle SandwichCrunchy, tangy, salty and sweet, this open-faced peanut butter pickle sandwich hits all your cravings. —James Schend,
Taste of Home Deputy Editor
One-Pot Bacon Cheeseburger PastaWhen the weather's too chilly to grill, I whip up a big pot of this cheesy pasta. Believe it or not, it tastes just like a bacon cheeseburger, and it's much easier for my young children to enjoy. —Carly Terrell, Granbury Texas
Updated: Nov. 01, 2023
