The San Diego Union-Tribune
NORTH COUNTY FOOD FINDS
Sandwiches (with pickles) top the bill at Spicy Pickle
By Maria Desiderata Montana

October 13, 2005
POWAY – In ancient times, Aristotle praised the healing effects of cured cucumbers. And Cleopatra attributed part of her beauty to pickles, though no one really knows which part.

You can add your name to history's parade of pickle lovers by visiting the new Spicy Pickle restaurant in Poway.

Spicy Pickle's hot and cold sandwiches, made with high-quality meats and artisan breads, can be customized with your choice of 11 cheeses, 21 toppings and 15 spreads.

And all sandwiches come with the trademark spicy pickle. If you get hooked, you can buy a jar to take home.

The first Spicy Pickle was served in 1999. The chain originated in Colorado and spread to Kentucky, Oregon and now California, with a franchise in the heart of Poway.

Spicy Pickle corporate managing partner Marc Geman was eager to bring the Spicy Pickle to the West Coast. "It has been a long time coming," he said. "We wanted to give people the option to choose something unique for lunch that is more fast-casual than fast-food."

The owners of the Poway franchise are Mark and Linda Bailow. Mark worked as a clinical psychologist and Linda was a special-education teacher for 25 years before they moved here from Denver to be near their children and grandchildren.

Spicy Pickle's hot sandwiches are panini – iron-pressed on focaccia bread. There are nine specialty paninis that have become customer favorites. Vegetarians can try the Bastille Panini, with portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, smoked gouda, red onions, tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts and sun-dried tomatoes.

Or go for the Italian Panini and enjoy a generous portion of mortadella, hard salami, capicolla, red onions, lettuce, tomatoes, provolone and basil mayonnaise. The Sausalito Bandido features Sausalito turkey, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, pepper Jack and chipotle mayo.

Of course, you can always build your own sandwich. For $6.45, get as many toppings as you like. All sandwiches are just under $7.

The Double Dilly-yo Combo is a choice of either a half panini or half sandwich with soup or salad for $5.95. A variety of chips and drinks are also offered.

Don't miss the spinach salad – spinach, fresh apples, walnuts and crumbled blue cheese served with apple cider vinaigrette. Salads range from $5.50 to $6.95. Add tuna or mesquite turkey for $2.

If you need some comfort food, try a tasty soup in a fresh bread bowl. Choose from vegetable, broccoli-cheddar or corn-green chile bisque, to name a few. Soups are $2.50 to $3.50.

Customers order at the counter, give their names and take a seat. The food is brought to them.

Customer service is the priority for the Spicy Pickle. The servers are encouraged to learn customers' names and use them.

"We pride ourselves on excellent food and quality customer service," said Mark Bailow. The formula seems to be working, he added: "The lines are out the door at lunch."
Spicy Pickle, located at 13305 Poway Road, is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday. Call ahead for takeout and catering information: (858) 748-1640. For more information, visit www.spicypickle.com