I have been meaning to check out this sub shop, but was a bit hesitant due to the reviews; people either love this place or hate it. Well, I am so glad I decided to give this place a shot! I drove on into Lakewood and got a parking spot on the street right outside the shop, very convenient. (Also convenient that the Lakewood location is open until 8pm). I strolled on in and was greeted by a personable woman working the front. She was helpful with telling me what the subs were all about and which ones were popular. Since I had just received a coupon in the mail for a buy one get one half off, I decided to take advantage and try two different subs (yeah that's right, both for me!).
I opted for the West-Sider and the Payne Ave Panini. The West-Sider is a pressed sandwich with smoked turkey, caramelized bacon, chihuahua cheese, relish, lettuce, and a roasted tomato garlic spread. I enjoyed the firmer crust from the sub being pressed, however, it smelled and tasted like they had used peanut oil with the press. The sub was tasty, I was just thrown off with the lingering peanut smell and taste.
The Payne Ave Panini is kind of like a Bánh mì as it has Asian pork meatballs, relish, cilantro, carrot threads, adobo spread, and lime. This sub was not pressed so the bread was softer and with the moist meatballs and the other ingredients, you are looking at a soggier interior, but it tasted good so I had no problem with that.
The subs run about $9, but with the coupon my total was $13.50. The subs are also pretty big so you could easily share, put yourself in a food coma, or be like me and have leftovers for the next three days. They also sell bags of chips with flavors like crab or dill, sides of pasta salad (I think, I don't remember), and bottles of root-beer. I do love the logo of a pickle climbing a building, and you get a little side of sliced pickles with every sub order, but here is where I don't give them 5 stars. For a place that is named Cleveland Pickle and makes their own pickles, you would expect them to be pretty great, (aka unique and full of flavor), nope. The pickles do have a nice crunch to them, but the flavor is definitely lacking and unremarkable.
All in all, I will be back!