Syracuse Sandwich: Brooklyn Pickle's Cajun Turkey

Who: Brooklyn Pickle What: Cajun Turkey
Where: Burnet Ave, Syracuse Phone: 463-1851 Website: Brooklyn Pickle
Parking: Yes Accepts Credit Cards: Yes Take-Out: Yes Delivery: No

     This is the moment many of my regular readers have patiently been waiting for, for over a year now. I finally had the opportunity to visit what I considered to be the “Mecca” of sandwich places here in Syracuse. Now, re-read that last sentence. If you didn’t catch it, I said considered not consider. Yes Brooklyn Pickle is the first thing that comes to mind when you talk about sandwiches anywhere in Syracuse but after my latest trip, I feel the times could be a changing, at least for me. Christine and I had a Wednesday off together recently and decided to go to BP after our dentist appointments before we hit up Books and Memories on James Street. Knowing I was going to a review, I had to decide what the best selection would be to give BP a fair shot at a delicious rating. Two sandwiches came to mind, the Brooklyn Pickle Special and Cajun turkey on light rye. I decided to go for the latter and added mayo, lettuce, and onions. The Cajun turkey isn’t on their menu but when you go in, there are signs on every window advertising it. I’ve had it many times in the past and enjoyed it every time. I can remember BP as my favorite place to go when were anywhere near Erie Boulevard. Anyway, I grabbed a bottle of water, some baked Lay’s, and a small macaroni salad then headed to the “new” seating area to find a booth. I say new because it’s only been there a few years now.

     I unwrapped my sandwich and immediately discarded my complimentary homemade pickles because they are disgusting. I have always thought this and don’t know anyone who actually enjoys them. I only ordered a half because even at that size, they are much larger than any whole deli sandwich you will get in Syracuse. My sandwich was sloppily put together by a girl who was to busy gossiping with her coworkers than paying attention to what she was doing. But it doesn't matter how it looks so much as it does how it tastes so here we go. The light rye bread was boldly flavored and usually goes very well with the spiciness from the turkey but the turkey was lacking heat this time. This lead me to wonder if they just got an under seasoned batch or something. The lettuce and onion were fresh and crispy but were hidden amongst the mayo that was haphazardly spread onto the bread. With each bite the sandwich wasn't getting any better but neither was it getting any worse. I really wished the turkey was spicier because regular deli style turkey just doesn't do it for me anymore. For a deli sandwich it was good and it could have been better if it was put together with some care, but that didn't happen. Like I said before the times are a changing, while Brooklyn Pickle still packs a powerful punch in the deli sandwich world, they are starting to lose grip in the overall sandwich world. I hope that in time, I still think of Brooklyn Pickle when I hear somebody talk about sandwiches.

Rating: Tasty – Only because I’ve had it before and I blame the girl who made it for ruining it.