Brooklyn Pickle Pinehurst — Restaurant in Southern Pines

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

After hearing lots of hype about Brooklyn Pickle, which opened its first deli outside of New York State here recently, my wife and I were eager to try it. Sadly, it was a huge disappointment.

She ordered a hot pastrami on rye along with a cheesecake, while I ordered a corn beef on rye with sauerkraut and cheese (effectively making it a rueben), along with a pickle. To be fair, the thinly sliced deli meats in both sandwiches were of excellent quality, and the cheesecake was great, firm with lots of cream cheese.

The problem was that in order to produce a hot sandwich, the staff microwaved the meat and toasted the bread instead of grilling the sandwiches to achieve a crusty exterior and to meld the ingredients together. These practices rendered our sandwiches mediocre.

The pickle chips provided with the sandwiches were top notch, but the individual kosher dill pickle I ordered was a bit mushy and lacked much dill taste. Since the place is called Brooklyn Pickle, one would assume that pickles would be a signature item. Bubbies pickles are much better.

Another head scratcher: the staffer who took our order and made our sandwiches asked my wife if she wanted Russian dressing on her pastrami. Puzzled, she asked if it wasn't traditional to use Thousand Island dressing. He said the shop's Russian dressing was just like Thousand Island. Hmmm.

I have been to a number of great delis in NYC, Chicago, Kansas City and Seattle. This isn't one of them. Perhaps it's because the chain really is not based in and has nothing to do with Brooklyn (another head scratcher).

Luckily, there is a great local sandwich shop, Roast, located near the airport. Though not a traditional deli in the sense of offering perennial favorites like hot pastrami and reuben sandwiches, Roast's offerings are creative and...

Hot dayum! I could eat here every. single. day. Today was my first time visiting, and it was an incredible experience. TLDR: Great food, amazing service, must try!

Right out of the gate, the level of service was beyond stellar. I was greeted with a smile and since thus was my first time and couldn't make up my mind, I asked for a suggestion and what I believe may be a manager or owner was on point with her suggestion! The young man making my sandwich seemed to be very new, and the way she spoke to him while instructing and correcting him was what every single LEADER should do. She is the kind of person who gets big bonuses and a higher position on Undercover Boss. She was/is phenomenal. The world needs more of her.

The food: The bread brought back memories, but I can't pinpoint it. It was delicious on its own. The meat was stacked. The Italian tomatoes were beautifully seasoned. I'm not sure what sauces she put on it, I know mayo was one, but it was the perfect amount, not dry, not too wet. The cream cheese brownie... mind blown. It is delicious. Haven't tried the pasta or potato salad yet, but I'm sure it'll be just as good.

The portion: I got a whole sandwich and I ate it all, but I've also only had a little bite earlier in the day and am on hour 13 of being awake. If I were to stop for lunch or even dinner if I had lunch, I would get a half. The price matches the portions perfect.

All in all, it was amazing and I cannot wait to return to the area to try out another amazing sandwich. Wish I...

I stopped by Brooklyn Pickle in Southern Pines yesterday because my soul said “roast beef or bust.” I used to come here all the time when they first opened, and let me tell you, some things never change in the best way. Their pickle juice and those Hungarian peppers are still top tier life choices.

I ordered the roast beef sub with lettuce, tomato, and extra onions. No dressing for me because I like to taste the meat and live dangerously with onion breath. Paired it with their Hungarian peppers and the oil they swim in. Before you judge, try it. Chef’s kiss perfection. The peppers were not as spicy as I remember from years past, but that did not stop me from eating the entire tub like it was my life’s mission.

I also grabbed a small and medium chicken soup plus some chips. The broth was flavorful and the veggies and noodles were solid. The chicken texture was not my favorite, but I am a dark meat girly through and through, so take that note with love. Would I get it again? Yes, probably with less chicken and more of that comforting broth.

Now the service. Shina made my sandwich while chatting with me like we were old friends catching up at the deli counter, and everyone else was just as kind. That type of friendly energy is priceless. Ten out of ten on the service vibe.

Overall, Brooklyn Pickle delivered like they always do. If you love deli style sandwiches, bold flavors, and staff who treat you right, go give them a try. I will...