For as long as I can remember, the perennial local sandwich shop City Bites occupied the sleepy northwest corner at N. May and NW 59th. So, imagine my sullen surprise when, during a recent trip down May, I discovered it had been gutted, replaced by a new concept.
Sure, City Bites was just "alright," but at least you knew what you were getting from OKC’s “hippest” sandwich shop. And, let’s be honest, there was something oddly alluring about that lady in the sunglasses logo that made me crave a sandwich every time.
But as the sun set on City Bites, a new sandwich spot has stepped in to take its place: Pickleman’s (6001 N. May Ave.).
Although the sun went down on that City Bites location – a few stragglers still remain – a new sandwich chain has stepped in: Pickleman’s (6001 N. May Ave.)
During some "research"—okay, I was just reading the "About Us" section on their website—I learned that Pickleman’s is a small regional chain, stretching from Nebraska down to Arkansas. With my stomach growling impatiently, I figured it was time to give them a try.
It was one of those moody, rainy days in Oklahoma City, though the clouds seemed to be clearing as we arrived.
Inside, I wiped the rain off my glasses and felt like I had stepped into a Technicolor scene from The Wizard of Oz. The restaurant was warm and inviting, with a more upscale city deli vibe—quite a departure from the quirky City Bites I had grown accustomed to, especially without those bizarre bathroom mirrors. Seriously, what was up with those?
My girlfriend and I perused the menu, placed our orders, grabbed our drinks, and settled in at a table.
She opted for the half Buffalo Salad ($7.69), made with romaine lettuce, buffalo chicken, crumbled bleu cheese, mozzarella, and onions, along with a side of Chicken Salad ($4.99).
To me, the salad wasn’t bad. The romaine was crisp, the chicken had a nice bite, but the buffalo sauce tasted more like mustard, which didn’t sit well with me. My girlfriend wasn’t a fan either—she flat-out disliked it. More for me, I guess.
As for the side of Chicken Salad, I hoped it would be more her speed, but no luck there either. So, I graciously took that off her hands too. It was fine—leaning from "good" to "pretty good"—but nothing to rave about.
It was fine.
Now, my order was a different story.
I went with the Hodge Podge ($10.49), a heavily toasted sub packed with salami, capicola, turkey, ham, and provolone, topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. I paired it with their Spicy Pork Mac and Cheese ($8.99), featuring pulled pork, giardiniera peppers, and chipotle ranch.
This sandwich was everything I wanted. Usually, the best sandwiches are the ones piled high with meats, and this one didn’t disappoint. The combination of four different meats—especially the capicola—and the provolone delivered a satisfying punch to my taste buds, something I’d be crowing about for the rest of the day.
The spicy pork mac and cheese, on the other hand, didn’t have the same impact. It was fine as a side, but maybe I’ll try one of Pickleman’s pizzas next time.
As we left Pickleman’s, I smiled at the clearing sky and took a bite of my fresh-baked Chocolate Chip Cookie ($1.30). I figured I'd pick up my dog Sean and take him on a walk to a refreshing, glorious park.
But then I accidentally dropped the cookie, right in a puddle of standing water. What a sad ending for that cookie.
Although it lacks the quirky 1993 nostalgia of City Bites, Pickleman's is a step up in the sandwich game. Let's just hope they don't do anything weird with their bathroom mirrors.
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
