Spicy Pickle brings gourmet sandwiches to second location

It's quite a Pickle.

What to choose out of this menu.

"It's a concept that's done well here," says Lynelle Robison, owner and area developer of the Spicy Pickle, the gourmet sandwich shop that opened its second Las Vegas location -- at 7271 Amigo St., in the McCarran Business Center -- on Aug. 9. "The city has been great about supporting us and they love the food."

Based in Denver and franchised across 10 states with about 50 restaurants -- with one local location already at 9985 S. Eastern Ave. -- the Spicy Pickle specializes in fresh baked breads and a choice of eight cheeses, 22 toppings and 14 spreads. Add to that paninis and sub sandwiches with flavors from around the globe.

And of course, a spicy pickle is served with everything. "Not too spicy, very tasty," Robison says.

"Fast casual" is how the company describes its concept, as opposed to fast food. "The difference between fast casual and fast food is great food served quickly and not in the fast food environment," Robison says.

"We take your order off the counter as you would in a fast food establishment; however, from that point on we give service to you as though you were in a full-service restaurant. And we know everybody is on a short time frame for lunch so our food comes out in seven minutes or less."

Though having recently added a breakfast menu, the Spicy Pickle specializes in lunch items. "It's not all Italian sandwiches," Robison says.

"We do a mixture of different sandwiches and paninis. We also offer black bread, pizza and we have some wonderful fresh-made salads and soups."

Labeling their kitchen "our culinary playground," Robison also credits the taste buds of Las Vegans for the success of the Spicy Pickle.

"I really believe Las Vegas has a sophisticated food palate with everything we have to offer here in our city. Spicy Pickle fits right in with that, especially in that lunch demographic."

Even in this unfortunate economy, the Spicy Pickle plans to expand locally, Robison says. "We have a third, a fourth and a fifth planned," she says.

Concentrating on the second one for now, the Spicy Pickle is open 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.

Specialties: Santa Cruz sandwich (roasted turkey, cheddar cheese, extra virgin olive oil, chipotle mayo, avocado, corn relish, lettuce and tomato served on ciabatta bread), $7.49; seafood bisque, $4.69

Breakfast: The Garden of Eden (eggs, provolone, roasted red pepper, spinach and seasoned potatoes on grilled flatbread with a side of salsa), $3.99; Southwest sunrise (sandwich with eggs, mozzarella, tomato and artichoke hearts), $3.39

Soups and salads: Southwest chicken chili, $4.69; green chili bisque, $4.69; spinach salad (with apples, walnuts, blue cheese and apple cider vinaigrette), $7.49; Spicy Pickle tuna salad (tuna with tomatoes on Romaine lettuce with olives and lemon olive oil vinaigrette), $7.49

Entrees: the Yard Bird (grilled chicken strips, blue cheese, honey mustard, bacon, apple and spinach on honey multigrain bread), $7.49; Bandido panini (pepper-crusted turkey, pepper jack cheese, extra virgin olive oil, chipotle mayo, roasted red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes grilled on rosemary focaccia bread), $7.59; Italian panini (mortadella, salami, provolone, extra virgin olive oil, basil mayo, red onion, lettuce and tomato grilled on rosemary focaccia bread), $7.59

Desserts: Oversized chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies, $1.30

Information: 263-4350