You think of New York City, many of its wonderful attributes come to mind - upscale shopping, Broadway Theater, and, of course, exotic and delicious cuisine. Tourists and residents alike enjoy daily the fare offered at world-renowned restaurants, from the upscale celebrity-studded Sardi's to even the unassuming Hello Deli, right around the corner from Dave Letterman and the Ed Sullivan Theater. New York is famous for hot dogs sold by corner vendors, paper-thin crust pizzas, and cheesecake at the Carnegie Deli, but did you know the city is also the unofficial home of that sourest of marinated vegetables, the pickle?

Did you know, for that matter, that New York City has its own Pickle District?

A friend once told me about the time he and his wife were shopping on Orchard St. when all of sudden people came from nowhere, walking zombie-like toward one shop that has just opened its garage door. Guss' Pickles was ready for business, and the business was more than ready for Guss! Sour pickles, half-sours, hot and sweet, garlic pickles and pickle relish...Guss has it all. Our friend mentioned that he hadn't realized how big pickles go over in the City. True, a hundred words might come to mind when one thinks of New York City, and "pickle" might now always make the list...maybe it should.

So, if you're ever in New York City and feeling hungry, no need to be in a pickle. Aside from ol' Guss, you can visit The Pickle Guys and Sunshine Pickles, where you'll definitely get the chance to sample a variety of flavors and learn the difference between a kosher dill and a half-sour. If you happen to be in town during the fall, stick around for the annual Pickle Festival. With all this talk of pickles, one must wonder why the city is called The Big Apple!

Suggested Pickle Stops

The Pickle Guys
49 Essex Street

Guss' Pickles
85 Orchard St.

Just Pickles
569 9th Ave

L Hollander and Son
35 Essex St