If you like pickles, this place is worth a trip off-Island.
Even if that means dealing with the Steamship Authority’s host of problems recently. Talk about a pickle. But I digress.
The Pickle Jar Kitchen is located at 170 Main St., Falmouth. It’s one of those places that feels like it’s been there forever, even though it’s celebrating its fifth year, according to its Facebook page. There are old signs and photographs on the walls, the furniture is a mishmash of wooden tables and chairs, and there are window seats that have a great view for people watching on Main Street. There are also several tables outdoors, which are a personal favorite, when the weather gets warmer. Inside there is a counter with stools that gives the restaurant a diner feel.
Another plus for Pickle Jar is that it displays the work of local artists, which is a nice touch.
Oh, and the food? Phenomenal.
It’s open for breakfast and lunch, and I like both, though lunch gets the edge — especially the turkey fingers. Yes, you read that right, turkey fingers. Like their poultry pal, the chicken, apparently turkeys have fingers, too. Long cuts of white breast meat coated in a delicious panko-crusted mixture and deep fried. They’re served over a bed of the Pickle Jar’s take on French fries, which are more like crispy potato chips. It’s hard to say exactly what they are, except delicious.
The turkey fingers also come with a salad and, of course, like every meal served, they come with a collection of pickled veggies that are yummy. It’s a meal worth every penny of the $15.
A close second for me is the House Roast Beef Sammie, two slider-size roast beef sandwiches with horseradish sauce. It’s a sandwich with a nose-clearing kick to it.
Of course, I’ve been known to go for the Firehouse, a smoked chili-rubbed boneless pork, or the Town Hall, which is pastrami-spiced roast beef with Jarlsberg cheese, pickled red onions, and a spicy mustard on toasted rye.
If your mouth is not yet watering, you might want to check for a pulse.
My wife likes the restaurant’s namesake, “Pickle Jar,” which is an assortment of pickles and greens. She’s been known to go for the beet salad, too. (She might swipe a turkey finger or two, but I’ll never tell. Oops, I think I just did.)
Don’t forget to order a side of fried pickles. You won’t be disappointed.
As for breakfast, we like going on Sunday mornings about brunch time. While I’m not much on the exotic stuff, of which there is plenty like blueberry muffin French toast, my wife is a little more adventurous and really likes the Patriot Parfait — a combination of Greek yogurt, fresh strawberries, blueberry compote, layered and sprinkled with granola. But not to worry, you can get eggs, bacon, and rye toast if you’re like me and that’s more your speed.
But the real reason I like Sunday mornings at Pickle Jar are for the most awesome Bloody Marys you can imagine. They’re loaded with so many olives and pickled veggies that it’s like a meal in itself. Yes, Pickle Jar has a full liquor license, and they’re not afraid to use it for a collection of their own concoctions that are delectable.
On a recent visit, they had a maple bacon doughnut that looked like it could give Back Door Donuts a run for its money. We were tempted, but already stuffed from the turkey fingers. (A reason to return.)
Pickle Jar just opened up for the season after a two-month hiatus. We have to say that’s one of the most difficult times of the year, and we count the days until it reopens. It’s a sure sign of spring. (Really, spring is coming, you just wait and see.)
Pickle Jar is one of those places that can make any trip off-Island that much sweeter — or sour, if that’s your preference.
