Overview
Whether you eat them straight out of the jar, ask for double on your Macca's cheeseburger, or just believe that a sambo isn't complete without this relish — for true pickle lovers the phrase "too many pickles" just does not exist.
Well, prepare yourself McClure's fans. The country's eateries are about to become your kingdom as outlets across Aotearoa turn it on to celebrate International Pickle Week, running from Saturday, November 13 until Friday, November 19.
Multiple outlets across the country are getting into the spirit of things, with pubs, restaurants and cafes offering traditional pickle-based takes on burgers and sandwiches, as well as a few unexpected twists.
That includes beloved Auckland doughnut store Doe Donuts, normally known for its sweet treats, whipping up a pickle doughnut for one day only, on Saturday, November 13.
Made with cream cheese, feta and dill filling, slices of pickles, and topped with a pickle juice dill glaze, it's basically as much gherkin as you can get in your mouth at any one time.
Doe Donut's pickle special
If you're craving something more traditional, there's a myriad of options to choose from.
Best Ugly Bagels is doing a 'Pickolas Cage' special with pickles, cream cheese, and onion soup mix, St Kevin's Arcade stalwart Lowbrow is stuffing its beloved Hot Chicken Sando with McClure's pickles, and Ponsonby's Dedwood Deli is putting on a show with its New York Reuben, containing slow-cooked silverside, Swiss cheese, McClure's pickles, sauerkraut, and Dedwood sauce.
Dedwood Deli's New York Reuben.
In Wellington, Dixon Street pub Eva Beaver is putting on a pickle-inspired menu for the week so you can accompany your brew with deep-fried pickles, while chicken specialists Winner Winner will be putting pickles front and centre with every bite.
If you prefer a savoury, salty drink, you're also in luck. Cocktail kit experts Black Pineapple Co. have also come up with four limited-edition boxes including a 'McClure's Mary' Bloody Mary box, and a Pickleback Box which comes with branded shot glasses.
Basically, no matter where you are or how you consume them, pickle lovers are covered for this week. Then you can go back to being judged for eating them out of the jar, you delicious weirdo.
Winner Winner's pickle-topped chicken
Where to find pickle-inspired menu items throughout International Pickle Week:
NORTH SHORE
Bird on a Wire: Bird Club Sandwich with brioche loaf, cos lettuce, pulled chicken, bacon, cheese, special sauce, McClure's pickles and red onion
Winner Winner: Winner Winner cheeseburger with local Hereford beef, McClure's pickles, cheese, onion, mustard, mayo & ketchup + Fried Chicken & Pickles
Jo Bros Food truck at Farro Fresh: NZ wagyu burger with a beef patty, NZ cheddar, tomato, iceberg, onion, Jo Bros original sauce, make sure you add the pickles! Available November 13 and 14, 10am until sold out.
CBD
Best Ugly Bagels: Pickolas Cage Bagel: McClure's pickles, Zany Zeus cream cheese, cheese, fresh chopped dill, onion soup mix
Hero Sandwich House: Jalapeno fried chicken scone with McClure's pickles
Whitestone Cheese Bar: BBQ pulled pork, McClure's pickles, sauerkraut, Totara tasty & Monte Cristo (sheep milk cheese) on sourdough and truffle roasted mushrooms, McClure's pickles, spinach, grilled brie on sourdough
Bird on a Wire: Bird Club Sandwich with brioche loaf, cos lettuce, pulled chicken, bacon, cheese, special sauce, McClure's pickles and red onion
UPTOWN
Brother's Beer: McClure's Pickles on sandwiches and throughout menu
Lowbrow: Hot Chicken Sando - Lowbrow hot spice fried chicken thigh, American cheese, McClure's Pickles or try the O.G Chicken Sando or Bronco Burger
NEWMARKET
Bird on a Wire: Bird Club Sandwich with brioche loaf, cos lettuce, pulled chicken, bacon, cheese, special sauce, McClure's pickles and red onion
PONSONBY / GREY LYNN
Dedwood Deli: New York Reuben - slow cooked silverside, Swiss cheese, McClure's pickles, sauerkraut, Dedwood sauce
Doe Donuts: Pickle doughnut with cream cheese, feta, and dill filling, with slices of pickles, topped with a pickle juice dill glaze and a hunky piece of pickle on top. Only available Saturday 13 November until sold out
Bird on a Wire: Bird Club Sandwich with brioche loaf, cos lettuce, pulled chicken, bacon, cheese, special sauce, McClure's pickles and red onion
REST OF AUCKLAND
Peach's Hot Chicken, Panmure: Crispy fried McClure's Pickles with ranch dressing; plus McClure's pickles throughout menu
WELLINGTON
Eva Beaver: Pickle inspired menu for the week featuring deep fried pickles, pickle mac & cheese and more
Dirty Burger: McClure's pickles available throughout the menu
Winner Winner: Winner Winner cheeseburger with local Hereford beef, McClure's pickles, cheese, onion, mustard, mayo & ketchup, as well as fried chicken and pickles
Best Ugly Bagels: Pickolas Cage Bagel: McClure's pickles, Zany Zeus cream cheese, cheese, fresh chopped dill, onion soup mix