In A Pickle: A Pickle Lovers Guide to Durham Region
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Left: Jr’s Sourdough Pizza’s Famous Dill Pickle Pizza, credit: Ana Milne | Right: Dill Pickle Fritter from Crave Doughnuts
They say that every great partnership is made up of a person who removes the pickle from their plate in disgust and a person who is excited to have an extra pickle with their meal. We say that a great partner is someone who will join you in hitting up all of the establishments across Durham Region that make or sell pickles and pickle-flavoured foods. Whether you’re looking for a great spot for your next date night or want to take a day trip just outside of Toronto to hit as many pickle spots as possible, our list is full of inspiration.
Jarred Pickles
Left: Jars of pickles at Willowtree Farm | Right: Jar of Carrots + Mixed Veggies Pickle from Nani’s Achar
Pickles come in all shapes, sizes, colours, and flavours, but are almost always found in a jar. Shelves across Durham are full of deliciously crunchy pickled products.
A brewery in Oshawa isn’t exactly what comes to mind when thinking about pickles but All or Nothing Brewhouse offers Drunk Pickles. An example of the innovative spirit of this brewery, these pickles are made using craft beer and go perfectly with a pint.
Beaverton Fine Foods has a whole section of pickles including locally made ones and imported products from Italy and the United Kingdom.
You can find Big Hoss Pickles in shops all over Durham Region, but it's recommended to check them out at an event where you can try their dill pickles alongside one of their bannock dogs.
A company born from a friendship spanning decades, Cheeky Pickles produces a line of pickles including a Caesar cocktail inspired flavour.
Marubashi Preserves sets up shop at markets across Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), but you can also order and pickup from them in Ajax. Using seasonal ingredients sourced locally, when possible, they create kimchi and pickled beets, green beans, and ginger.
Using family recipes that have been passed down through generations, Nani’s Achar makes artisanal achar, a pickled vegetable condiment native to South Asia. The fermented condiments are great on just about anything and come in a ton of varieties.
In true farm-to-fork fashion, Willowtree Farm transforms cucumbers into classic pickles in a variety of flavours.
Make Your Own Pickles
Left: Pickling cucumbers at Tindall Farm and Market | Right: Cucumbers at Feast On® certified Pingle's Farm Market
If you are comfortable in the kitchen and have a free afternoon, why not try making your own pickles! Durham is home to a rich agriculture industry and there are farmers’ markets and on-farm stores in every corner of the region. Bookmark Invest Durham’s Local Food Page so next time you are feeling inspired in the kitchen, you can use this list to visit your nearest producer.
Pickle Dishes
Left: Dill Pickle Fries from Speedy Spudz | Right: What A Pickle Zapiekanka from Zap’s Polish Street Food in Market at 70 King
Annina’s Bakeshop & Cafe is well known for their butter tarts, but if you wander past the pastries to their pantry, you’ll find tubs of their Dill Pickle Pasta Salad in the fridge. It’s the perfect side for any picnic lunch!
Although only open seasonally, pickle lovers should make sure to pay G’Molly’s Fries a visit. They serve two types of pickle poutine; a poutine with cheese curds and gravy topped with pickles and an “OMG” version made using pickle juice, a gar-dilly sauce, and lots of chopped pickles.
Speedy Spudz is another spot that is only open during the warmer months and has lots of pickle options on their menu. Choose from a Pickle Lovers Poutine or Dill Pickle Fries, both of which are sure to satisfy your pickle craving!
You’ll find former food truck Zaps Polish Street Food inside Oshawa’s Market at 70 King. Not surprisingly, pickles are featured on the menu a couple of times. The What A Pickle Zapiekanka (Polish pizza) is not to be missed, but you can also find Dill Pickle Soup on the menu if you need a full pickle themed meal.
Pickles On Pizza
Left: Jr’s Sourdough Pizza’s Famous Dill Pickle Pizza | Right: Dill Burger Pizza from Roselina’s Pizzeria
The age-old pineapple-on-pizza debate has a new spin—do pickles belong on pizza? If you are pro-pickle pizza, you are not alone.
Jr’s Sourdough Pizza offers their Famous Dill Pickle Pizza out of their food truck in Bowmanville. Insider tip: don’t skip the dipping sauce!
The familiar flavour combination of ground beef, pickles, onions, special sauce, and sesame seeds can be found on the menu at Roselina’s Pizzeria. The pickles add a nice pop of colour and crunchy bite.
The eatery at Slabtown Cider Co. is a Feast On® certified restaurant and has a unique spin on their burger inspired pizza—which features locally sourced bison instead of beef and lots of pickles to top it off. They do occasionally offer pickle pizza so pickle purists should keep their eyes out.
For The Passionate Pickle Enthusiasts
Dill Pickle Fritters from Crave Doughnuts
True admirers can probably include pickles in just about any savoury dish, but the flavour masterminds at Crave Doughnuts take it one step further with the Dill Pickle Fritter. The combination of sweet and tangy is a love letter to dill pickles and proof that pickles really can be added to anything. You’ll want to watch their Instagram account to learn when this special is available.
November 14th is National Pickle Day and although it’s not an official holiday, we know some of you will be celebrating. If you head out in DurhamRegion to find your new favourite pickle-flavoured food or drink, we’d love to hear about it! Tag @DurhamTourism and make sure to follow us to stay up to date on all the great things happening in Durham.
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