Anyone remember the name of that café that used to be in the spot Pickleman’s now occupies? Me neither. That is because it was nothing compared to the gem of an establishment we have now. This commentary is not an advertisement for Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe. It is simply in recognition of a blessing.

Underclassmen may not remember this, but there was a dark time in the history of Saint Louis University, when significant parts of I-64 were closed, an abbreviated version of Kentucky Fried Chicken occupied the corner station in the Fusz Food Court. Worst of all, Jimmy John’s had a corner on the late-night sandwich market.

Drinking at the bars around campus was different back then. When the last drinks were called and the bars closed down, you either went home or faced a perilous journey across Forest Park Parkway for an untoasted sandwich.

Now I will give Jimmy John’s this: They got the job done. I don’t think I ever left feeling unsatisfied. As fall semester of 2010 got under way, however, it became clear around SLU that there was a new kid in town sporting a hefty pickle. I clearly remember a night in September that semester when Jimmy John’s employees were posted outside of Pickleman’s (a high traffic area between the bars), and they were giving away free samples of JJ’s sandwiches. It was as if they were saying, “Hey, remember us?” At the time I thought it seemed a little desperate, but after actually trying a couple of Pickleman’s sandwiches, I realized JJ’s would need any tactic available to compete.

Personally, I have never met a sandwich at Pickleman’s that I did not like. They are awesome. Toasted, packed with toppings and bursting with flavor; they never disappoint. If a sandwich is not the object of your stomach’s desire, they also make soup, salad and a mean pizza. Pickleman’s provides a quality product, delicious for every occasion and stage of sobriety.

And speaking of sobriety, can you believe what Pickleman’s employees have to put up with? The deli has become a late-night hangout more popular than Humphrey’s and Lacledes–I mean Cheaters– er–Pierre Laclede’s combined.

As midnight comes and goes, hordes of hungry bar-goers pour through Pickleman’s door.

It’s pretty funny. Everyone comes together for a drunken sandwich-fest. Some of the best experiences of a night (whether recalled or not) come out of Pickleman’s. Everyone is genuinely happy to be intoxicated and united in their love for sandwiches.

Meanwhile the employees (some of the nicest, most patient people you will ever meet) roll their eyes, suppress both laughter and anger and craft  sandwich after delicious sandwich for us heathens. The saints that don the Pickleman’s uniform take us in even at our worst, and for that we owe them our thanks. Not only are the doors of Pickleman’s open until 3:30 a.m. most days of the week, they also have delivery during those hours.

Are you kidding me? All we have to do is make a phone call, and someone will bring us a sandwich, even at 3 a.m. Bad weather, physical exertion and any need to go outside are things of the past because we attend SLU in the era of Pickleman’s. It’s great.

The only criticism I have of the haven we call Pickleman’s is the sandwich size. I often find myself losing heart as I take the first bites of my sandwich’s second half because I know the experience will soon be over. A couple more inches of toasted goodness on each sandwich would solidify Pickleman’s as the greatest sandwich establishment SLU has ever seen.

In closing, I would like to suggest that we be grateful for what we have. Delicious food, great service and accommodating hours have quickly turned Pickleman’s into a SLU tradition. We go to a university that I believe is of the highest quality. It is fitting, then, that our sandwiches should exhibit equal quality. Jimmy John’s will always be an enjoyable backup, but, at this point, I think we have all learned that when it comes to sandwiches: You need a pickle to be a man.

Doug Anstoetter is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.