449579 Wed Oct 10 13:27:26 -0700 2007 16 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3022510 I was a huge fan of Polly's pickles. I started buying them from Marsha (the actual Polly) at the Beverly Hills Farmer's Market and continued to buy them from Surfas and from Joan's on Third. A year ago, I moved to Northern California, but my love for those pickles meant that I paid the very high cost to have them overnighted to me from Surfas. Late in the Spring, I was set to reorder when I discovered that Marsha had passed away and the pickles had gone to heaven with her. I later found out that the folks at Joan's on Third are making their own version of her pickles. So I have a question. If you were a fan of Polly's pickles too and have tried the Joan's on Third version. How close are they? Wed Oct 10 13:27:26 -0700 2007 19944 Javagirl 1 3022641 I am sorry to hear this sad news. I am a huge fan of Polly's pickles, and my first introduction to them was at Joan's on Third. Then, I found them at Surfas and used to purchase two jars at a visit. About a year ago I called them and spoke with their manufacturer. He (I don't recall his name) told me that although Marsha was quite ill at that time, it was their intention to step up their production and marketing. His vision was to see Polly's pickles in our local markets. Since I still have part of a jar left, I have not recently searched the markets for these pickles. Javagirl, are you sure that someone will not continue producing these crispy dills (wishful thinking)? I have not yet tried the ones that Joan's is making, so I can not vouch for them. I do, however, like most everything that Joan does, so I will probably like her version...even if they are not exactly the same. Wed Oct 10 13:57:24 -0700 2007 3022510 14014 liu 2 3022999 I have had both Joan's version and Polly's version. There were fairly comparable. I make my own pickles, so I honestly was not blown away by either version because they really aren't that hard to make. I'd encourage you to experiment in an attempt to duplicate Polly's recipe. It's so easy to make pickles like this that I have no doubt that you can figure out the trick. Wed Oct 10 15:37:53 -0700 2007 3022641 13350 glutton 3 3023031 I think I'm not that clever! With Polly's, it's all about that special crunch. But I will listen: what recipe or ingredients do you suggest? Wed Oct 10 15:45:21 -0700 2007 3022999 14014 liu 4 3025306 One of the reasons that I posted above is that I have a local pickle guy trying to duplicate the recipe. I kind of doubt that he'll do it commercially, but he recently tried Joan's pickle and I wanted to know how close it was to the original. I just tried his first attempt and while the pickles were good, they weren't Polly's. In reply to glutton, I know that making pickles is pretty easy, but trying to duplicate those exact pickles isn't. There was just something about them that was different from any other pickle. Liu, any chance you remember the way to get in touch with the manufacturer? Maybe I can get the recipe to my pickle guy. Thu Oct 11 10:33:00 -0700 2007 3023031 19944 Javagirl 5 3025503 Javagirl -- I completely agree that Polly's pickles will be difficult to duplicate..."...just something about them..." I will see if I have that contact...give me a day or so to check. Thu Oct 11 11:21:36 -0700 2007 3025306 14014 liu 6 3025566 Javagirl -- I am unable to find my notes from that phone call to the manufacturer of Aunt Polly's pickles. I do remember I called directly to a number for Aunt Polly's, and they transferred me to the manufacturer. He was very optimistic about growing both their production and their distribution. If I obtain further information, I will post here. Meanwhile, perhaps you might call Surfas (#310.559-4770) or Joan's (#323.655-2285) for any contact info they might have. Sorry...now this is really haunting me. I will continue to search for any related information. By the way, I still have part of a jar left -- if you want any information from their label. Thu Oct 11 11:37:48 -0700 2007 3025503 14014 liu 7 3025606 Thanks for following up on this. I may have the number for Polly's that I called awhile ago. I'll see what I can do from this end. I didn't mean to "haunt" you but I've felt that way for awhile. I had finally come to terms with it when I found this guy who said that he would try to duplicate it. So now it's a mission for me again. Thu Oct 11 11:47:38 -0700 2007 3025566 19944 Javagirl 8 3025732 Hey and Hi, Javagirl! Let me know what you find out, and thanks to you for your investigative efforts from all of us who love these very crunchy treats. Thu Oct 11 12:20:45 -0700 2007 3025606 14014 liu 1 3032729 This is an awesome conversation. I love those things. I first started encountered them at Joan's a few years ago whenever ordering sandwiches (in the measly little container of 3-4 slices), and then one day was at Surfas and saw them in the fridge and immediately knew by sight that they had to be the same ones. Just had a sandwich from Joan's a week or so ago and didn't notice that the pickles (once again, only 3 or 4 measly slices) tasted any different. So if they're copying them now then they're doing a good job. But Joan, time to stop with the pickle parsimony and pay the pickle piper! Is a few more slices that much to ask for? Sat Oct 13 23:00:10 -0700 2007 3022510 71706 QualityMart 2 3033397 Joan does a terrific training job, and I think if you just ask, you can get more! Sun Oct 14 11:24:34 -0700 2007 3032729 14014 liu 2 3034776 I called the phone number that I had for Polly's. It was the one on the pickle jar. I left a message on the answering machine (it was one of those that answered but gave you no info). I haven't heard back. I'll try writing to the address that I have and see if that works. It was also the one on the jar. I would really love it if one of you could try the pickles at Joan's and see if they are the same. Then I'll find out if they ship. I tried the first attempt from my pickle guy. Not even close :( Mon Oct 15 00:56:10 -0700 2007 3032729 19944 Javagirl 3 3052756 Ok, I just bought a container from Joan's. 1) The container has only Joan's label on it and no mention of anyone else. 2) I asked the person behind the counter if they were made in-house and she said yes. 3) The pickles are very good, and very close to the original Polly's, but not quite as masterful. So with that I conclude that they are not the same, but are probably as good as you're gonna get! Sat Oct 20 15:38:43 -0700 2007 3034776 71706 QualityMart 4 3053240 I like Joan and her new place. So, these new pickles of hers -- as you describe them -- are good for me, alongside everything else she offers. Thanks for this report, QualityMart! Sat Oct 20 20:37:08 -0700 2007 3052756 14014 liu 4 3054664 The more I finish off the container the more I'm starting to wonder if she just bought out Polly's recipe from her estate or something. They really are nearly identical, down to the thickness of the slices, the crispiness, the exact taste and size of the onion slices, etc.. The only thing that thows me off is that I think they are about 10% sweeter and a little less vinegary than Polly's, although I might be imagining it. Sun Oct 21 16:28:06 -0700 2007 3052756 71706 QualityMart 5 3064713 Thanks for checking this out. I might be down in LA in December and will have to do my own investigation. Wed Oct 24 17:39:38 -0700 2007 3054664 19944 Javagirl 1 4786484 Looking for any update or success in finding the Polly's pickles original recipe? Yes, Joan's is EXTREMELY close, but yet.... Thu Jun 18 22:21:50 -0700 2009 3022510 187625 schiffy