Fact is, many sandwich lovers think the spice went out of the Spicy Pickle long ago. EPL, for example:

Bring back the Boars Head meats and maybe your shops will stop closing. Back around 2004 or so, I'd eat at the Colorado Blvd. shop quite a bit. First time I went after the meat change, the sandwich was bad and I never went back. Sounds like I was on to something.

You won't find Spicy Pickle on our list of the "Five best spots for sandwiches." But are there other sandwich joints that could be contenders?