Out & About with Linda
What a fun month…. Don’t know where to start! If you like pickles the way I like pickles, you’ll want to check out a gem of a destination in Croydon, Giovanni’s Dillicious Pickles.
I read about this pickle haven, saved the article and finally got my sister to accompany me so we could find out what all the hullabaloo was about. It is so much FUN!!! Not sure where Giovanni’s got the idea for his “pickle heaven”, but I’m so glad he did and even happier that he’s taking us with him!!
Located adjacent to the railroad station in Croydon, Giovanni’s is a local favorite. A group arrived as we sat down, brought along by a friend who had been there before. They were enjoying a bit of a buffet of some of the “pickle” specialties. Personally, I found everything a specialty!!
We needed to taste the realm of pickles offered, and boy did we!!! We started with pickles spears seasoned with “everything seasoning.” You know, like the stuff on your everything bagel. VERY good, and something I decided I could do easily at my house. I think my pickle-crazed grandkids would love it. We also ordered his Loaded Fried Pickles. WOW! Loaded with cheese wiz, bacon, ranch dressing and dill weed…. Very tasty. A winner.
Their pizza is gluten free. There is no bread served at Giovanni’s, so I’m thinking the gluten free option is probably safe for those most in need of a gluten-free option. The crust of the pizza was cauliflower based. And VERY good. No wait time, as it’s the cauliflower dough. Our pizza had a layer of barbecue chicken, bacon and ranch dressing. And yes, there was a thin layer of sliced pickles under everything…. And YES! It was delicious. The pizza was crisp and filled with chicken, etc., and the pickle layer was very modest…. Not at all overwhelming. It is definitely a keeper.
We kept going… needing to get a complete picture of this Dillicious place. We ordered Dom’s Turkey Club Hoagie. Imagine a scooped out dill pickle packed with some of your favorite things. It’s got to be huge, right?! The insides are scooped out and filled with fresh turkey, bacon, tomato… anything a hoagie would have, and it’s delivered to your table. OMG! No bread!!! The meat is covered with a pickle bottom and a pickle top. This baby requires slicing to not only hold in your hand, but it’s really pickle-licious.
We had to finish our meal with dessert, right? Don’t be surprised when I say our pickle dessert was so refreshing and almost no-pickle tasting… We had their special dill pickle soft serve that is paired with a swirl of chocolate soft serve. DILLICIOUS, or better said, DELICIOUS. It was a light and cooling dish to our pickle-licious meal. It’s a must treat to every visit at Giovanni’s Dillicious Pickles. Trust me. Trust us, my sister and I!!!
This is a special place. Diners are offered a sampling plate of various dill slices while awaiting your meal. Our server was very helpful and food was delivered promptly. Our only caution: Portions are substantial so be prepared to share and take home, unless you’re a threesome or more. And the food is pickle-rich. No need to order a sampling from the complete menu like we did… unless of course you’re a group, as were the people I referred to in the beginning of this column.
The menu includes a variety of sandwiches/hoagies and a regular favorite, the Giovanni’s Sub. Our dishes were among the most popular and we would definitely order them again, albeit not all at the same time. Again, the pickles were dillicious, but even a pickle lover like me, can have too much “pickle.” But what would I order… well that would be a problem!!LOL!! This is a fun place for all alike. We recommend a visit or two. Go with a group and have your own tasting. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. P.S. There’s a huge stuffed pickle welcoming you at the door…. Your kids will love it. And yes, I think they’ll love the pizza, too. And they’ll definitely like the soft serve. Trust me!!
They’ll be no denying they’ll love Altitude Trampoline Park in Feasterville.
Yosef and Goldie, my grandkids, and I went to this “jumping” spot in the mall on Bustleton Pike. Altitude describes itself as a “high energy, exciting entertainment” center. I would agree, it’s definitely high energy. I watched with amazement as Goldie flew from one trampoline to the other… over 20,000 square feet of this facility. She looked like a gazelle, so filled with with joy. Really…
This indoor park has floor space covered with trampolines. Kids of all sizes and ages can do gymnastics, rock climbing, basketball, dodgeball, tumble and more, all while managing this on a trampoline. How ‘bout making that basketball hoop while you’re jumping on a trampoline. P.S. It’s not necessarily as easy as you think, although I did witness some pretty strong dunks!!
Yosef and Goldie spent time “killing” each other with these big foam- covered paddles standing on a foam- covered high beam, knocking each other off with glee. The perfect kind of play for loving siblings!! I thought to myself, if only they had this at home to work off some of their sibling “fights.” It was really fun.
A few things about Altitude…. You need to fill out paperwork disclaiming any litigation should your child get injured before jumping in and playing.
You should allow time for this paperwork. It’s done on a computer. I found it a little annoying as it was time consuming, etc. But that’s me, and I’m I found this annoying and a little complicated. Of course, I’m old, and technologically deficient…the good news, once you make this declaration, I think it will be in effect for a month or two. So, you wouldn’t have to do it if you visit again within a certain time frame. I thought the pricing was very fair. An afternoon of entertainment will not break the bank. And package deals are available for more frequent visits…
If you have little ones, or big ones, this is a place worth visiting. It’s open, clean and with all the jumping around, etc. you can feel sure your kids are safe. And by the end of the visit, as it was with Goldies and Yosef, you’ll see your loved ones will own the place. Aand maybe you’ll want to follow them and fly like a gazelle from one corner of the room to the other. If you do, let us know. Would love to put that picture between our covers!!! LOL!
Hot off the Press!!! Palz Tap House in Huntingdon Valley is starting to serve 28” pizzas. That’s a lot of delicious pizza! They have a lot of other good food and a wonderful outdoor patio… but the newest attraction is this mother of a pizza. Check it out!
That’s it for this month. I’m off and running for our next issue. Stay tuned for something different. See you then!
Giovanni’s Dillicious Pickles
802 Bristol Pike
Croydon
215.478.8115
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Altitude Trampoline Park
1045 Bustleton Pike
Feasterville
215.357.5867
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Palz Tap House
1902 County Line Road
267.684.6091
