The Strange, Salty Joy of Pickles at the Movies
In the darkness of a crowded movie theater, amidst the crinkling of candy wrappers and the slurping of Icees, there is a unique sound that resonates, especially in the heart of Texas - the crisp snap of an oversized pickle. The South, particularly Texas, has a special affinity for these briny snacks, often stealing the spotlight at movie theaters.
One might wonder how pickles came to play such a prominent role in Texas movie culture. Brad Sorenson, the executive chef of Alamo Drafthouse, a major movie theater chain in Texas, speculates, “I can’t help but think that the prominence of barbecue joints and county fairs play into the popularity of pickles in the South, especially in Texas. In Texas specifically, I think the large German influence played a role as well.”
According to an article from The Dallas Morning News dating back to 1957, pickle-eating in theaters can be traced back to Germany. The writer Sam Acheson noted, “Germans eat not only during intermissions, but also have found that large hunks of bread, knackwurst, pickles, mustard, and other tidbits brought back into the theater are often of great help in enduring, say, the last act of a Wagnerian opera.”
Moreover, pickles offer a relatively low-calorie option on cinema menus. At Alamo Drafthouse, guests indulge in a slightly unhealthier version - fried pickles. Sorenson explains, “Fried pickles have always been one of our more popular items. We serve dill pickle spears, lightly breaded and fried crispy, served with house-made buttermilk ranch dressing.”
Alamo Drafthouse’s fried pickles have gained immense popularity, with over 550,000 feet worth of fried pickles sold in 2023 alone. Sorenson humorously calculates, “If we were to add the pickle spears we serve on the side of sandwiches too, that brings us closer to one million feet of pickles served this year. Over 189 miles of pickles - which is wider than the widest part of the English Channel.”
Tags
Food & drink, Pickles, Texas
