A "Reuben" is NOT the same as a "Special"....

[Big Cuddly Bear]

At least generally not where I come from.

I was out at a lunch meeting today, and the menu had a "Reuben Sandwich" listed, except that instead of Sauerkraut and 1000 Island, they said "Corned beef with cole slaw". Oh, and Swiss cheese on a Reuben... this one listed no cheese.

Now, except for a Philly Cheesesteak, a Reuben is my all time favorite sandwich, and you don't get cole slaw on a Reuben; you get that on a "Corned Beef Special."

So I mentioned that to the server, and she said "same thing, isn't it?"

Well, no, becasue a Reyben has 1000 Island and sauerkraut, and a special has cole slaw. And I hate cole slaw.

So, I have always known a Reuben to have 1000 Island and Sauerkraut, but maybe it is different in other parts of the country? And maybe the owner knows it differently?

In any case, they aren't the same sandwich.

So, what is on a "Reuben" where you come from?

BTW, I had tuna salad on rye since they couldn't make a Rueben.

 

[snapppyd]

I love Reuben sandwiches. As far as I'm concerned (in NY) it's corned beef, sauerkraut, 1000 Island dressing and swiss and melted on toasted/buttered rye bread. Once I was in a kosher deli and they don't serve Reuben's because they don't mix meat with cheese.

Now I'm hungry!! ESPN on the Boardwalk at Disney makes an awesome Reuben

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I agree with the two PP. Same as when I learned how to make a Reuben in the 4th grade. Anything else may be a form of a corned beef sandwich, but it is NOT a Reuben!

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I love Reuben sandwiches. As far as I'm concerned (in NY) it's corned beef, sauerkraut, 1000 Island dressing and swiss and melted on toasted/buttered rye bread. Once I was in a kosher deli and they don't serve Reuben's because they don't mix meat with cheese.

Now I'm hungry!! ESPN on the Boardwalk at Disney makes an awesome Reuben

There is a place run by Asian folks in Philly that I know of where they grill the sauerkraut, meat, and cheese, but NOT the bread. and they pour 1000 Island over the grilled stuff. Pretty nasty.

 

[BKMETV]

Definitely with sauerkraut, 1000 Island and swiss on toasted rye here! OK now I'm hungry!!

 

[Nancyg56]

I had one on Friday in Vermont. it was good but it was no reuben. It had delicious corned beef but was topped with creamy crunchy slaw, some kind of cheese and was served on a warm ciobbata (SP?) bread. No 1000 island dressing.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I assume a reuben has sauerkraut... ergo, I've never had one

 

[Witch Mountain]

It is exactly as you describe, which is why I don't eat Reubens. I don't like swiss (any other cheese is fine) and I hate 1000 island. That sandwich does not work well without those two things.

A good corned beef on rye with some pilsudski or kosziusko mustard, otoh, is perfection in a sandwich.