Favorite Reuben Sandwich

Reuben Invented Where?

Restaurant Sandwich Recipe

The Reuben Sandwich is a grilled or toasted sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and either Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing. It is often made with rye bread, but originally it may have been served on pumpernickel bread.

This is another one of those disputed recipes regarding its origins. Some say that the sandwich is New York's greatest contribution to the culinary world. There is one thing wrong with that statement.

Although the Reuben sandwich is absolutely delicious, I think New York has other food creations that might be considered equally important.

Was the Reuben invented in New York?

Descendants of Arnold Reuben, the owner of the Reuben Restaurant on 58th Street in New York City, claim he was the creator of the sandwich.

But few other things make an Omaha resident madder than to hear that the Reuben sandwich was invented in New York City. Everyone in that state says Reuben Kulakofsky, an owner of Omaha's Central Market, created the Reuben back in the 1920s.

Since my restaurant guests and I love a delicious Reuben, and because I am not living in Nebraska or New York, I can just say "thanks" to whomever actually invented it and then provide you with the original recipe that is made for my guests, at home on occasion, and at the restaurant fairly frequently.

There are variations with The Reuben, including a sister sandwich, the "Rachel," which itself varies regionally. The most popular recipe I know for the Rachel is made with pastrami instead of corned beef (and sometimes coleslaw instead of sauerkraut), and that recipe is shown below.

A Georgia Reuben is made with slice turkey and coleslaw.

Traditional Reuben Sandwich

Favorite Restaurant Sandwich Recipe

Preparation time: 10 minutes if ingredients are ready and at hand. Makes one sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of Rye bread
• 2 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing (or to taste)
• Corned beef (5-6 ounces, thin sliced)
• 1/3 cup Sauerkraut
• Swiss cheese (2 slices of quality cheese)
• Butter at room temperature

Instructions:

• Spread 2 slices of rye bread lightly with Thousand Island dressing
• Top one slice with a slice of Swiss cheese
• Put a layer of sauerkraut over the cheese, then top with sliced corned beef and then a slice of Swiss cheese
• Top with the second slice of rye bread, dressing side down
• Butter the rye bread on the outside with soft butter and grill the sandwich in a skillet until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted
• Remove from skillet, cut sandwich in half and serve

That's it! How about Reuben's sister?

Rachel Sandwich

Sister Sandwich to the Reuben

Preparation: 10 minutes. Serves 1.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices Rye bread (or sourdough)
• 2 tablespoons (or to taste) Thousand Island salad dressing (or substitute Russian salad dressing)
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced pastrami
• Swiss cheese (2 slices of quality Swiss)
• 1/3 cup coleslaw
• Butter at room temperature

Instructions:

• Spread 2 slices of rye bread lightly with Thousand Island dressing
• Top one slice with a slice of Swiss cheese
• Put a layer of coleslaw over the cheese, then top with sliced Pastrami and then a slice of Swiss cheese
• Top with the second slice of rye bread, dressing side down
• Butter the rye bread on the outside with soft butter and grill the sandwich in a skillet until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted
• Remove from skillet, cut sandwich in half and serve

Enjoy your Reuben Sandwich or the Rachael Sandwich, whichever one you prefer to make, and the company of those you share it with! - Donna

Did you know? “Reuben and Rachel” is a traditional song written by Harry Birch and William Gooch, originally published in Boston in 1871.