REUBEN REVIEWS
Some people know a lot about beer. Or travel. I know a lot about Reubens.
Since the beginning of 2017, I have been rating Reubens based on ingredient quality and ratio, giving each sandwich a letter grade and corresponding percentage. Below is a list of those Reubens in an ever-changing ranked list. Keep in mind these ratings have no reflection on the establishment as a whole. If you have a Reuben you think I should try, send me a message here or on Instagram at @TheReubenAuthority.
ALICE’S CHAMPAGNE PALACE – HOMER, AK
A (96%)
While I might be biased as I enjoyed this on my honeymoon, this Reuben blew me away. Each component was homemade and the ratio was perfect. The only slight critique was its slight tendency to fall apart. As a whole, though, I take my hat off to Alice. If you find yourself at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, make sure you visit her.
MAC’S INDUSTRIAL – MINNEAPOLIS, MN
A (95%)
Voted the best Reuben in the Twin Cities by AXS.com, this creation is something to be admired. Like Alice’s Reuben, the ingredients are of the highest quality and the ratio is outstanding. The super-thin, homemade corned beef is stacked high and seasoned to perfection. I get this Reuben every time I visit Minneapolis.
HEIDI’S BROOKLYN DELI – DENVER, CO
A- (90%)
Sporting house-made bread and incredibly tender meat, Heidi’s makes an outstanding Reuben. Though the corned beef is could be seasoned a bit more generously, the quality of the rest of the ingredients makes you look passed that drawback. If you're in Metro Denver, find your way to Heidi's.
N3 TAPHOUSE - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
B+ (89%)
With homemade ingredients pack-full of flavor, N3 Taphouse's Reuben is something special. Grilled to perfection, the corned beef was thinly sliced and seasoned beautifully. The only drawback of this sandwich was the unique way it was put together. With all the ingredients intermingling, a few bites felt more like a Reuben flavored tuna salad - a nit-picky critique to an exceptional meal.
PADDY BARRY’S – TYSON’S CORNER, VA
B+ (89%)
A slightly unorthodox Reuben, Paddy Barry’s Reuben bites were deep-fried balls filled with corned beef, sauerkraut, and mozzarella – served with a Thousand Island/Ranch dipping sauce. These balls are moist. These balls are savory. I highly recommend you eat these balls.
HENRY'S TAVERN - DENVER CO
B+ (88%)
Henry's Tavern has a reputation of spreading themselves too thin - creating too many mediocre menu items. Yet, this Reuben was impressive. All the ingredients came together into one cohesive flavor, while still allowing each individual one to shine - especially the bacon fennel kraut. If the sandwich hadn't fallen apart so easily, and the meat were a bit more seasoned, this could have been A-rated.
BEN LOCKIN'S HOME - MINNEAPOLIS, MN
B+ (87%)
My college roommate made me a home-made Reuben prior to a round of golf and... it was shockingly good. By creating a symmetrical experience (dressing, cheese, and kraut on both sides of the meat), every bite was consistent and well balanced. If he had non-grocery-store ingredients, this could've been a rare "A" rating.
ZAIDY'S DELI - DENVER, CO
B (86%)
A classic NY-style deli in Denver's Cherry Creek area, Zaidy's is the definition of solid comfort food. Though the corned beef could've used a bit more zest, and more kraut would've been preferred, this is a solid Reuben put together with love. Side note: try the cheesecake. You won't be sorry.
BULL & BUSH – GLENDALE, CO
B (85%)
This Denver-based English pub serves up a classic Reuben experience. Thinly cut meat, good ratio, and great ingredients make this a sandwich you would not regret ordering. The bread could be a bit more stiff and there could be a touch more sauerkraut. But you'll be glad you order it, and even happier you spent time at such an authentic pub.
RED ZONE BAR & GRILL – DIAMONDHEAD, MS
B (85%)
Right off Highway 10 as you're driving the Gulf Coast, this neighborhood bar provides a template for a lovely, above-average Reuben. Bread? Toasted to perfection? Corned beef? Home-made. And the ratio was exactly as it should be. None of the individual ingredients will knock your socks off, but the experience will leave you satisfied. Definitely worth ordering.
PARAMOUNT CAFE – DENVER, CO
B (84%)
When I was served this Reuben, I was informed it was recently brought back after the chef had made some changes. While I didn’t taste the old one, this version was certainly a good one. It was a bit heavy on the sauerkraut, but overall a great take. Well done new chef! [Update: Apparently the changes weren't quite good enough as the Paramount closed soon after this review.]
BLUE DUCK TAVERN - WASHINGTON D.C.
B (84%)
As long as you have a napkin at the ready, this is a Reuben worth eating. The ingredients were all above average, especially the homemade pastrami and kraut. That said, the bread was somehow both too tough and too greasy causing your hands to be perpetually moist. Still. A good sandwich.
GRIND KITCHEN + WATERING HOLE – DENVER, CO
B (83%)
It’s a shame there wasn’t more meat in this Reuben because the ingredients themselves were great. The bread was perfectly toasted, the pickled cabbage was an enjoyable alternative to sauerkraut, and the dressing was just sweet enough. Add more meat (and add more seasoning) and this is a potential A minus.
HARBOR VIEW CAFE - LONG BEACH, MS
B- (82%)
This sandwich was truly perplexing. The first bite yielded a strange take on the corned beef seasoning, but the smoky flavor really grew on me. The grease dribbling down my fingers annoyed me, and yet I couldn't put it down. Its rating waffled from a 77% to an 87% as I ate, but at the end of the day I finished the sandwich in record time with a smile on my face. Thus, a solid above-average score.
RUDI'S DELI – WINTER PARK, CO
B- (82%)
Our second Winter Park Reuben review, Rudi's barely edges out The Ditch on 40 for one reason only: it tastes more like a traditional Reuben. Griddled to perfection and put together with love, this sandwich is a solid, above-average take. Though it lacks in kraut flavor, it's a wonderful meal.
BROOKLYN'S – DENVER, CO
B- (82%)
Just across the street from the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver lies a Reuben I would recommend. The meat was tender and well seasoned, while the rest of the ingredients certainly held up. The main issue here was that the sandwich wasn't made with any love. It was thrown together like they were trying to set some sort of record. Give this some TLC, and this could go the distance.
THE EGG SHELL – DENVER, CO
B- (81%)
For a Reuben sporting thick-cut corned beef (a pet-peeve of mine), it was better than I expected. The meat was tender, and the bread was the perfect consistency. Unfortunately, the large amount of thousand island dressing made it hard to eat, and the sandwich fell apart quickly. Easy on the sauce, dog!
THE DITCH ON 40 - WINTER PARK, CO
B- (80%)
This sandwich tested my ability to be objective. It's melt-in-your-mouth delicious, but not due to Reuben flavors. By replacing the sauerkraut with green chilies and grilled onions, the sandwich takes on more of a patty melt feel. Thus, points have to be taken off in a Reuben-focused taste test. But wow. This sandwich could not come more highly recommended.
DRAFTS SPORTS BAR - LAS VEGAS, NV
B- (80%)
Located in the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill offers a fine product. Despite average ingredients, an almost perfect ratio speaks to their knowledge of a classic Reuben. Give this chef better food/tools to work with, and I have no doubt they could create something special.
FAIRWEATHER BAR – SAN DIEGO, CA
B- (80%)
The tender, flavorful pastrami of this sandwich saved the day. Though the Reuben's ratio was poor (very little cheese or dressing), the meat was absolutely fantastic. It doesn't quite feel like a Reuben, but it's just too good of an experience to be rated any lower than a B - a rare exception in my book.
HOME-MADE REUBEN - DENVER, CO
C+ (79%)
During 2020's quarantine (and with many restaurants closed or serving limited menus), I decided to try my own hand at my favorite sandwich. Using Pepperidge Farm Rye, Niman Ranch Corned Beef, Finalndia Swiss, Kroger-brand Thousand Island dressing, and sauerkraut, it turned out great! More kraut and bigger bread slices could've improved it, but overall a tasty experience.
FLANAGAN’S IRISH PUB – PARK CITY, UT
C+ (79%)
While this Reuben definitely lacked in meat quantity, the ingredients were great. If the ratio were to be fixed by adding meat and taking away some dressing, this sandwich could get a seriously high score. If you've ever dreamed of swimming in a tub of thousand island dressing, you'll love this Reuben.
MOONLIGHT DINER – RICHMOND, VA
C+ (79%)
The Moonlight Diner is a 50’s-themed restaurant, so you wouldn’t think their Reuben would be anything to brag about. I, however, disagree. With a surprisingly large amount of meat, this sandwich held its own. Though the ingredients on their own weren’t amazing, they combined into something above average.
STEUBEN’S – DENVER, CO
C+ (77%)
Coming highly recommended, I was excited to try this Reuben. Unfortunately, while the ratio of ingredients was spot on, and everything except the corned beef was excellent, the lightly seasoned/tough/thick-cut corned beef brought this entire experience down. If you were to put the right kind of meat on this sandwich, it could've scored much higher. But alas.
OLD TOWN PUB – STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO
C+ (77%)
Weighed down by its thick slices of bread, this was a very average Reuben. The internal ingredients were rationed well, but the bread overwhelmed the pallet. Overall? It was fine. If you're looking for a fun spot in Steamboat, though, this place had character.
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HAMBURG INN NO. 2 - IOWA CITY, IA
C (76%)
While I was rooting for my favorite restaurant at my Alma Mater to hit a homerun, they hit a standard single. This was easy to eat with solid supporting ingredients, but the meat was bland and hard to find. On the other hand, their pie shakes are a thing of beauty. Do yourself a favor and order one.
ELEPHANT CASTLE - CHICAGO IL
C (75%)
This was a prime example of a very tasty sandwich, but only a fine Reuben. The lack of kraut and traditional dressing left me waiting for Reuben flavors, but I'll be damned if it wasn't an enjoyable meal. This definitely has mid-B potential, but for now remains an average Reuben experience.
ARBY’S – DENVER, CO
C (75%)
While you might think a mid-C score isn’t something to get excited about, the fact that a fast food chain was able to achieve it is something to consider. If you’re craving a Reuben, and don’t know of a good establishment nearby, I am not above recommending Arby’s example.
LUCKY 13 PUB – ROSEVILLE, MN
C (74%)
With good, but not excellent ingredients, and a fine, but not great ratio, this sandwich fell in the mid C’s. A bit too much sauerkraut was a small disappointment, but the cutting of the sandwich into vertical thirds made it fun to eat. As a whole, you won't regret this order, but you won't be wow-ed.
MAGGIE SMITH’S PUB – ENGLEWOOD, CO
C (73%)
Ironically, what took away from this Reuben was the one thing the bartender told me was so great about it: the homemade bread. It did not taste as Rye bread should taste, and the corned beef seemed under-seasoned. I was slightly disappointed by this Irish pub, but it was a fine experience. Meh.
THE ANVIL PUB - DALLAS, TX
C- (72%)
Receiving points for creativity, this Reuben pizza is good. Not great. Good. The meat is a bit chewy, due to it potentially being cooked twice, and I could've done with more dressing. Overall, though, it's a fun item to order. Worth a try, but keep your Reuben-flavor expectations low.
TIMOTHY O'TOOLE'S PUB – CHICAGO, IL
C- (72%)
This star-on-the-menu item should probably be accompanied a check mark instead. It checks all the boxes, yes, but doesn't get any gold stars. As a whole it's a fine sandwich, but the corned beef is forgettable, and a bit tough. Add that to the lack of kraut and no individual home-run ingredient, and you have a slightly below average Reuben. Fun spot, though.
BACK EAST BAR - DENVER, CO
C- (71%)
Due to the poor meat quality, this barely rolls in as something I could recommend. Though the ingredients around the corned beef were good, the corned beef itself was just plain bland. If you want a Reuben that’s easy to eat and leads with kraut flavors, this is your sandwich. If you're looking for a strong corned beef flavor, look elsewhere.
IDLE RICH PUB – DALLAS, TX
C- (70%)
For being an Irish pub, this was especially disappointing. There are certainly worse Reubens you can order, but there’s something about an Irish pub failing at a sandwich chalk-full of corned beef and cabbage that just feels wrong. Too much sauerkraut and flimsy bread drove this Reuben down.
BURKE IN THE BOX - LAS VEGAS, NV
C- (70%)
As this establishment was located in the McCarran International Airport, my expectations were low. Those expectations were met. The meat was chewy, making the sandwich difficult to eat. And the rest of the sandwich was very average. Though not terrible, it definitely comes in as a C Minus.
ROCK BOTTOM BREWERY – DENVER, CO
D+ (69%)
Though I can’t fault them for trying something new, Rock Bottom Brewery’s Reuben sliders with pretzel buns just didn’t work. The pretzel flavors drowned out the traditional Reuben feel, leaving the pallet desperately wanting more corned beef and sauerkraut. A valiant effort, but try again.
WHICH WICH – DENVER, CO
D+ (68%)
As you can tell by the photo, this was poorly made. The meat lacked in seasoning, there was hardly any sauerkraut, and I almost drowned in thousand island dressing. While the ingredients are noticeably better than Subway’s, the creation of the sandwich took away from its potential. Sloppy. Disappointing.
BRICKHOUSE FOOD & DRINK - WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN
D+ (67%)
As disappointments go, this was in the top three for me. The rooftop patio was an awesome vibe, the menu was highly intriguing, and the sandwich looked incredible. Unfortunately, the Reuben Gods frowned on this culinary dog. The corned beef was cut brisket style, but lacked all tenderness and flavor. Add to that an absence of supporting cast ingredients and you get a poor score.
1801 EATERY – DENVER, CO
D+ (67%)
The only saving grace of this sandwich was the decent ratio of ingredients it sported. Otherwise it was a mess. Unseasoned meat. Soggy bread. And microwaved for heat. Never again will I order this Reuben and I suggest you do the same.
SUBWAY – SHREVEPORT, LA
D (66%)
It’s Subway. What do you expect? The whole situation tasted processed and poorly pieced together. If you’re on the road and want a Reuben, I’m not going to tell you NOT to get it. Instead, I’m just going to remind you to lower your expectations. And then keep on lowering them.
SUNRISE INN CAFE – COOPER LANDING, AK
D (65%)
As you might be able to tell by the picture, this Reuben was pretty badly burnt. Not only did this take away from the taste, but the temperature made the sandwich essentially inedible for the first fifteen minutes it sat on my plate. It’s too bad as the ingredient ratio and quality had B-rating potential.
SOS CATERING FOOD TRUCK – DENVER, CO
D- (62%)
If you had given me this Reuben and told me it was just a sandwich, I would have told you it was okay. As a Reuben, though, it just doesn’t cut it. This vegan attempt simply wasn't able to mimic the crucial flavors that made this meal famous. I'm not saying vegan Reubens can't receive good grades. I'm saying this one didn't.