Few sandwiches inspire the cult following that the Reuben does. This magical marriage of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread has become an American deli icon.
From New York delis to Midwest diners, these 18 establishments serve up the most mouthwatering Reubens you’ll find anywhere in the country.
1. Katz’s Delicatessen – New York City, NY
Holy corned beef mountain! Katz’s doesn’t mess around with portion size, stacking their Reuben higher than Manhattan’s skyline.
The meat practically melts in your mouth while the tangy sauerkraut cuts through the richness. A true NYC institution since 1888.
2. Zingerman’s Delicatessen – Ann Arbor, MI
College students line up for hours just to sink their teeth into this legendary creation. Zingerman’s sources artisanal ingredients including hand-sliced corned beef and small-batch sauerkraut that’s fermented in-house.
Their Russian dressing has a secret kick that’s converted countless Reuben skeptics into believers.
3. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen – Chicago, IL
Politicians, celebrities, and hungry Chicagoans all bow down to Manny’s monumental Reuben. Since 1942, this South Loop institution has perfected the art of corned beef.
They are brining it for days before hand-slicing it paper-thin. The sandwich arrives open-faced.
4. Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen – Portland, OR
Hipsters have met their match in this artisanal masterpiece. Kenny & Zuke’s smokes and hand-cuts their own pastrami (yes, they use pastrami instead of corned beef) for a Pacific Northwest twist on the classic.
Their homemade Russian dressing packs enough horseradish to clear your sinuses.
5. Shapiro’s Delicatessen – Indianapolis, IN
Grandma’s kitchen meets industrial-strength sandwich engineering at this Midwest landmark. It’s operating since 1905.
Shapiro’s builds their Reuben on sturdy slices of house-baked rye that could probably support a small building. Their corned beef is steamed to perfection.
6. Canter’s Deli – Los Angeles, CA
Rock stars stumble in at 3 AM and Hollywood execs close deals over Canter’s legendary Reuben. This 24-hour Jewish deli has been serving the same recipe since 1931.
They are perfecting the balance of tangy and savory. Their Russian dressing has a distinctive sweetness that complements the sauerkraut’s bite.
7. Melt Bar & Grilled – Cleveland, OH
Cardiac surgeons should set up shop next door to this grilled cheese emporium. Their “Parmageddon” Reuben substitutes potato pierogi for sauerkraut – a nod to Cleveland’s Polish heritage.
The cheese stretches for miles when you pull it apart. Worth every calorie and food coma.
8. Attman’s Delicatessen – Baltimore, MD
Tucked away on Baltimore’s historic “Corned Beef Row,” this 105-year-old institution serves a Reuben that could make a sailor blush. The meat-to-bread ratio defies physics.
Somehow they pack a pound of corned beef between two modest slices of rye. Their homemade sauerkraut ferments for weeks.
9. Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company – Des Moines, IA
Beer and Reubens find their soulmate in this Iowa brewpub. Their twist? Corned beef braised in their house-brewed stout before being piled high with locally-sourced sauerkraut.
The Russian dressing contains a hint of their IPA, creating a flavor profile you won’t find anywhere else in America.
10. Blackbird Doughnut + Cafe – Boston, MA
Bostonians nearly rioted when this sandwich first appeared. Breaking all rules, Blackbird serves their Reuben on a house-made everything bagel instead of rye – sacrilege or innovation, depending who you ask.
Their house-cured corned beef takes a two-week brine bath before meeting locally-made Swiss cheese.
11. Fable & Spirit – Newport Beach, CA
Fancy-pants alert! This upscale gastropub reimagines the humble Reuben with wagyu beef brisket that’s been corned in-house for two weeks.
The sauerkraut gets upgraded with champagne vinegar while the Russian dressing incorporates crème fraîche instead of mayo. It’s served on artisanal caraway rye with a side of duck fat fries.
12. Primanti Bros. – Pittsburgh, PA
Steel workers built America on sandwiches like this Pittsburgh icon. Primanti’s infamous Reuben comes with French fries and coleslaw INSIDE the sandwich – a practical solution for laborers who needed a complete meal in one hand.
The corned beef is sliced thick and the bread is Italian, not rye1
13. Mile End Delicatessen – Brooklyn, NY
Montreal meets New York in this hipster haven’s smoked meat Reuben. The Canadian-born owners use brisket that’s smoked for 12 hours then steamed until it practically dissolves on your tongue.
Their house-fermented kraut contains caraway seeds that echo the flavors in the rye bread. A cross-border diplomatic triumph that will make both countries proud.
14. Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen – San Francisco, CA
Tech bros and grandmas agree – this Mission District deli doesn’t mess around. Their Reuben features double-baked rye bread that’s sturdy enough to hold up against their aggressively flavorful house-brined corned beef.
The Russian dressing incorporates local Dungeness crab roe for an only-in-San-Francisco umami bomb.
15. The General Muir – Atlanta, GA
Southern hospitality meets Jewish deli tradition at this James Beard-nominated restaurant. Their Reuben features corned beef that’s brined with sweet tea before being slow-roasted for 12 hours.
A Georgia twist that’ll make your taste buds do a double-take. The sauerkraut gets a hit of bourbon during fermentation.
16. Slyman’s Restaurant – Cleveland, OH
Presidents and celebrities make pilgrimages to this Cleveland institution for a sandwich that requires a jaw unhinging. Slyman’s piles OVER A POUND of warm, tender corned beef on each Reuben.
The meat is sliced to order, still steaming when it hits the rye bread. Pure Midwest excess at its finest.
17. Langer’s Delicatessen – Los Angeles, CA
Time stops at this 1947 landmark near MacArthur Park. Langer’s twice-bakes their rye bread.
Its’s a technique that creates a crackling crust while maintaining a soft interior that soaks up the sandwich juices without disintegrating. Their hand-cut corned beef spends hours steaming until it reaches fork-tender perfection.
18. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que – Kansas City, KS
Barbecue blasphemy or culinary genius? This gas station-turned-legendary BBQ joint smokes their corned beef brisket over Missouri white oak before building their unorthodox Reuben.
The meat develops a pink smoke ring that would make traditional deli owners weep. Their Russian dressing incorporates their famous barbecue sauce.