24 Can’t-Miss Reuben Sandwiches Across The U.S.
The Reuben sandwich is an American classic that combines corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing between slices of rye bread.
I’ve spent years hunting down the best versions of this deli staple from coast to coast. These 23 spots serve up Reubens so good, you’ll be planning road trips just to try them all!
1. Katz’s Delicatessen – New York City, NY
Hand-carved mountains of corned beef make this NYC icon’s Reuben legendary! During my first bite, the warm meat literally melted in my mouth while the tangy sauerkraut cut through the richness perfectly.
The Russian dressing here has a secret kick that’s kept customers lining up since 1888. Worth every penny of its hefty price tag!
2. Zingerman’s Delicatessen – Ann Arbor, MI
Holy sandwich heaven! Zingerman’s sources their corned beef from small family farms, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth meat that’s ethically raised.
The house-made sauerkraut spends weeks fermenting to develop its complex flavor. My Michigan college roommate drove two hours just to introduce me to this masterpiece – now I understand why!
3. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen – Chicago, IL
Skyscraper-tall and packed with flavor, Manny’s Reuben represents Chicago sandwich artistry at its finest. The bread, oh my goodness gets grilled to golden perfection with a crunch that’ll make your heart sing.
Family-owned since 1942, they pile on nearly a pound of house-cured corned beef. I accidentally moaned out loud during my first bite!
4. Slyman’s Restaurant – Cleveland, OH
Presidents and celebrities make pilgrimages to Slyman’s for their monster-sized Reuben. The sandwich arrives with corned beef stacked so high you’ll need to unhinge your jaw like a snake!
My Cleveland cousin insisted we arrive before 10am to beat the crowds. Smart move – the line wrapped around the block by 11. Their perfectly seasoned meat needs zero condiments.
5. Shapiro’s Delicatessen – Indianapolis, IN
Sandwich nirvana exists in Indianapolis! Shapiro’s has been crafting their Reuben since 1905, and boy, does that experience show. The magical combination of their hand-sliced corned beef and homemade sauerkraut creates flavor fireworks.
During my cross-country road trip, I detoured 50 miles just for this sandwich. No regrets whatsoever!
6. Canter’s Deli – Los Angeles, CA
Rock stars and movie legends have been munching on Canter’s Reubens since 1931! This 24-hour Jewish deli’s sandwich features a perfect meat-to-bread ratio that would make any sandwich engineer proud.
Late one night after a concert, I watched a famous actor (can’t name names!) demolish their Reuben in record time. The house-made Russian dressing has a sweet-tangy balance that’s utterly addictive.
7. Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen – Portland, OR
Pastrami rebels! Kenny & Zuke’s breaks tradition by using house-smoked pastrami instead of corned beef in their Reuben. The result? Mind-blowing deliciousness that had me questioning everything I thought I knew about this sandwich.
Their homemade rye bread deserves its own fan club. During Portland’s rainy season, nothing beats this warm, smoky creation.
8. Attman’s Delicatessen – Baltimore, MD
Sandwich sorcery happens at this 1915-established Baltimore institution! Attman’s corned beef is trimmed by hand and cooked fresh daily, resulting in meat so tender it practically dissolves on contact with your tongue.
Located on “Corned Beef Row,” they serve their Reuben with a schmear of mustard that’ll clear your sinuses in the best possible way. Pure sandwich bliss!
9. Melt Bar And Grilled – Cleveland, OH
Cheese pulls for days! Melt’s “Cleveland Babushka” Reuben comes with an obscene amount of gooey Swiss that stretches two feet when you lift half the sandwich. I’ve got the cheese-pull photos to prove it!
Their twist? Adding pierogi to the classic ingredients for a carb-on-carb masterpiece. After finishing this monster, I needed to be rolled out the door.
10. Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen – San Francisco, CA
Hipster deli perfection! Wise Sons bakes their rye bread in-house using a sourdough starter, giving their Reuben a distinctly San Francisco twist. The tangy bread complements their house-brined corned beef in ways that defy description.
My tech friend insisted we wait in the hour-long line. “Trust me,” he said. He was right – this sandwich changed my life!
11. Langer’s Delicatessen – Los Angeles, CA
Bread wizardry alert! Langer’s twice-bakes their rye, creating an outer crust that shatters gloriously while the inside stays pillowy soft. This textural magic elevates their Reuben to god-tier status.
The #19 (their Reuben variant) includes cole slaw instead of sauerkraut. Controversial? Perhaps. Delicious? Absolutely! I’ve dreamt about this sandwich at least monthly since trying it.
12. Court Street Grocers – Brooklyn, NY
Sandwich innovation at its finest! This Brooklyn gem sears their rye bread in butter before assembly, then presses the whole Reuben until the cheese forms a crispy skirt around the edges.
The first time I bit into those cheese crisps, I actually giggled out loud. Their house-fermented kraut has caraway seeds that pop with flavor against the rich corned beef.
13. Zaftigs Delicatessen – Brookline, MA
Wicked good sandwiches, as the locals would say! Zaftigs (Yiddish for “juicy”) lives up to its name with a Reuben that’s almost too juicy to handle. Almost.
Their secret weapon? A schmear of sweet caramelized onions that adds unexpected depth. During my Boston visit, I ate this beauty while watching snow fall outside their windows – pure New England sandwich bliss!
14. Kramarczuk’s – Minneapolis, MN
Eastern European sandwich sorcery! This James Beard Award-winning deli makes everything from scratch, including their mind-blowing rye bread and tangy sauerkraut.
The Polish-Ukrainian owners add a unique twist – a thin layer of their homemade mustard mixed with horseradish that’ll clear your sinuses instantly! During my winter visit, this hearty sandwich warmed me from the inside out.
15. Primanti Bros. – Pittsburgh, PA
Fries on a Reuben? Absolute madness – and pure genius! Primanti’s famous sandwiches include french fries and coleslaw INSIDE, creating a complete meal between bread slices.
Their “Almost Famous” Reuben follows this tradition, resulting in a towering masterpiece that requires two hands and several napkins. My Pittsburgh buddy laughed at my shocked expression when this monster arrived at our table!
16. Ugly Drum – Los Angeles, CA
Smoked meat revolution! This LA sensation serves a Reuben featuring pastrami that’s been smoked for 14 hours over pecan wood. The result? Meat so tender and flavorful it brought actual tears to my eyes.
Found at Smorgasburg LA on Sundays, their sandwich uses marble rye that gets perfectly toasted. The line stretches forever, but trust me – time will pass quickly as you watch them slice that gorgeous meat!
17. Molinari Delicatessen – San Francisco, CA
Italian-Jewish fusion brilliance! This 125-year-old North Beach institution puts an Italian spin on the classic Reuben by adding a layer of mortadella alongside the corned beef.
The combination sounds bizarre but tastes heavenly. Their sourdough rye gets a brush of garlic-infused olive oil before grilling. I still dream about the sandwich I devoured while people-watching on their sidewalk bench.
18. Perly’s Restaurant & Delicatessen – Richmond, VA
Southern charm meets Jewish deli tradition! Perly’s “Benny Goodman” Reuben includes a schmear of their homemade pimento cheese alongside the traditional ingredients – a brilliant Southern twist.
The sandwich comes with a side of their dill pickle soup that perfectly complements the rich flavors. During my road trip through Virginia, I made a 30-mile detour just for this creation. Worth every extra mile!
19. Barney Greengrass – New York City, NY
Century-old perfection! This Upper West Side “Sturgeon King” serves a no-frills Reuben that exemplifies the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. Their perfectly balanced sandwich has remained unchanged for decades.
The corned beef is sliced whisper-thin and piled impossibly high. While waiting for a table, I watched celebrities and locals alike lining up for this NYC institution’s legendary creation.
20. The General Muir – Atlanta, GA
Southern hospitality meets New York deli! This James Beard-nominated restaurant cures their own corned beef in-house for two weeks before hand-slicing it for their extraordinary Reuben.
The chef adds a Georgia twist – a drizzle of sorghum syrup in the Russian dressing that creates a sweet-savory balance. My Atlanta foodie friend insisted this was “the South’s best sandwich.” After one bite, I couldn’t argue!
21. Liebman’s Kosher Delicatessen – Bronx, NY
Time-capsule deliciousness! This Bronx institution has been serving the same perfect Reuben since 1953. Walking in feels like stepping back in time – complete with vintage booths and career waiters who’ve been there for decades.
Their sandwich features thick-cut corned beef that’s steamed until it practically dissolves. The no-nonsense counterman rolled his eyes when I asked for extra Russian dressing, but secretly added it anyway!
22. Hymie’s Delicatessen – Philadelphia, PA
Cheese whiz on a Reuben? Only in Philly! Hymie’s offers a “Philly Reuben” that replaces Swiss with their house-made cheese sauce – a nod to the city’s famous cheesesteaks.
Purists might scoff, but this fusion creation is seriously addictive. The owner smiled knowingly when I expressed skepticism, then watched me devour every last bite. Their twice-baked rye bread provides the perfect sturdy foundation for this saucy masterpiece.
23. Tattersall Distilling – Minneapolis, MN
Boozy brilliance! This craft distillery marinates their corned beef in their house-made aquavit before smoking it over applewood. The Nordic-inspired twist creates a Reuben unlike any other I’ve tasted.
Their bartender suggested pairing it with their caraway gin cocktail – a combo that made me seriously consider moving to Minneapolis! The sandwich comes with juniper-pickled cabbage instead of traditional sauerkraut.
24. Cochon Butcher – New Orleans, LA
Cajun-Jewish fusion magic! This NOLA butcher shop/sandwich counter replaces corned beef with their house-cured and smoked pastrami, then adds a layer of Cajun-spiced choucroute (fancy sauerkraut) for a Southern kick.
The sandwich comes dressed with Creole mustard aioli instead of Russian dressing. During Jazz Fest, I waited 45 minutes in line – then promptly got back in line for a second sandwich!