17 Chain Spots Serving Reuben Sandwiches Done Right
The Reuben sandwich is the ultimate comfort food handshake between corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melty cheese, and that perfect swath of Russian dressing.
It’s a classic that’s surprisingly tricky to master — get one ingredient wrong and the whole thing falls flat.
Luckily, some chain spots have nailed the formula, delivering that crispy, gooey, savory magic every time.
If you’ve been chasing the perfect Reuben without leaving your couch, these places are about to become your new best friends.
1. Arby’s: The Fast Food Reuben That Defies Expectations
Fast food rarely gets Reubens right, but Arby’s breaks the mold with their surprisingly authentic take.
Their version stacks thinly-sliced corned beef with Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing between marble rye bread.
What elevates this sandwich is their commitment to proper toasting – achieving that perfect crisp exterior while keeping the inside warm and melty.
For a drive-thru option that satisfies a serious Reuben craving without the wait, Arby’s delivers consistency nationwide.
2. Firehouse Subs: The Smoky-Sweet Reuben Twist
Firefighters know comfort food, and Firehouse Subs’ Reuben brings the heat. Unlike traditional versions, they steam their corned beef before piling it high, creating an extra-tender texture that melts in your mouth.
Their signature touch? A hint of their sweet and smoky Captain Sorensen’s Datil Pepper Hot Sauce mixed into the dressing.
The sandwich comes on toasted rye with melted provolone (a Swiss cheese alternative) and kraut that’s never too soggy. The result is a perfectly balanced flavor bomb worthy of its firefighting namesake.
3. Jason’s Deli: The All-Natural Reuben Champion
Health-conscious Reuben lovers, rejoice! Jason’s Deli crafts their standout sandwich with nitrate-free corned beef – a rarity in the chain restaurant world.
Their commitment to clean ingredients doesn’t sacrifice flavor one bit.
The star of their Reuben show is the perfectly balanced sauerkraut, which offers just the right tang without overwhelming the other components.
Each sandwich gets pressed on a hot grill until the Swiss cheese reaches optimal meltiness. Paired with their housemade Russian dressing, this Reuben hits all the right notes for purists.
4. Schlotzsky’s: The Texas-Sized Reuben Experience
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including Schlotzsky’s epic Reuben. This Austin-born chain doesn’t mess around with skimpy portions – their sandwich features a mountain of warm corned beef that’s sliced fresh daily.
What truly sets them apart is their famous sourdough bread, a delicious deviation from traditional rye that adds a pleasant tang.
The bread gets a generous brush of real butter before hitting the grill, creating an irresistible golden crust.
Add their zippy Russian dressing and perfectly drained sauerkraut, and you’ve got a Texan twist on a classic.
5. McAlister’s Deli: The Southern Hospitality Reuben
Southern charm meets New York deli tradition at McAlister’s. Their Reuben stands out for its premium, tender corned beef that’s sliced to the perfect thickness – not too chunky, not too thin.
The sandwich gets assembled on marbled rye bread that’s substantial enough to hold everything together without falling apart.
McAlister’s doesn’t skimp on the Swiss cheese either, using two full slices that melt beautifully around the edges.
The finishing touch? Their slightly sweet Thousand Island dressing that balances the tangy sauerkraut perfectly.
6. Panera Bread: The Artisanal Reuben Reimagined
Panera elevates the humble Reuben with their bakery-cafe approach. Their version features hand-trimmed corned beef on their rustic rye bread – a hearty, seed-studded loaf that adds wonderful texture and flavor.
The sandwich gets a chef-inspired twist with their special “Thousand Island” dressing, which has a hint of horseradish for extra zing.
Panera also uses Emmenthaler Swiss cheese, a slightly nuttier variety that melts beautifully.
The whole creation gets pressed panini-style, creating a compact, portable Reuben that doesn’t sacrifice quality for convenience.
7. Katz’s Delicatessen: The Legendary NYC Reuben
No Reuben list is complete without mentioning this iconic New York institution.
Katz’s hand-carved corned beef is the stuff of legend – each sandwich contains nearly a pound of meat sliced to order by skilled carvers who’ve been perfecting their craft for decades.
While technically not a chain in the traditional sense, Katz’s now ships nationwide and has airport locations. Their Reuben features their famous corned beef piled impossibly high on twice-baked rye bread.
The Swiss cheese melts perfectly into the warm meat, while the sauerkraut adds just enough tang without being overwhelming.
8. Zingerman’s Deli: The Gourmet Reuben Worth Traveling For
Michigan’s famous Zingerman’s may have limited locations, but their mail-order business has made their incredible Reuben available nationwide.
Their “Fresser’s Reuben” features Sy Ginsberg’s corned beef – a Detroit specialty brined with secret spices that create unmatched flavor.
The sandwich comes on Jewish rye bread from their own bakehouse, giving it a perfect foundation.
Their Russian dressing includes a splash of Worcestershire sauce for depth, while the imported Swiss cheese adds rich creaminess.
Though pricier than most chain options, Zingerman’s Reuben represents the gold standard that others aspire to match.
9. The Hat: The California Reuben Institution
West Coast Reuben seekers flock to The Hat, a Southern California chain famous for their pastrami dip sandwiches since 1951.
Their Reuben offers a SoCal twist on the classic, featuring hot pastrami instead of traditional corned beef.
The meat gets piled high on grilled rye bread with melted Swiss, tangy kraut, and their special sauce.
What makes their version unique is the slightly smoky flavor of the pastrami, which adds an extra dimension to the familiar flavor profile.
Paired with their famous chili cheese fries, it’s a California Reuben experience that keeps locals coming back for decades.
10. Lenny’s Grill & Subs: The Overstuffed Philly-Style Reuben
Lenny’s takes Reuben portions seriously – their sandwich weighs in at over half a pound! This Philadelphia-inspired chain brings East Coast sandwich culture nationwide with their authentic take on the classic.
Their Reuben features hot corned beef sliced thin and piled high on grilled rye bread. The sauerkraut gets a quick steam before assembly, removing excess moisture for the perfect texture.
A generous hand with the Swiss cheese ensures proper melt-through, while their tangy Russian dressing adds the perfect amount of creaminess without making the sandwich soggy.
11. Mendocino Farms: The Farm-to-Table Reuben Revolution
California-based Mendocino Farms puts a chef-driven spin on the classic Reuben with their “Farm Club” version.
Using sustainably-sourced ingredients, they start with house-braised corned beef brisket that’s tender enough to cut with a fork.
Their kraut gets a flavor boost from caraway seeds, while the Russian dressing includes capers for extra tanginess. The sandwich comes on local artisan rye bread that’s brushed with herb butter before grilling.
Though this upscale chain has a smaller footprint than some others, their commitment to quality ingredients makes their Reuben worth seeking out.
12. Which Wich: The Customizable Reuben Experience
Control freaks, rejoice! Which Wich puts you in the driver’s seat with their build-your-own Reuben approach.
Start with their “Wicked” option, featuring corned beef on toasted rye, then customize every element to your exact preferences.
Want extra Swiss cheese? Double meat? More kraut? Less dressing? No problem. Their assembly line system ensures you get exactly the Reuben you’re craving.
The meat itself is quality stuff – tender, flavorful corned beef that’s sliced thin. For Reuben lovers who know precisely how they like their sandwich built, Which Wich offers freedom other chains can’t match.
13. Togo’s: The West Coast Reuben Sensation
California-born Togo’s has been slinging superior sandwiches since 1971, and their Reuben doesn’t disappoint.
Their signature move? Hot corned beef that’s sliced fresh throughout the day – never sitting in a steam table getting tough.
Togo’s uses a lighter hand with the sauerkraut than most chains, allowing the quality of their meat to shine through.
The sandwich comes on locally-baked rye bread that gets a perfect toast – crunchy outside, soft inside.
A final schmear of their house-made Thousand Island dressing (with a secret pickle relish blend) completes this West Coast interpretation of the deli classic.
14. Capriotti’s: The Slow-Roasted Reuben Revolution
Founded in Delaware and now spreading nationwide, Capriotti’s built their reputation on slow-roasted turkey.
Their Reuben, however, deserves equal fame – featuring corned beef that’s roasted in-house for hours until fork-tender.
The meat gets hand-pulled rather than sliced, creating a uniquely textured sandwich with incredible flavor distribution.
Their Russian dressing includes a hint of horseradish for extra zip, while the sauerkraut is rinsed slightly to prevent overpowering the other flavors.
The sandwich comes on twice-baked rye bread that stands up perfectly to the substantial fillings.
15. Potbelly Sandwich Shop: The Toasty Tunnel Reuben
Potbelly’s unique conveyor-style oven creates a Reuben with perfectly melted cheese and a distinctively crispy exterior.
Their “Farmhouse” Reuben features thin-sliced corned beef that gets a quick steam before assembly, keeping it moist and tender.
The sandwich includes their signature “hot peppers” – a giardiniera-style relish that adds a subtle heat not found in traditional Reubens.
Their marbled rye bread emerges from the toasting tunnel with a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the warm, gooey interior.
For a quick-service Reuben with consistent quality across hundreds of locations, Potbelly delivers.
16. Corner Bakery Cafe: The Upscale Casual Reuben
Corner Bakery bridges the gap between fast-casual and sit-down dining with their elevated Reuben. Their version features premium corned beef on artisan caraway rye bread that’s baked fresh in-house daily.
The sandwich gets assembled panini-style and pressed until the Swiss cheese achieves that perfect stringy pull when bitten.
Their house-made Thousand Island dressing includes finely diced cornichons for extra crunch and flavor.
The sauerkraut is drained thoroughly to prevent sogginess – a thoughtful touch that maintains the sandwich’s integrity from first bite to last.
17. Penn Station East Coast Subs: The Grilled-to-Order Reuben
Despite being known for their Philly cheesesteaks, Penn Station’s Reuben deserves serious attention. Every sandwich is made fresh when ordered – no pre-assembled ingredients sitting under heat lamps here.
Their corned beef gets chopped on the grill rather than layered in slices, allowing it to mix perfectly with the sauerkraut and absorb their zesty dressing.
The sandwich is built on hearty rye bread and topped with Swiss cheese that’s melted directly on the flat-top grill.
This preparation method creates caramelized edges on both the meat and cheese that add incredible flavor dimension.