In case you don’t know what a Reuben sandwich is, it’s a sandwich that features corned beef with sauerkraut, along with Swiss Cheese and either Russian or Thousand Island dressing. Everything set between slices of rye bread, and it’s great.
While there might be some debate as to the true origins of the Reuben sandwich, there’s no doubt that this sandwich became famous in the US when it was hailed as “the nation’s top hotel and restaurant sandwich” in the National Sandwich Idea Contest of 1956. It was the winner out of more than 600 entries, and it soon spread all over the country.
Unfortunately, the Reuben sandwich isn’t really much of a thing in the fast-food industry. You’ll find it at Arby’s (view full Arby’s menu here), but aside from Arby’s, you won’t really find a Reuben anywhere else all that easily.
But it’s a different story if you live in Pittsburgh. Somehow, this city has become a hotspot for some of the most excellent Reuben sandwiches that you can find anywhere in the country. And if you’re ever in Pittsburgh and curious about (or just hankering for) a Reuben sandwich, these are the eateries in the city that you should look for:
Smallman Street Deli, 2840 Smallman Street in the Strip District
The place might be called “Smallman”, but their Reuben sandwich here has the largest portion of corned beef that you might find in any Reuben sandwich in the city. And having more corned beef is always a good thing. This is a dependably great sandwich that’s the go-to lunch for plenty of residents in the area.
They also offer this unique Reuben version, where they stuff everything between 2 potato pancakes called latkes. This is also quite yummy, although for true Reuben fanatics, it’s not as good as the old-school sandwich. The rye bread of the Reuben is part of the appeal. But you can always get some latkes as a side dish for your Reuben sandwich!
Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main Street in Carnegie
When we asked around with the many Reuben fans in Pittsburg for some recommendations, this place sure got a lot of mentions. It’s an Irish pub with a very comfy vibe, so it’s a great place to relax in with just a sandwich. Their menu offers lots of terrific sandwiches and other classic pub fare, and you should really try the weeknight specials for dinner.
The Reuben is a fan favorite in this place, and it’s quite affordable at less than ten dollars. It offers just about everything that a Reuben fan is looking for. You get lots of meat along with mounds of sauerkraut, and everything’s perfectly cooked. The bread is crispy, but it’s so pillowy soft that it almost melts off when you bite into it. Just ask for more dressing to make sure it’s not too dry.
Brown’s Country Kitchen, 1149 W Portersville Road in Portersville, PA
If you’re in the area, you might as well enjoy a visit to Moraine State Park or McConnells Mill State Park. Once you’re done with your park visit, then you can enjoy the eatery on your return trip. Here, they serve various country favorites, including sandwiches and full entrees. And it’s almost a crime to skip on the pies.
The Reuben sandwich here is no-fuss solid. It’s a simple version of your typical Reuben, and it reminds you of why it has become your favorite sandwich. It features plenty of the corned beef and sauerkraut, and they even serve the dressing on the side. That way, you can add as much of it as you want. They also toast the bread in a lot of oil.
Perhaps the only “gimmick” to their Reuben is that you actually have the option to add bacon. It’s an option that’s available for all their sandwiches, actually. If you haven’t tried Reuben with bacon, then you might as well try it now.
Emil’s Lounge, 414 Hawkins Ave in Rankin, PA
Along with their fish sandwich, the Reuben sandwich here is mainly responsible for establishing the reputation of Emil’s Lounge. This Reuben is downright fantastic.
It’s not expensive, but it has so much meat that you might think that Emil’s Lounge is losing money with each Reuben sandwich. With so much meat, you may have to ask for extra dressing just to balance things out.
Big Jim’s in the Run, 201 Saline Street in Four Mile Run, just south of Oakland
This is another popular place for Reuben sandwiches. In fact, if you’re looking for any sort of sandwich, try to visit Big Jim’s. The food is cheap, yet you sure get huge portions.
The same goes for their Reubens, as you get lots of meat and toppings for your ten bucks. It’s delicious, and you feel you’re getting probably more your money’s worth.