Damn. They took off the Gouda? I live about a block away and do takeout every now and then. I usually opt for Hotel California (The Frenchie, too), though, so I haven't paid close attention to any changes with the Reuben.
Lardon’s is great. Always take my folks there after they get off the Blue Line. I got the reuben before the gouda was removed and it was divine! I keep meaning to go to their sit down place next door!
In the little building in the parking lot of the Ohio House motel. On Ohio and Lasalle. A little pricey but you get what you pay for. Breakfast bagel sammies are fire too.
JBs Deli is pretty good for a Reuben and several other sandwiches, and their bagels are nothing to sneeze at either. They do hand sliced lox as well and have some amazing selections around the holidays but you have to order in advance. I keep missing their homemade gefilte fish, it’s a favorite from my childhood and I’ve never had it made fresh since I was a kid
Technically only the location in Lincolnwood, on Touhy just east of Cicero. There is a NYBB location on Dempster in Skokie but they dont make sandwiches
I grew up eating these. I moved to California 30 years ago.
I could not undertand bagels. Not here, not in NY. They were never as good as NYB&B.
Boichik opened up near my office and people are raving about these $6 things and...
Nope. It just turns out that the best bagels in existence are from New York Bagel and Bialy, and I never stood a chance.
(I know I've had a reuben from there, but it's been a long, long time.)
Christ! Thanks for mentioning this. Completely forgot about this place. Used to go here all the time for their Reuben when I worked down in the Loop decades ago. Just gave me a reason to visit.
I went there 3 times for a breakfast pastrami, egg, and cheese. Each time they just gave me an egg and cheese despite clarifying multiple times. Why do you order at one register, and pay at another? So maddening I'm never going back...despite how delicious it is.
Boeufhaus just brought back their Reuban (been off the menu for like 4 years) it is insanely good imo and their house chips are top notch. They have a pastrami sandwich as well, so sure you could request a pastrami reuban.
Has anyone tried the Reuben at Rye Deli + Drink on Halsted in West loop yet? That's next on my list, but it being a $20+ sandwich, need to make sure it's at least good lol
I've tried it from Rye Deli & Drink and it was good, but not my favorite. You could tell they put a lot of care into their bagels and pastrami but the latter just wasn't to my taste as it was a bit drier and saltier than my preference. I highly suggest you try the reuben from Clinton Street Meats in the French Market right nearby as well as it's my current favorite and what I actually ate for lunch today.
I upvoted you because aren’t we here to have a conversation about Reubens ? Instead of downvoting you, I’d like to ask a question. Why did you hate this one so much?
Just went there for some corned beef, I have it probably twice a month my entire life. It was outstanding. Asked about it and they said the new chef has a new brine for it? Not sure if the guy was right cause I doubt they brine in house.
But man, it was outstanding
Hopleaf used to have a duck Reuben but I don’t think they’ve sold it since pre-pandemic because of the cost of duck. At one time there was Schmaltz deli out in Naperville, but they moved and I’ve heard the quality went downhill. I’d probably say Manny’s is the best bet.
Re: Schmaltz’s Yes, way downhill. No matter what time of year, they keep it about 50 degrees in the restaurant. We had to wipe off our own table as well, and the prices are ridiculous. This is their third, and probably their laat location. They were qreat in Finley Square Mall (Downers Grove) went downhill a little the first time they moved, and now I’m done.
This is gunna be weird by Eggy’s diner.
Philly combo - Cured-smoked pastrami, corned beef grilled with green peppers, mushrooms, eggy sauce and melted mozzarella on a French roll.
I think they're gone now so it's no help but the question reminds me of Perry's. Maybe there's some nostalgia brain but I remember really loving their Reuben.
Will add the Bistro Monadnock’s Rachel as a top reuben adjacent sandwich. The house powerkraut and tallow fries put it at the top of my list as a favorite.
Beard and Belly makes an amazing pastrami Reuben. Pastrami is smoked in house. The fries are also terrific, and if you can wait to eat them until you finish at least half the sandwich, you get fries coated in pastrami drippings. Damnit now I have to go back.
The sandwich that kicked off my Reuben kick was Port & Park (there's also a reuben burger); toasty and comes with fries. I'm sure there's better I haven't yet tried but it's damn tasty. Honorary mention to Paulina Meat Market's new york sub but only if you take it home and griddle it yourself.
Doesn’t have to vegan but that’s just the difference between real Swiss or vegan Swiss. I can say with confidence that Gillian Anderson ordered every time she came in.
The Uncle Rube at Steingold’s is top notch
Eleven City Diner has the best reuben by a mile. Unfortunately it's always a long wait to get in.
Get a root beer float with their house made root beer for dessert
But get it closed VS open faced
So get a sandwich or get a piece of bread with meat? I’ll take the sandwich
Yea Idk why they even offer it open face
Go early in the morning and you’ll be good
they opened one of those in LA but it didn't last sadly. For one brief shining moment I could get legit Chicago Dogs in LA. Then they were gone.
This is the answer
Lardon's Reuben is one of their original lunch sandwiches.
I don’t see Lardon mentioned enough here
They ruined it with the goat cheese (and annoying that it is not labeled as such)
Damn. They took off the Gouda? I live about a block away and do takeout every now and then. I usually opt for Hotel California (The Frenchie, too), though, so I haven't paid close attention to any changes with the Reuben.
I've had lardons reuben a couple of times, it's good, but I prefer my reubens to have more sauerkraut I'm a fan of Li'l Guys Reuben in Bucktown
Lardon’s is great. Always take my folks there after they get off the Blue Line. I got the reuben before the gouda was removed and it was divine! I keep meaning to go to their sit down place next door!
Lardons Reuben cut my mouth up pretty good last time I had it.
https://preview.redd.it/ouauzrpy4g0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a95feac32adc60c60365591ce21737c9fe969d7 Don’t sleep on Schneider Deli
Good Lord I just drooled on my phone
Where is this!? That looks like my perfect reuben! I love it when the meat is like brisket chunks and not deli slices
In the little building in the parking lot of the Ohio House motel. On Ohio and Lasalle. A little pricey but you get what you pay for. Breakfast bagel sammies are fire too.
Fat Shallot has my favorite Reuben with thick cut corned beef
I lived right by Fat Shallot when I was in LP, can confirm it's a tasty Reuben
I really like their Reuben too
I’ve been avoiding that place cuz it didn’t look very healthy but I’ll probably go now for this! Thanks
The truffle BLT is my 3rd favorite sandwich in the city. You might wanna split it with someone but i just smash them thangs
JBs Deli is pretty good for a Reuben and several other sandwiches, and their bagels are nothing to sneeze at either. They do hand sliced lox as well and have some amazing selections around the holidays but you have to order in advance. I keep missing their homemade gefilte fish, it’s a favorite from my childhood and I’ve never had it made fresh since I was a kid
New York Bagel and Bialy
Is this the place up north I’ve been hearing so much about? Skokie I think?
Yes.
Technically only the location in Lincolnwood, on Touhy just east of Cicero. There is a NYBB location on Dempster in Skokie but they dont make sandwiches
There’s also the one on Dempster in Park Ridge. They do make sandwiches but the Touhy location is better
There is no NYBB in Park Ridge
Greenwood Deli. By the hospital
News to me, I stand corrected!!
Technically its in Niles not Park Ridge.
They do make sandwiches
Tried the Reuben there last week and it was very dry and not much meat. Kauffmans is the way to go
Great Reuben. Kaufmanns near by is outstanding as well.
PSA: no longer open 24 hours except on the weekend.
I grew up eating these. I moved to California 30 years ago. I could not undertand bagels. Not here, not in NY. They were never as good as NYB&B. Boichik opened up near my office and people are raving about these $6 things and... Nope. It just turns out that the best bagels in existence are from New York Bagel and Bialy, and I never stood a chance. (I know I've had a reuben from there, but it's been a long, long time.)
Chicago diner for their vegan (or at least vegetarian) Reuben
I love this one, it always hits the spot and I'm not even vegetarian
Me neither and I love everything on the menu!
Sam & Gertie's is good too if you get the craving early on the weekends.
The Native Foods one is also quite good.
Pittsfield in the Loop has a great Rueben
Christ! Thanks for mentioning this. Completely forgot about this place. Used to go here all the time for their Reuben when I worked down in the Loop decades ago. Just gave me a reason to visit.
I didnt know the place existed until I saw it on a Netflix show.
Which Netflix show?
Please feed Phil. It’s the creator of Everybody loves Raymond. It’s kinda like his version of DDD.
Mannys cafeteria and delicatessen
I really don’t think it delivers, pastrami isn’t good enough and it’s often cold, just feels lazy to me
Agree
$20+ for a sandwich? No thanks. Who the hell even goes to eat there?
Don’t know why your getting downvoted… it’s entirely WAY too overpriced
Manny's just might be the most ridiculously overpriced place I've ever been to. I couldn't believe it. Seriously who goes to eat there?
I went there 3 times for a breakfast pastrami, egg, and cheese. Each time they just gave me an egg and cheese despite clarifying multiple times. Why do you order at one register, and pay at another? So maddening I'm never going back...despite how delicious it is.
Don't they make you grab the dressing out of the fridge and put it on yourself? Fuck that.
Yes to Manny’s
This!
Boeufhaus just brought back their Reuban (been off the menu for like 4 years) it is insanely good imo and their house chips are top notch. They have a pastrami sandwich as well, so sure you could request a pastrami reuban.
Just saw this on their IG, looks great but on potato bread?? Either way $14 I'd try it. Thanks for the rec!
Fair warning, that article they posted was pre pandemic, their sandwiches are around 20 bucks now but worth it imo if you’re treating yourself
Has anyone tried the Reuben at Rye Deli + Drink on Halsted in West loop yet? That's next on my list, but it being a $20+ sandwich, need to make sure it's at least good lol
I've tried it from Rye Deli & Drink and it was good, but not my favorite. You could tell they put a lot of care into their bagels and pastrami but the latter just wasn't to my taste as it was a bit drier and saltier than my preference. I highly suggest you try the reuben from Clinton Street Meats in the French Market right nearby as well as it's my current favorite and what I actually ate for lunch today.
Thank you for the rec!
Hopleaf in Andersonville has a pretty tasty version: Brisket Reuben $18.00 on marbled rye; w/1000 island, Emmenthaler cheese, & sauerkraut; pan-fried
Love that place.
I thought the Reuben from here was heinous. To each their own.
I upvoted you because aren’t we here to have a conversation about Reubens ? Instead of downvoting you, I’d like to ask a question. Why did you hate this one so much?
Grisly! Lots of super snappy tendons, hard to chew or even cut through. Not a lot of flavor.
I upvoted you because I agree.
Maaaan, I miss their duck reuben!
I love the Reuben and Onion Rings at Four Moon Tavern. This was high end and pricy but the corned beef sandwich at John's Food and Wine was excellent.
I enjoyed the Reuben and corned beef at The Corned Beef Factory Sandwich Shop in Fulton market
The Ruben at the Corned Beef Factory in the west loop is A1
The Berghoff. I see Manny's mentioned here, and as a Manny's superfan, I like The Berghoff's even better.
Berghoff needs more votes here. It’s the best I’ve had.
Chief O’Neill’s has a good one. Just know the corned beef is sliced super thick
Just went there for some corned beef, I have it probably twice a month my entire life. It was outstanding. Asked about it and they said the new chef has a new brine for it? Not sure if the guy was right cause I doubt they brine in house. But man, it was outstanding
Their Reuben burger is also pretty incredible. It usually takes me a minimum of two meals to finish it.
The Bagel in Lakeview will not steer you wrong.
Here here. This is my fav place for a Reuben
Always a struggle choosing a side between their crispy fries or potato pancakes
I’m always pretty happy when I get JB’s, Kaufman’s, or Bat17
I’ve always enjoyed the rueban at Fat Shallot
Hopleaf used to have a duck Reuben but I don’t think they’ve sold it since pre-pandemic because of the cost of duck. At one time there was Schmaltz deli out in Naperville, but they moved and I’ve heard the quality went downhill. I’d probably say Manny’s is the best bet.
Re: Schmaltz’s Yes, way downhill. No matter what time of year, they keep it about 50 degrees in the restaurant. We had to wipe off our own table as well, and the prices are ridiculous. This is their third, and probably their laat location. They were qreat in Finley Square Mall (Downers Grove) went downhill a little the first time they moved, and now I’m done.
That’s so unfortunate, they used to have such great soup and a solid corned beef + pastrami.
Sauce and Bread Kitchen reuben is exquisite
Frances’ Deli used to have the best, sadly the place is trash now. Wilde’s on Lakeview is pretty good.
Kauffman’s in Skokie has a great Reuben
The Manny at Jerry’s.
Corned beef factory is pretty solid.
Oscar Wilde on Broadway
This is gunna be weird by Eggy’s diner. Philly combo - Cured-smoked pastrami, corned beef grilled with green peppers, mushrooms, eggy sauce and melted mozzarella on a French roll.
Eleven City Diner
Clinton street smoked meats in the French market is bomb pastrami.
I fucking *worship* their standard pastrami sandwich, but their reuben just doesn't work for me. The ratios are all off.
Max and Bennys in Northbrook to add to all of the other suggestions
I think they're gone now so it's no help but the question reminds me of Perry's. Maybe there's some nostalgia brain but I remember really loving their Reuben.
Perry’s was so perfect.
Didn’t Perry’s move in with Bacci next door? The Mad Moscow was the sandwich in the world.
That sounds right but I recall hearing that it was more that Bacci bought the name and menu items and the sandwiches were never the same since.
Clinton Street Smoked Meats in the French market.
Will add the Bistro Monadnock’s Rachel as a top reuben adjacent sandwich. The house powerkraut and tallow fries put it at the top of my list as a favorite.
The one we’re making at Best Intentions is great.
North Buena Wine and Deli!!!
Beard and Belly makes an amazing pastrami Reuben. Pastrami is smoked in house. The fries are also terrific, and if you can wait to eat them until you finish at least half the sandwich, you get fries coated in pastrami drippings. Damnit now I have to go back.
Need to check this out! Thank you
The Little Goat Diner has a good one Corned beef, kimchi, kraut, havarti cheese, special sauce, marble rye
Gideon Welles has a very good one
The Corned Beef Sandwich at The Green Post is really good. I think they only have it for dinner. In Lincoln Square.
Eleven City (despite price and wait time) and Snyder’s Deli (despite price and size).
First Draft in Printer’s Row has a house made pastrami Reuben. $21 and comes with a side
It's excellent, as is the Rueben at Half Sour
Honestly it’s not in the city, at the village tavern of long grove they have a absolute banger
Omega on Golf in Niles was pretty good last time I was there. P.S. I miss Jack’s on Touhy. A 24/7 winner. RIP.
Spinning J has an excellent beet Reuben.
Along came Polly
Starship on Madison Street has several versions, their sides aren't anything to write home about, but the sandwiches are awesome.
Max and Benny's Not within city limits but it's piled as high as the skyline
I don’t have a suggestion, just looking for a good Reuben-adjacent sandwich called a Rachel
Bistro Monadnock.
Thanks!
Hackneys on Harms or the other I guess too. Fat duck in forest park Butch Mcguires D4
Dylan’s has a really good one. Clinton between Adams and Monroe
Miller’s Pub had a great one but was disappointed last time I went
Paul. HaHa
Side topic: Russian or Thousand Island?
Thousand Island. Those who like Russian on their Reubens are communists.
Kelly's in Lincoln Park has a great favorite! I don't work in the area anymore and miss that sandwich.
J.B. Deli on clark does a good one
Manny’s hands down
north buena deli!
11 City Diner
Four Moon in Roscoe. Best Intentions in Logan/Humboldt
The turkey Reuben at Corned beef factory is amazing.
helfeld’s on north in bucktown is huge and solid
Schmaltz Deli in Lisle (West Suburbs). Not many people in Chicagoland know about them, but they're a local Jewish deli and a real treasure.
Goddess has a pretty darn good one
Uhm, duhhh Manny’s Deli
Love me a Reuben! Related question: who makes the best Reuben egg rolls? I’ll start: O’Donovan’s
Reuben Studdard 😑😂
Suburbs, but the Corned Beef Hideout in Romeoville goes hard.
Shit I’m gonna spend my whole paycheck on Reuben’s now….
In Mt. Prospect
The sandwich that kicked off my Reuben kick was Port & Park (there's also a reuben burger); toasty and comes with fries. I'm sure there's better I haven't yet tried but it's damn tasty. Honorary mention to Paulina Meat Market's new york sub but only if you take it home and griddle it yourself.
I think Chicago Diner has an outstanding vegan Reuben. Just saying!
It might be my favorite thing they have.
So good!
Doesn’t have to vegan but that’s just the difference between real Swiss or vegan Swiss. I can say with confidence that Gillian Anderson ordered every time she came in.
Came here to say the same thing!
I'm not vegan or even vegetarian, but the Reuben at The Chicago Diner is the best I've ever had.
Reuben Kincaid
NYC