1:05in productionCh. 1 · What the dish is and where it came from/ 1:05 · ceiling 15 min
Dishes
Reuben sandwich
A grilled American sandwich of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian or Thousand Island dressing, and rye bread.
The Reuben sandwich is an American grilled sandwich. One popular account credits Reuben Kulakofsky, a grocer from Omaha, Nebraska, who reportedly requested it during a poker game in the 1920s.
The Reuben sandwich is an American grilled sandwich.
0:12
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It is assembled with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing between slices of rye bread, then grilled or toasted until the bread is crisp and the cheese melted.
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What it gets right
It gets right a strong contrast of savory, tangy, and rich elements—corned beef, Swiss, sauerkraut, and creamy dressing—all bound by crisp rye.
0:34
What it does not
It does not comply with traditional Jewish dietary law because it combines meat and dairy.
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What it changed
It became a staple in kosher-style delicatessens in U.S.
0:48
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for people seeking a hearty, savory grilled sandwich with those specific ingredients.
0:58
Is it worth your time
It is worth your time if you enjoy grilled sandwiches built around bold, contrasting flavors and textures.
Worth your time?
Selectively. Start with the brief, then cook the parts we point at.
What works
It gets right a strong contrast of savory, tangy, and rich elements—corned beef, Swiss, sauerkraut, and creamy dressing—all bound by crisp rye.
What does not
It does not comply with traditional Jewish dietary law because it combines meat and dairy.
Cook it if
Skip it if
The written brief1 min read
What the dish is and where it came from
The Reuben sandwich is an American grilled sandwich. One popular account credits Reuben Kulakofsky, a grocer from Omaha, Nebraska, who reportedly requested it during a poker game in the 1920s.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It is assembled with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing between slices of rye bread, then grilled or toasted until the bread is crisp and the cheese melted.
What it gets right
It gets right a strong contrast of savory, tangy, and rich elements—corned beef, Swiss, sauerkraut, and creamy dressing—all bound by crisp rye.
What it does not
It does not comply with traditional Jewish dietary law because it combines meat and dairy.
What it changed
It became a staple in kosher-style delicatessens in U.S. cities with large Jewish immigrant communities, especially New York City.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for people seeking a hearty, savory grilled sandwich with those specific ingredients. It is not for those avoiding meat-dairy combinations or seeking kosher-certified food.
Is it worth your time
It is worth your time if you enjoy grilled sandwiches built around bold, contrasting flavors and textures.