In search of the perfect Reuben...

[Mr. S]

Yes, I know its elusive, and my aim is not to find it. The pleasure is in the hunt, so if you have any suggestions, please advise!

[Drehound]

Langer's!

[chowmominLA]

Don't know about a Reuben specifically, but I can tell you that the corned beef at Magee's in the Farmer's Market at Fairfax/Beverly is the best I've ever had. The corned beef is either served in slices with your choice of two sides, or in sandwiches (but I don't know if they make Reubens.)

I would think Langer's would make a pretty good Reuben.

[monku]

Brent's Deli, Northridge....Black Pastrami Reuben.

[ValleyFever]

I just got back from Brent's. I'm not from LA, so that was my first time there. AMAZING! I have to fly home tomorrow, but I may kid it again for lunch tomorrow before I leave. That good.

Corned Beef, Turkey, Pastrami, and KNOCKWURST!!!!

Phoenix has Chompie's, but I'd trade it in for Brent's without thought!

[Shortsord]

Another vote here for Brent's. Langer's, I feel, is a close second. But Brent's is king.

Reading this thread earlier today inspired me to get one from Brent's, and it is fantastic still. Don't forget to ask for extra pickles, too.

I agree with the excellence of the knockwurst on rye as well.

[jonahlee]

I recently had Brent's as well, and was blown away.

I usually like Corned beef Rebuen's, but tried the Black Pastrami and it was amazing, and my wife had the corned beef. I think I would have the corned beef again next time, but they both wee amazing. I can easily say they are the best I have had in LA.

And the service was fantastic as well. It could be dangerous living near Brent's, it is too good!!

[SIMIHOUND]

Absolutley. Any kind of Ruben over there.

[estone888]

Yep, I don't quite understand why anyone would order anything other than the plain old pastrami on rye, but my girlfriend, who's from NYC, insists that the best Reuben is to be had at Langer's. Although she cautions you to make sure you get it with swiss cheese, not the dreaded "nippy" cheese.

[Das Ubergeek]

I don't know why, but I *crave* the Reuben from Hot Wings Cafe on Brand Blvd. in Glendale. That, and their tuna melt... and I can't for the life of me think why.

[jdwoods]

i hope i dont get flamed for this... you know the VEGAN one at REAL FOOD DAILY is pretty amazing... and I am not a vegan...

[duckduckgoose]

the Turkey one at Bluebird is pretty great too

[omotosando]

I like the one at Real Food Daily also. I find it to be one of the few edible things on their menu. However, I doubt it would satisfy a real meat lover.

[ipsedixit]

Pasadena Sandwich Company
259 Sierra Madre Villa
Pasadena
[phone]

[russkar]

Have you been to Langer's?

[ipsedixit]

I am not a big Langer's fan. Been quite a few times, maybe more than I like ...

[SauceSupreme]

I like Magee's in Farmer's Market, but just for a few bucks more you can have the Corned Beef Reuben at Brent's. Just look at these sammiches (first is the corned beef reuben, but I've also included a pastrami and one that is a stack of pastrami AND corned beef)

[fooddude37]

Just thought I'd mention...I was talking to Dan at Huntington Meats and he told me that he supplies Magee's; they use prime brisket. I don't think you'll see that at a lot of delis. I wasn't hungry at the time but I made a point to get a brisket sandwich at Magee's next time I'm over there.

[chowmominLA]

Oh wow that is so funny you say that and great to know! I bought a corned beef from Huntington Meats (also in the Farmer's Market) once in my desperate attempt to replicate Magee's, and as I ate it, I thought it was definitely the best corned beef I'd ever made before, and the closest thing to Magee's I've tasted. Now it makes sense! Thanks!

[Otius Gojius]

My secret salty sin (I have mild hypertension and supposed to cool it with the sodium) is Brents knockwurst Reuben! It's heretical and simultaneoously saltily sinful. Jeez, don't EVEN tell me how much sodium must be in that tasty thing. Oh, dang, now I'm thinking about it...

[SCULDUGGERY]

Totally, the best rueben by far, is Langers in East LA across from MacArthur Park. It is far less expensive than Canters, less chi-chi, and if you get it with swiss cheese, extra lean (ladies, it will cost you an extra $4 but is so so lean and heavenly) it is so worth it. You really have a hard time not eating the other half, but you are so full from the first half, and it is best to order a bowl of their chicken noodle soup to fill you up first. Then you can go home that night and make love to your other half of sammich. It is something to look forward to all day after lunch at Langers! Yum!!

[rednyellow]

Langers is my first choice. I really like the Ruben at Victors at Bronson and Franklin too.

[mc michael]

MMM. Victor's Reuben--with corned beef or with pastrami (regardless of authenticity).

[maxzook]

My choice for the best Reuben sandwich around is Art's in Studio City.

And, people, a Reuben sandwich with pastrami IS NOT A REUBEN!!!! Only a sandwich with corned beef, Emmenthaler cheese, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing has any right to the name:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_s...

A sandwich with pastrami and the above combo is most commonly known as a Rachel.

</soapbox>

-----
Art's Delicatessen & Resturant
12224 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

[rednyellow]

I forgot about Art's because I don't get to the valley too often, but when I worked out there, I loved their ruben. I agree too, there is only one real Ruben.

[SoxSail]

Emmentaler is a fancy word for swiss. Pastrami is corned beef that has been smoked, while corned beef can be cooked or not (it's all already been cured by the "corns" of salt.) No one even knows where the term Reuben came from for sure, so get off your forse, and let people call it what they want.

[maxzook]

A sandwich made with corned beef is not the same as a sandwich made with pastrami. Imho, labelling them as if they are the same is misleading.

Every source I checked for my previous post agreed that a Reuben is made with corned beef and a Rachel is made with pastrami. If you want to make a sandwich with pastrami, Spam or lawn clippings and call it a Reuben, be my guest, but don't pretend it's the same sandwich.

[Das Ubergeek]

I've never heard of a Rachel. But the idea of pastrami and cheese... ECCH.

[creamfinger]

Pastrami on raisin toast with mayo. Now that's a sandwich!

[Das Ubergeek]

I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

[creamfinger]

And don't forget to try my personal favorite, pastrami on a kaiser roll with Marshmallow Fluff and dill relish!

[maxzook]

Dammit, you left out the sauerkraut.

[creamfinger]

Now that would just be disgusting.

[jonahlee]

I do love Victor's Corned Beef Rueben, which is huge and delicious.

Canter's also has an excellent Rueben, maybe not as good as Victor's, but damn good.

And it is different, but I really like the Rueben's at Ben's Deli in Burbank. Smaller, but quite tasty, though the fries are certainly not nearly as good.

Fromin's in encino isn't bad for the price, only $10.95.

[rednyellow]

I recently revisited Cantere's Rueben, It really is very good. I like them made with dressing on them as well as a bit on the side.

[Funwithfood]

R&D Cafe in Fashion Island does a killer grilled Rueben.

[alkylyou]

new york deli in torrance has a no-nonsense giant-ass reuben.
it may not be the most glamorous, but it certainly beats the hell out of any of the big name delis (i'm looking at you, canter's).
they're beyond generous with their meats (which are very good) and you end up paying the same as anywhere else.

[rednyellow]

The Grill at Hollywood and Highland has an excellent. It is not one of those 4" thick giant sandwiches, but it is delish. Perfectly balanced flavors and great texture.

[netminder351]

I went for the first time to Ben's deli in burbank for st pantricks day. That was the best reuben ............I ever had.

[jonahlee]

I am not sure about the best, but it is certainly quite delicious. The fries could use some work though!

[thenextguy]

Maybe not the best, but The Corner Bakery has a pretty solid Reuben.

[handlertaper]

I love the "Reubenesque" at R + D Kitchen on Montana in Santa Monica. It is really delicious.