Best Reuben in Boston

[okello]

Every once in a while I get a hankering for a Reuben that just won't go away. Help! Original or Turkey suggestions appreciated.

[RookieToo]

I haven't had either in a little while, but the Stockyard in Brighton used to make a pretty good reuben, as did Jacob Wirth's in Boston.

[lilbiscuit]

I had a delicious Reuben at Zaftig's this weekend...it was pretty traditional I think (with the corned beef piled very high on good pumpernickel bread). The only slight problem was the bread quickly turned a little soggy with the russian dressing, but the saurkraut was delicious, as was the dressing.

[Blumie]

Was it not grilled?

[heathermb]

IIRC the reuben at Zaftig's is not grilled. I *think* you can get the bread toasted though. I have had the same complaint about soggy bread and once I discovered Michael's I stopped getting reubens at Zaftigs (I love their omelets though!)

[Boston Scene]

The Teddy Reuben at Hot Tomatoes in the North End is unbelievable, surprising that the North End does other things than Italian well I know! Hot Tomatoes in itself is a great little cafe located on North Street. Quite frankly its a hidden gem, with the same owners as the popular Carmen with delicious sandwiches (10.00 and under). I highly recommend not only the Reuben, but just about everything on the menu!

[BJK]

The 2nd Street Cafe in East Cambridge has an excellent Reuben.

http://www.2ndstcafe.com/

BK

[gini]

In descending order of greatness:

Pops - thickly sliced, excellent grainy mustard, sharp cabbage
Michael's Deli - very traditional, good quality
Highland Kitchen's Cuban Reuben - just a great sandwich, though it's not purely a reuben
All Star Sandwich Bar's Texas Reuben: beef brisket is terribly chewy and fatty and not fun to eat. too bad since the cumin slaw and chipolte russian dressing are great.

[Blumie]

Is the Pops sandwich available only on Mondays?

[MC Slim JB]

The Pops Reuben is available at lunch, weekend brunch, and sandwich night (Mondays). It also periodically appears on the dinner menu's rotation of three nightly sandwiches, though it's not on the current one.

[Lorcasaur]

Did All-Star ever have a traditional Reuben on the menu, or did I make that up? I recall having an awesome one there when they first opened, but the "Texas" part doesn't ring a bell. Regardless, had the meat been fatty at the time I DEFINITELY would've remembered -- it's the kiss of death as far as I'm concerned. Hope they haven't taken a step in the wrong direction!

[gini]

They definitely have a traditional one on their menu, offered every day. The Texas is only offered on their specials board.

[twisty cup]

I had a great reuben at Formaggio Kitchen (the Cambridge one.) I think they only make them on Saturdays.

And for a non-traditional Reuben, I like the Texas Reuben at All Star Sandwich Bar. It's made with smoked brisket and slaw.

[joth68]

I had a very satisfying reuben at kelly's about a month ago. Grilled perfectly.

[xperteater]

Mike's or you could move to NY or Chicago

[lergnom]

Michael doesn't grill their ruebens, so if that's a deal breaker . . .

[Blumie]

What's the alternative to grilling?

[hoohah]

The alternative is "get a different kind of sandwich."

[9lives]

not grilling...:)

[okello]

Bah! I knew I should have specified that. Yeah, in my mind a reuben has to be grilled. I've seen places where they just put warm meat and cheese on cold bread, and that just don't cut it. Sigh.

[Blumie]

I agree; it's all about being grilld. The highest and best use of a George Foreman grill is making grilled sandwiches!

[jgg13]

In fact, the first time I saw a Foreman grill it looked almost identical to the salton grilled sandwich thing my friend had already owned for years.

[MeffaBabe]

I never had a rueben on a bulkie roll- what happened to the swiss, kraut and sauce? How do you toast a bulkie roll??? Don't think it's a reuben...

[phatchris]

I like the Washington deli in Chelsea.

[jajjguy]

I had a yummy old school greasy-spoon rueben at Deli Of Course downtown recently. I'm sure it's not the best rueben in town, but it was a specific thing. Super soft bulkie roll, super tender and fatty meat, a mushy mouthful of bliss.

[okello]

BULKIE ROLL?!?!

[heathermb]

I was thinking the same thing!

[Blumie]

See my post above about La Grassa's. I had a great reuben variation that was served on a grilled Italian roll. It was a great sandwich, and although perhaps it belonged on rye, it was surprisingly good with the Italian roll.

[jajjguy]

I know. It's so wrong it's right!

[JP RS]

I'm a fan of Sam LaGrassa's for their Reuben.

[BostonZest]

Michael's deli on Harvard Steet in Coolidge corner. We brought one home for a chow loving friend last Sunday and he said it was the best he has had in Boston and asked for directions to get his next one.

[taxi]

Jacob Wirth's.

[yumyum]

The cuban reuben at Highland Kitchen is great. Not a traditional reuben, with the addition of some ham and (I think) slaw instead of kraut. Also, recently had a pretty good reuben at Union when I had to go there for brunch. Huge heap of skinny salty fries there too, and caper mayo on the side. I need to talk to Heathermb about sharing a Zingerman's box sometime. :-)

[heathermb]

Name the date!!

Forgot about the CR at HK. That was good, but not GREAT. I'd order it again when craving a sandwich but probably not when craving a REUBEN.

I used to like the version at Union but last few experiences were disappointing.

[yumyum]

I don't care for Union in general but was hung-over and looking for food in the South End a recent Saturday lunchtime and the greasy meal and a little hair of the dog made it all much better. So, yeah, my recollection of the reuben might be a little rosy.

[Prav]

Heather & Yumz, I'm going to be in Ann Arbor this weekend (nyeah nyeah) so I'll be sure to glutton out (small portions of course) in your honors. Oh yeah, my parents' house is 1.5 miles from Zingerman's. :)

As for Boston, I will second Michaels deli.

[heathermb]

Mike's in Coolidge Corner

My second place is the version at Pops - available at lunch, brunch and Monday nights.

For extra special occasions I get the Reuben kit from Zingerman's (Michigan) via fedex. yes, it is totally worth it.

[Blumie]

My last time at Zingerman's was such a disappointment. The reuben seemed like it was served on toast rather than truly grilled!

I had a La Grassa reuben variation recently that was great: pastrami with chipotle honey mustard, swiss cheese and cole slaw grilled on an Italian sesame roll.

[heathermb]

Granted I haven't been AT Zingerman's in a long time, but whenever I get the kit to make it at home it is perfect! I use my sandwich press and the end result is an ooey-gooey cheesy corned-beefy masterpiece.

[Blumie]

Sounds a lot better than what they served me. The ingredients were, of course, first rate. I'll have to try again on a non-football visit.