There are many different variations of the Reuben Sandwich, but they all have one thing in common- they’re delicious! In this blog post, we will discuss the origin story of the Reuben Sandwich and some of the most popular variations. We will also provide a recipe so that you can make your own Reuben Sandwich at home!
Reuben Sandwich: Origin Versions
There are several versions of the origin of this famous American sandwich. There are several versions of the origin of this famous American sandwich. The first of them says that Ruben Sandwich owes its origin to some Arnold Reuben, a Lithuanian-born Jewish immigrant, in Omaha, Nebraska. Arnold Reuben was a regular at his weekly poker game in the Blackstone Hotel from around 1920 through 1935, and he requested a corned beef and sauerkraut sandwich. The hotel’s owner, Charles Schimmel, was one of the participants, who called themselves “the committee.” The young Schimmele began with sliced corned beef and Swiss cheese on a grilled rye roll. A Blackstone’s first offered the sandwich, which became famous throughout New York City when Schimmel put it on the lunch menu. Its fame grew after a former employee of the hotel won the national 
sandwich concept competition with his version.
According to another account, the Reuben’s creator was Arnold Reuben, the German-Jewish owner of Reuben’s Delicatessen (1908–2001) in New York City. According to an interview with Craig Claiborne, Arnold Reuben developed the “Reuben Special” in around 1914. The popular Broadway actress Marjorie Rambeau, who was a friend of the Reuben’s owner, is said to have been the inspiration for the sandwich. According to Bernard Sobel’s 1953 book, the sandwich was an impromptu creation for Marjorie Rambeau, invented when the famous Broadway actress visited Reuben’s Delicatessen one night when the cabinets were especially empty.
Still, there are also other versions of the origin of this sandwich.
Reuben Sandwich: Variations
There are many variations of the Reuben sandwich, but all include corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on rye bread. Thousand Island dressing is a popular addition to the sandwich. Some variations also include pastrami or roast beef instead of corned beef, and different types of cheese such as American, cheddar, mozzarella, or provolone may be used. Additional ingredients can also include coleslaw, mustard, tomatoes, onions, and even potato chips.
The Reuben is often served with a side dish of pickles and one or two slices of rye bread. It can also be made into a wrap-style sandwich. In Canada, where it is considered a national dish, the Reuben is usually served with fries and ketchup or gravy.
- Montreal Reuben
The Montreal Reuben is a variation of the traditional Reuben sandwich that uses Montreal smoked meat instead of corned beef. The sandwich is made with rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Montreal smoked meat, and is often served with mustard and pickles.
- Walleye Reuben
The Walleye Reuben is made with rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and walleye instead of corned beef, and is often served with mustard and pickles.
- Grouper Reuben
The grouper Reuben is a twist on the usual Reuben sandwich, with grouper replacing corned beef and coleslaw instead of sauerkraut. This dish is frequently available at Florida restaurants.
- Rachel sandwich
A variation of the Rachel sandwich omits corned beef and sauerkraut in favor of pastrami or turkey, replacing the cabbage with coleslaw. [15][16][17] In some regions of the United States, particularly in Michigan, this turkey variant is known as a “Georgia Reuben” or “California Reuben”.
- Vegetarian and vegan versions
Mainstream cheese-based Reubens, for example, contain meat (usually beef or chicken), but many franchise chains offer soy-cheese and/or wheat-free varieties. The zucchini, cucumber, wheatmeat, and mushrooms are all replaced with vegetarian alternatives in “veggie” Reubens. Gluten-free breads, gluten-free pastas, and cookies made from soy flour are popular alternatives to wheat bread. As with wheat bread, some cultures eat soymilk or rice milk blended in water as a drink. If you’re looking for something lighter and more nutritious for your pet, check out these great treats!
How to Make Reuben Sandwich
The Reuben sandwich is easy to make. First, start by heating the corned beef in a skillet until it is cooked through. Then, add the sauerkraut and Swiss cheese to the pan and cook until the cheese is melted. Finally, place the corned beef and sauerkraut mixture on a slice of rye bread and top with another slice of rye bread. Serve with pickles and mustard on the side. Enjoy!
Bottom Line
The classic Reuben sandwich is a true comfort food dish. It’s one of those things you can’t help but enjoy because it tastes so good and feels great to eat! If this sounds like something your stomach would be happy with, try making our recipe for yourself or share it with friends. Your taste buds will thank you later!