A great Reuben is one of those sandwiches that separates a good deli from a forgettable one. It takes layered corned beef or pastrami, tangy sauerkraut, gooey Swiss, and rye that can hold everything together without falling apart.
Indiana has more of these done right than you might expect, from cafeteria-style institutions to Amish market counters. Here are eight delis across the state where the Reuben is stacked thick, grilled melty, and worth planning a stop around.
1. Shapiro’s Delicatessen, Indianapolis, IN
Downtown Indianapolis has plenty of restaurants, but few carry the history and reputation of this cafeteria-style institution on South Meridian Street. You grab a tray, slide down the line, and watch generous portions of Jewish deli classics get piled onto your plate.
The Reuben here has an award-winning reputation, built on corned beef and pastrami, sauerkraut, and Swiss on fresh-baked bread. The Pastrami Reuben is a standout, and you can round out the plate with German-style potato salad, macaroni and cheese, or a deviled egg.
Save room for dessert, because the carrot cake and Black Forest cake come in slices big enough to share. A Nova lox platter and rare roast beef sandwich also anchor the menu.
Open daily from morning through early evening, with free parking in the garage, lot, and on the street. Plan around $20 to $30 per person, and expect busier crowds on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
2. OyVey! Bakery & Deli, Inc., Terre Haute, IN
Terre Haute might not be the first place you’d expect to find a full kosher-style bakery and deli, which makes this cozy spot on Lafayette Avenue a genuine surprise. The menu bridges Middle Eastern and Jewish cooking, so you can get a Reuben next to shakshuka, borscht, or a falafel platter.
The Reuben pairs nicely with the house-made pickles and a bowl of chicken matzo ball soup. Fresh bread, pastries, and cookies come out of the same kitchen, so the bakery side is worth a look too.
Turkish coffee and a strong tea selection make it a comfortable place to linger. There’s a full vegetarian and vegan menu, high chairs and a kids’ menu, and dogs are welcome inside.
Note the schedule before you go: closed Mondays and Saturdays, open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, with a short Friday. Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range.
3. Duneland Station Deli, Chesterton, IN
Anyone heading toward the Indiana Dunes should know about this low-key sandwich stop in Chesterton. It’s an informal counter-service deli built around soups, salads, and sandwiches made with quality breads and meats.
The Reuben lands squarely in best-in-a-long-time territory, and part of the appeal is customization. You can pile on a variety of toppings and sauces to make just about any sandwich your own, which sets it apart from the chain shops nearby.
Homemade soups back up the sandwich menu, and the Italian Sub is another popular pick. The space stays clean and easygoing, with plenty of free parking in the lot and on the street.
Hours run Monday through Friday until early evening and a shorter Saturday, with Sundays closed. Prices sit in the friendly $10 to $20 range, and the crowd picks up on weekday and Saturday afternoons.
4. Sandwich City & Olympic Imported Food, Crown Point, IN
Part sandwich shop, part imported food market, this Crown Point stop names its sandwiches after cities, which is how the Reuben ended up being called the Omaha. That playful menu is half the fun, and the sandwiches themselves are made fresh right in front of you.
Beyond the Omaha, you can grab city-named picks like the Crown Point and the Berlin, all built with fresh ingredients. Homemade soups round out the lunch options, and the market shelves are stocked with imported specialty items you can take home.
Prices stay reasonable, and the selection of hot and cold sandwiches is wide. Service is quick, which makes it a solid choice when you want a good lunch without a long wait.
Open Monday through Saturday until early evening and closed on Sundays, with free parking available. Afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch across the week.
5. Fat Dan’s Chicago-Style Deli, Carmel, Carmel, IN
The Chicago influence runs deep at this Carmel deli, from Italian beef to Chicago dogs, but the smoked Reuben is what earns its spot here. The corned beef is thick-sliced, tender, and carries a smoky flavor that regular delis just don’t offer.
Alongside the House Smoked Reuben, the menu leans into Chicago comfort classics like the Italian beef, dirty tots, Italian sausage, and Fat Dan’s smoked jumbo wings. It’s the kind of full-service place where you can settle in and watch a game.
Families are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu, and there’s outdoor seating plus dogs allowed outside. Free wi-fi and mostly free parking make it an easy hangout.
Open daily from late morning, staying open latest on Friday and Saturday nights. Expect the biggest crowds on weekend afternoons and evenings, with meals in the $10 to $20 range.
6. The General Deli & Cafe, South Bend, IN
Half deli, half coffee shop, this South Bend spot on Jefferson Boulevard doubles as a place to work, meet, or grab lunch. Local art on the walls and local-roasted coffee give it a relaxed, hip feel that draws in college students and remote workers.
The Reuben holds its own alongside the rest of the fresh sandwich lineup, and bagels are another solid morning pick. A popular combo pairs a cup of soup with any half sandwich, and the Ragamuffin Cookie is a good way to finish.
Coffee and a strong tea selection are a real focus, with a chai latte among the regulars. It opens early and keeps a full vegetarian menu.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 7 AM and weekends from 8 AM, both closing in the afternoon. Parking can be a little tricky, so leave a few extra minutes.
Prices stay in the $10 to $20 range.
7. Nolt’s Marketplace, Fort Wayne, IN
A Reuben from an Amish market might not be the first place your mind goes, but this family-owned shop on Leo Road in Fort Wayne makes a strong case. It’s a cozy marketplace stocked with deli meats, cheeses, pies, donuts, and other baked goods.
The Reuben has quietly become one of the standouts here, built from the same fresh deli meats and cheeses that fill the counter. You can grab sandwiches to order and pick up sides like potato salad while you shop.
The bakery side is worth the trip on its own, with German chocolate cake and pecan rolls among the favorites. There’s also candy, dairy goods, and filtered water refills, making it easy to stock up.
Open Monday through Friday from 7 AM and a shorter Saturday, closed Sundays. Mornings are the quietest, while Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons draw the crowds.
8. New York Gourmet Deli, Indianapolis, IN
On the east side of Indianapolis sits a no-frills spot that leans hard into authentic New York deli style, and it delivers. This is a takeout and grocery counter rather than a sit-down place, but the sandwiches are the real draw.
The Reuben ranks among the best in the city, stacked and priced to keep you coming back. A cheesesteak rounds out the hot options, and the sandwiches are frequently mentioned among the top tier in Indy for both quality and value.
Beyond sandwiches, the shelves carry essential grocery and household items, so it works as a quick everyday stop too. Service is friendly and the space stays clean and cheerful.
Open Monday through Saturday until 9:30 PM and shorter on Sundays, with free and paid parking on-site. There’s no dine-in, so plan to grab and go.
Most orders land in the $10 to $20 range.
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