Craving a Reuben that requires a stack of napkins and zero apologies? You are in the right place. These corner shops and beloved delis serve towering sandwiches loaded with corned beef or pastrami, tangy kraut, melty Swiss, and rivers of dressing. Prepare to lean over the plate, chase drips, and savor every crunchy, buttery bite.
Sam LaGrassa’s – Boston, Massachusetts
Sam LaGrassa’s piles corned beef so high it leans like a Boston rowhouse in winter. The rye arrives griddled to a golden crackle, glistening with just enough butter to announce itself before the first bite. Swiss cheese stretches as you pull the halves apart, and right then you know napkins are essential.
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The kraut is bright and snappy, not soggy, balancing the salty beef like a pro. Russian dressing hits with peppery sweetness, coating everything and sometimes your fingers. You will lean in, elbows on the table, catching drips while the line of regulars hums with approval.
Ask for extra napkins and do not be shy. Boston knows big flavors, and this Reuben proves it every time.
Wise Sons Jewish Deli 24th Street – San Francisco, California
At Wise Sons on 24th Street, the Reuben tastes like a love letter to heritage mixed with West Coast freshness. The rye is seeded and fragrant, toasted so the edges crackle when you squeeze. Thick-cut pastrami brings peppery bark and tender bite, making every piece feel carved just for you.
Kraut is vibrant and alive, not shy on acidity, waking the palate between saucy mouthfuls. Russian dressing drips and streaks, tinting the paper beneath with telltale orange. You will chase the last cheesy strands with a satisfied grin.
There is a clean, citrusy cut to the flavors that keeps things light despite the heft. It is messy, generous, and absolutely San Francisco.
Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen – Chicago, Illinois
Manny’s runs on rhythm: trays sliding, knives flashing, sandwiches stacked like skyscrapers. The Reuben here is cafeteria theater, your plate a front row seat. Thick slices of corned beef bend under cheese, and the rye holds steady, crisp at the edges and soft at the center.
Each bite shows Chicago’s no-nonsense soul, savory and loud. Kraut hums with vinegar, cutting through richness so you keep going. Russian dressing spreads joy and chaos, streaking your hands and the table if you are not careful.
Get ready to mop your plate with the last corner of bread. Manny’s leaves you full, happy, and plotting a return before you even throw away your ticket.
Stein’s Market and Deli – New Orleans, Louisiana
Stein’s brings New Orleans swagger to a classic Reuben, all attitude and melting cheese. The corned beef is juicy, slightly smoky, piled tall enough to tower over the plate. Rye arrives browned and crisp, with a whisper of caraway that perfumes the whole bite.
The kraut snaps like a brass band’s cymbal, bright and invigorating. Russian dressing dribbles down the crust, painting flavorful stripes across your knuckles. You will want to lick them clean, but a napkin is probably safer.
Between the chatter and the clink of bottles, this sandwich feels like a local secret. It is indulgent, a touch rowdy, and completely irresistible in that New Orleans way.
Zingerman’s Delicatessen – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Zingerman’s treats a Reuben like a master class in balance and bravado. The corned beef is tender and stacked, the kind that folds instead of breaks. Thick-cut rye carries a buttery sear, giving crunch that stands up to juicy insides.
Kraut plays bright, never shy, so each bite zings like the name suggests. Russian dressing lands creamy and peppery, spreading in generous swoops you will not forget. Cheese bridges layers with strings that snap when you pull.
It is messy in the most joyful way, the kind that makes you lean over with both hands. Expect to need extra napkins, then ask for one more just in case.
The Bagel Deli & Restaurant – Denver, Colorado
Denver’s Bagel Deli builds a Reuben that feels homey and heroic. Marbled rye gets toasted to a perfect crunch, showing off swirls that look great in photos and under your thumbs. The corned beef is juicy and generous, sliced for tenderness rather than drama.
Kraut brings altitude bright, clearing the richness like crisp mountain air. Russian dressing shows up bold and creamy, painting the corners of your mouth in orange. Cheese unites the party, stretchy and inviting with every pull apart.
You will find yourself chasing the last bits with a saved corner of bread. It is practical, delicious, and delightfully messy, perfectly suited for a laid back Denver afternoon.
Katz’s Delicatessen – New York, New York
Katz’s is the stage where Reuben dreams go loud. The pastrami is pepper-crusted and swaggering, sliced thick with steam curling into the neon glow. Rye holds the line, toasted enough to crunch but soft enough to hug the meat.
Kraut sparkles with acidity that resets your palate every few seconds. Russian dressing flows like city traffic, unstoppable and inevitable. You will need both hands and several napkins, and probably a seat that leans back.
This sandwich tastes like New York confidence. It is brash, beautiful, and messy in a way that leaves you smiling at your stained paper plate, already planning the next visit.
Deli Board – San Francisco, California
Deli Board does a Reuben like a manifesto, heavy on meat and swagger. The sandwich arrives tall, a leaning tower that dares you to pick it up. Rye crackles, and the first bite sends cheese strings flying while juices run warm and generous.
Kraut keeps tempo with bright acidity, a crisp counterpoint to the fatty luxury. Russian dressing splashes into every crevice, orange and insistent. You will laugh at a single napkin and reach for three more.
Each bite feels engineered for pleasure and a little chaos. Expect to finish full, happy, and slightly sauced, which is exactly the point at this San Francisco favorite.
Mile End Deli – Brooklyn, New York
Mile End brings Montreal energy to Brooklyn, and the Reuben shows it. Smoked meat replaces corned beef, tender and deeply seasoned, with edges that whisper spice. Rye slices are toasted just enough to resist the juicy tide inside.
The kraut has a lively snap, clearing the decks between big savory bites. Russian dressing rides in creamy waves, a little sweet, very messy, totally welcome. Cheese glues everything together in silky strings that cling to your chin.
Settle in and commit to a proper two handed hold. You will finish with a happy mess on your plate and a grin that says you get it.
Canter’s Deli – Los Angeles, California
Canter’s brings Hollywood late night magic to the Reuben scene. The sandwich arrives photogenic and unruly, slices of corned beef draping over toasted rye like costume fabric. Swiss pools and stretches, while the griddle kiss on the bread crackles softly.
Kraut cuts through with confident acidity, a sharp foil to the luscious meat. Russian dressing gets everywhere, painting smiles and napkins equally. You will lean forward instinctively, elbows down, catching every runaway drip.
It tastes classic and glam at once, the deli version of a red carpet moment. Come hungry, leave happy, and do not wear white if you plan to go big.
Flour Bakery + Cafe – Boston, Massachusetts
Flour Bakery gives the Reuben a polished, bakery fresh touch without losing the mess. The rye is beautifully griddled, crust crackling, center tender. Corned beef slices are delicate but plentiful, layered to deliver savory comfort in each bite.
Kraut is bright and tidy, still juicy enough to keep things lively. Russian dressing is velvety and tangy, slipping between layers and onto your fingers. Cheese melts into every corner, tugging in friendly strands when you separate halves.
Do not let the refined vibe fool you. This sandwich is still a napkin heavy affair, equal parts cozy and indulgent, perfect for a Boston afternoon pick me up.
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop – Wilmington, Delaware
Capriotti’s turns out a dependable, crowd pleasing Reuben with fast casual ease. Expect warm rye with a gentle toast, soft enough to cradle the fillings. Corned beef is sliced thin and stacked wide, spreading flavor across every bite.
Kraut offers a crunchy tang that keeps you moving. Russian dressing brings creamy sweetness, the kind that sneaks onto your thumb and makes licking tempting. Cheese melts into a blanket, making everything feel unified and friendly.
It is the kind of sandwich you grab on a busy day and still sit down to savor. Bring napkins because efficiency does not mean tidy, especially when the dressing gets going.
Original Deli – Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s Original Deli serves a Reuben built for drizzly days. The rye is toasted enough to crunch yet still cushiony, hugging generous corned beef. Steam rises when you split the halves, and cheese pulls like string lights across a cozy window.
Kraut brings a garden bright snap that cuts through the richness. Russian dressing pools near the crusts, hinting at pepper and sweetness. Expect a little chaos on the wax paper, and that is half the fun.
This is a sit down, slow down kind of sandwich. Hold it with both hands, breathe in the steam, and let the napkins pile up as you go.
Eleven City Diner – Chicago, Illinois
Eleven City Diner makes a Reuben that looks like it rolled out of a time capsule. The rye shines with butter and griddle marks, crisp enough to snap. Corned beef is stacked with care, showing rosy folds that drip savory juices.
Kraut is lively and crunchy, the reset button after each indulgent bite. Russian dressing covers everything like diner sunshine, sweet, tangy, and a little wild. You will need a napkin per quadrant by the end.
It is classic Chicago comfort with modern swagger. Sit at the counter, watch the action, and tackle the sandwich with enthusiasm and a sturdy appetite.
Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant – Los Angeles, California
Langer’s is a pilgrimage for rye lovers, and the Reuben proves why. The double baked rye crunches like a dream, fragrant with caraway and perfectly supportive. Pastrami slices fold in silky stacks, peppered edges glistening with flavor.
Kraut snaps bright and keeps the balance steady. Russian dressing is generous and cheeky, trailing down the crust in orange ribbons. You will chase strands of cheese that cling like souvenirs from each bite.
This sandwich demands focus and extra napkins, no exceptions. It is Los Angeles deli royalty, glamorous without pretense, and utterly unforgettable from first crackle to last crumb.
Court Street Grocers – Brooklyn, New York
Court Street Grocers crafts a Reuben with creative precision. The bread lands perfectly toasted, edges crisp, center plush. Meat is sliced to a tender thickness, packed enough to wow without toppling your grip.
Kraut stays crunchy and bright, a sparkplug that keeps flavors zippy. Russian dressing is tangy with a pepper pop, painting lines over cheese that stretches like taffy. You will end up with saucy fingerprints and zero regrets.
Everything feels thoughtfully assembled yet joyfully messy. Grab a seat by the window, unwrap slowly, and settle into a sandwich that rewards every bite.
Jason’s Deli – Beaumont, Texas
Jason’s Deli keeps the Reuben approachable and reliably delicious. Expect rye toasted to a friendly crunch that will not scrape the roof of your mouth. Corned beef stacks up nicely, juicy and mild, perfect for an everyday fix.
Kraut adds brightness without bulldozing the other flavors. Russian dressing brings creamy tang, sometimes served extra so you can dip the corners. Cheese ties it together in gooey harmony that requires frequent napkin breaks.
It is the sandwich you can count on during a busy week. Comfortable, satisfying, and still messy enough to feel like a treat worth sitting down for.
Friedman’s – New York, New York
Friedman’s serves a Reuben with farmers market energy and serious heft. Pastrami takes center stage, tender and peppery with a soft smoke whisper. Rye brings a sturdy toast that holds up while still yielding to your bite.
Kraut is bright and crunchy, the lively foil that keeps you reaching back in. Russian dressing goes big on tang, unapologetically saucy and finger staining. Cheese melts into a comforting blanket across the meat.
You will want extra napkins and maybe a fork for the delicious fallout. It is a modern New York deli moment, equal parts comfort and culinary confidence.
2nd Ave Deli – New York, New York
2nd Ave Deli brings old school polish and unapologetic portions to its Reuben. The corned beef is silky and stacked sky high, a marvel of tender folds. Rye is griddled for crunch, aromatic with caraway that perfumes every bite.
Kraut lands crisp and clean, bright enough to keep things balanced. Russian dressing shows sweet tang and a pepper kick, sneaking onto your hands. Cheese creates long, photo worthy pulls that make you pause.
It is a sit upright, lean forward kind of sandwich, demanding attention and napkins. Classic New York hospitality meets glorious mess, and you will not mind the cleanup one bit.
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