The best Reuben sandwich in town
A sandwich made world famous by delis in New York City has popped up on the menu at Kingsford Kitchen in Rangiora.
The Reuben sandwich is an American hot sandwich composed of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread.
Continental head of cuisine, Marcus Braun has worked with his head baker Wayne Rewi and chef Anna Wilson took come up with their own delicious take on the old classic.
‘‘Wayne has developed a rye bread specifically for this sandwich and Anna has worked on the dressing and bringing all the flavours together - we are really happy with the finished product.’’
They aren’t the only ones who are happy with it.
Wilson said she’s not sure exactly how many sandwiches she has made since they were introduced to the menu about three weeks ago, but she said it’s a lot.
‘‘They have been really popular with people and we have had great feedback.
‘‘The flavours work well together with the saltiness of the corned beef, the creaminess of the swiss cheese and russian dressing, then you have the pickle and sauerkraut which cuts through that richness.
‘‘And it’s all served between slices of delicious, freshly baked rye bread.’’
The origin of the Reuben Sandwich is often debated with two possible producers claiming they invented it.
The first theory is that it was produced in New York City in 1914 by Arnold Reuben, the owner of Reuben’s Restaurant.
He supposedly slapped together some ham, roast turkey, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and russian dressing on rye and called it a ‘Reuben’s Special’.
The second theory is that it was invented in Nebraska in 1922. A poker-playing grocer named Reuben Kulakofsky, apparently took a break during a card game and fixed himself a similar sandwich but subbed corned beef for the ham and turkey and sauerkraut for the coleslaw.
Marcus Braun said sandwiches like the Reuben are enjoying their time in vogue once again.
‘‘They certainly are considered on point right now and that shows in how popular this sandwich has been with our customers.’’