Verified in 2 cities.
Reuben Sandwich is a signature dish of United States; we have verified places to eat it in New York City and Omaha.
Hot grilled rye sandwich layered with thinly sliced corned beef or pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing, pressed in a buttered cast-iron pan until the bread crisps and the cheese melts.
The Reuben's origin is disputed between New York and Omaha. The New York claim credits Arnold Reuben at Reuben's Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, who created a 'Reuben Special' around 1914, though his original used ham, turkey and coleslaw rather than the now-canonical corned beef and sauerkraut. The Omaha claim credits Reuben Kulakofsky and chef Schimmel at the Blackstone Hotel around 1925; the Blackstone version went national after winning a 1956 sandwich contest. The Midtown deli version is what survives in New York today; Katz's, Pastrami Queen and 2nd Avenue Deli all run defensible versions.
Where to eat in New York City:
Where to eat Reuben Sandwich in New York City: the editor picks
The Reuben is Omaha's most identity-defining dish: corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on toasted rye, claimed by the city as its own invention and served at dozens of restaurants but best understood at Johnny's Cafe, winner of the 2026 James Beard America's Classics Award.
Where to eat in Omaha:
Where to eat The Reuben Sandwich in Omaha: the editor picks
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