If there is one thing I’m picky about, it’s my sandwich preferences. I don’t like certain kinds of meat. I don’t like my sandwiches made with the wrong ingredients. I’m a creature of habit, so I try to avoid change. Still, when you hear about how good the Reuben sandwiches are at Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, a little change is worth trying…at least once.
Food Network featured the Zingerman’s Reuben on its television show, The Best Of… If you have never seen this show, the premise is the hosts of the show go around the country to find the best of a particular food item. In Ann Arbor, they found the best Reuben, at Zingerman’s Deli. This Reuben features mounds of corn beef, Swiss cheese, freshly baked Jewish Rye Bread, sauerkraut and homemade Russian dressing. I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to try one of these sandwiches. They sound absolutely perfect and they’re made in the traditional Reuben way.
So, when I found out Zingerman’s would be offering a Reuben Kit in celebration of Father’s Day, I simply had to try a kit. When I found out that Zingerman’s doesn’t send out sauerkraut, I was apprehensive. In its place is sweet and delicious coleslaw. In all my OCD-ness I was worried about one little change to a traditional sandwich. How would the coleslaw differ from the sauerkraut? Would the sandwich still be as good?
If this blog weren’t PG, I might use an assortment of colorful language to describe how excellent this sandwich is. I have never had a sandwich that tasted quite as delicious as the sandwich in the Zingerman’s Reuben kit. Sure, some preparation was required, but I didn’t have to do it. That was up to Ashtyn. I just had to wait for her to prepare my Reuben and then enjoy this monstrous sized wonder of a sandwich. Speaking of the size, this is not only the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten it is also the biggest.
In the Reuben kit, you receive everything to make Reubens, homemade Redskin potato salad, Zingerman’s Magic Brownies, and Garlicky Pickles. The Reuben itself is made of Emmentaler Swiss Cheese, Sherman’s Sure Choice Corned Beef, Zingerman’s special recipe Russian, a Jewish Rye bread loaf and Coleslaw. Did I mention I don’t like bread much? The Jewish Rye is heavenly. I don’t really like Swiss cheese either, but this Reuben made me a fan of Emmentaler Swiss. The whole package was one big Food-gasm. The coleslaw actually makes the sandwich slightly sweeter, but I devoured my sandwich and I didn’t leave crumbs, if that tells you how good the sandwich is!
The Reuben may be the crème de la crème of sandwiches for me, but I have to comment on how delicious the Magic Brownies are. Soft, crumbly and filled with rich chocolate-y goodness, these brownies are the real deal. Did I mention I’m picky about brownies? I like chocolate, but not in cake or brownie form unless it is well made delectable chocolate goodness. I think this is the best brownie I’ve ever had and trust me, for me to say this, means something!
The Garlicky pickles were large, deli pickles. I like pickles, though not as much as Ash does. She swears this is the best pickle she’s ever eaten and I have to agree. These pickles are pretty darn good. I have to echo her sentiment that eating a regular kosher just won’t be as satisfying. Finally, there was the Redskin Potato salad. This was simple and delicious. I like my potato salad this way and while this wasn’t the best I’ve ever tasted, it was a very close second (I have to say I’m partial to Ashtyn’s, but that’s just me).
Overall, the Reuben kit was my favorite meal of the week. Ok, I’ll be honest and say of the month, year, or maybe even of my lifetime. I can’t say enough good things about this kit. It is somewhat pricy, but it’s worth it. When you want this kind of food sent to your home then you should expect to pay what the food is worth. The bread is freshly baked and it only takes a day for your order to arrive.
You can purchase a Reuben kit for your favorite dad (or yourself) at the Zingerman’s website. The Reuben kits are available in Binny’s Brooklyn Pastrami Reuben Sandwich Kit for 2 ($79.00), Binny’s Brooklyn Pastrami Reuben Sandwich Kit for 4 ($100.00), Georgia Reuben Turkey Reuben Sandwich Kit for 2 ($79.00), Georgia Reuben Turkey Reuben Sandwich Kit for 4 ($100.00), Sherman’s Sure Choice Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich Kit for 2 ($79.00) and Sherman’s Sure Choice Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich Kit for 4 ($100.00). I recommend the Sherman’s Sure Choice, but I’m sure the others are just as good!
In conclusion, you must buy a Zingerman’s Reuben kit. It is essential that you try this kit at least once in your lifetime or stop in to Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor. Either way, a Zingerman’s Reuben makes this picky eater not so picky after all.
Note*: Photo Courtesy of Food Network - The sandwich looks quite like this minus the sauerkraut. Instead it has coleslaw on it!
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Technorati Tags: Zingerman, Deli, Ann Arbor, Reuben Sandwich, Picky Eater, Food, Father’s Day, Best of, Reuben Kit, Mail Order
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