I remember the first Reuben sandwich that I ever tasted. I was waitressing in a local restaurant that is quite well known (love it or hate it) in the area. It came time for lunch and a friend of mine ordered one, so I decided to follow suit. I’d never tasted anything like it. The melting Swiss cheese, the sauce, and the warm Corned Beef all melded together perfectly to make the King of sandwiches.
I missed them more than words could say when I switched restaurants and the new place I worked did not have them. Eventually they got them and they would be one of my regular lunch options. When I quit waitressing and began working at home, I perfected my own spin on the Reuben (same ingredients, just a different sandwich building method). Needless to say, I get stuck making them a lot.
Despite living in the same state as Zingerman’s I was clueless to their existence until late one night while watching Food Network. I watched them bake bread and eventually the host went to the Deli and ate the most amazing looking Reuben I’d ever set my eyes upon. When I checked their website recently I got giddy realizing that these amazing sandwiches can be delivered right to your door. I couldn’t wait to receive a reuben, which was quite obvious as I sliced open the box like a kid in a candy store.
Before doing anything, I removed everything from the package. A Rueben Kit includes a loaf of home-baked Zingerman’s Jewish rye bread, Black Angus lean corned beef, Emmentaler Swiss cheese, Cole Slaw (substituted for sauerkraut, which is served in the Deli), homemade Russian dressing, Redskin potato salad, garlicky pickles, and magic brownies. This was all wrapped up and placed in an awesome Zingerman’s reusable bag.
Prep
Once I had everything out of the box my mind started reeling. All this delicious food was about to make the best lunch ever. With that, I took my trusty instructions and set out to begin working. Prep takes longer than your average sandwich, but the Zingerman’s Reuben is anything but average. I consider it more like a spiritual experience. One single bite of one of these delectable sandwiches and your whole outlook on Reubens will change forever.
If you can’t cook do not worry. Zingerman’s tosses in a set of instructions to prepare your Reuben and they’re simple enough so that anyone can follow them. It is important to note that your bread will not come sliced. A serrated bread knife will be necessary for preparation. You could get away with using another knife probably, but it certainly may make your prep time a little more difficult. Other than that all you will need for prep is a couple of cookie sheets, a frying pan, some good quality olive oil, and some foil.
You are going to start by placing your bread in the oven for about 20 minutes. This twice baked method is going to warm it up all the way to the center and make it taste like its fresh baked, as if you baked it yourself. While this is going on you’re going to place enough corned beef in some foil to make a sandwich. Sprinkle just a little bit of water into your package and fold your foil up, then toss it in the oven alongside the bread. Steaming the corned beef will make it soft and delicious.
While these two things are preparing themselves, if you received the box the same day you’re cooking you will want to take the lids off of your Russian dressing, Cole slaw, and Redskin potato salad. None of them were frozen on arrival, but they were mighty cold so letting them sit out a minute or two will make them more palatable and bring them to a non-brain freeze temperature. Otherwise, toss them in the fridge and they will be ready to go when you are.
Once you’ve taken the bread and corned beef out of the oven it’s time to assemble some sandwiches. This is where you’re frying pan will come into play. You will start by slicing some of your bread. Drizzle some Olive oil on one side of the bread and place it in the pan, oil side down. Slather (and don’t be shy about it, either) some of the Zingerman’s Russian onto the bread and top with a piece of the Swiss cheese. Repeat the process with the other side of the bread, placing the Russian side down and closing the sandwich. Now all you have to do is fry it up like you would a grilled cheese. It stands to reason that you could use butter on the bread if you wanted. However, the oil gives it a richer, full bodied taste that is worth trying if you have some good oil sitting in your pantry.
When it’s time to put your sandwich together you will open it up and place the corned beef and some Cole slaw onto the bread. Make sure to slice your sandwich in half because this is one big sandwich! On your plate you can add one of the pickles, some Redskin potato salad, and don’t forget your Magic Brownie for dessert!
I know it sounds like a lot of prep. For a second, seeing all those steps I thought that it was seriously going to be a pain. While you might think it’s going to be a hard and painful experience, one bite of this sandwich and all of your doubts and any associated bother in making it will melt away because it’s just that good.
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Taste and Visual Appeal
I am at a loss for words. I’ve tasted plenty of Reubens in my day, but I have never tasted anything like this. I could live on these sandwiches. If you are having a bad day, they will make it better. The combination of excellent, fresh products mesh perfectly and the result can only be described as heavenly. I love the thick Emmantaler Swiss. It melts beautifully and has such a smooth, distinct flavor that is more distinct than your basic Swiss. The corned beef is so tender it just tends to melt in your mouth. The bread is simply divine and it’s so fresh you will be baffled by the fact that it wasn’t baked five minutes ago. The outer edges were nice and crunchy and the inside was soft and delicious.
The Cole slaw is peppery and delicious, but has a nice sweetness to it when it mixes with the Zingerman’s homemade Russian dressing. Speaking of the dressing, it’s fabulous. If you’re a fan of Russian this will be it for you! If you’re not, this may just change your mind. This is one mail order Reuben that looks like it comes from a local deli and tastes like it comes from the heavens. And that’s just the sandwich.
As I mentioned before, you also receive a container of Redskin potato salad. Normally, I won’t eat other people’s potato salad. I’m picky that way, but this looked pretty good. Cautiously taking the first bite, I groaned in satisfaction at the result. Despite being very simply dressed, these potatoes just melt in your mouth and the dressing on it is perfect. I just cracked a little fresh black pepper on top and it was good to go.
Next up was the Garlicky Pickle. This huge, amazingly delicious pickle only had one single flaw and that is I wanted another once I ate it. Well, two flaws maybe considering this pickle has ruined me for all other pickles. This thing should be its own food group it’s so good. I’m a pickle hound as it is and these were just amazing. I tried to steal Dominick’s too, but he was mean and would only share part. I wonder if they sell these by the barrel-full. I’d save up my pennies and buy them if they do!
Finally we have the Magic Brownie. The huge, cake-like, luscious, chocolatey Magic Brownie. This was the best way to end the best meal ever. These brownies are soft and just amazing. It’s a feast for the mouth and that’s putting it mildly. I can be a little wishy washy with my love for brownies, but these were the best I’ve ever had. They are magic alright. Magic like they cause a drug-like effect. You’d better watch out because these things are addicting!
In addition to the Sherman Sure Choice Corned Beef Reubens, you can also get kits for Binny’s Brooklyn Pastrami Reuben and the Georgia Turkey Reuben. All of them are the same price so you can pick whichever you will enjoy most. Please note, people with allergies to nuts will want to avoid the turkey because it is made with a small amount of peanut oil.
Note: I’m only giving this a five for taste because that’s as high as I can go. I’m thinking it’s more like a 20 though. So, you can take that for what it’s worth.
Look:
Taste/Flavor:
Kid Friendly: 
What’s this going to cost me?
The price is going to depend on which Rueben Kit you purchase. We received the 2-sandwich kit. Just to give you an idea of what you’re looking at, we made three sandwiches with a two person kit. The kit we received is $79 and overnight shipping for this is $45. Shipping for the four-sandwich kit will be a little bit more, as the kit costs $100. You might be thinking this is expensive and it can be a little pricey. It’s probably not something you’re going to buy every week. However, it makes a stellar holiday gift, it’d be great on Father’s Day, and when you want to treat yourself there is no better way to do it when it comes to mail order food.
Price:
Shipping:
Is it worth it overall?
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Zingerman’s are as close to the Sandwich Gods as you will ever come. I’ve heard they sell the best Reubens in North America and whoever said it certainly wasn’t kidding. These sandwiches are amazing and the sides that come with them are well suited and out of this world. If you order one mail order food this year, order a Reuben Kit. They might be expensive in comparison with some other options, but I guarantee that your mouth will forgive you for the money you spend.
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Technorati Tags: Food Review, Zingerman’s Deli, Emmentaler Swiss, Russian Dressing, Homemade, Redskin Potato Salad, Magic Brownie, Jewish Rye Bread, Garlicky Pickle, Reuben Sandwich, Corned Beef
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