St. Patrick’s is just around the corner and with the arrival of this merry, Irish holiday, comes the craving for corned beef…more specifically, the almighty Reuben. You’d think finding this classic, meaty sandwich in New Orleans would be a cinch, but it took some serious digging to find the mouth-melters.
Start your “Reubenesque” tour at Stanley which lies on the edge of Jackson Square in the French Quarter at 547 St. Ann Street. There they serve what’s dubbed as “New Orleans’ Best Reuben” made with Boar’s Head corned beef and pastrami topped with melted Swiss and Provolone cheeses, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on toasted rye bread.
Another button-bursting sandwich with-a-twist can be found at Between the Bread at 625 St. Charles Avenue in the CBD. Their Reuben employs the usual suspects; corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, only they dress their ‘wich with 1000 Island and press it Cuban-style between two slices of marbled rye.
Finally, the most original find would have to be at Stein’s Deli at 2207 Magazine Street where owner Dan Stein proffers some of the most delicious (as well as the most authentic) delicatessen sandwiches in the Greater New Orleans Area. Dan’s Reuben is all-original with hot corned beef, melted Swiss and sauerkraut served on rye bread with Russian dressing.
Where’s your favorite Reuben in New Orleans?
J’anita’s at the Rendon Inn
“And now for something completely different . . . ”
~Monty Python
Yes, we’re still talking Reubens, but if you want to try a sandwich that takes a serious turn from the original, you’ll have to visit J’anita’s at The Rendon Inn. Chef/Owners Kim and Craig Giesecke recently re-located from their stint at the Avenue Pub to the newly remodeled Rendon Inn on the corner of Eve and Rendon Streets.
Grab a stool at the bar or kick back ‘neath the stars on their patio and order J’anita’s Southern version of a classic, the Swamp Reuben. Just imagine juicy hunks of pulled pork and beef brisket piled high on toasted sourdough, smothered in their, smokey house-made BBQ sauce and topped with crispy-sweet coleslaw. If that wasn’t enough, J’anita’s sandwiches come with your choice of side like no-nonsense red potato salad, macque choux (Cajun corn, bell peppers, onions, celery) or even a large cup of their soup of the day.
Where ever your perfect Reuben might reside, be sure to grab a beer or two and say a toast to St. Patrick in who’s honor we celebrate most heartily here in New Orleans with parties and parades galore. Don’t forget to catch the fixins for your own home-made corned beef stew and try to catch a kiss or two as well!
*Article originally published in the February 2011 issue of Where Y’at Magazine
**J’Anitia’s at the Rendon Inn is closed
