The 10 Best Reuben Sandwiches in New York That Are Stacked to Perfection

New York City is famous for many foods, but the Reuben sandwich holds a special place in the hearts of both locals and visitors. This perfect stack of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing grilled between rye bread reaches its highest form in the Big Apple. From historic delis to hidden gems, these ten spots serve Reubens so good they’ll forever change your sandwich standards.

1. Katz’s Delicatessen

The legendary Katz’s has been slinging sandwiches since 1888, and their Reuben stands as a monument to sandwich perfection. Hand-carved corned beef piled sky-high creates a tower that barely stays contained between two slices of rye. The sauerkraut offers the perfect tangy counterpoint, while melted Swiss cheese binds everything together in gooey harmony. Russian dressing adds the final touch of creamy richness.

What makes Katz’s version special is the quality of their house-cured meat and the generous portioning that ensures every bite delivers the perfect ratio of ingredients. No wonder people line up around the block!

2. Stage Door Delicatessen

Theater district gem Stage Door crafts a Reuben that deserves a standing ovation. Their sandwich achieves the perfect balance between meat and toppings – not too skimpy, not overwhelmingly stuffed.

What truly sets this Reuben apart is the bread. Perfectly grilled to golden-brown crispness outside while maintaining softness inside, it provides the ideal textural contrast to the tender corned beef. The sauerkraut is notably fresh with a pleasant crunch.

Located steps from Broadway, Stage Door has become a pre-show tradition for theater-goers seeking comfort food excellence. Their Russian dressing has a hint of horseradish that adds unexpected depth to each bite.

3. Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner

Family-owned since 1964, Sarge’s 24-hour operation means you can satisfy your Reuben craving at 3 AM if necessary. Their version features house-cured corned beef that undergoes a three-week brining process, resulting in meat that’s remarkably tender and flavorful.

The sandwich arrives with a generous portion of their signature coleslaw and half-sour pickle. What’s unique about Sarge’s approach is their light hand with the Russian dressing – just enough for flavor without sogginess. Locals appreciate the consistent quality regardless of when you visit.

The Swiss cheese receives special attention here, melted to perfection with slightly crispy edges that extend beyond the bread.

4. Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop

“Raising New York’s cholesterol since 1929,” Eisenberg’s delivers a Reuben that honors old-school deli traditions.

The sandwich arrives on a no-frills plate at their vintage lunch counter, where you’ll likely rub elbows with everyone from construction workers to Wall Street types. Their corned beef is sliced thinner than most competitors, creating a different textural experience that allows the meat to meld with the sauerkraut more completely.

The rye bread comes from a local bakery that’s supplied them for generations. Eisenberg’s grills their Reuben slowly at a lower temperature, allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly without burning the bread. This patience results in a perfectly integrated sandwich experience.

5. Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery

Famous for cheesecake but beloved for their Reuben, Junior’s brings Brooklyn swagger to this classic sandwich. Their distinctive touch is using a special caraway-heavy rye that adds an aromatic dimension missing from many competitors.

Junior’s corned beef strikes a perfect balance between lean and fatty portions, ensuring flavor without excessive greasiness. The kitchen staff maintains a generous hand with the sauerkraut, which undergoes a proprietary rinsing and seasoning process.

A surprise element is their Russian dressing, which incorporates a hint of their famous cheesecake spice blend. This subtle sweet note creates a unique flavor profile that keeps regulars coming back despite the often lengthy wait times.

6. PJ Bernstein

Upper East Side institution PJ Bernstein has been serving loyal customers since 1965. Their Reuben arrives with a mountain of warm corned beef that’s been steamed rather than boiled, preserving moisture while reducing salt content.

Regulars rave about PJ’s sauerkraut, which gets a secret treatment involving apple cider that cuts the typical sourness. The Swiss cheese is imported from Switzerland rather than using domestic varieties, offering a more pronounced nutty flavor.

The sandwich pairs perfectly with their homemade celery soda, another house specialty that complements the rich flavors.

7. 2nd Ave Deli

Kosher dining reaches its sandwich pinnacle at 2nd Ave Deli, where their Reuben technically isn’t a Reuben at all. Following kosher laws prohibiting mixing meat and dairy, they omit the Swiss cheese, creating what they call a “Royben.” Surprisingly, many customers prefer this cheese-free version once they try it. The absence of dairy allows the house-cured corned beef’s complex flavors to shine through more clearly.

Their meat undergoes a 14-day curing process using a recipe unchanged since 1954. The sauerkraut receives special attention, with each batch fermented in-house. A generous schmear of Russian dressing and perfectly toasted rye complete this unconventional yet utterly satisfying sandwich experience.

8. S&P Lunch

Recently revived after years of closure, S&P Lunch has returned with a Reuben that honors their 1950s heyday while incorporating modern touches. The sandwich arrives open-faced – a throwback presentation that allows the quality of each component to shine.

Their corned beef is sourced from a small upstate farm that raises heritage cattle. The meat receives a five-spice brine that adds subtle complexity beyond the typical pickling spices. Homemade sauerkraut fermented in ceramic crocks provides sharp contrast.

S&P’s distinctive touch is their “melted Reuben sauce” – a proprietary blend of Russian dressing ingredients that gets heated separately before application. This creates a warm, velvety sauce that permeates the entire sandwich.

9. Sunny & Annie’s Deli

This 24-hour East Village bodega might seem like an unlikely Reuben destination, but locals know better. Sunny & Annie’s takes creative liberties with their “Reuben with a Twist” that somehow honors tradition while breaking new ground.

The foundation remains classic – quality corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut – but they add unexpected elements like a thin layer of homemade coleslaw and their secret “Annie’s Sauce” alongside the Russian dressing. The bread receives special treatment: brushed with garlic butter before grilling.

Despite these innovations, the sandwich maintains perfect balance. Available round-the-clock, it’s become legendary among late-night revelers seeking substantial sustenance after East Village adventures.

10. Premier Deli

Midtown workers know Premier Deli as the unassuming hero of the lunch rush. Their “No Nonsense Reuben” embodies straightforward deli excellence without pretension or gimmicks. The sandwich arrives wrapped in wax paper, grilled to order while you wait.

Premier distinguishes itself through consistency and execution rather than unique ingredients. Their corned beef is sliced to order – slightly thicker than average – and the sandwich maker carefully constructs each layer for ideal distribution. Premier’s Russian dressing includes finely diced pickles that add textural interest. The rye bread comes from a fourth-generation bakery just blocks away.

This Reuben proves that sometimes perfection comes from honoring tradition rather than reinventing it.