The Henson

Recommended by a friend, I was uncertain that The Henson had a Reuben on the menu until I finally came across the "Knuckle Sandwich": wagyu brisket, fennel slaw, swiss cheese, smokey mayo on rye (& chips) for $17. Sounded to me a like lot like "The NOT Reuben" at Reuben Hills (reviewed September 2014) which was sorely disappointing compared to the hype. Now entering a realm sans hype, I found myself somewhat less disappointed even though the reuben appeared to be a mirror of the Reuben Hills one.

Fennel slaw, well that's just coleslaw  isn't it (since when has fennel been that fancy?) and the wagyu brisket probably was stretching the bow a bit. It felt like a glorified steak sandwich. A chewy steak sandwich at that - I was battling with gristle many times in the low lit beer garden (hence the flash for the photo). The rye was the less than authentic soft and fluffy square variety (I somehow attribute real european rye to anything except a neat square shape), but the chips were nice. Hmmm, I think that's saying something. Given that it's not actually called a reuben on the menu, I don't think I can be too judgmental but going by the ingredients it almost should be.

The Henson has a great outside area, which was most enjoyable once it got a bit later and the toddlers running around with upside down buckets on their head and rolling balls under my stool had subsided. Family friendly is a bonus... if you have a family. Otherwise, leave your intolerance hat at home and come full acceptance that children will be there (as if the outdoor playground area didn't give that away).

Go for the beer garden and the casual atmosphere, but maybe give a burger a go instead.

7/10 - aligning it with the Reuben Hills rating

Website: The Henson

Sourdough Panini Bakery & Cafe

My hopes were high, standing outside the Sourdough Panini Bakery & Cafe with a crowd of other city workers at lunchtime. You order at the hole in the wall, receive a number and then wait to collect at the same hole when your number is called out. The Reuben came under the "Sourdough" category rather than the "Panini" category but really just felt like a baguette with a fancy title.

The ingredients were true to the menu list: shaved corned beef, provolone cheese, sauerkraut and russian dressing. The sauerkraut was far from the Eastern European style and was leaning more towards the inner west pickled fermented food movement. As fresh as the bread was, a baguette has no place holding a Reuben filling in my mind. The best part of the Reuben was the view, I settled in at Darling Harbour in the sunshine and was glad I didn't spend more than $10.






















The photo speaks for itself and captures the one word that best describes it: underwhelming. 

5/10

No website, facebook page here: Sourdough Panini Bakery & Cafe

Marketa Espresso

I discovered this gem thanks to a work colleague who had spied this reuben on the commute to and from the office. It's a cafe located in Town Hall Square -  coming from Kent St towards the station go up the escalators and it will be on your left. It's a no-nonsense cafe with a bit more gourmet oomph than you'd normally expect from something in the underground labyrinth that extends in all directions from Town Hall Station. I was impressed that the fresh selection of sandwiches and would definitely recommend this for a grab and go I'm-hungry-right-now solution.

The sandwich prices reflect the take away style cafe operation, the reuben was set at a delicious price of $8. The meat was one of the better cuts from reuebn offerings so far, the fresh tasting rare roast beef was so good I wanted more. I ordered it toasted but I imagine it would have been equally as enticing untoasted. I'll forgive the use of coleslaw for the great tasting rare roast beef, with the cheese and dressing coming together very nicely

Great for a simple sandwich solution at lunch time.

7.5/10

No website, but facebook page: Marketa Espresso

Swine & Co

Be prepared to be full - very very full. OK so in the photo it doesn't look that big, but make no mistake and come in no other state then very hungry.

Swine & Co is the meat lovers dream with many animals served in many delicious ways within this bar and restaurant hybrid. The service for the seated patrons appeared quite timely however I was left standing at the bar for more than an acceptable amount of time before I could get anyone's attention (Swine & Co have a take away deli style option for an on-the-go sandwich fix at prices well below the sit down menu which you order at the bar). For $9, five day cured wagyu brisket from the oven was the star of the show. One bite was enough to know this would be one of the most satisfying reubens to date. And by satisfying I also mean slightly on the food coma side - the meat was just so juicy and filling that I could feel the top button of my pants complaining.

I struggle to fault this, the only thing that I'd change is having thinner bread. The slices were so thick, that with all the yummy filling it was a struggle to finish. The best part (besides the juicy meat and being a sauerkraut lover), was the authentic eastern european style sauerkraut with caraway seeds.

The best value reuben so far. Come hungry.

9/10

Website: Swine & Co

Daisy's Milkbar

Daisy's Milkbar in Petersham is like stepping into a time warp back to the days of red frogs and milkshakes after school. Behind the counter are a selection of lollies for purchase just in case you don't get your fill from the free plate of mixed lollies which does the rounds to people who are waiting for a table. The free cordial stand is irresistible, offering standard flavours along with that overly sticky sweet green lime flavour. You know the one.

The Reuben ($14) is a delight and oh-so filling. I was lucky enough to dine with company who also wanted a Reuben, so we ordered one each of the fresh and toasted variety and went halvies - the toasted version came out victorious. The fresh one was also delicious, but there's something special about toasted bread and melted cheese on....almost anything. The meat is generous, layered between sauerkraut just the way it should be, gherkins and dressing. I tried to fault it, but my tastebuds knew better. 

 

Best contender so far - the only criticism is the single cheese slice. The cheese is really tasty but another slice wouldn't go astray. If you have room, the malt milkshake is highly recommended.

9/10

Website: Daisy's Milkbar

Gather on the Green

You'll find Gather on the Green immediately next to Store Espresso in Camperdown. This cafe also allows the take away to the park option, where most of the time it seems that the staff were able to pair up orders with bodies on the grass. My friend and I weren't so lucky, our order of two Reubens going to the couple not too far away who had only just arrived and coincidentally ordered the same thing - we only realised until it was too late. A 45 minute wait late (add in a free coffee after some "oops" acknowledgement from the staff) and finally said Reuben arrived.

I was determined not to let the extensive wait for what is essentially a fancy toasted sandwich mar my approach to constructively reviewing the Reuben. The first thing I noticed was chunky purple cabbage, coleslaw style, instead of sauerkraut which in my opinion was the culprit to the Reuben just not being that great. The other usual ingredients were there, but nothing stood out to make this a memorable sandwich.

The best part of the Reuben was the atmosphere relaxing in the sun. If given the choice between Gather on the Green and Store Espresso (purely based on Reuben prowess), Store Espresso wins hands down.

6/10

No website, find the Facebook page here: Gather on the Green

Store Espresso

Store Espresso is seemingly in an unusual spot in Camperdown, on the edge of Camperdown Park (not to be confused with Camperdown Memorial Rest Park) and nestled among terrace houses. It sits next to another cafe, Gather on the Green, and together they dominate the cafe scene. Both cafes seem to be equally busy and both offer the take away to the park option, so they'll bring out your order straight to you lazing on your picnic blanket.

I was informed of the hand written Reuben special which presents itself on a brown paper bag taped to the counter by a friend, unfortunately it doesn't have seemed to make the permanent menu. It was clear that I had I arrived in the prime time Saturday busy period but the staff were friendly and it wasn't a long wait outside in the pleasant sunshine. Forgoing lounging in the park, I opted instead for a leisurely stroll and to devour it on-the-go. Store Espresso delivered; a toasted and somewhat mushy (in a good way) Reuben with just the right amount of cheese which pleasantly stuck the sandwich together. It wasn't jammed packed with corned beef, containing quite a modest amount, but it worked. The sandwich as whole had the right combination of ingredients which together made a delicious Reuben. Sauerkraut quantity can be difficult to get right, but this was a pleaser. I usually take the standpoint of more is better when it comes to sauerkraut but again, this just worked. The sourdough was soft on the inside and toasted crunchy on the outside, but rye bread would have made the experience more authentic. Although I was informed by my friend who had sampled the Reuben the week before that his contained slivers of gherkin, in mine they were nowhere to be found.

Quite a modest take on the Reuben, it won't leave you with the regret of stuffing yourself.

8/10

Website:Store Espresso

Reuben Hills

Never having been to Reuben Hills before, I was expecting greatness as the café receives a lot of hype. The wait time to get a sit table during a sunny Sunday afternoon was about 20 minutes, which is reasonable in popular eateries about Sydney. Sitting on some sort of industrial metal beam cum waiting bench, my Reuben partner in crime and I enjoyed an iced latte. Delicious. The guy who initially greeted us and then called on us when we were ready to be seated was very friendly, however from then on we were invisible. Having to holler for a menu and then holler to order was not a great start. It was almost as if the staff were so comfortable in the amount of great reviews the café receives that customer service isn’t front of mind because the next shining review is only moments away.

 To the Reuben (technically "The NOT Reuben" as written on the menu): it was rather disappointing for all the hype. At $18, I was expecting something more substantial. It was meant to come on rye bread however when I questioned the white bread the reply was almost an afterthought, something like “oh, we must have sold out” – and then the staff member walked away. Again, customer service? The meat was delicious, soft and juicy in a brisket style. One thin slice of cheese didn’t quite cut it for me but the cabbage (not sauerkraut style, more inner-west fermented style) was pleasant and the horseradish dressing gave it a nice kick. A few thin slices of pickles and carrot were also added into the mix but wasn’t enough to impress.

I would have been happier with it at a price point of around $10 - $12; it felt like a standard café sandwich with an inflated price tag.

7/10

Website: Reuben Hills

Forest Lodge Hotel and The Bank Hotel

I arrived at the Forest Lodge Hotel expecting a delicious dinner....sometimes things don't go according to plan. N/A - stands for not acceptable. It looked like the N/A was there to stay, rather than bad luck on the night.

Disappointment levels were high for the second time this week: The Bank Hotel took its Reuben menu offering off the menu and replaced it with a "Cuban" (i.e. a fancy name for a ham and cheese sandwich). I contacted the Bank to express my disappointment and received the following reply: "Thanks for the feedback. Our menu changes seasonally but it's always good to hear our customers thoughts! Have you tried the Cuban Sandwich? We reckon that one gives the Reuben a run for its money! Thanks, The Bank team". I'm not sure in which universe a ham, cheese (not to forget the addition of mustard) sandwich would ever give a Reuben a run for its money, but I'm sure glad that it's not this one.




Update: I went back to the Forest Lodge Hotel a week later and again found the Reuben crossed out with chalk. Investigating further, the staff explained that it technically is on the menu every day but regularly sells out so you have to get in early. Third time lucky?

Runcible Spoon

An open space cafe just behind Deus in Camperdown with a motorbike or two roaring down the alley is Runcible Spoon. The relaxed atmosphere warrants no need for keeping time and the Sunday afternoon crowd is just as laid back. A recommendation of a limited time hand written special attached to the menu board behind the counter drew me here, before the Reuben offering was no more.

I was presented with the unexpected - a wild mish-mash stack of a Reuben ($13) which begged the use of cutlery. All of the usual suspects were present; light rye sourdough with caraway seeds, mustard sauce, sauerkraut, melted cheese, miscellaneous sliced pickled items ... and then we come to the meat. There was nothing wrong in the taste department, but it was a helping of slices of hot roast like you'd get at your local on special Sunday roast night that raised an eyebrow. Juicy as it was, it just didn't quite hit the Reuben mark and felt more like a roast beef sandwich with extras. The mixed lettuce leaves added to this beef sandwich feel and the cold sauerkraut no doubt straight from the jar in the fridge didn't do the sandwich any favours.

The Reuben seemed to be a menagerie of individual ingredients that just didn't quite coalesce, however the cafe itself was a great inner west gem - good on them for having a Reuben special but next time I'm going to give something on-menu a go.

6.5/10

Website: Runcible Spoon

Loaf and Devotion

Nestled among the many lunchtime food options on York St is a simple café devoted to creating a delicious combination of ingredients between two fresh slices of bread. I must confess this has regularly been my go-to for a weekday lunch working nearby in the city. I’ve had many menu and also make your adventure sandwiches here, or at times just letting the guys behind the counter make me something delicious of their choosing. Although takeaway is probably more popular there’s enough tables to enjoy yourself sitting inside as well.

Now to the Reuben, technically it’s the “not-a-Reuben”, offered at $9.50. The menu board lists the following ingredients: corned beef, swiss (cheese), pickle and mustard – and that’s exactly what you get. It’s a good option for grabbing a bite on the go but I wouldn’t cross the city for it, mainly because it’s lacking sauerkraut and comes on white (albeit soft and fresh) bread. The missing constituents of a traditional Reuben give credence to the not-a-Reuben title but it is stretching the Reuben bow just a bit too far to score any higher. 

You’ll come for the (not-the) Reuben, but you’ll return to try the other delicious options.  

6.5/10

Currently only a Facebook page, no website: Loaf and Devotion

Naked Espresso

Food courts divide even the closest of friends. You either can handle being in the throng of people at lunchtime, bumping elbows into passers by while you do yet another lap to survey the offerings, or you can't. I for one enjoy the lucky dip, the unknown of what may be hidden in the furthest corner and the satisfaction of coming across a gem. Enter Naked Espresso. In among the food outlets in the circular Australia Square food court just tucked off George St is Naked Espresso, not to be confused with the Newtown cafe that once had the same name but has since turned into a 100% vegan restaurant. An open plaza spills out from the food court, but getting a spot is like a game of musical chairs so I find myself sitting on the edge of the fountain which appears to be a popular secondary seating choice.

The hot meat really makes this sandwich feel quite hearty, the Wagyu salted beef was a winner and oh so juicy. Add swiss cheese, homemade dill pickles, mustard mayo and sauerkraut into the mix all in between two very soft slices of rye and you're onto a winner. The sandwich isn't toasted but the hot meat adds a dimension in which toasting isn't really needed.

A solid contender, it's generously stuffed and keeps me full.

8.5/10

No website, but the Australia Square site has general and location information.