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.