Bluesfest - The Hole Bagels stall

Blog update: I've unfortunately neglected this blog over the past couple of months, and have lost a couple of Reuben photos due to my phone blowing up, but the blog will push on. One of the Reubens I lost was from a work trip to Brisbane, so needless to say that will have to remain in my memory rather than immortalised on the internet with a review.

Bluesfest: Astounded on the first day by the many many food stalls all serving delicious options, I was truly stuck for what to choose. Passing by "The Hole Bagels" stand, a Reuben offering made up my mind for me. There were a few people waiting to receive their order which was a good sign so I handed over my $10 and waited for my name to be called out. My expectations were low to be honest, I just wasn't convinced a bagel would deliver the goods but the photo on the menu was relatively convincing.

Having received my bagel, I noted significantly less filling than promised by the menu photo, but it was true to the ingredient list of "pastrami with spiced red cabbage, russian dressing & swiss cheese". Never one to eat a Reuben without playing with it first, I opened it up and had a poke around the individual ingredients. The meat was top quality and delicious, the cheese had holes in it (i.e. proper swiss) and the sauce gave a really great tang. I'm afraid that's where the positives ended. The bagel was put on one of the toasting heating conveyors so fast before the ingredients were added that the heat barely penetrated the surface and the bread was...well...really doughy, solid and kind of felt a bit not quite cooked. I know that bagels have that unique consistency and I've enjoyed many a bagel previous to this one, but there was just something not quite right about the bread. I was also disappointed at the lack of hole in the bagel (see top shot).

I ate the insides and threw out the bread after a couple of bites. It seems like I wasn't the only one sharing this view, on the Bluesfest forum it was said: "Tried the Bagel Tent- bagel was dry, supposed to be toasted but not hot, could only eat the turkey and cheese inside and threw that actual bagel away , it was stale".

These guys tried, but just couldn't deliver. Try again next year (spelling "Reuben" correctly on the menu would be a great start) 5.5/10

1 Abercrombie Lane - Cafe Bakery

Tucked away in a little alley you've probably walked past a million times but never ventured down is 1 Abercrombie Lane Cafe Bakery, aptly named after its street address. Whilst surprised at myself for never having even recollected that this alley existed, I was more surprised by the busy lunchtime crowd at the cafe. There are a couple of small tables in the alleyway and a few inside as well, but takeaway seemed the better option as to avoid having to knock elbows with the person next to me. Taking my order was a bit like Abbott & Costello's "Who's on first" skit - English was not the strong point of the guy taking my order, but we get there in the end.                                                                                                               After an unusually long wait I was almost certain they'd forgotten about me, but nevertheless the Reuben ($13) came out in a brown paper bag with a fish-n'-chip-esque styrofoam container within. I ordered it toasted, and although the cheese half melted, the bread was still as fluffy as ever. It worked. The ingredients all came together to form soft and juicy mouthfuls and I almost forgot about it lacking any type of crunch that you'd get from a toasted version. The meat was a generous serving and dominated the sandwich but a bigger helping of sauerkraut couldn't have hurt. It was less saucy than other ones I've had but in a good way. It didn't turn into a soggy mess, with an appropriate sized smearing of mustard to provide the essential condiment and tang to compliment the sauerkraut's edge.                                                                                                                      Get it take away and find a grassy spot to sit and enjoy it. 

         8.5/10

                                                                                      No website - facebook page found here: 1 Abercrombie Lane

Palomino Espresso

A stone's throw away from Loaf & Devotion is Palomino Espresso, a gem of a city cafe. The coffee is excellent and it gets busy during lunchtime, mostly for takeaways. This was my second attempt of securing a reuben from their window (the last one too!); their sandwiches are premade daily and once they're gone you miss out. I decided to carry the fun brown paper bag down to the harbour to enjoy the breeze and sun, definitely a good choice.

The reuben delivered and at $9.50 I'll be coming back again. Given the option between fresh and toasted, toasted was recommended as the better option so who was I to argue. Oozy cheese and house made sauerkraut sandwiched the corned beef, which almost needed the juices from the other ingredients. The sauerkraut was leaning away from the eastern european style to a more hipster variety which delivered an added tang, but didn't sway too far from traditional that it fundamentally changed the sandwich. Thin slices of gherkin and mustard weren't forgotten and the bread was just the right amount of soft - not too fluffy but not o.t.t. sourdough chewy.

The wording on the paper bag sums up the delish choices of food items (Reuben included): "Get In Ma Belly".

8.5/10

Website currently down, facebook page found here: Palomino Espresso

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