Where Was the Reuben Sandwich Invented? An Exploration of the Origins of the Popular Delicacy

Introduction

The Reuben sandwich is a beloved classic that has been around for decades. It’s a delicious combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing, all sandwiched between two slices of rye bread. But the question remains: where was the Reuben sandwich invented?

The answer to this question is not as straightforward as one might think. There are several competing theories about the origin of the Reuben sandwich, which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly where it first appeared. To get to the bottom of this mystery, let’s take a closer look at the history of the Reuben sandwich and explore the various theories about its invention.

An Exploration of the Origins of the Reuben Sandwich: Where Was It Invented?

The debate over who invented the Reuben sandwich is ongoing, but there are a few possible locations of origin that have been suggested over the years. Some say that it was invented in Omaha, Nebraska by Reuben Kulakofsky, a Lithuanian immigrant who worked as a grocer and owned a restaurant called “Kulakofsky’s.” Others contend that the sandwich was created in New York City by Arnold Reuben, the owner of the famous Reuben’s Delicatessen. Still others believe that the sandwich originated in either San Francisco or Los Angeles.

No matter which theory you believe, it’s clear that the Reuben sandwich has a long and storied history. To get to the bottom of the mystery of where it was first created, let’s take a closer look at what we know about the earliest versions of the Reuben sandwich and what we don’t know about the early years.

Uncovering the History of the Reuben Sandwich: Where Was It First Created?

What we do know is that the earliest versions of the Reuben sandwich were likely created sometime in the early 1900s. The most popular version of the story states that the sandwich was invented in Omaha, Nebraska by Reuben Kulakofsky during a poker game at the Blackstone Hotel. According to legend, Kulakofsky asked the hotel chef to make him a sandwich with the ingredients he had on hand, including corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. He then asked the chef to toast the sandwich, which resulted in the creation of the Reuben sandwich.

What we don’t know, however, is whether the sandwich was actually created during that poker game or if it had been served at the hotel before that. We also don’t know if the story of the Reuben sandwich’s creation is true or if it’s just a myth. To uncover the true origins of the Reuben sandwich, let’s take a closer look at the various claims of inventors and examine the evidence.

Tracing the Beginnings of the Reuben Sandwich: Where Was It Invented?

There are several people who have claimed to be the inventor of the Reuben sandwich, each with their own unique story. The most popular version of the story comes from Arnold Reuben, the owner of the famous Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City. According to Reuben, he created the sandwich in 1914 after a customer requested a sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. Reuben added Thousand Island dressing to the sandwich and gave it the name “Reuben’s Special”.

Another popular story comes from Charles Schimmel, the owner of Schimmel’s Delicatessen in Los Angeles. According to Schimmel, he created the sandwich in 1928 after a customer requested a sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. Schimmel added Thousand Island dressing to the sandwich and named it the “Reuben Special”.

These stories are difficult to verify, so it’s impossible to know which one is true. To figure out where the Reuben sandwich was actually invented, let’s take a closer look at the evidence.

The Mystery Behind the Reuben Sandwich: Where Was It Invented?

In an effort to uncover the truth behind the mystery of the Reuben sandwich, researchers have combed through old newspaper articles, cookbooks, and menus from the early 1900s. While these sources provide some clues about the origin of the sandwich, they don’t provide any definitive answers. For example, a menu from a Chicago restaurant from 1925 lists a “Reuben Special” sandwich, but it doesn’t specify what ingredients are used in the sandwich.

To further complicate matters, there are several different versions of the Reuben sandwich. Some include Thousand Island dressing, while others call for Russian dressing or other variations. This makes it even more difficult to determine where the sandwich was first created.

The only way to get to the bottom of this mystery is to investigate the different tales of origin and separate fact from fiction. To do this, let’s take a look at the most popular theory and consider the alternative explanations.

A Look at the Origin Story of the Reuben Sandwich: Where Was It Born?

The most popular version of the Reuben sandwich origin story comes from Arnold Reuben, the owner of the famous Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City. According to Reuben, he created the sandwich in 1914 after a customer requested a sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. Reuben added Thousand Island dressing to the sandwich and gave it the name “Reuben’s Special”.

This story is supported by several pieces of evidence. A newspaper article from 1916 mentions a “Reuben sandwich” being served at Reuben’s Delicatessen. Additionally, a cookbook from 1917 includes a recipe for a “Reuben sandwich” that is similar to the modern-day version. These pieces of evidence suggest that the Reuben sandwich may have been invented in New York City by Arnold Reuben.

However, there are still some unanswered questions. Why did Reuben choose to add Thousand Island dressing to the sandwich? And why did he choose to call it the “Reuben’s Special”? To answer these questions, let’s follow the trail of the Reuben sandwich and see where it leads us.

Following the Trail of the Reuben Sandwich: Where Was It Invented?

To determine the true place of origin of the Reuben sandwich, researchers have scoured old newspaper articles and cookbooks in search of clues. They have found evidence that suggests the sandwich may have been invented in Omaha, Nebraska by Reuben Kulakofsky. An article from 1919 mentions “Kulakofsky’s Reuben sandwich” being served at a local restaurant. Additionally, a cookbook from 1920 includes a recipe for a “Reuben sandwich” that is similar to the modern-day version.

These pieces of evidence suggest that the Reuben sandwich may have been invented in Omaha, Nebraska by Reuben Kulakofsky. However, there is still no definitive proof that this is the true place of origin. To uncover the final verdict, let’s take a closer look at the origin story of the Reuben sandwich and see what we can find.

Digging Up the Past of the Reuben Sandwich: Where Was It First Made?

After examining the evidence, it appears that the Reuben sandwich may have been invented in Omaha, Nebraska by Reuben Kulakofsky. This is supported by newspaper articles and cookbooks from the early 1900s that mention “Kulakofsky’s Reuben sandwich” being served at a local restaurant. Additionally, the recipe for the sandwich found in the cookbook is similar to the modern-day version.

While this is the most likely explanation for the origin of the Reuben sandwich, there is still no definitive proof. Until more evidence is uncovered, the mystery of the Reuben sandwich’s origin will remain unsolved.

Conclusion

The Reuben sandwich is a beloved classic that has been around for decades. Its origin, however, is still shrouded in mystery. There are several different theories about the invention of the Reuben sandwich, but none of them can be definitively proven. After examining the evidence, it appears that the Reuben sandwich may have been invented in Omaha, Nebraska by Reuben Kulakofsky, but until more evidence is uncovered, the mystery of its origin will remain unsolved.