4/26/05 | House of Reuben
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The Detroit Free Press has a popular column by Matt Helms about Cheap Eats. This article he wrote was on a place in Detroit called “House Of Reuben”. I looked everywhere for a picture of the House of Reuben but couldn’t find one so you’ll have to be content with a borrowed pic of a Reuben Sandwich. Anyhow, I have a soft spot for diners and while sit-down restaurants are always more expensive (because of tip, drinks not coming with meals, etc.) I’m often willing to sacrifice just a teeny bit of dough if it’s a good enough diner setting with good enough food. This one sounds pretty good, though it’s all the way in Michigan. They feature Reuben Sandwiches, as the name implies.
Matt writes:
The house special Reuben ($4.99), No. 8 on the menu, was a cut well above diner Reubens, with juicy, tasty corned beef, surprisingly well-flavored sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and a mustard sauce on grilled pumpernickel…
THE TAB: Incredibly cheap. You could easily feed two people for $12. My total bill — the Reuben, the burger, a salad, fries and a Coke — was a steal at $18.17 including tax.
$4.99 for a sit-down sandwich, while not ideal, is not bad compared to say Denny’s where I think the same might be about $6.00. Plus, Denny’s is hit and miss with the food, while this place sounds like they know what they’re doing. I think the add-on drinks ‘n fries is where you get killed.
What the hell is a Reuben Sandwich anyway? I didn’t know for a long time until I had one at a diner about 5 years ago. Anyhow, there’ s differing opinions as to who actually first invented it with dates ranging as far back as 1914 and as early as 1950.
But I think a lot of people agree that at least when it exploded in popularity was in 1956 when a chef in Omaha named Fern Snider won a national sandwich contest by entering the Reuben Sandwich which traditionally packs corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese (swiss usually) and dressing on rye bread. That was pretty much what I had, and it was good. The sauerkraut is what makes the sandwich I feel… I’m not such a huge fan of corned beef unless it’s very lean. I’m more of a meatloaf, turkey w/gravy guy.
Cheap Eats Score: 4/10
Source:
Detriot Free Press
CHEAP EATS: House of Reuben Stacks the Corned Beef High
May 24th, 2005 at 2:27 pm
If you want the real deal then visit the original owner at his new location in Sterling Hts MI, Metro Parkway at Van Dyke. Makes ‘em just like he was taught over 25 years ago. The food & portions can’t be beat and there’s more room inside - it’ll seat 40 people.
May 24th, 2005 at 4:20 pm
PJ Patty - Thanks for that info. I’ve been meaning one of these days to get out to Michigan, though that’s a long ways to travel for sammiches from southern california … but I have a few internet friends who live around Ann Arbor so maybe one of these days I’ll visit and try some food while I’m there! =)
January 6th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
i think that i will stick with the original house of reuben on 8mile.there reuben are alot bigger and taster then on 16mile.they stick to the original ingredints.and are cheaper.
February 6th, 2007 at 3:12 am
I agree the 8 mile location is much better. It is much smaller but the food is better and so is the value. You have to try the fish & chips there too.
June 2nd, 2007 at 9:29 pm
house of rueben is awe some! the soup is delicious too! good place to eat and cheap and clean nice ! i would rather go there and have food than these icky chain restaurants , and you get your money s worth for ssssssssssure! other than lashish gppd place this one too!
July 28th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
I always go to the store on 8 mile as I live at 8/Harper. Always good. Being in the foodservice industry myself, they do a darn good job. I get there at least once a week. Friendly staff also. Soup is o.k. but I still think mine is better
August 7th, 2007 at 9:19 am
i always thought the best reubens were at david’s new york deli in livonia…
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I love the Reubens at the HOUSE OF REUBEN. I was able to get a great sandwich that fed me throughout the whole day. Their prices were so good , I had money to spare and grab cold six pack of beer from the neighboring liquor store KING’S DELI PARTY SHOPPE.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS
August 27th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
House of Rueben rocks! The original guy may have good stuff too but don’t diss the House. Their sandwiches are large and tasty.
I also think the 4/10 is pretty harsh; I eat at a lot of ‘diner’ restaurants and I’d give HoR at least a 7 without even thinking about it, especially when you factor in the great service. As for the fries & add-ons being what kills you: they have to make a living; they can’t be giving away corned beef all day, right?
Enjoy you all’s evenings; I got reubens to order…
October 20th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I love the food especially the greek dressing. What is in that, it is so delicious.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I have searched all of Detroit for reubens and I have to say after spending 5 years at the University of Detroit-Mercy (read BROKE) HoR is by far the best. On top of all the things mentioned above they have all you can eat pickles and they taste good! How can you beat that? Sure you can go to the Bread Basket, or David’s but you won’t get the adventure or taste that you get at HoR. Its on 8 Mile for crying out loud, so much lengend and lore in itself. Its well worth a trip from anywhere in the world. The 8 mile locale is the only one as far as I am concerned, the converted Taco Bell that serves at the one out on 16 Mile is not even in the same ballpark of charm and ambiance. The cook will talk sports to you while he makes your dinner, and did I mention the pickles?
I hate to throw this out there but as long as we are talking about Reubens try the Dakota Inn Rathskeller for lunch and get a Zinger basically a Reuben but instead of bread you get two potatoe pancakes. Not as big but its a good reuben as long as your making the trip to Detroit. Neither “sammich” is recommended for those with heart conditions.
Just rockin,
Mdot
March 25th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Good to know…I grew up on the House of Reuben on 8 mile. I believe it used to be called the Purple Pickle? I haven’t tried the one on 16 mile, but it doesn’t sound like I’m missing much. It is only a few minutes away from my house; much closer than the 8 mile one. Maybe I’ll try it one day when I’m in a hurry and can’t get down to 8 mile.