Five Restaurant Chains With Outstanding Reuben and Fries

The Reuben stands as one of deli culture’s most recognizable creations, appearing on menus from establishment Jewish delis to casual family restaurants across the country. The sandwich typically features hot corned beef layered with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing, all pressed between slices of rye bread. While regional and chain variations abound, diners consistently return to restaurants known for executing this classic properly. Several national chains have built reputations around their ability to deliver Reubens paired with quality fries that complement rather than distract from the main event.

Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen: Where It All Started

Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen has established its Reuben as a benchmark for what the sandwich should be. The restaurant builds its version using house-made corned beef as the foundation, layering it with sauerkraut and Russian dressing between pressed seeded rye. A diner reflected on the experience by noting the establishment deserves its reputation as a classic: “Great deli. I had a delicious kosher Reuben and great French fries. This is such an amazing classic deli with an enormous selection of great deli sandwiches, wraps, and so much more.” The endorsement captures what keeps customers returning to spaces like Ben’s: the confidence that both the main sandwich and the sides will arrive properly executed.

TooJay’s Deli: The Contemporary Classic

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TooJay’s takes the Reuben formula and works within it rather than around it, using hot corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and homestyle Russian dressing served on grilled artisan rye. The sandwich arrives with French fries and typically costs just under $20. One diner’s account highlighted how each component contributes to the whole: “The service was friendly and good and the Reuben is really tasty. The meat portion was good and came with French fries. Everything came out fresh and good. The rye was good, the sauerkraut was good, the meat was good, and it was just a really enjoyable experience.” The pricing and component quality suggest TooJay’s positions itself as accessible without cutting corners on materials.

Primanti Bros.: Loading Up on Flavor

Primanti Bros. radically reimagines the Reuben by loading it with 1/2 pound of corned beef combined with pastrami, Swiss cheese, Parmesan horseradish mayo, and grilled slaw, served on marble rye. The chain pushes portion size and flavor complexity to extremes. A devoted customer captured the intensity: “So incredibly good. I ordered the reuben sandwich and it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. It had French fries on the sandwich—what could be better. The sandwiches are huge and super filling. The meat is seasoned perfectly and so flavorful and juicy.” This Reuben appeals to diners seeking maximum substance and doesn’t rely on subtlety.

Penn Station Sandwiches: A Different Bread, Same Appeal

Penn Station Sandwiches abandons rye in favor of a baguette, serving its Reuben with slow-roasted corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese alongside fresh-cut French fries. The departure from tradition prompted one diner to compare: “Penn Station Reuben, different from any Reuben I have but it was really good, fries are good too. Love that there’s not so much bread.” The lighter bread choice appears to address a common complaint about overstuffed deli sandwiches while maintaining the core ingredients diners expect.

Rockne’s: The Neighborhood Spot That Delivers

Rockne’s serves its Reuben hot with house-made Rockne’s reuben dressing, layering corned beef with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on rye, with the option to add fresh-cut fries. The restaurant positions itself as a neighborhood favorite rather than a destination. One regular described the broader experience: “Rockne’s is one of our most favorite places to eat. My wife loves the salad. I like the Reuben and also the Max the Knife burger. Fries are also excellent.” This endorsement reflects how some restaurants earn loyalty not from a single signature item but from consistent execution across their menu.

What Restaurant Chains Get Right About the Reuben

Quality Ingredients Matter

All five chains prioritize the core components: they start with quality corned beef, whether traditional or combined with pastrami, and avoid cutting costs on the cheese or sauerkraut. Temperature matters as well; hot sandwiches deliver better results than lukewarm approximations. The dressings range from standard Russian to house variations like Rockne’s proprietary version, but each remains a genuine sauce rather than a budget condiment. Diners notice and appreciate the difference between establishments that source carefully and those that don’t.

The Sides Count

French fries appear in every version reviewed, and diners consistently mention them as part of the value equation. Primanti Bros. takes this further by placing fries directly on the sandwich, while others serve them alongside. The quality of fries affects the overall meal, and these chains recognize that a great Reuben paired with mediocre fries creates disappointment. Fresh-cut versions, as offered by Penn Station, register more favorably than frozen alternatives in diner feedback.

Portion Size and Value

These locations offer portion sizes that justify their pricing. TooJay’s delivers a solid sandwich for just under $20, while Primanti Bros. pushes the scale even further with its half-pound meat base. Diners recognize generous portions as part of what they’re paying for, and these restaurants deliver on that expectation. The sandwiches described as huge and super filling generate enthusiasm precisely because they represent a fair exchange of money for substance.

Source: Eat This Not That