I love reubens! Believe me I have tried them all over this city. I have had some good ones, some that were just mediocre, and a few that were downright horrid. It seems to be a hotly contested subject on who has the best reuben. Whether it is reubens, tenderloins, hamburgers, or the sacred Kansas City BBQ everyone has their own opinion. Taste is subjective and we all tend to like different things, but I have made it a point to try all the spots that most people claim are the best when it comes to this sandwich. Over and over at the top of the recommendation list was Chef Jennifer Maloney’s reuben at Café Sebastienne.
Before I talk about the sandwich let’s talk about where Café Sebastienne is located. As you know I am a firm believer of experiencing everything this city has to offer. So I say it again….get out of your bubble! Café Sebastienne is located in the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Not everyone is a fan of modern art but I must admit I really like it. Really how do you know what you like and don’t like until you take a gander at it. The best part about the Kemper is the admission is free as is the parking. If you are ever in the area and have 30 minutes to an hour to spare please go check it out. A little culture never hurt anyone. Did I mention it is free?
Now back to the most important thing. The sandwich! Some people have never tried a reuben because they don’t like sauerkraut. I personally hate sauerkraut. If you put a pile of it on my plate I am pretty sure it is not something I will eat. However you put this item in a reuben then some sort of magic happens. It is all about how the different flavors of the sandwich play out with one another.
A great sandwich seems like such a simple thing but in reality it isn’t. I am talking about a great sandwich the kind that hits every taste bud. All the components have to work together in a perfect harmony. There has to be the perfect meat to cheese ratio, and the bread can make or break a sandwich. To be honest depending on the type of sandwich there are so many variables that can elevate it into something magical. Believe me a perfect sandwich is something that is an amazing thing. That my friends is what makes a Chef a Chef….and me just a cook.
A typical reuben has six components. Rye bread, Russian dressing, cheese, sauerkraut, corned beef, and swiss cheese. So if you are lucky when you take a bite these six things are all in perfect harmony. You can tweak all those ingredients a million different ways. Many people have touted Chef Jennifer Maloney’s reuben as the pinnacle of all things reuben. I was anxious to try it out and see if it lived up to the hype. Without a doubt it did. Think about sandwich magic next time you eat one. I promise it’s the real deal.
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Café Sebastienne Open Tues.–Thurs. 10–4, Fri.–Sat. 10–9, Sun. 11–5 Free admission and parking |
Just a Foodie In KC 