What kind of a lunatic puts pickled jalapeno peppers on a Ruben sandwich? No! They don't go there.
Also, applying separate layers of mayonnaise, ketchup and that hot-dog relish that is a shade of bright, deep green not found in nature does not constitute Thousand Island dressing; despite the ingredients, it's not even close.
Jalapenos aside, it's a good sandwich, pan-toasted rye with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, thick-sliced corned beef and the aforementioned condiments. But it's not really a Ruben.
The pickled jalapenos have wreaked havoc on my digestion.
Oh, I have a great dislike of bad food surprises. I remember traveling back from a cousin's wedding (I was already over 30 at this point) and sitting in a restaurant shedding hot, silent tears because the "grilled cheese" I ordered was not, in fact, grilled (it was toasted bread with kind-of-half-heated cheese in it) and it had the added insult of having MAYONNAISE on the cheese (WHYYYY) that hadn't been mentioned on the menu board.
ReplyDeleteThe tears were silent, and I didn't go request another sandwich that was properly made, because I was with family members who dislike anyone "making a scene." But I will never forget that accursed sandwich.
An abomination unto Nuggan.
ReplyDeleteSome trendy -- or wanna be trendy -- bistro trying to de-construct and/or re-imagine the classics?
ReplyDeleteThey say most small businesses fail in the first year. Most of them are restaurants. Sometimes when those small businesses fail in the first year, they deserve it...
Fillyjonk,
ReplyDeleteMy wife would feel your pain. I put Miracle Whip on my grilled cheese sandwiches. My mom always used to do that, and so I also do it. She almost gags at that one.
Roberta, I understand your dismay at the deconstructed thousand island dressing. It constitutes sheer laziness, or at the very least, incompetence. And hot peppers on a Reuben? No, no, and no. On the side, perhaps, with maybe a few different olives, or a couple of bread and butter pickles. But not on the sandwich itself.
I blame the Food Network cooking shows, like the travel ones that explore various restaurants. They always have chefs trying to come up with their own unique spin on old school menu items, and that includes the Reuben. Sometimes a sandwich becomes a classic, and it remains that way, precisely because nobody messes around with trying to change it. Take the American cheese out of the equation on a grilled cheese, even if you add other types, and it just isn't the same.
It took me by surprise. The place serves good food, and in general honestly describes it; I knew about the dressing-as-components thing in advance, for example, and was happy to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteBut jalapenos are another thing. I'm suspicious someone was careless in the kitchen and they're not usually included.
That's very similar to placing anchovies on ice cream.
ReplyDelete