A Richmond foodie explains the difference between a Reuben sandwich and a Rachel sandwich

Reuben Sandwich and Rachael SandwichPhoto byMax and Louise's Deli Screenshot

Most people know what a Reuben sandwich is and love it. However, not many people are familiar with the Rachel sandwich. Therefore, a Richmond foodie wants people to know that the Reuben sandwich has a sister named Rachel.

In the above photo, the Reuben sandwich is on the left, and the Rachel sandwich is on the right. If you love the Reuben sandwich, more than likely you will love the Rachel sandwich, his sister.

Reuben sandwich

Reuben SandwichPhoto byMichaela den/Wikipedia Screenshot

A Reuben sandwich is a grilled sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing on slices of rye bread.

There are two different accounts of how the combination of ingredients came to be called a Reuben sandwich.

One origin story says that Reuben Kulakofsky, a Lithuanian-born Jewish grocer residing in Omaha, Nebraska, asked for a sandwich made of corned beef and sauerkraut during his weekly poker game in the Blackstone Hotel. The hotel owner's son added Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing and put it on rye bread. Then he put the sandwich on the Blackstone's lunch menu.

Another account claims that the sandwich was first created by Arnold Reuben, the German-Jewish owner of Reuben's Delicatessen in New York City.

Rachel sandwich

The Rachel SandwichPhoto byGreat Grub Delicious Treats

The Rachel sandwich is a variation of the Reuben sandwich. Pastrami, turkey, or chicken is substituted for the corned beef, and coleslaw is used instead of sauerkraut.

Reuben and Rachel: Sibling sandwiches

Max and Louie Reubens own a deli in New York. It is not surprising that the diner’s most popular menu items are sibling sandwiches known as the Reuben and Rachel.

Max & Louie’s New York Deli gives customers their choice of pastrami, turkey, chicken, or corned beef on their Rachel sandwich.