Okay, I am a fan of Luckenbooth. I was going to write this purely as part of my series on the reuben, but alas I cannot. I can't write a word about Luckenbooth without mentioning the wonderful people that own and operate this café.
How often do you go to grab a late breakfast and wind up talking with the owner of the establishment for hours. How often are you honestly moved by a restaurateur's dedication to their community? That's what I've experienced each time I've been to Luckenbooth Café. Yvonne and Cliff are always available for a kind word and often a leisurely conversation.
And the food... it's great. Do yourself a favor and try their homemade sausage. It's the best. And the pancakes are outstanding.
Okay, so here's the reuben portion of my review. Yet again that the sandwich was made with a light rye bread. Is this a trend, or some aspect of reuben history of which I'm unaware? The corned beef was fantastic. I'm told that Luckenbooth gets its meat from the butcher across the street, Heiney's. Instead of the traditional stack of thinly sliced meat, you're presented with hearty slabs of tender deliciousness.
The mark of a great reuben is that the sauerkraut doesn't overshadow the corned beef, and you don't have to hose the grease off your hands after eating. Cliff seems to have nailed the mark here. The sauerkraut, cheese and dressing served only as accompaniment and accent, and my single napkin served more than sufficient.
I've been told that their pastries are also amazing. This is my first priority next time I visit Black Earth.