Reuben's Reuben

I can't say that I've been having many cravings during my pregnancy, but the last couple of Friday nights Jason and I have been eating dinner at our favorite diner, Eleven City Diner. It's located at 11th and Wabash in Chicago, about a mile from our home. My item of choice is the reuben sandwich and I am worse than Sally from "When Harry Met Sally" when I order it.

My typical order sounds something like this... "I'd like the Reuben's Reuben Sandwich... unassembled. I'd like the rye bread toasted well and dry on the side. I'd also like the thousand island dressing in a cup on the side. The sauerkraut should also come in a little bowl on the side (I don't want anything to get soggy from the sauerkraut juice) and the meat (half corned beef + half pastrami) and swiss cheese should go in the broiler together on a plate. Thanks"

If a new waiter is taking my order, which was the case tonight, they are concerned the kitchen will screw up my order. If a waiter has been with the diner for some time then he/she knows I'd like "the usual."

The sandwich is of course accompanied by a pickle and a tall glass of ice water. French fries do come with this sandwich but Jason ends up eating most of them and he dips them in the thousand island.

My colleague Katie, who is due any minute now with her baby, said she hasn't met a pregnant woman that didn't like a good reuben sandwich. I think I agree with her on that statement.

BTW, this place has amazing food. They are also known for their Challah French Toast, which is accompanied with fresh strawberries and toasted coconut. We have never had a bad meal there any time of the day.

In case you are wondering, the guy in the photo is Brad, not Reuben, and he's the owner of the diner.