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    8 vegan reubens from across the U.S. that you don’t want to miss

    Published: Aug 26, 2019 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 by Cadry Nelson
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Vegan reuben at Chicago Diner in Logan Square.

    If there’s a vegan reuben on a menu, I have no choice but to order it. While I have sampled reubens at many stops along the way, here are 8 vegan reuben sandwiches from restaurants across the United States that you won’t want to miss.

    This reuben round-up includes sandwiches from California, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

    Seitan reuben with sauerkraut on rye at Follow Your Heart in Canoga Park, California.

    Vegan reubens consist of an intoxicating mix of sauerkraut, creamy dressing, and a briny, toothsome filling. That filling can be seitan, tofu, tempeh, Soy Curls, even jackfruit.

    I often make reuben sandwiches & dishes at home (like this reuben-inspired nourish bowl.) And when I travel, a vegan reuben is a standard order whenever I see it on a restaurant menu.

    If you share a similar passion, you’ll want to check out this vegan reuben round-up from restaurants around North America. And if there’s a reuben you love that’s not on the list, please let me know in the comments!

    (The sandwiches below are in no particular order.  My favorite vegan reuben is always the one that’s right in front of me.)

    Follow Your Heart – Canoga Park, California

    Exterior Follow Your Heart restaurant.

    The vegan reuben at Follow Your Heart is the sandwich that ignited my passion for them.

    Yes, that’s the same Follow Your Heart that makes Vegenaise, salad dressing, and non-dairy cheese.

    Before they became a distributor of plant-based foods, they were a café in Canoga Park. The café & grocery store that started it all is still there today.

    When I first went vegetarian, Follow Your Heart was a weekly destination.

    First, I’d feast on the seitan reuben in their café at the back of the grocery store. Then I’d buy all of the ingredients to make my own at home using their cookbook.

    Cafe area at Follow Your Heart in Canoga Park, California.

    This sandwich is perfection in its simplicity – seitan made in house, a generous layer of sauerkraut, dressing made with their very own Vegenaise, and a pickle on top. Vegans have a choice of Follow Your Heart cheese or cottage style tofu.

    It may not be as flashy as some of the other sandwiches on this list, but hot damn, it’s good.

    The Chicago Diner – Chicago, Illinois

    Interior Chicago Diner on Halsted.

    The Chicago Diner is synonymous with its reuben. It’s the sandwich for which this 39-year-old eatery is known.

    The paper-thin slices of seitan are marinated in a mixture of spices, pickle juice, and beet juice for mouth-puckering flavor. It’s then topped in sauerkraut, dressing, grilled peppers and onions.

    It’s finished with a generous helping of melty non-dairy cheese on marbled rye.

    Vegan reuben at Chicago Diner in Logan Square.

    This sandwich is my first stop whenever I’m exploring vegan food in Chicago. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that.

    Don’t have any plans to visit Chicago? No worries!

    You can make their vegan reuben sandwich recipe at home. It’s the official recipe from their cookbook!

    Locali – Southern California

    Exterior Locali in Hollywood, California

    Locali is a small convenience store and deli with multiple locations in Southern California.

    They serve a flavorful reuben sandwich, overflowing with tofu deli slices, vegan cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye.

    Locali reuben in Hollywood, California.

    And side note, if you’re there at breakfast, the Badass Breakfast Sandwich is legendary.

    Champs Diner – Brooklyn, New York

    Exterior Champs Diner in Brooklyn, New York.

    Champs Diner in Brooklyn has a classic diner aesthetic & menu to match.

    They serve up comfort foods aplenty, including a flavorful seitan reuben.

    Seitan reuben on plate with leafy salad.

    It is stuffed with grilled seitan, sauerkraut, melty cheese, and Russian dressing on toasted marbled rye. It’s a hearty sandwich that goes down delightfully well.

    To see the other things I ate while I was there (including vegan mozzarella sticks!), check out this post on Champs Diner.

    Bean Vegan Cuisine – Charlotte, North Carolina

    Exterior Bean Vegan Cuisine in Charlotte, North Carolina.

    Bean Vegan Cuisine in Charlotte serves up homestyle vegan eats – including Southern favorites like fried pickles and slow-cooked collard greens.

    Seitan reuben and slow cooked greens in basket.

    They also deliver a very tempting reuben. It’s topped with thinly sliced house made seitan, melted Daiya mozzarella, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing.

    The folks at Bean don’t skimp on the toppings. That makes this reuben all comfort food pleasure.

    (Check out everything I ate while I was there in this post about Bean Vegan Cuisine. I also created a recipe inspired by their sweet & smoky vegan collard greens.)

    Plum Bistro – Seattle, Washington

    Exterior Plum Restaurant in Seattle, Washington.

    Plum Bistro in Seattle is on the fancier end of the dining spectrum. It’s an intimate dining space with large windows along one wall.

    Seitan reuben with bright pink sauerkraut on plate with salad.

    This reuben at Plum Bistro is topped with their own house-made tofu pastrami, pickled purple cabbage, and thousand island dressing. What really takes it to the next level is the layering of melted vegan cheese inside.

    (To see everything I ate while I was there, check out this post on Vegan Seattle.)

    On The Bus – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Cadry & David in front of Milwaukee Public Market.

    On The Bus is an all-vegan spot inside of the Milwaukee Public Market. They have sandwiches, burgers, ice cream, and of course, a delicious reuben…

    You order at the counter, and then take your food to a public table for dining. They have both indoor & outdoor seating available.

    Bright pink seitan reuben from On The Bus.

    This corned beef-style seitan sandwich is stacked with sauerkraut, aged vegan cheddar, and Russian dressing on toasted rye.

    (Check out this post on vegan Milwaukee for more highlights!)

    Pig Minds Brewing – Machesney Park, Illinois

    Beer barrels inside of Pig Minds Brewing in Machesney Park, Illinois.

    Pig Minds Brewing is a brewery & vegan comfort food restaurant.

    Get a flight of beer with a side of nachos, wingz, sandwiches, tacos, and a mouthwatering seitan reuben.

    Seitan reuben in basket with salad.

    The reuben is made with thinly sliced seitan and sauerkraut that is made in house. It’s finished with Thousand Island dressing on light rye.

    Check out my full review of Pig Minds for more tempting menu items.

    Is your favorite vegan reuben on this list?  Tell me all about your top pick in the comments.

    Content and photos updated November 24, 2021 to add Pig Minds & On The Bus, as well as remove reubens that are no longer available. Originally published April 7, 2015.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caitlin

      April 07, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      If you are ever in Toronto, Ontario check out the Ruben at Hogtown Vegan. It’s incredible!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 07, 2015 at 4:36 pm

        Awesome! David ate at Hogtown Vegan while in Toronto on a business trip. He said it was fantastic. (He didn’t order the reuben. Weirdly, he’s not into them, but he has other fine attributes to make up for that transgression.) 😉 I’d love to visit Toronto someday.

        Reply
      • Jennifer

        August 06, 2022 at 5:14 pm

        I’ll submit for your consideration the jackfruit Reuben at Sage Against the Machine, Bellingham Washington. I dream about it and I’m not even vegan.

        Reply
        • Cadry Nelson

          August 07, 2022 at 11:18 am

          That sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the tip, Jennifer!

          Reply
    2. Doug

      April 07, 2015 at 5:14 pm

      I knew about the Chicago Diner and Native Foods, but the rest of these are new to me! Hoping to get to Portland this year, and now I know we will have to check out Homegrown Smoker. Thanks for posting this comprehensive list!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 08, 2015 at 8:07 am

        Oh, I hope you’re able to make it to Homegrown Smoker. What they are doing is so unusual for a vegan business. I don’t know of anyone else doing something similar with a smoker, and their food is off the charts. I ate a lot of delicious things in Portland, but Homegrown Smoker was easily the most memorable.

        Reply
    3. cookeasyvegan

      April 07, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      There aren’t many places I can have a reuben (or even a sandwich) unless I’m willing to endure gluten-induced abdominal misery. BUT, there was a great bbq jackfruit sandwich at the Green Owl in Madison, and a great soy curl version at Homegrown Smoker. Now that I’ve read your post, I may have to make my own.

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 08, 2015 at 8:05 am

        If you ever make it to Kansas City, the jackfruit reuben at FUD can be made gluten-free. It’s great that there are lots of options for making one at home in terms of fillings with Soy Curls, portobello mushrooms, jackfruit, or even just avocado. I’ll look forward to seeing what you make!

        Reply
    4. River

      April 07, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      You have given me reuben envy! The Native Foods and the Locali reubens are so colorful. I wonder if they use beets to get that lovely pinkiness going on?

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 08, 2015 at 8:01 am

        That would be my bet. The Chicago Diner recipe definitely uses beet juice, and so that’s what I’d assume about Native Foods and Locali too.

        Reply
    5. Julz

      April 08, 2015 at 5:44 am

      Wow… now that is an assortment of deliciousness. I want them all! Great post!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 08, 2015 at 7:48 am

        Thanks, Julz! They are all so good and surprisingly different for being the same type of sandwich. I’d happily eat all of them all over again!

        Reply
    6. Joey

      April 08, 2015 at 5:55 am

      Sadly reubens are not a thing here – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vegan one (or non-vegan one for that matter) on a menu anywhere. You’ve just given me inspiration to make one at home- they look great!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 08, 2015 at 7:47 am

        Aw, too bad! In addition to the Chicago Diner recipe, the reuben recipe in Vegan Diner by Julie Hasson is terrific. I think you’d love either one!

        Reply
    7. KZ

      April 08, 2015 at 7:40 am

      Oh these all look good! I like the one at Champs. It has a great dressing!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 08, 2015 at 7:44 am

        Oh, I’m so bummed that I missed Champs when I was in NYC last fall! I’ve heard such great things about it. Hopefully it won’t be too terribly long until I”m back in New York again.

        Reply
    8. Becky Striepe

      April 08, 2015 at 8:42 am

      Oh man, I love a Reuben. You’re making me so hungry!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 08, 2015 at 8:44 am

        I know the feeling! I was getting so hungry while writing this post, and you can bet that last night I had sauerkraut with dinner!

        Reply
    9. Ashley F

      April 08, 2015 at 3:39 pm

      This is my new bible – I heart this more than I can express. Iowa City, I’m coming for ya!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 09, 2015 at 10:22 am

        Ha! I’m honored to have created the world’s newest religious text. If you make it to Iowa, let me know. We can make it a date! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Veganopoulous

      April 08, 2015 at 8:16 pm

      oh wowwwwwwwwwww! I would happily choose any of those at random. Funny, I had zero interest in trying a Reuben before I was vegan but since going vegan I love them. Same with gravy! There’s a place here in Melbourne called True North who do a fab vegan Reuben 🙂

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 09, 2015 at 10:25 am

        That’s so interesting! I love it when that happens that the plant-based version appeals in a way that the meaty version never did. Similarly, David is a million times more interested in vegan cheeses than he ever was the dairy-based ones.

        I hope to visit Melbourne someday. I’ll put True North on the list! (I’ll go Down Under for True North. Ironic!)

        Reply
    11. Kylie @ FotV

      April 08, 2015 at 9:15 pm

      I just ate dinner but this post is making me HUNGRY!!! I can’t believe I lived a block away from Locali and never tried the Reuben! I always went for the BLT or the Bad Ass Breakfast sandwich….I guess I’ll just have to go on a vegan Reuben road trip 😉

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 09, 2015 at 10:27 am

        Well, I don’t know if it was a total loss since you did get the Bad Ass Breakfast Sandwich out of it. That thing is nuts and so good! But yes, a vegan road trip is in order. You’re going to love it! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Susan

      April 09, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      Reubens are not really a common thing in Australia, I didn’t even know about them until I started amassing vegan cookbooks. I have made a couple, but am yet to have one when eating out, even on my US adventures. However, all that will change on the 7th of June this year, when I arrive in Chicago for two and a half days of eating. I shall get off my bus from Indianapolis, get myself to Chicago Diner, wedge my giant suitcase somewhere, and order this before I go to my AirBnB. Probably with a side of mac and cheese and an extra side of waffle fries. Not that I have thought about it or planned anything at all. 😉

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 11, 2015 at 5:43 am

        Ha! I love this comment so much. Clearly we plan our vacations the same way. Before we go on a trip, people always ask what I want to do while I’m there. I hesitate on whether or not to lay out all of the dishes I want to eat and restaurants I want to visit!

        Reply
    13. Jo

      April 10, 2015 at 11:28 am

      The best Reuben I’ve ever had was at Strong Hearts Cafe in Syracuse, NY. Amazing!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 11, 2015 at 5:48 am

        Oh, thanks for the heads up. I just looked it up online, and the pictures look fantastic!

        Reply
    14. Randi (laughfrodisiac)

      April 10, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      Oh my goodness that Native Foods one is CRAZY!!!!! It looks like meat ahhh! I want all of these nowww.

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 11, 2015 at 5:50 am

        Yes, writing this post made me unbelievably hungry. I want to start my way at the top of the list and work my way down all over again. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Mike

      April 11, 2015 at 10:31 am

      I’m also a huge vegan reuben fan. This post pushed the craving for a reuben over the top the other night, and I had to get one from Native Foods in Chicago.

      I know that you are in Iowa – if you are ever traveling through Rockford, IL, the reuben at Pig Minds Brewing, a vegan brewery, is a MUST. It’s made with soy curls, which is a bit sloppy, but the salty/sweet/sour flavors in their version are spot on with the crunchy and gooey textures you want in a reuben. It’s my all-time favorite – beating out even the venerable Chicago Diner reuben. Plus, the beer at Pig Minds is solid; it’s a total hidden gem in Rockford, where one would never expect a vegan brewery to crop up.

      Reply
      • Cadry

        April 11, 2015 at 10:36 am

        Oh, man! I am SOLD! I have been wanting to make a trip to Pig Minds Brewing ever since I heard about it many months ago. I’d have to go about 45 minutes out of my way to hit it on a trip to Chicago (it’s north instead of south), but this sounds totally worth it! We have some friends who are really into brew pubs. We’ll have to wrangle them for a road trip. Thanks for the great tip, Mike!

        Reply
    16. Alina

      February 05, 2019 at 10:14 pm

      The most epic Reuben I’ve ever had was at Rebar in Victoria, BC: they make it with tempeh, some kind of beet-based sauerkraut, and a creamy, cheesy sauce; then they grill the whole shebang. This sandwich is so big that it will feed two hungry adults, especially if ordered with a side of their rosemary potatoes!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        February 09, 2019 at 10:25 am

        That sounds amazing! I hope I’m able to try that someday.

        Reply
      • kiki

        April 19, 2019 at 2:06 pm

        Yes! My boyfriend and I were there last summer and the reuben was insane! I still think about it!

        Reply
    17. Doug Kalish

      February 07, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      I share your love of Reubens…and I found a new Reuben that is worthy of the list. In London, Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner in Camden Market. It was seriously outstanding!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        February 07, 2019 at 3:07 pm

        Oh, my goodness! What a great tip. Thanks, Doug. I’d love to get back to London to try it.

        Reply
    18. Lydia Webster

      August 27, 2019 at 2:42 pm

      If you ever find yourself in Berkeley, CA, try the Reuben from the Butcher’s Son! I personally haven’t tried it but everything else there is so delicious, I’ll bet it’s good too!
      P.S. Your love for Reubens is inspiring.

      Reply
      • Cadry

        August 28, 2019 at 8:22 am

        I would love that! I’ve heard so much about Butcher’s Son. I really hope to visit one day.

        P.S. That’s so sweet of you to say!

        Reply
    19. Felicia

      August 31, 2019 at 9:30 am

      I’m on a similar quest to try every vegan Reuben I find! It all started with the Reuben at the Cornerstone Cafe in Guelph, Ontario. It’s TO DIE FOR😍

      Reply
      • Cadry

        September 04, 2019 at 1:34 pm

        That’s so fun that we’re on a similar quest, Felicia! If I ever make it to Guelph, I know where I need to go first.

        Reply
    20. Veggivet

      November 19, 2019 at 4:42 pm

      If anyone is traveling through upstate New York and is near Albany, a stop at Berben & Wolff’s vegan deli for its amazing Reuben will be well worth it!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        November 19, 2019 at 8:37 pm

        Thanks for the tip! I hope I get a chance to try it someday!

        Reply
    21. Donna

      December 04, 2021 at 7:43 pm

      My favorite is the Chicago diner which I’ve actually had brought to me on an airplane by my daughter who lives there. I get one every time I go that way too! Recently I had an amazing tempeh reuben at Seedz cafe in St. Louis. It’s a wrap but it’s super good!

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        December 06, 2021 at 9:53 am

        That was so thoughtful of your daughter! Not everyone gets a reuben delivered by plane! I’ve been wanting to visit St. Louis for a while. Now I have another reason to visit. Thanks for the tip!

        Reply

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    I’m a longtime vegan. (15 years!) But I grew up eating a Standard American Diet. I know that all of us crave foods that are familiar, comforting, and delicious.

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