You just think that I have given up. Actually have 2 more places to look at. And most of you know of my bias for Westside Drive-In, Chef Lou. Most of his food is awesome! Great Rib-Eye on Fridays and Saturdays! But his Reuben, sorry, but it misses the mark. Where is the Deli Pickle? No one offers them that I have found. But, here are the standings so far.

The Reuben Sandwich Challenge Scoring

Rated on 1 to 5-Stars, here is how we rate the three places in Boise that serve a Reuben Sandwich. 1-Star is enough for this year and a 5-Star is one that meets the criteria.

1. Barbaccoa – Big thick slabs of meat, no rye toast, they used bread, and soggy from an over abundance of kraut. No grilled onion. Rating: 1-Star

2. Donny Mac’s – Rye toast was weak on the rye, heavy on the 1000 Island dressing. Sloppy to eat because of the really wet kraut. The pastrami was good. Raw onions. Rating: 2-Stars

3. Cucina di Paolo – Yea! Russian Dressing. Good pastrami and not overly salty. Great kraut. Did not notice any grilled onion. Good rye toast, although it was Marble Rye. I would prefer a straight Jewish Rye, Deli Rye. I always like a good Jewish Kosher pickle with my Reuben. None of these places had that. Rating: 4-Stars

4. Seasons Bistro – Wow!! We’ve got a foot race. Homemade Russian Dressing, as was Cucina di Paolo. Good pastrami as was Cucina di Paolo. Great kraut that is special ordered and, in my opinion, better than Cucina di Paolo. Grilled onions. Good rye, that I actually tasted the caraway seed, although it was the Marbled Rye!!! I told Rachael Hurn, Owner, that I really would like to give her the 5-Stars for this sandwich, but I couldn’t. She asked, “Why?” And I told her, “No Jewish Kosher deli pickle.” She said she would go get me one. Too late. But, Rachael does know – as did Paul at Cucina di Paolo – the difference between a Reuben and a Rachael Sandwich. She has both on the menu!!! Rating: 4½ – Stars

5. Westside Drive-In – I was disappointed. The pastrami was poorly heated. And the dressing was not Russian. I think it was 1000 with horseradish. The kraut was very good though. He also uses marbled rye. No pickle!!! And I’m really getting tired of the marbled rye. Why not a good deli rye? Sorry Lou.
Rating: 3½ – Stars

Here is another place that Robin and I tried in Eagle. Good burgers! Robin had a great Ahi Tuna sandwich. They make their own slaw and their house salads are huge. And what did I see on the menu? Reuben Sandwich with “… our own homemade Russian dressing.” Was that the gauntlet? Is there a pickle? A deli pickle? Deli rye? Good kraut? Well, I guess the next time we are in Eagle – next week – we will, or better yet, I will have to try this one. The menu description looks close. But what about the taste? This is tooooooooooooo much fun!

We really are closing in on “The Best Reuben Sandwich in Boise“. Cheers!