Just off the highway, a bustling deli counter brings a big slice of New York to eastern Connecticut.
Rein’s New York Style Deli sits on Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, and it has been a favorite stop for travelers and locals since the 1970s.
The menu is packed with towering sandwiches, but the Reuben is the one people can’t stop talking about.
Think warm corned beef piled high, tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and dressing on perfectly grilled rye.
Pickles on the tables and a lively, bustling dining room add to the classic deli feel.
Save room for a slice of cheesecake or a black-and-white cookie if you can.
Come hungry, expect a short wait at peak times, and plan to take leftovers home.
A Plain Outside Hides a Busy Deli
A quick look from the parking lot might not tell you what waits inside. The storefront is simple, but the dining room often hums with people choosing sandwiches, greeting friends, and studying the bakery case. Rein’s New York Style Deli Restaurant is at 435 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT 06066.
Step through the door and you will find both a sit down restaurant and a counter for food to take away. That setup works well whether you have time for a relaxed meal or need something for the road. Reviews describe a welcoming, busy room with the feel of a New York deli.
Do not judge the food by the building outside. The Reuben has earned praise from customers who stopped during long drives, as well as people who return again and again. A lively room can mean a wait, especially near popular meal times, so leave a little space in your plans.
If you want a table without rushing, arriving between the usual lunch and dinner crowds may help. Once seated, take a moment to read the large menu, but keep the Reuben in mind. Its strong following is the surprise that makes this modest looking stop memorable.
The Reuben Earns Its Reputation
Some sandwiches sound ordinary until the first bite changes your mind. The Reuben here is a grilled deli favorite that customers mention again and again when describing a good meal. Several reviewers call it a reason to stop, and others make it their regular order.
A Reuben brings together savory meat, tangy sauerkraut, cheese, and rye bread. Those flavors need balance: too much of one part can hide everything else. The warm bread also matters because it gives the soft filling a firm, crisp outside.
When ordering, check which meat and sandwich size you want rather than assuming every Reuben is the same. Customer reviews praise both corned beef and pastrami versions, though taste is personal. If you enjoy a sharper, spiced meat flavor, consider asking your server about pastrami.
Give the sandwich a minute before picking it up, especially if the cheese is hot. Then try a bite with all the layers together to see why the combination works. If something arrives cooler than expected, speak up politely; the restaurant has acknowledged that warm food should reach guests warm. A good Reuben deserves that care, whether it is your first visit or your twentieth.
Rye Bread Makes Every Bite Count
Before the filling gets any attention, the bread has an important job. Rye gives a deli sandwich its familiar flavor while helping hold the meat, cheese, and sauerkraut together. It should be sturdy enough to pick up, yet pleasant to bite through.
At Rein’s, rye bread is a frequent topic in customer comments, and grilled sandwiches are a clear menu draw. Look closely at your Reuben and you can see why bread is more than a wrapper. A toasted surface adds a little crunch against the softer layers inside.
Try eating the sandwich while it is fresh from the kitchen. Waiting too long can let moisture from the filling soften the bread, especially if you plan to carry leftovers. For a meal on the road, ask how the sandwich will be packed and keep any extra portion wrapped securely.
If you are sharing, cut the sandwich in half before everyone starts eating. That makes the layers easier to manage and lets each person get a fair taste of the bread and filling. You may arrive thinking mostly about the meat, but pay attention to the rye. A good Reuben depends on every part doing its share of the work.
Pickles Bring the Crunch
A pickle beside a rich sandwich is not just decoration. Its cool crunch offers a break between bites of meat, cheese, and toasted bread. At Rein’s, pickles draw so much attention that some guests mention them as a highlight of the visit.
The half sour pickle is a particular favorite in reviews. It has a fresh, crisp character that can feel different from a deeply sour pickle bought at a grocery store. The restaurant also offers full sour pickles for people who want a stronger tang.
Try your pickle between bites of the Reuben rather than saving it until the end. The change in texture helps the sandwich feel less heavy, especially when you order a larger portion. If you discover you love the pickles, ask at the counter about buying some to take home.
There is one useful detail behind their fame. The restaurant says the pickles are made to its specifications, but they are not made in its kitchen. That distinction does not make them any less fun to eat. It simply gives you the right story to tell when someone asks why a pickle from a deli lunch was worth remembering.
A Bigger Sandwich Is an Option
Hunger can change the way you read a menu. A regular sandwich may be plenty for one visit, while another day calls for a larger stack of meat. Rein’s gives guests a way to choose with its bigger sandwich option, called the Fresser.
In a response to a customer, the restaurant described regular sandwiches as having four ounces of meat. It said Fresser sandwiches have seven ounces, giving hungry guests a clearer idea of the difference. Portions and menu details can change, so confirm the current options when you order.
Think about your appetite before adding sides or dessert. If you want to try potato pancakes, soup, or a sweet treat, the regular Reuben may leave you more room. If the sandwich is the whole point of your stop, the larger version might suit you better.
Sharing is another practical choice, especially when traveling with someone who wants a taste but not a full meal. Ask for an extra plate and decide on sides after checking what comes with your order. There is no prize for picking the biggest sandwich. The best size is the one that lets you enjoy the Reuben without wasting food or missing the rest of the deli.
The Rachel Offers a Tasty Detour
One look at a companion’s plate can make ordering difficult. If the Reuben catches your eye but sauerkraut does not, the Rachel offers another grilled sandwich to consider. The restaurant describes its Reubens as having sauerkraut and its Rachels as having coleslaw.
That change makes a noticeable difference. Sauerkraut adds a tart bite, while coleslaw brings a cooler, creamy crunch to the mix. Reviews often mention the Rachel alongside the Reuben, so choosing between them is a real deli dilemma.
Going with a friend makes the decision easier. Order one of each, trade half, and see which filling you would choose next time. Check the menu or ask your server which meats are available for each version, since customers describe different combinations.
For a first visit, the classic Reuben is the natural starting point because it is the sandwich behind the buzz. The Rachel is useful, though, for someone who wants a similar grilled meal with a different taste. Both choices show why a good deli can turn a simple lunch into a conversation. You might spend the drive afterward debating which sandwich won, and that is part of the fun.
Sides Can Turn Lunch Into a Feast
A Reuben can stand on its own, but the side dishes make the menu more interesting. Guests often talk about potato pancakes, soups, and pickles when describing meals at Rein’s. Those choices can turn a quick sandwich stop into a long, satisfying lunch.
Potato pancakes bring a different kind of comfort, with a browned outside and soft middle. If you like soup, ask what is available and read its description carefully. The restaurant has explained that its matzo ball soup is chicken consommé with matzo balls and a small amount of noodles, not a full chicken noodle soup.
That detail is helpful when choosing, especially if you expect a bowl packed with chicken. Another guest praised the mushroom barley soup, showing how a different pick can suit a different appetite. Because the menu is large, asking a server about portion sizes may save you from ordering more than you need.
Consider splitting a side if dessert also sounds tempting. Or skip extras on your first visit so you can focus on the Reuben itself. Either plan works when you know what you want from the meal. A thoughtful side should add something new, not leave your sandwich forgotten on the plate.
Save a Moment for the Bakery
The last bite of a Reuben does not have to end the visit. A bakery and takeout counter give guests another reason to look around before leaving. Reviews mention rugelach, babka, cheesecake, and rice pudding as treats that catch people’s attention.
Rugelach has a special place in the restaurant’s replies to customers. The owner says its version is made from scratch, with dough that takes careful handling and resting. That is a useful reminder that a small pastry can require plenty of work behind the counter.
After a hearty sandwich, you may not want dessert right away. Ask what travels well, then take a pastry home or save it for the next part of your trip. If something needs to stay cool, check with staff before leaving it in a warm car.
The counter is also worth a look if someone in your group did not sit down for lunch. A small treat can give them a taste of the deli without another full meal. Prices and selections may vary, so choose from what looks fresh that day. Leaving with a sweet bite for later makes the Reuben stop feel like more than a quick break.
