5 Festive Twists On The Reuben

Express Deli’s Reuben Mac and Cheese
Crunchy rye croutons, creamy garlic and Swiss cheese sauce accompany the shredded corned beef, sauerkraut seasoned with 20 spices and Thousand Island dressing in the 9-ounce portion ($6.95). “It’s not really traditional as far as what goes into a Reuben,” says co-owner Micho Aboukhaled. “It’s trying to hit every taste bud.” 5185 Smith Road, Brook Park, 216-267-7878, express-deli.com

Gandalf’s Pub & Restaurant’s Reuben pierogis
Ordering this dish ($12.50) doubles down on supporting another local business. The Pierogi Lady of Akron’s corned beef and sauerkraut-filled pierogi is transported more than 30 miles down the road to Gandalf’s, where they’re fried with caramelized onions and served with a spicy Sriracha Thousand Island dressing. “It’s truly that home feel: local business, local everything,” says executive chef Ed West. 6757 Center Road, Valley City, 330-483-1190, gandalfspub.com

Masthead Brewing Co.’s reuben pizza  Cleveland’s improvisational spirit is embodied in the origins of this pizza pie ($12). “We had extra corned beef,” says head chef Jeff Biasella. “We were like ‘Welp, just throw it on a pizza.’ ” Corned beef, house-made sauerkraut, Gruyere and Thousand Island dressing tops the ciabatta-like pizza dough. 1261 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-206-6176, mastheadbrewingco.com

Slyman’s Tavern’s Reuben Poppers 
If you’re looking for a snack but can’t stomach a monstrous Reuben, this bite-sized appetizer ($9.49) is a flavorful alternative. Each popper has the Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and corned beef of a hearty Rueben packed inside. “The Swiss cheese and sauerkraut enhance the flavor of the corned beef,” says partner Freddie Slyman. Various locations, slymanstavern.com

Sully’s Irish Pub’s Reuben Egg Rolls
Lose the hassle of messy Reuben sandwiches with these tightly packed egg rolls ($9.99.) “[They’re] perfect for a beer in one hand and an egg roll in the other,” says general manager Ali Burmeister. The 10-year-old appetizer of Swiss cheese, corned beef and sauerkraut are rolled into an egg roll skin, flash-fried to seal and fried again to order for a dish that’s complex and flavorful. 117 W. Liberty St., Medina, 330-764-3333, sullysmedina.com