Corned Beef Is More than Just for Sandwiches

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, corned beef and cabbage starts appearing in bigger quantities at the grocery stores and on restaurants’ menus.  I’m a fan of corned beef so I’m ok with having it any time of year, not just in early March.  Reuben sandwiches are another popular way you’ll find corned beef on the menu.  These QC restaurants have taken the classics and found more creative ways to serve them.

Me & Billy in downtown Davenport goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day.  Their popular Irish Nachos are tortilla chips topped with slow cooked corned beef, shredded Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, house Thousand Island dressing, parsley, and chives.  They also have new Irish-inspired cocktails on the menu.  Enjoy their decorations and hand-painted windows.

The classic sandwich has been rolled into an eggroll at Bierstube in downtown Moline and LeClaire.  They are stuffed with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Munster cheese wrapped in wontons and served with Thousand Island.

Are you watching your carbs?  J. Gotti’s in Rock Island has the Reuben Pickle sandwich.  They substitute the rye bread for a giant dill pickle. 

Anything can become pizza toppings and these local restaurants have created their versions of the Reuben pizza for a seasonal favorite.

• Pagalo’s Pizzeria in Milan says their Reuben pizza is “hands down this is one of our most popular pizza specials that our customers look forward to.”
• Jersey Grille in Davenport has taken the classic ingredients and put it on a pizza.
• Riverfront Grille in Rock Island also uses their homemade corned beef on their pizza, in sandwiches, and breakfast hash.

Corned beef and cabbage soup is on the menu at the Rock Island Ale House.

Corned beef hash might be a typical breakfast item, but you'll find Corned Beef Eggs Benedict on the FoodAffair Bistro's menu.

Front Street Brew Pub’s Reuben may look like just the classic sandwich but they cook their corned beef in their own Raging River IPA.

If you’re from the Quad Cities, you know about the Belgian Village’s VandeReuben sandwiches that were giant and delicious or the VandeReuben on Raisin.  These sandwiches are still being made and can be purchased by pre-order and carryout or at select locations. Then you can toast it at home. On the sandwich is Ham, Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, and Reuben Sauce between Two HUGE Slices of Homemade Rye Bread.