Big East - did you know? Tell us about your city

[Omaha1]

Saw this and thought Big East fans might find it interesting. I'd love to hear a historical oddity or fact about your town too.

Did you know - Omaha is the home to the Reuben sandwich. The hotel is located on about 36th and Farnam, just a couple of miles from where the Jays play downtown.

It turns out the Blackstone Hotel, which is now the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, is the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich. “This poker table we are sitting at has a connection to it,” Shern said, “The Reuben originates on the 8th floor of this hotel. Mr. Schimmel was having a poker match with a group of business people would often get together. They would call each other and say ‘The Committee is getting together.’ They nick-named themselves The Committee, which is why our steakhouse pays homage to that. At one of these poker matches, they were hungry. One of the attendees, Reuben Kulakofsky, had some fresh barrels of sauerkraut. Mr. Schimmel asked the hotel chef, who was also his brother, to go down, get some fresh sauerkraut and corned beef, and make him a sandwich.” That’s when the Reuben was born. “They loved it,” Shern said, “The group convinced Mr. Schimmel to put it on the menu at his coffee shop. He then put it on the menu at his other three hotels. In 1956, it was voted the National Restaurant Association’s sandwich of the year. Then, the recipe was published, and that’s how it just took off.”

https://www.wowt.com/2023/02/10/reuben- ... -original/

[billyjack]

Awesome history !

[Omahanian]

More on thehistory of the Reuben with both an Omaha and New York City context.

https://www.saveur.com/reuben-sandwich-origin-history/

Did you know - Omaha is the home to the Reuben sandwich. The hotel is located on about 36th and Farnam, just a couple of miles from where the Jays play downtown.

It turns out the Blackstone Hotel, which is now the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, is the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich. “This poker table we are sitting at has a connection to it,” Shern said, “The Reuben originates on the 8th floor of this hotel. Mr. Schimmel was having a poker match with a group of business people would often get together. They would call each other and say ‘The Committee is getting together.’ They nick-named themselves The Committee, which is why our steakhouse pays homage to that. At one of these poker matches, they were hungry. One of the attendees, Reuben Kulakofsky, had some fresh barrels of sauerkraut. Mr. Schimmel asked the hotel chef, who was also his brother, to go down, get some fresh sauerkraut and corned beef, and make him a sandwich.” That’s when the Reuben was born. “They loved it,” Shern said, “The group convinced Mr. Schimmel to put it on the menu at his coffee shop. He then put it on the menu at his other three hotels. In 1956, it was voted the National Restaurant Association’s sandwich of the year. Then, the recipe was published, and that’s how it just took off.”

https://www.wowt.com/2023/02/10/reuben- ... -original/

[Omaha1]

That was an awesome article. Of course some loser had to argue that New York was first.

But, boom! Omaha >> New York for the Reuben win!

Within a week, the Nebraska State Historical Society unearthed a menu from the Blackstone coffee shop from 1937, offering a Reuben sandwich for 35 cents, 50 cents “with chicken.” The Douglas County Historical Society found a 1934 menu from the Blackstone's main dining room offering a Reuben for 40 cents. Smith conceded—“Many, many thanks!” he wrote. “These are the earliest references for a specific ‘Reuben sandwich,’ and they do indeed support your grandfather's claim to naming a sandwich!”

[MUBoxer]

I actually did know that. My Father in Law's from northern nebraska and repeats that fact every time he sees it on a menu.

[Xuperman]

Charles Manson was born in Cincinnati.

[Wizard of Westroads]

Charles Manson was born in Cincinnati.

So that's what the X on his forehead was all about!

[hoops22]

Charles Manson was born in Cincinnati.

So that's what the X on his forehead was all about!

That was funny!

[Wizard of Westroads]

For those too young to remember:

[Xuperman]

Charles Manson was born in Cincinnati.

So that's what the X on his forehead was all about!

Yes, it is widely known that Charlie has a deep fascination with the Blue Blob.