Andrew K.
Yelp
I have not had a hot Reuben sandwich this good in a long while. It comes as no surprise that it was made from this longstanding deli, which has been a popular community hub in the Tower District since the 1940s. Piemonte's specializes in authentic Italian offerings, high-quality meats, cheeses, and other ingredients that are rooted in tradition. The food preparation for their savory, homemade sausages and meatballs, as well as their flavorful Italian sauce, has been passed down for generations.
The Reuben is not on the menu, but it is, nonetheless, a popular choice here. (Instead, they have a Corned Beef Sandwich on there, which is prepared with mustard, and the meat is served cold.) Piemonte's makes it with marble rye bread. The bread is chewy, robustly flavored, and dense. The dense texture of bread allows the sandwich to hold together without getting messy. I enjoyed the crunch of the edge since it is grilled, and the chewiness of the crumb.
The thinly sliced layers of corned beef were warm, succulent, tender, and well-seasoned. The piles of meat were topped with melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Then everything is grilled between two slices of rye bread. There was just the right amount of meat, and it was delicious. I was impressed that the sandwich never got soggy or fell apart after a few bites, despite all that juicy meat. Besides the use of dark rye bread, it demonstrated that the sandwich was well-balanced with its ingredients and expertly handcrafted.
I would be remiss not to try the Piemont Special next. It is prepared with dry and cooked salami, ham, mortadella, and provolone cheese. (Mortadella is Italian pink pork sausage prepared with peppercorns, essentially what we know as bologna.) It is topped with fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, wax peppers, cheese, mustard, and mayonnaise. Most of their sandwiches are prepared this way.
The pairing of the firm, spicy salami with the tender ham, complemented by the smooth, tangy provolone (Swiss cheese also pairs well with this combination of meats), creates a nice blend of flavors and textures that makes it a popular and classic Italian combination. This is why it is universally considered the quintessential Italian sub sandwich. I like that wax peppers are added to the sandwich for some heat, additional tanginess, and crunchy texture. The sandwich is prepared on a sesame seed French bread. It was a delicious sandwich, but it lacked any special qualities.
I like that you are warmly greeted as soon as you walk in the door. Their loyal patronage is evident based on the familiarity customers in line with me had with the menu items. I also noticed that many of the customers were greeted by their names. It certainly feels like a welcoming and friendly atmosphere at Piemonte's.
I love the great energy that Evie gives off. She took my order at the counter for my two visits here and was always friendly and helpful, offering suggestions on what to order. Moreover, she is consistently on the go and ensures that she checks on your order.
I love these old-school delis, which have such a rich history and culture. You also know that their commitment to quality and freshness ensures the food is traditionally prepared, and you will get a consistently great handcrafted sandwich. 4.5 stars for me.