While visiting San Diego, CA we spent a morning walking around Balboa Park, adjacent to the San Diego Zoo. Both attractions are must visits when in San Diego. The time was approaching lunch and after enjoying the attractions at the park, we were to head an hour north to the Temecula Valley to spend the afternoon tasting wines. We were deciding what we wanted to eat when we walked past the restaurant: The Prado at Balboa Park. A quick glance at the lunch menu showed the prices to be reasonable, so we decided to eat lunch.
El Reubeno Pastrami at The Prado in Balboa Park - San Diego, CA
The Prado at Balboa Park is a full fledged restaurant, not a cafeteria or quick bite diner that one expects to see in most public parks and attractions. Service was excellent and the menu was very diverse. So here I am reviewing the menu and what do I read: El Prado Reubeno Pastrami. I read a word that looks like the word “Reuben” and it is included with the word “Pastrami”. I say that the menu appeared diverse in it’s offering, but let me be honest, I saw nothing else on the menu once I knew that I could order a Reuben Sandwich.
I was a little hesitant when I first read the ingredients, but then who am I to judged on a restaurant’s interpretation of a Reuben?
The ingredients for the El Prado Reubeno Patrsrami sandwich are listed as: Pastrami, Cotija Cheese, Chipolte 1,000 Island Aioli, Lime Coleslaw and New York Rye
Not exactly an exact interpretation of classic Reuben, but this is California so what is the possible downside? All of the ingredients sounded good.
The El Prado Reubeno Pastrami Sandwich was like nothing I have ever tasted before, yet none of the ingredients were foreign to me. The sandwich was amazing with every bite being as perfect at the previous bite. The portion of sliced Pastrami was generous and the remainder of the ingredients were perfectly portioned. The combination of the cracked peppercorn from the Pastrami complemented the smoky spiciness of Chipolte in the dressing and was perfectly matched with the acidity of the Lime of the Coleslaw and the saltiness of the Cotija Cheese. The Pastrami was tender and, the Coleslaw crunchy and the Rye Bread perfectly toasted. It was a perfect interpretation of a Reuben Sandwich.
Did I mention that the thin cut french fries were also very good?
Under the Reuben Sandwich Reviews, the El Prado Reubeno Pastrami is given a ranking of: Classic Representations / I think there are other items on the menu?