Strike and Spare restaurant at Orchard Lanes Bowling Center offers a spin on the classic Reuben sandwich called a “Turben.” It takes the Reuben and adds turkey to the age-old recipe. Does this variation work?
The beast of a sandwich sits on the plate, tantalizing those who gaze upon its glory. Strike and Spare plates the sandwich with excellence, allowing the Turben to show off its maximalist meat magnificence.
Even so, the sandwich’s main problem is its lack of balance. It’s a meaty sandwich. The sauerkraut and Thousand Island suffocate under the mountain of meat. An essential characteristic of the Reuben is the contrast of heartiness and the tanginess. When there is no tang, it makes for an unbalanced sandwich. The meat overpowers the other flavors and makes the components hard to notice.
Despite this, Strike and Spare executes the sandwich well. The meats hit the mouth with a satisfying strike. Turkey can be tricky to pull off, but Strike and Spare serves a tasty and moist experience. Strike and Spare handles the bread well, delivering a toasty treat.
The price was a bit high for comfort, with $11.95 for a half sandwich and $14.95 for a whole. A lower price would be appreciated.
The Turben proves itself as a solid sandwich, but doesn’t shine as a Reuben. It’s a hearty and satisfying, albeit expensive and unbalanced, experience. For this, the Turben earns seven and a half out of 10 stars.