The Reuben Was Invented In Nebraska And This Old Omaha Tavern Still Serves One Packed With Corned Beef
A neighborhood pub in Nebraska has been feeding its corner of the city for about 111 years. Its menu still labels two dishes world famous, and one of them is a Reuben.
That detail makes me grin. The most popular story of the Reuben points to a late-night poker game at a hotel in this very city.
A grocer asked for something hearty, and corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss and dressing met on rye.
I like that the sandwich never really left home. It still lands on tables a short drive from where the legend started, right beside cottage pie and English curry sauce.
The other world famous dish is fish and chips, which tells you plenty about the accent here. So how does a century-old pub keep a hometown legend alive while dressed like a British local?
A Century-Old Corner Pub Still Anchoring Its Neighborhood
Dundee Dell has been part of Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood for a very long time. The pub traces its roots to 1915, which puts it past the 110-year mark.
That kind of staying power is rare for any restaurant. It’s even rarer for one that keeps a corner spot busy through decades of changing tastes and new neighbors.
Today the Dell wears a British pub theme, complete with elevated pub fare. Fish and chips, cottage pie, bangers and mash and sausage rolls all share the menu.
Then there’s the Reuben, which the menu proudly calls world famous. In a city that claims the sandwich as its own, that’s a bold label to hang on anything.
The building went through a renovation under newer ownership in recent years. The refresh kept the old-school Omaha spirit while giving the room a cleaner, more polished look.
I love that a place this old still feels current. Plenty of historic spots coast on their age, but the Dell keeps cooking like it has something to prove.
So yes, the history matters here. The food just happens to matter even more.
The Poker Game Legend Nebraska Loves To Retell
Late-night card games have produced plenty of bad decisions. One in Omaha produced a sandwich that traveled the world.
The popular story centers on the Blackstone Hotel, sometime between 1920 and 1935. A local grocer named Reuben Kulakofsky reportedly asked for something filling during a poker game there.
Hotel owner Charles Schimmel, or possibly his son Bernard, answered the call. Corned beef and sauerkraut went onto rye with Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing.
The creation soon landed on the hotel restaurant’s menu under the grocer’s first name. From there, the Reuben spread far beyond Nebraska and became a deli classic.
New York City has its own competing claim, of course. Omaha doesn’t seem bothered, and the city has even proclaimed March 14 as Reuben Sandwich Day.
I can’t imagine a better kind of hometown pride. Some cities brag about skylines, while Omaha brags about a perfectly stacked sandwich.
That backstory gives every Reuben in town a little extra weight. Ordering one in Omaha feels less like lunch and more like paying respects to a local legend.
A World Famous Reuben Served In The Sandwich’s Hometown
Calling a Reuben world famous in Omaha takes some nerve. Dundee Dell does it anyway, right there on the menu next to its fish and chips.
The Reuben earns regular mentions alongside the pub’s better-known batter-fried cod. Corned beef is the star, and the flavor of that beef gets plenty of attention.
Diners who come for fish often add a Reuben to the table for good measure. Splitting one of each feels like the smartest way to cover both famous dishes in one visit.
The kitchen has also run a Reuben Royal special on occasion. That version skipped traditional rye, which is a fun twist for anyone who thinks they’ve tried every Reuben possible.
Specials change, so the Royal isn’t something to count on every night. The classic world famous version is the safer bet when the craving hits.
I believe there’s something fitting about eating this sandwich a short drive from its origin story. You get the legend, the corned beef and a pub setting with real history.
Good luck ordering only half of one. The temptation to finish it is part of the experience.
Fish And Chips That Steal Plenty Of The Spotlight
Here’s a Reuben article taking a quick detour through the fryer. At Dundee Dell, the fish and chips might be the most talked-about plate in the house.
The kitchen uses cod, hand-dipped in batter and fried until golden. The coating comes out light and crisp, while the fish stays flaky and tender underneath.
The owners have said countless hours went into perfecting that batter recipe. That kind of obsession shows in how often this dish gets ordered.
Portions run generous, with a two-piece order filling most appetites easily. A three-piece option exists for anyone feeling ambitious, or anyone planning to share.
The fries arrive hot alongside the fish. They’re the kind of chips that keep disappearing even after you swear you’re done.
I like that the menu backs up its world famous claim on two fronts. Plenty of restaurants struggle to get one signature right, and the Dell keeps a pair in rotation.
Ordering both with a friend is the obvious move. One person takes the cod, the other takes the Reuben, and everyone trades bites without shame.
Curry Sauce And Mushy Peas Make The British Accent Official
Curry sauce on fries sounds strange until you try it. In British chip shops it’s a beloved classic, and Dundee Dell serves it the traditional way.
This is an English-style curry sauce, not the Indian flavor most Nebraskans picture. It’s mild, savory and made for dunking chips.
Plenty of diners end up loving the curry sauce more with fries than with fish. Either way, it turns a familiar plate into something with real personality.
Mushy peas show up too, another staple of the British table. Together, the peas and curry sauce give the fish and chips an authenticity that even British transplants appreciate.
Then there’s the tartar sauce, which is no ordinary squeeze-bottle stuff. It’s packed with dill and horseradish, giving it a bright, punchy kick.
A squeeze of lemon over everything ties it all together. Extra lemon is never a bad idea here.
I love how these small sides do such big work. They’re proof that a pub can respect tradition without feeling like a theme park.
Starters Worth Ordering Before The Main Event
Fried pickles are a solid test of any pub kitchen. The ones at Dundee Dell come with a well-balanced breading and a side of ranch for dipping.
They’re among the most popular starters on the menu. A basket makes a great opener during the pub’s happy hour stretch.
Sausage rolls lean fully into the British theme. The pastry is light and flaky, and a spicy mustard on the side adds welcome heat.
Fair warning, British sausage tastes milder than many American versions. That gentle flavor is the point, and the mustard handles the rest.
Breaded shrimp is another strong choice for the table. The shrimp are fairly large and hand-breaded to order, which shows in every crunchy bite.
A crab cake rounds out the lineup for anyone wanting something richer. It arrives with a sauce on the side that makes a great partner.
Starting with one of these and then ordering a full entree takes discipline. A two-piece fish order after fried pickles is already plenty for most people, so pace yourself.
Cottage Pie, Bangers And Other Cold-Night Rescues
Want a guaranteed win when the menu feels overwhelming? Cottage pie is the dish many fans point to as the dependable choice.
Savory filling under a mashed potato blanket makes it a natural fit for a Nebraska winter. It’s hearty, homey and very British.
Bangers and mash bring the same comfort with a different shape. Sausages and potatoes together are hard to argue with on a chilly evening.
For a more American turn, there’s a Wagyu burger that can be ordered carnivore style. It’s been compared to a smash burger, with smashed red potatoes available as a side swap.
The mac and cheese deserves its own shout-out. It has a strong parmesan flavor, and at least one young diner declared it the best of his whole life.
A pesto chicken sandwich and sliders give lighter options for lunch. A French dip has also appeared as a special.
I appreciate a menu with this much range. Nobody at the table gets stuck ordering something they didn’t really want.
A Refreshed Room With Old-School Omaha Bones
Renovations can go wrong fast at a beloved old spot. At Dundee Dell, the update kept the old-school Omaha character while giving the pub a sharper British look.
The decor earns compliments, and the room feels cozy and intimate. The easygoing taproom setting works for a casual lunch or a slower dinner.
Every fall, the pub leans into spooky season with Harry Potter themes. Wizard fans have a very good reason to book a table once the leaves start turning.
Background noise can rise when the room fills up. Conversations may take a little effort on busy nights, so quieter talks fit better earlier in the day.
Service gets plenty of praise for being friendly and attentive. Staff often offer menu suggestions, which helps first-timers figure out what to order.
I like that the Dell feels polished without going stiff. It still reads like a neighborhood hangout, just one that cleaned up nicely.
That balance is tough to strike. Too fancy feels cold, while too worn feels tired, and this room lands right in between.
Date Nights, Family Dinners And Everything In Between
Grandparents, grandkids and a basket of fish and chips make a pretty great table. Dundee Dell handles family outings well, with kids meals that include chicken and burgers.
Kids’ food tends to come out first, which every parent appreciates. That little detail can save a whole dinner from a hungry meltdown.
Couples get plenty out of the Dell too. The cozy setting makes it a natural pick for a lunch date or a relaxed night out.
Groups of friends fill tables here regularly, especially for lunch. A long menu means everyone can order something different and still leave happy.
Visitors passing through Omaha get a lot of history for one meal. You can taste the city’s sandwich legend inside a pub with more than a century behind it.
West Omaha residents often make the drive across town for it. That says something in a city with no shortage of places to eat.
I think the best restaurants work for more than one kind of crowd. The Dell manages to feel right for toddlers, couples and lifelong Nebraskans all at once.
Plan Around The Midweek Schedule And The Parking Hunt
Mondays and Tuesdays are off the table here. Dundee Dell closes both days, so plan your Reuben craving for later in the week.
Wednesday and Thursday service starts in the afternoon, which suits dinner and late-day meals. Friday through Sunday opens earlier, making weekend lunch an easy option.
You’ll find the pub at 5007 Underwood Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. It sits in the heart of the walkable Dundee neighborhood.
Parking is the one real puzzle. Street spots fill up, so you may need to park a short distance away and stroll over.
Some nights you’ll snag a space close by with no trouble. Arriving for an early dinner often means easier parking and plenty of open tables.
Reservations are recommended but not required. Booking ahead makes sense on weekends or during the popular fall season.
Prices land in a comfortable range for a sit-down pub meal. A full plate of fish and chips or a Reuben feels like a fair trade for the history thrown in free.
Why This Old Pub Deserves A Spot On Your Omaha List
Few places let you taste a city’s legend and a British chip shop in one sitting. Dundee Dell pulls off both with surprising ease.
The Reuben connects you to a story Omaha has told for about a century. The fish and chips give you a reason to come back even after the sandwich craving fades.
Between them sit cottage pie, curry sauce, fried pickles and a mac and cheese worth bragging about. That’s a lot of personality for one neighborhood pub.
The history adds weight without slowing anything down. A refreshed room and attentive service keep the experience feeling fresh.
I believe every Nebraskan should try a Reuben in Omaha at least once. Eating it at a pub that’s been around since 1915 just makes the moment better.
Plan around the Monday and Tuesday closures, and give yourself a few extra minutes to park. Those small hurdles are easy to clear.
So which famous plate wins at your table? There’s only one fair way to settle that, and it involves ordering both.
