Nebraska Claims The Reuben Sandwich, And Omaha’s Kimpton Cottonwood In The Former Blackstone Hotel Still Draws Curious Eaters

A grocer at a late-night poker game asked for corned beef and sauerkraut, and Nebraska ended up with a sandwich claim it still defends. The hotel where that card game happened is still standing, and you can order the sandwich there today.

I love that this story comes with a real building attached, not just a legend. The redbrick hotel went up in 1916 and once hosted John F.

Kennedy.

After decades of other uses, it reopened in 2020 with fresh polish and its old bones intact. Original tile still covers parts of the lobby floor, so the past sits right under your shoes.

New York has its own version of the Reuben origin story, of course, and fans there argue loudly. So which side would you take after one grilled bite on rye?

A Grand Old Hotel Still Feeds Omaha’s Favorite Argument

Few hotels can say a famous sandwich was born under their roof. Kimpton Cottonwood, the restored hotel inside the old Blackstone Hotel building, makes that claim with a straight face.

The setting is Omaha’s Blackstone District, a neighborhood named for the hotel itself. That alone tells you how much this building has meant to the city over the years.

The hotel sits inside a redbrick building from 1916. It’s a full-service stay today, with restaurants, a coffee spot, an outdoor pool, and event space.

Plenty of Nebraska travelers come for a weekend away. Others come mostly to order a Reuben where the story says it began.

I like that both kinds of visitors make sense here. One group wants comfort, while the other wants proof that a legend has an address.

The Kimpton Cottonwood handles both jobs at once. It keeps the history visible while running like a modern hotel with fresh rooms and busy dining rooms.

That mix is the whole appeal. You get a slice of Omaha history, and you can actually eat it.

Curious eaters still make the trip for that reason alone. Honestly, a sandwich with a birth certificate is hard to resist.

One Poker Game Changed Lunch Across America

The best food stories often start with someone being hungry at a strange hour. This one starts at a weekly poker game in the 1920s at the original Blackstone Hotel.

A local grocer named Reuben Kulakofsky was at the table. As the story goes, he asked for a sandwich made with corned beef and sauerkraut.

Charles Schimmel owned the hotel and played in the same game. The players reportedly called their group the committee, which sounds far more official than a card night.

Schimmel liked the sandwich enough to put it on the hotel menu. He named it after the man who asked for it, which feels like a very fair trade.

Think about that for a second. A grocer’s late snack request turned into a menu item served across the country.

Omaha’s historical community has shared this version of the story. It’s become a point of real local pride across Nebraska.

The building where those cards were shuffled is still there. You can sit down inside it, which turns a fun legend into something you can visit.

Not many origin stories offer that kind of follow-up. Most just leave you with a plaque and a shrug.

Swiss Cheese, Rye, And A Rival Claim From New York

A sandwich legend needs a finishing touch, and this one has a chef in the family. Bernard Schimmel, son of owner Charles Schimmel, is credited with perfecting the recipe.

He trained in Switzerland, which may explain the Swiss cheese. He’s also credited with adding Thousand Island dressing and grilling everything on rye bread.

That combination is the Reuben most people know today. Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss, dressing, and rye, all pressed warm on the grill.

Of course, New York tells a different tale. That version credits Arnold Reuben, who ran a well-known delicatessen in Manhattan.

So who’s right? Food historians still debate it, and both cities have fans ready to defend their side.

Omaha’s version has one big advantage, though. The hotel connected to the story still stands, and the sandwich is still on a menu inside.

Nebraska also points to a 1956 national sandwich contest win. A former waitress at the hotel reportedly entered the Reuben and took top honors.

That win helped spread the name far beyond Omaha. Not bad for a sandwich that started as a card table request.

Order The Blackstone Reuben Where The Legend Lives

History tastes better when you can order it by name. At the Orléans Room, the hotel’s signature full-service restaurant, the menu features a Blackstone Reuben.

That’s the dish most curious eaters come hunting for. It ties a century-old story to a plate you can actually eat today.

The Orléans Room serves classic flavors with a modern twist. The restored setting nods to the building’s long history, so the meal feels connected to the place.

Ordering a Reuben here is a little like visiting a landmark. You’re tasting the dish in the building that claims it, not a copycat across the country.

The restaurant ranks among the best-known parts of the Kimpton Cottonwood. It’s a natural first stop if the sandwich is your main reason for coming.

Menus can change, so check what’s being served before you go. That small step can save a long drive from ending in disappointment.

Bring along someone who has never heard the poker story. Telling it between bites might be half the fun.

And if they doubt you, the building backs you up. Few lunch debates come with that much evidence nearby.

A Steakhouse Named For Some Very Serious Card Players

Remember the poker group that called itself the committee? The hotel turned that nickname into a restaurant, and it’s called The Committee Chophouse.

It’s a steakhouse with a sleek look and a strong reputation in Omaha. It has been recognized as one of the city’s more romantic restaurants.

The name is a clever bit of storytelling. Every steak served there carries a small wink toward that famous card game.

Nebraska knows beef, so a steakhouse here has to earn its spot. A historic room with a historic name certainly helps it stand out.

It’s a natural pick for anniversaries, birthdays, or a long-awaited night out. Reservations make sense for a special evening.

I like that the two main restaurants split the story between them. One serves the famous sandwich, and the other honors the men who were at the table.

That kind of detail makes a hotel feel thought through. It shows the owners didn’t just restore a building, they kept its personality.

So pick your mood. Grab a Reuben for lunch, then come back for steak once the sun goes down.

Pastries, Lattes, And An Afternoon Tea Worth Planning Ahead

Not every visit calls for a full sit-down meal. Petite Orléans covers the quicker side of things with grab-and-go pastries and specialty coffee drinks like lattes.

It’s a handy stop before a morning walk through the neighborhood. A latte and a pastry make a pretty easy start to the day.

Then there’s afternoon tea, which brings a touch of old-hotel charm. It’s served in the Fontanelle Room, a bright courtyard-style space near the front desk.

The setup includes tiered trays with tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets. It feels like the kind of tradition grand hotels were built for.

Plan ahead, though. Reservations are required, and the hotel asks for them at least a day in advance.

Skipping that step can mean getting turned away at the door. Nobody wants to show up dressed for tea and leave with only a parking stub.

Natural light and plenty of plants make the space feel airy. It’s a lovely contrast to the darker, moodier steakhouse.

Tea works well for birthdays, bridal showers, or a day out with Mom. It’s one more way the Kimpton Cottonwood fills the hours between meals.

A 1916 Redbrick Landmark With Its Old Bones Showing

Long before the pool parties and lattes, this was one of Omaha’s most elegant addresses. The building went up around 1915 and 1916 as the Blackstone Hotel.

It began as an upscale residential hotel. Over time it became the city’s showpiece for travelers and important guests.

The style is Second Renaissance Revival, which is a fancy way of saying stately and symmetrical. Picture tall redbrick walls and a look that means business.

Some famous names checked in over the decades. President John F.

Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy were among the hotel’s notable guests.

The building later served as office space for years. That chapter kept it standing, even while the grand hotel days were paused.

Look down when you’re in the lobby. Original tiling still runs underfoot, giving you a direct link to the building’s first life.

That’s the kind of detail history fans in Nebraska love. More than a century later, you can stand on the same floor early guests crossed.

The restoration kept those details instead of hiding them. It’s history you can see, not just read about on a sign.

The Comeback That Put The Lights Back On In 2020

Reopening a hotel in November 2020 took serious nerve. The Kimpton Cottonwood did it anyway, after a major multi-million-dollar restoration.

The project blended the old architecture with modern design. Natural materials and luxe finishes now sit beside the building’s historic features.

Why the new name? The original Blackstone name couldn’t come back, so the hotel took on the Cottonwood name instead.

That’s a fitting pick. The cottonwood is Nebraska’s state tree, after all.

The reopening also gave new energy to the Blackstone District around it. A grand building that had stepped away from hotel life finally had overnight guests again.

Today the hotel is part of the Kimpton brand. That means boutique style with the backing of a larger hotel company.

For longtime Omaha residents, the change is easy to appreciate. A building many drove past for years became a place to stay, eat, and celebrate again.

That’s the heart of its appeal. It’s a repurposed landmark that went right back to its original job.

Rooms With Claw-Foot Tubs, Balconies, And Pool Views

Two hundred and five rooms fill the old building now. Each one aims for a blend of classic character and modern comfort.

Flat-screen smart TVs and free Wi-Fi come standard. Designer bath products add a small dose of luxury to the routine.

Some rooms go a step further. Depending on the room, you might get a balcony, a sofa bed, pool views, or a claw-foot tub.

That tub option is a fun splurge for a romantic weekend. A long soak in a historic hotel sounds like a solid plan to me.

Rooms are air-conditioned and smoke-free throughout. Accessible options are available too, which matters for many travelers.

Weddings and pool events happen here regularly. If you’re a light sleeper, ask about room location when booking.

Breakfast is available at the hotel. Laundry service helps on longer stays when the suitcase starts to look sad.

The design keeps nodding to the building’s past. Even a basic room feels like part of the story, not a generic box.

Claim A Pool Lounger Early On Summer Weekends

Summer turns the heart of this hotel into a resort-style scene. The outdoor pool includes a sun shelf for lounging in shallow water.

A hot tub sits nearby for cooler evenings. The whole area operates as the Pool Club, with poolside food on offer.

Cabanas can be rented for a more relaxed day. Many lounge chairs now require a paid reservation, while a smaller number stay open for guests.

Day passes are sold to non-guests too. That means the deck can fill up fast on warm weekends.

So plan ahead if pool time is the main event. Booking a chair or cabana early can save you from circling the deck with a towel.

Pool hours and access rules can shift by season. Check with the hotel before you go so there are no surprises at the gate.

Charges at the pool are handled separately from your room bill. Have a card ready instead of planning to charge things to your room.

When it all lines up, it’s a fun city escape. Few places in Nebraska let you float beside a building from 1916.

Bring The Dog, Borrow A Bike, And Keep Your Routine

Good news for pet owners: the Kimpton Cottonwood welcomes pets of any size, weight, or breed. Kimpton’s well-known policy also skips extra pet fees.

If your pet fits through the door, it’s invited. That rule covers dogs, cats, and pretty much any well-behaved companion.

Getting out is easy too, thanks to loaner bikes. They’re a smart way to explore the Blackstone District without moving your car.

A short ride can take you past neighborhood shops and restaurants. It’s a breezy way to see how much the area has grown.

Back inside, a 24-hour fitness center keeps workouts on your schedule. It’s stocked with Precor equipment, so you’re not stuck with one lonely treadmill.

A rooftop terrace adds another place to catch some fresh air. It’s a nice spot to step outside between meals and plans.

An airport shuttle is listed among the amenities too. That’s handy for travelers flying into Omaha.

Taken together, these extras make longer stays easy. You can eat, swim, sweat, and roll around the neighborhood without much planning.

Finding Your Way To 36th Street In The Blackstone District

Directions are refreshingly simple. Kimpton Cottonwood sits at 302 S 36th St, Omaha, NE 68131, right in the Blackstone District.

It’s less than a mile from I-480, so highway travelers won’t spend long on side streets. The Joslyn Art Museum is about a mile away.

The Old Market sits roughly two miles off. That puts brick streets and downtown shopping within an easy drive.

Valet parking is available at the hotel. Paid lot parking nearby is another option for diners and day visitors.

Expect some construction in the area for now. Omaha’s streetcar project has affected nearby roads, and one-way streets can add a twist.

Give yourself extra time, especially for a dinner or tea reservation. Nobody wants to rush a Reuben because of a detour.

The neighborhood itself is worth a stroll before or after your meal. The Blackstone District is packed with independent restaurants and shops.

For day-trippers from across Nebraska, that makes a solid afternoon plan. Eat at the hotel, walk the district, then head home with a good story.

Lincoln folks can reach it in about an hour. That’s an easy trip for a sandwich with this much backstory.

A Sandwich Debate Worth Judging In Person

Plenty of hotels have nice beds and a pool. Very few can hand you a menu item tied to their own origin story.

That’s what makes the Kimpton Cottonwood such a fun Nebraska outing. The past and present share the same address, and both are easy to enjoy.

It isn’t a bargain stay, so match your plans to your budget. Lunch, afternoon tea, or a pool day pass can deliver the history without an overnight bill.

Weekends and summer can get busy here. Booking ahead for dining, tea, and pool spots helps the day go smoothly.

I believe the real draw is the feeling of solving a little mystery. You order the Reuben, look around, and decide which city’s story you buy.

Maybe New York keeps its claim. Maybe Omaha wins your loyalty after one bite on rye.

Either way, the building gives the debate a home. It’s been feeding conversations, and appetites, for more than a century.

So bring a friend who loves a friendly argument. You’ll leave with a full stomach and a strong opinion.