House Corned Beef & Reuben Burger, Bernstein's, Winnipeg

Craving a corned beef sandwich like you wouldn't believe, my last meal in Winnipeg ended up at Bernstein's Deli, but not before a trip to Danali's for a pair of high end denim. Turns out the most knowledgable denim salesman I have ever met just also happens to be married to the head chef at Bernstein's, and along with raw denim, he also highly recommended the Reuben burger and the house corned beef.

A classic looking joint attached to a strip mall, Bernstein's was a hopping place on a Saturday morning and everyone looked really happy to be there. Going for half a corned beef sandwich on Winnipeg rye so that I could save room for the Reuben burger, I am aware that I could have just ordered the Reuben sandwich. However, I needed to taste the pure corned beef before it got mixed in with bison ground meat to make the said Reuben burger.

First, the sandwich was just okay. Nothing amazing, could have used more flavours in my opinion and a spicier mustard. It made me wonder if I should have ordered the lox.

Second, and controversially, a burger I am well aware is NOT a sandwich, but damn if that burger was not juicy and tender because of all the corned beef inside. The burger bun was ultra disappointment and fell apart on me mid-sandwich, resulting in just eating the patty with the gob of swiss and sauerkraut, which I did not feel strongly about. I can understand why this burger is so popular, as it is more sandwich than burger. But I just don't know when I would ever crave that.

As an addenum, my dining companion returned recently and said the corned beef was excellent. She actually had a salad before, so I don't know who to trust anymore.

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