NewsBite

Boronia’s Aussie Veterans Coffee Co owner John McNeill serves best reuben sandwich in Knox

An outer east cafe is serving their own version of a New York favourite — the reuben sandwich. And, with mouth-watering corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese in a house-special sauce on rye, it may be Melbourne’s best.

John McNeill with a reuben sandwich at Aussie Vets Coffee Co. Picture: Hamish Blair
John McNeill with a reuben sandwich at Aussie Vets Coffee Co. Picture: Hamish Blair

It may not be the Big Apple but what could arguably be Melbourne’s best reuben sandwich has arrived in Boronia.

Aussie Veteran’s Coffee Co have come up with their own take on the New York deli favourite using a special unique Russian sauce to pull the ingredients — corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese on rye — together.

Where have you had a great reuben? Tell us in the comments section below

Former infantry soldier John McNeill owns and runs the cafe, which is nestled in Boronia Mall, which sells coffee for a cause.

“It’s our take on a reuben sandwich,” Mr McNeill said.

“Awhile ago my wife and I went on a trip trying all different cafe’s versions of the reuben.”

He said the sandwich had been a hit with customers and was a big hearty meal which could be shared between two people.

“We’ve also made a baby reuben, for those that can’t eat as much,” he said.

“It’s not your standard sauce, we’ve made it how we like it,” he said.

The sandwich will now be a regular lunch item, and the couple are also introducing a cherry blossom latte and milkshake.

Mr McNeill started the cafe — originally a coffee cart — after he was discharged from the army in 2009 following service in East Timor.

MORE: HOW BATTLE-SCARRED VETERANS HAVE BEEN LEFT IN LURCH

ARMY VET “LEFT RUDDERLESS” AS FAMILY PUSH FOR URGENT ACTION

AUSSIE VETS OP SHOP’S MICK QUINN WANTS CORONAVIRUS RENT REVIEW

The business deals as a social enterprise, putting all profits back into more projects helping former servicemen, including The Code 9 Foundation and Hawthorn RSL sub-branch

Aussie Veterans Coffee Co provides jobs for injured and ill veterans, first responders and their families.

Any tips to the cafe go toward providing yoga for veterans at the Veterans Advocacy Centre where Mr McNeill works as an advocate with Mick Quinn.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/boronias-aussie-veterans-coffee-co-owner-john-mcneill-serves-best-reuben-sandwich-in-knox/news-story/ea85b64ccbdf681d8025f318c8c7c681