Nelson's Saloon: Returning for the Reuben

Our favorite home away from home is Three Oaks, Michigan. It's just a short drive over the Indiana border, an hour from my south suburban home. My husband fell in love with the small town years ago when a family friend lived in neighboring Galien and he'd go up to visit him. Three Oaks is a small town. It has that laid-back, country feel yet it's next to New Buffalo, a lakeside community that is a bustling tourist spot from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Also, for being a small town with lots of farms on the outskirts, it's also got this cool, trendy feel to it's nostalgic downtown. It's historic, yet hip - with a live theater, an independent/foreign film theater, art galleries, gourmet cafes, a brewery and a new small batch distillery. All of it is situated in a little two block area on (or just behind) Elm Street, the town's main drag.

We love it so much we'll often make the drive up for the day while the kids are in school just to have lunch. And while there are some great little cafes and bistros in and around Three Oaks and the lakeside communities serving up some tasty and creative dishes, sometimes a good sandwich and a beer are what's in order. Nelson's Saloon is just that - a saloon, a tavern, a bar, a watering hole, whatever you want to call it. You definitely don't go there for decor and ambiance, but I do love the "Cheers"-type atmosphere where everyone seems to know everybody and I enjoy watching the greetings and exchanges as people walk in the door. But it's a saloon that serves up some good food. Once in a while, a big Reuben sandwich hits the spot.

Sometimes we'll split a sandwich and a salad. Even the salads are pretty good and piled high. If only they'd put some real bacon bits on top it would be so much better.

The corned beef is always perfectly tender and I just haven't found a Reuben anywhere else that quite measures up.