Any Reuben fans out there?

ThriftyGuy is such a HUGE Reuben fan...

He was hesitant when I came across a recipe for a Reuben Dog in the July 2010 issue of Real Simple Magazine.  He can be picky about what he considers to be a good Reuben.  Well, we made these last night and he LOVED them!  And best of all, they were quick, easy, cheap AND delicious!  Basically, the recipe is simple.  Just put together the following ingredients for a great Reuben dog:

• 1 cooked hot dog in a bun
• 2 tablespoons sauerkraut
• 2 tablespoons grated Swiss cheese
• 1 tablespoon Thousand Island dressing

Want to try it this weekend and not spend a fortune doing so?  If you don't want to wait for coupons, sales, etc. yet don't want to spend a lot of money trying out this delicious recipe, here's my recommendation:  Go to Kroger (before Sunday).  Here's what you'll pay:

• Ball Park Franks:  $.99/pack (unless you have the coupon, then it's $1.23 for 2!)
• Kroger Hot Dog Buns:  On sale for $1
• Kroger Brand Thousand Island Dressing:  On sale 4 for $5
• Kroger Brand Sauerkraut:  $.75
• Kroger Brand Sliced Swiss Cheese (replacement for grated; still tasted great!): $1.79 ($1.49 if you buy 10 participating items and get the discount!)

So, you could potentially get all of the above for just $5.48, which would make 8 hot dogs!  That comes out to $.69/dog!  If you are cooking for a crowd and get 2 packs of dogs and buns and 2 cans of sauerkraut, the cost per hot dog comes out to $.45! 

*As a side note to all of you out there who struggle with couponing and sales and wonder if it really is worth it...  We went to Kroger on Sunday, spent less than an hour in the store, and with careful contemplation of the sales and coupons got 55 items (including over $20 in fresh seafood and over $20 in fresh produce!) for $38.  Yep.  It's possible and easy.  We mainly followed our Kroger list, plus used Kroger coupons they mailed to us.  So hang in there - it is totally worth it!