Neither fussy nor chic, the bacon egg and cheese is a Big Apple staple affectionately shortened to “BEC” or uttered in a succinct singular word, “baconeggandcheese.” From a quick breakfast on the go to a drunken late-night snack to a frugal family tradition purchased from the same bodega over and over, it’s many things to many kinds of New Yorkers.
Simplicity is the common denominator and what separates it from more elaborate sandwiches. When done right, the three namesake ingredients meld together, creating a craveable, satisfying blend of gooey (from the American cheese, a must), soft (courtesy of fluffy eggs, either fried or scrambled), salty and crispy (thanks to the texture-bearer of bacon).
Though it’s possible to pile the key ingredients on an array of bread choices, from croissants to bagels, the most classic version comes on a toasted kaiser roll with nothing more than salt and pepper and perhaps a light spread of ketchup or hot sauce.
Widely available in corner stores, delis, morning cafes, even higher-end eateries, here are 10 places in Manhattan and Brooklyn that hit the spot with a true-to-form bacon egg and cheese renditions.
Don Juan Deli & Grocery
Immediately upon stepping inside this quintessential bodega on the Lower East Side, the overriding language switches to Spanish. The store is family-run and well-established in the community with customers stopping in for canned beans, tostones and hot lunches of traditional stews and rice dishes. Order a bacon egg and cheese here with a just-as-freshly-made fruit juice or a chopped cheese empanada and feel a part of something lasting. 110 Forsyth St., Lower East Side, donjuangrocery.com
Prospect Park Deli
Near the SW side of Prospect Park, this deli is precious to those who live close by. Over time, the deli has increasingly become known well beyond its Brooklyn address, thanks to its prolific social channels. The bodega sandwiches are just as adored. 155 Prospect Park SW., Prospect Park, Brooklyn, prospectparkdeli.com
Sunny & Annie’s
Admittedly, there are more elaborate, artful and exotic offerings on the impressively- massive menu at this 24-hour Korean-owned deli in the East Village. For instance several sandwich varieties take the flavors of pho and magically pack them into a handheld vessel. But it’s worth stopping by and going for a bacon egg and cheese at Sunny & Annie’s when craving something simpler and available at any hour. 94 Avenue B, East Village, no website
Bari Bodega
Just blocks away from Union Square, this narrow bodega is heavily visited, especially late at night. Along with well-prepared breakfast sandwiches like the bacon, egg, and cheese, eaters can get one of the highly-regarded tortas. Bari’s is well-suited for a quick stop pre- or post-park hang. 873 Broadway, Union Square, no website
L&M Delicatessen & Catering
Wraps are the featured item at L&M, situated at the corner of 15th Street and Seventh Avenue on the west side. But BECs are made to order and easy to do so, with signage clearer than most corner shops, showing newbies where to holler out their desired order. Cooks are sure to ask whether one or two eggs is desired, exemplifying their care to customers. 80 Seventh Ave., West Village, lmdeli.com
Gourmet Deli & Pizza
Near the 14th Street subway station, this deli beckons passers-by inside with bouquet upon bouquet of flowers surrounding the exterior. Inside sandwiches are as iconic as they come, wrapped in foil and then paper and made fast to order. The bacon always boasts crispiness, and there’s even seating toward the back of the store. 100 8th Ave., Chelsea, no website
C&B
If nothing else, with an egg-and-cheese-based breakfast sandwich, proportions and ingredient quality matter. There’s nowhere to hide when there are just a few star items. C&B, a morning-focused café on the East side near Tompkins Square Park, embodies this care and dedication in its sandwich offerings. 178 E. 7th St., East Village, candbnyc.com
John & Sons Deli
On a stretch of Windsor Terrace right off of the Fort Hamilton subway, this family-owned deli is known for Italian subs and sandwiches. The store is a true one-stop shop for everything community members need, be that toiletry and food-wise, and consuming a bacon-egg-and-cheese while sitting at a stool at the front window feels just right. 1269 Prospect Ave., Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, johnsdeli.com
Los Limones Deli
In Bushwick, just a few minutes walk from the Halsey Street L station, this deli packs a big punch in sandwich form. The menu features steak, tongue, and other meat options that stand out from the usual fare. The bacon-egg-and-cheese also hits, and gets made and packed in minutes, perfect for consuming on the go. 1330 Halsey St., Bushwick, Brooklyn, no website
Adam’s Marketplace
Located in the middle of Chelsea on an active stretch of 8th Avenue, Adam’s is a reliable stop for smoothies, paninis and a wide array of breakfast plates, including bacon or ham paired with cheesy eggs on a roll. Along with more standard bodega-ordering protocol, it’s also possible to order online for even more ease of use. 197 8th Ave., Chelsea, no website
