The Ultimate Guide to the Best Breakfast Sandwiches in Every State

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We all have our favorite meal – for some of us, it’s lunch with its endless variety of soups and sandwiches. For others, it’s dinner with hearty dishes like lasagna, salmon, or shepherd’s pie. But for many, it’s breakfast, with delightful options like waffles, pancakes, and the most heavenly of all morning foods: the breakfast sandwich.

The Joy of Breakfast Sandwiches

Breakfast is often overlooked. Mornings can be hectic as we get ready for work or prepare the kids for school, leading us to opt for something fast and easy or skip the meal altogether. But breakfast should be celebrated, especially with the delicious variety of breakfast sandwiches available.

A Beloved Tradition

The breakfast sandwich is a meal to celebrate. Popular worldwide, from the U.S. and Canada to Australia and England, 45% of consumers list it as their favorite breakfast food. The specific type of this tasty meal between two slices of bread (or waffles in some areas) varies greatly depending on the region and cultural background.

The earliest known instance of a breakfast sandwich comes from 19th-century factory workers in East London, where a bap (a soft roll) was filled with fried eggs, meats, and occasionally cheese. This meal option didn’t catch on in the U.S. until the Industrial Revolution, becoming especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s. However, it wasn’t until the fast food industry that breakfast sandwiches truly entered our dietary mainstream.

Fast Food Revolution

The Jack-in-the-Box chain introduced the first fast food breakfast sandwich in 1969, featuring egg, meat, and cheese on an English muffin. However, it wasn’t until 1972 when McDonald’s franchise owner Herb Peterson introduced the now-famous Egg McMuffin that the breakfast sandwich idea really exploded. Initially served only in the morning, the sandwich became so popular that McDonald’s now serves it all day.

A Hero Among Sandwiches

The breakfast sandwich is so beloved that New York Times critic Pete Wells wrote, “It is a hero among sandwiches, although it is not the one called a hero.” This iconic American combination typically consists of eggs, cheese, and usually some kind of meat (typically pork-based) on a roll, bagel, or toast. New York City may well be the capital of breakfast sandwich consumption, offering countless options from bagel and coffee shops, delis, street carts, and full-scale restaurants.

The Classic BEC

By far the most popular is the BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese) on a crusty roll. There are many variations on this original, especially outside New York City, and it has become one of the most popular food items in the country.

The Best in Every State

To find the ultimate breakfast sandwich in every state, 24/7 Tempo consulted user reviews on Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Zomato, as well as local and regional review sites and national roundups of best breakfasts and best breakfast sandwiches. Often, the best breakfast sandwiches reflect local tastes or ingredients and are always a great way to start the day.

Here are some standout examples of the ultimate breakfast sandwich in every state:

• Alabama: The Southern Belle at Big Bad Breakfast, with pimento cheese, bacon, egg, and a biscuit.
• California: The Rebel Within at Craftsman and Wolves, a savory muffin with a soft-boiled egg inside.
• New York: The Classic BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese) from any New York City deli.

These sandwiches showcase the delicious diversity and regional flair of breakfast sandwiches across the United States. No matter where you are, there’s a local favorite waiting to make your morning meal a delightful experience. So, next time you’re on the go, remember to treat yourself to a breakfast sandwich that’s sure to start your day off right!