A morning that starts with a breakfast sandwich means a day of adventure is ahead. And oh man did 2023 have a lot of adventures….
Let’s dive into my top 5 breakfast sandwiches of 2023.
5. The Weezer Blue from Tompkins Square Bagels
Tompkins Square Bagels is a NYC bagel joint that often has lines weaving down the block on the weekends. And I will say it lives up to the hype! (Although I’d never wait in line for it because I abhor lines…) The bagels themselves are fresh with a solid chew. But what sets them apart is their extensive list of unique breakfast sandwich concoctions.
My #5 breakfast sandwich of 2023 award goes to the Weezer Blue, which has chorizo, bacon, egg, and scallion cream cheese. The cream cheese sops up the saltiness of the egg and bacon, and the kick from the chorizo ties it all together. It has a nice balance of textures and flavors, and it’s sinfully rich.
(When I returned to NYC in late February, I kicked things off with a classic NY eats food crawl. Tompkins Square Bagels was stop number one! Get the scoop below)
4. Plantain, Egg, and Cheese Tacos From Forsyth Fire Escape
Forsyth Fire Escape took over the internet in 2021 with their scallion pancake burrito that was lowered down to customers…. in a basket… from a fire escape! They’ve since opened up a temporary stall at Olly Olly Market, and every so often they do special pop ups.
For one of said pop ups, they had this here plantain, egg, and cheese breakfast taco, and it’s #4 on my top 5 breakfast sandwiches of 2023 list. The taco shell wan’t just any old flour tortilla– it was a smaller version of their famous scallion pancake, which has a bit of crispiness, bit of chewiness, and just enough greasiness. It was stuffed with egg, halloumi, and sweet plantain, with a topping of pickled onions to bring it all together. The plantain added a pop of sweet and the onions gave each bite some crunch and acid. I appreciated the mild, slightly tangy halloumi over cheddar, and who doesn’t love a scallion pancake?
(I can basically hear you thinking…. BUT A TACO ISN’T A SANDWICH! To that I say… or is it?)
3. Sirachacha from Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee
Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee serves up fresh-from-the-oven bagels that are big, slightly doughy, and oh so delicious. Some New Yorkers turn up their nose at the large size and impressive doughiness– but I personally find them incredible.
The Sirachacha features eggs, sausage, cheese & honey bacon sriracha cream cheese. It has a slight kick of heat, the eggs are fluffy and moist, and the sausage contributes the perfect saltiness and fattiness. It’s an elevated BEC that shouldn’t be missed.
(Learn about the history of New York Bagels HERE!)
2. Chinatown Egg Sando from Golden Diner
Golden Diner is quirky Chinatown spot serving up classic American diner fare, but with Jewish and Chinese twists.
The Chinatown Egg Sando is something special. It boasts buttery, cheesy eggs and a hot crispy hash-brown on a slightly sweet, super fluffy sesame milk bread bun. It’s basic in concept, but extraordinary in taste.
1. Sephardi Wrap from Edith’s Sandwich Counter
Edith’s Sandwich Counter was the first stop on my 17.75 mile, farewell to NYC food crawl (check it out HERE). And what I got is my best breakfast sandwich of 2023.
The Sephardi consists of a Malawach wrap (a flakey, yet crispy Yemeni flatbread) filled with cheesy scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, pickled peppers, and a harissa mayo. It has a slight kick, little crunch, and heart warming flakiness and cheesiness. Plus, it was my first time even hearing of malawach.
The components of uniqueness, perfect execution, and top notch tastiness is why this is my number 1 pick on this top 5 breakfast sandwiches of 2023 list.
Cheers to another tasty year of breakfast sandwiches!
Check out my list from 2022 below: