Best Sandwiches in America 2015: Breakfast

Winner: Southern Slammer

Restaurant: Miss Shirley’s Cafe, Baltimore

Sandwich Creator: Brigitte Bledsoe

Inspiration: “We’re known for creatively challenging the definition of breakfast and brunch. This sandwich is a fresh Southern spin on the classic breakfast sandwich.”

Key Ingredients: Fried green tomato, applewood-smoked bacon, avocado mash, cheddar cheese, fried egg and pumpernickel bread

Price: $11.99

Food Cost: $2.20

What the Judges Said: What pushed this sandwich over the top for us were two things: the fried green tomatoes and the pumpernickel bread, two ingredients usually not seen at breakfast. That’s exactly why this sandwich could be served effectively during any part of the day. But what a nice surprise it was to find this on a breakfast menu, particularly for our group, which steers away from cloying sweetness first thing in the morning. In this sandwich, the tomatoes add a tang, while the cheddar delivers a sharp note that is rounded off by the creamy avocado mash. The thick-cut, salty bacon adds yet another layer of flavor to a sandwich that really packs a punch. There’s a lot going on here, but it all balances beautifully between a unique style of bread that screams, “This is a big boy (or girl) sandwich!”

Honorable Mentions:
• Farm Egg Sandwich BLT: Stir Market, L.A.
• Ham & Egg Banh Mi: Malai Kitchen, Dallas
• Knife & Fork Pork Belly BLT: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Chicago
• Chocolate & Brie Grilled Cheese: Better Than Sex Dessert Restaurant, Key West

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