Openings

Here Are the Sandwiches From BEC, New York’s Brand-New All-Breakfast-Sandwich Emporium

The BEC classic: smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, brioche bun.
The BEC classic: smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, brioche bun. Photo: Melissa Hom

Back in February, New Yorkers learned the city would get a new Chelsea shop devoted entirely to the BEC — that glorious combination of bacon, egg, and cheese, stuffed inside a roll and wrapped up for on-the-go hangover relief. And this week, that shop, called BEC, officially opened its doors at 148 Eighth Avenue. But a funny thing happened during the time in between: The New York Times took the whole concept of elevated breakfast sandwiches to task and basically laid out the argument for why people shouldn’t mess with these sandwiches.

But where would we be as a society if we just stopped innovating and decided things are fine the way they are? For her part, BEC owner Jessica Bologna is diplomatic about the whole situation: “I’m just glad so many people share the same passion for the bacon-egg-and-cheese,” she says, adding, “we’re not trying to compete with the corner bodega.” Grub loves a deli bacon-and-egger as much as the next person, but there is almost certainly room in this city for slightly more thoughtful versions, too. Plus: Bologna’s shop is open until 10 p.m. every day (with plans to eventually stay open later, and offer delivery, as well) and as of today, she’ll sell wine and craft beers, too.

Far be it from us to tell you which breakfast sandwich you should turn to when the mood strikes, so just take a look at BEC’s offerings and decide for yourself:

The Chelsea Lo-Cal: Turkey bacon, roasted peppers, broccoli rabe, pesto yogurt sauce, multi-grain toast.
The Chelsea Lo-Cal: Turkey bacon, roasted peppers, broccoli rabe, pesto yogurt sauce, multi-grain toast. Photo: Melissa Hom

Bistec: Flat-iron Angus steak, smoked bacon, blue cheese, caramelized onions, baby spinach, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, ciabatta roll.
Bistec: Flat-iron Angus steak, smoked bacon, blue cheese, caramelized onions, baby spinach, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, ciabatta roll. Photo: Melissa Hom
Farmhouse: crispy pancetta, ricotta, honey, baby spinach, fig jam, Pugliese roll.
Farmhouse: crispy pancetta, ricotta, honey, baby spinach, fig jam, Pugliese roll. Photo: Melissa Hom
Godmother: Prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, baby arugula, walnut pesto, Pugliese roll.
Godmother: Prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, baby arugula, walnut pesto, Pugliese roll. Photo: Melissa Hom
Greeky-Roman: lamb sausage, feta, roasted peppers, baby kale, olive tapenade, Pugliese roll.
Greeky-Roman: lamb sausage, feta, roasted peppers, baby kale, olive tapenade, Pugliese roll. Photo: Melissa Hom
Roadhouse: Pork sausage, sharp Cheddar, avocado, slaw, barbecue sauce, Pugliese roll.
Roadhouse: Pork sausage, sharp Cheddar, avocado, slaw, barbecue sauce, Pugliese roll. Photo: Melissa Hom
The Spicy Spaniard: Serrano ham, Manchego, pickled jalapeños, romaine, tomato compote, Pugliese roll.
The Spicy Spaniard: Serrano ham, Manchego, pickled jalapeños, romaine, tomato compote, Pugliese roll. Photo: Melissa Hom

NYC’s All-Breakfast-Sandwich Emporium Opens