The bacon egg and cheese has long been a staple in New Yorkers' diets. A bodega classic, the BEC is cheap, portable, and delicious. The breakfast sandwich, typically wrapped in wax paper and foil, is an unlikely candidate for upscaling. Yet, in the last several years, it has started to pop up on the menus of the city’s trendiest eateries. This week, we’re taking a look into the bacon egg and cheese’s newfound high-end status. Julia Press follows the sandwich from a midtown food cart to a downtown Mediterranean eatery, to learn why it’s inspired so many creative iterations.

This program is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

Photo by Arnold Gatilao

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