Newkirk's

"This counter-service restaurant has been a major player in the San Francisco breakfast sandwich scene for some time now. They’ve perfected the East Coast-style BEC, which comes on a poppyseed-covered Kaiser roll and sports an ample layer of melted American cheese. Other options include the PEC (that’s pastrami, egg, and cheese) or HEC (ham, egg, and cheese), though if you want to break away from the classic format, try something like the Horse on the Roof, a two-hands-required sando stacked with steak, two eggs, and two kinds of cheese." - Matt Tillquist

"The BEC breakfast sandwich from this Mission spot is more effective at getting us out of bed than our sunrise alarm lamp. That’s because of the bacon, American cheese, and over-medium egg that comes together to create a mix of gooey, salty goodness. Newkirk’s also has other “East Coast-style” sandwiches that we’ll always wake up an hour early for, stuffed with things like pastrami, grilled ribeye, and hash browns." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong

"East Coast-style sandwiches aren’t ubiquitous in San Francisco for patently obvious reasons, which makes this Mission District shop all the more precious to its fans. The fried egg and cheddar sandwich goes for just $7.95, and many of its other options run just a few dollars more." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri

"The New York-style fried egg sandwiches from this counter-service spot in the Mission are what dreams are made of—if those dreams included the BEC. The hand-held concoction comes with american cheese, bacon, and a fried egg on a poppy seed roll. Words that come to mind when we think about it: gooey, incredible, order this. The other nine fried egg sandwiches on the menu are also worthwhile, like the one with hash browns and smoked bacon on a toasted french roll. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway

"One fantastic breakfast sandwich that unfailingly gets us out of bed an hour earlier than usual is the BEC from Newkirk’s. The sandwich is simplicity at its finest. Perfect Applewood-smoked bacon, American cheese, and an over-medium egg are layered between a squishy poppy seed roll. Plus, it’ll only set you back $9.95, which is less than you could spend on half a mimosa. Be sure to grab a side of their bright orange housemade habanero hot sauce." - julia chen 1, lani conway