Where to BEC?
The 10 Best Bacon, Egg & Cheeses in Providence.
according to @What_The_Bec_
Finding a good Bacon Egg & Cheese is no simple feat. Almost every café, Deli or restaurant with dignity may offer one, but not all BECs are created equal. Any slight modification or condiment switch up could change everything.
This is why, for this ranking, I had to consult a professional.
TWO in fact.
MEET: Connoisseurs Ellie and Flo of “@What_the_Bec_”
The two roommates of distinguished breakfast taste have taken it upon themselves to discover and document Providence’s Bacon Egg & Cheese offerings. Because ‘what the BEC?’ Their wisdom must be shared.
After four years of serious investigation, they sat down with The Looking Glass for a tell-all interview.
Behold…
WHERE TO BEC?
AND
WHERE TO NOT?
NO.1: Amy’s
The oasis of breakfast sandwiches. Amy’s on Wickenden is unrivaled. WhatTheBec would advise that you order this Bacon Egg & Cheese on a bolo with hash browns.
CONNOISSEUR E (CE) : “Ask for American cheese not cheddar. And if you want a sautéed experience you can also add onions.”
CONNOISSEUR F (CF): But get it without the sauce.”
An Amy’s BEC is best consumed when:
CE: “October breeze when there’s still sun. ”
CE: “And you’re in a light coat.”
CF: “And you want to see people.”
So if you’re in the mood for a good cheese pull and a SABS (iykyk), Amy’s is your place.
NO.2: Dave’s
A personal Looking Glass Favorite, Dave’s homemade English muffins will never let you down. Your accompanying coffee is also guaranteed to be exquisite and they let you get creative with modifications.
CE: “I'll get a bec at Dave's on a croissant. Add pesto? INSANE.
CF: “It’s literally the best thing ever
CE: “Ever.”
CF: “And you have to sub the scrambled eggs for a fried egg.”
CE: “And if you’re feeling really crazy? Roasted red pepper.”
NO.3: Brickway On Wickenden
A classic staple with no frills. Make sure to ask for your potatoes extra crispy.
CF: “There’s no other place to debrief a night.”
CE: “We want this to be our big takeaway. Brickway is underrated. It doesn’t look that great. But it’s what you want when you’re vulnerable and it’s cold and you just want to sit in a cosy warm environment.”
CF: (Unlike at Amy’s where you are guaranteed to bump in to everyone ever) “You can say first and last names at Brickway.”
CE: “Unfortunately the coffee’s not great, but they let you bring other drinks in. And it comes fast.”
WhatTheBec also insists that you try the Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes.
Another major factor to consider: a Brickway Bacon, Egg & Cheese can be postmated to you. This is huge.
NO.4: Nitro Bar
The TikTok-famous coffee shop had to be on this list somewhere. And WhatTheBec can attest that their Breakfast Sandwiches live up to the hype.
CF: “But it’s important that you get it on the bagel. And I add pesto to it.
Usually I find a bagel is too dense for a Bacon, Egg & Cheese, but at Nitro Bar they somehow compress it like maybe in a panini press and it’s just really good.
CE:“ And that’s why it's so perfectly melted.”
CE: “The reason why Nitro isn’t 1 or 2?”
CF: “ —There’s something with the egg. I don't know what’s going on.”
CE: “And also sometimes you just don’t wanna drive there.”
CF:”Major cons are that there’s no seating in the winter, you have to drive, and the line can be crazy. But pros are that you can get a cookie butter latté, Iced Chai with maple foam, or a Banana Matcha etc… to go with it”
Honorable mentions: The Pizza Bagel and The Breakfast Wrap.
NO.5: Irregardless
The Looking Glass just recently went to investigate this place and WOW. Very quick service, VERY good breakfast sandwich, and hash browns to die for. But they all come on a biscuit though so it’s not a conventional or classic BEC experience so to say.
CF: ‘It’s similar to Dave’s. It has that like, rustic bacon.
CE: “But if on a biscuit, you need a thicker everything. Which fucks with the whole ratio.
CF: “It’s also hard to get to. You have to drive. It’s not spontaneous. It’s a journey.”
NO.6: Ellie’s
Connoisseur Ellie endorses.
NO.7: Frank & Laurie’s
For a more sit down affair, this cosy neighborhood cornerspot is hands down the best place for an all round brunch experience. .
CE: “But you don’t go for the bec. You can get one. Whereas at Amy's or Dave's you go for the bec.”
Menu standouts are alternatively the hash browns and the pancakes. On weekends, WhatTheBec would also recommend that you check out their pop up window stand.
CF: “The coffee and the pastries are insane.”
NO.8: 7 Stars Bakery
The origin place of WhatTheBec, 7 Stars Bakery is a great place to study where Connoisser E and Connoisser F began their Bacon, Egg & Cheese journey.
CE: “Here’s the thing. It’s pre-made. They heat it up for you, so you can’t make any modifications. But the hot sauce is good.”
CF: And it's on a whole wheat biscuit. You can’t get it on another bread… we’ve tried.”
NO.9: Little City
CF: “We’ve only been there once. But it has that Dave's bread.”
CE: “Little city’s mid.”
NO.10: Bagel Gourmet
Connoisseur E would recommend this bec for someone violently hungover.
To such a person, she would advise:
CE: “Order a classic bacon egg and cheese on a croissant. It’s doughy in the most perfect way. Do NOT get it on a bagel.”
BECS TO STEER AWAY FROM…
Caspian
Small Format
Café Nero
Bolt :
(We love for matcha. But not for becs.)
CE: The matcha? I’m obsessed. I always want to work at Bolt, but the Bacon, Egg & Cheese is not memorable. Except that there are sprouts on it ... which I never want on a Bacon, Egg & Cheese.”
CF: “Why would I ever want a sprout on a Bacon, Egg & Cheese?”
CE: “Never.” (shakes head in disdain.)
CF: “Let’s not make a Bacon, Egg & Cheese fancy?”
CE: “Never.”
Brown Bee:
CE: “Awesome, but not for a Bacon, Egg & Cheese.”
CF: “Brown bee is still working through… it’s a new addition. It’s still finding itself. And it only serves Becs on the weekends.”
Some Parting Wisdom.
So what makes a good Bacon, Egg & Cheese?
CE: “It’s all about the bread.”
CF: “Good cheese pull is also important.”
CE: “Also you want crispy bacon on your bacon egg and cheese so there’s a crunch. You don’t want soft bacon.”
CF: “There’s nothing worse.”
Connoisseur F and E also took care to emphasize the BEC’s place as a cultural delicacy in American society.
CE: “It’s a very staple, classic thing like ‘let me grab a bacon, egg and cheese and a hot cup of coffee.’ And you’re at a deli — in New York. And you’re in a rush.
(acts out one hand holding phone to ear, calling out with the other)
Like ‘One bacon egg and cheese please!”
CF: “It’s something we bond over — the tradition of going to get a bacon, egg and cheese. And we were thinking it’s probably a love that a lot of people share. So we wanted to raise awareness of where the best ones are.”
So at the end of the day?
“Make the trek for a bec.” — @What_The_Bec_
To continue to follow Connoisseur F and E’s research, you can keep up with their rankings on their Instagram.
And if you want to check out any of the spots on this list for yourself? Make sure to use our very own ‘What The Bec’ x The Looking Glass MAP to guide you.
Cheers,
Miss R. Sélavy