PrintGray's Papaya and Grandaisy Bakery: Dueling Breakfast Sandwiches on West 72nd
From left: Sausage, egg, and cheese on a burger bun, from Gray's Papaya; grilled asparagus, frittata, and asiago cheese on a ciabatta roll, from Grandaisy Bakery. Both next door to each other, near the corner of West 72nd and Broadway.
Is there anything better than a breakfast sandwich in the morning? Combine smoked or cured pork (in the form of bacon, ham, or sausage) with eggs and cheese, and place it all on bread of some sort. I defy anyone to resist. While most serious eaters know that Gray's Papaya is the home of very fine hot dogs, many don't know that Gray's also makes a worthy breakfast sandwich: a sausage patty or a thick slice of ham, a scrambled egg made to order on the grill, and a slice of American cheese on a heated hamburger bun. All for a hard-to-beat $1.75.
Next door to Gray's is a recently opened branch of the Grandaisy Bakery. It serves a wonderful, more upscale breakfast sandwich of a completely different stripe: grilled asparagus, frittata, and asiago cheese on a ciabatta roll. It's totally delicious in its own right, though at $5, this sandwich requires a more substantial financial commitment.
Which is the superior breakfast sandwich? I can't decide. It depends on my mood. I urge all of you to try both and make up your own minds. You'll be participating in the highest form of food democracy.
Gray's Papaya
Address: 2090 Broadway, New York NY 10023 (at 72nd Street)
Notes: Breakfast sandwich available daily until noon
Grandaisy Bakery
Address: 176 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway and Columbus), New York, NY 10023
Phone: 646-274-1607
Notes: Breakfast sandwich available Friday–Sunday, some weekdays
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3 Comments:
Ed, Ed, what the hell diet are you on, the 5,000 calorie a day version? I applaud your zest for life, but somehow pork, egg, cheese and bread sounds like a hefty caloric load to start off the day. Pace yourself -- you have at least two other meals plus snacks at which your must consume yummy pork products. What happened to your Greek yogurt regime?
tantejoan at 12:34PM on 04/29/08
I appreciate your concern. I do pace myself. I ate half of each sandwich and didn't eat again until 5 in the afternoon, when I had one slice of pizza. Still doing the Greek yogurt thing. I had one yesterday and will likely have one tomorrow. I admit my diet regimen is uncomventional to say the least, but it is working. Most importantly, the regimen fits what I do for a living,
Ed Levine at 12:44PM on 04/29/08
Always a prime consideration. And I hope you saw the cyber-tongue firmly planted in my cyber-cheek. I was just concerned that your recent trip to New Orleans had converted you to my former college roommate's credo: pork is the most important food group. It's true, but he's on his second bypass surgery now and I'm sure your wife wants you around and eating for a long time. Your readers, too.
tantejoan at 1:12PM on 04/29/08