While the rest of our sister sites are compiling the best bagels in their respective cities, DCist knows that D.C. is not a bagel town. Sure, you can get bagels at plenty of places—decent ones at that (as highlighted below)—but when it comes to the breakfast game, we’re all about finding the ultimate breakfast sandwich. Below, DCist writers highlight our 12 favorite breakfast sandwiches in the D.C. area.
Our favorite Taylor breakfast hoagie, Queen Lane: sausage, broccoli rabe, egg and cheese. Photo by James Calder.
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES AT TAYLOR GOURMET: I know there is justice in this world because Taylor Gourmet brought back their breakfast sandwich menu in October, and it’s available all day long. There are few things that can’t be improved with the addition of eggs, and a Taylor sub is no exception. The Queen Lane is an Italian-ified breakfast sammy with spicy Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, and sharp provolone. And for the purists, there’s the Filbert Street with bacon, hot cappicola, and gooey American cheese. — Alicia Mazzara
Taylor Gourmet has nine locations in the D.C. area.
EGG SANDWICHES AT BAGELS & BAGUETTES: I wonder if people who say there aren’t good bagels have been to Bagels & Baguettes, a small formerly cash-only Capitol Hill establishment near Union Station. The bagels there are delicious and only improved when they’re used in egg sandwiches. We’ll highlight the sausage, egg and cheese on a sesame bagel, which is the best and greasiest in the city. For under five bucks, it cannot be beat. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Bagels & Baguettes is located at 236 Massachusetts Avenue NE.
MEXICO CITY AT SUNDEVICH: All of the breakfast sandwiches at SUNdeVICH are mouthwateringly excellent, but the Mexico City is their best savory protein-filled success. Fried eggs and ham are staples of other breakfast sandwiches, but the avocado and tomato class it up a bit and the chipotle mayo gives the sandwich an added kick. Just remember to keep napkins handy as the fried eggs can be a little runny. Like all of SUNdeVICH’s breakfast sandwiches, the Mexico City is available all day. — Valerie Paschall
SUNdeVICH is located at 1314 9th Street NW.
Photo by Matt Cohen.
T.U.B.S. AT TED’S BULLETIN: The T.U.B.S. (Ted’s Ultimate Breakfast Sammy) is the apotheosis of greasy breakfast sandwiches: a fried egg, scrambled egg, sausage, bacon, and cheddar stuffed between two buttery pieces of Texas toast. It’s as delicious and as sloppy as it sounds. Bring a mop to clean up the mess. — Matt Cohen
Ted’s Bulletin is located at 505 8th Street SE and 1818 14th Street NW.
BREAKFAST SANDWICH AT CAFE PHILLIPS: Sometimes you just want a basic breakfast sandwich, but don’t have time to make one. With five locations, Cafe Phillips will quickly make you one with fresh eggs cooked to order and big strips of bacon on fresh bread and bagels. It’s very simple, but it’s done well. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Cafe Phillips is located at 425 3rd Street SW; 77 K Street NE; 650 Massachusetts Avenue NW; 1401 H Street NW; and 1776 G Street NW.
THE BRICK AT THE MARKET LUNCH: If you’ve ever wished your breakfast sandwich was just carbs encircling more carbs, you’ll want to try The Brick at The Market Lunch in Eastern Market. The sandwich has gained national attention for it’s flagrant marriage of two seemingly opposed breakfast starches. The biscuit, egg, and cheese sandwich comes with your choice of meat and–most notably–a layer of hash browns. And while it’s hard not love a fluffy biscuit and crispy potatoes, I can only assume it’s name is derived from how it sits in your stomach after eating it. — Alicia Mazzara
The Market Lunch is located inside Eastern Market at 225 7th Street SE.
BAGELS AT BETHESDA BAGELS: A good bagel gives one the freedom of just adding cream cheese or appreciating an extra-delicious topping vessel. But bagel pickings were slim in D.C. until Bethesda Bagels opened a second location in Dupont Circle a couple years ago. Their handmade bagels are awesome fresh or toasted and come in at least 22 varieties, including the basics or more exotic options like asiago cheese and cinnamon chip. Mix and match with their many spreads, or request one of the lunch sandwiches on a bagel (if it’s on a bagel, it’s breakfast, right?). Enjoy from your couch as they can deliver orders of $25 and up. — Nicole Dubowitz
Bethesda Bagels is located at 1718 Connecticut Avenue NW and 4819 Bethesda Avenue in Bethesda, Md.
THE WILLING-NO-HAM AT BEST BUNS: There may be no ham, but there is indeed bacon. Along with a fried egg hanging over the edges and melted cheese oozing in the center of the sandwich, right where it’s cut in half. Versions with turkey sausage instead of bacon or just egg and cheese is also available. And it’s all served on their homemade toasted Icebox bread; a dimpled, oval-shaped sandwich-type bread. — Josh Novikoff
Best Buns is located at 4010 Campbell Avenue in Arlington, Va.
BREAKFAST PANINO AT RED ROCKS: The Breakfast Panino at Red Rocks is perhaps the most perfect breakfast sandwich. No, it’s not the best-tasting, the biggest, or the most original. Instead its strength is its modesty: Two eggs over medium, bacon, avocado, tomato, and herbed goat cheese in between two toasted baguettes. Classic breakfast sammich ingredients, but with an artisanal—not too fancy though!—touch. Moreover, accompanied with a side of breakfast potatoes, it’s about the perfect size for a brunch option; you’ll finish satisfied, but not hating yourself for overeating. — Matt Cohen
Red Rocks is located at 1036 Park Road NW, 1348 H Street NE, 904 King Street in Alexandria, Va., and 2501 9th Rd. South (Columbia Pike and S. Barton) in Arlington, Va.
JERSEY MAC AT G BY MIKE ISABELLA: Not going to lie, the idea of duck eggs freaks me out. But I managed to overcome it and try the Jersey Mac at Mike Isabella’s casual-chic U Street sandwich spot G. I could tell you that the sandwich contains duck egg, house-made taylor ham, muenster cheese in between duck fat english muffins, but if you’re former vegetarian still slightly grossed out by the idea of eating weird animals like me, you probably don’t want to hear it. Just take my word for it that it’s delicious, OK? — Matt Cohen
G by Mike Isabella is located at 220114th Street NW. 
THE NEW LUTHER AT CHURCHKEY: Full disclosure: I have not had this secret, off-menu item at Churchkey, but its legendary status and reputation supersedes a taste test. Think about the most unholy concoction of a sandwich you can think of. The most cholesterol-raising, artery-clogging abomination imaginable. Got it? It probably doesn’t hold a candle to The New Luther: A bacon cheeseburger between not a traditional hamburger bun, but rather a Krispy Kreme donut. I can only imagine the amount of weed one must have smoked to conceive such a simple but brilliant idea. — Matt Cohen
Churchkey is located at 1337 14th Street NW.
MCDONALDS BACON EGG AND CHEESE BISCUIT: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so what better way to be energized than the classic bacon egg and cheese biscuit from McDonalds. Balk if you must but these addictive morsels are not only one of the best breakfast sandwiches in D.C. but in the world. Although I no longer eat pigs I still crave the shit out of these things (though the egg and cheese biscuit is an acceptable alternative). Paired with hash browns and you’ve got breakfast heaven in a bag. While countless places try to copy the sandwich, McDonalds still beats everyone on all fronts. A shame breakfast only runs until 10:30 a.m. — Rohan Mahadevan
McDonalds has locations all over the damn city. Find one closest to you here.
