America’s 5 Favorite Regional Egg Dishes
Every egg lover should check these off their list.
The average American now consumes almost 300 eggs per year, a number we haven’t seen in nearly half a century. Why all the eggs-citement? We’ve been home more often for breakfast during the past year, and eggs, as it turns out, are the ideal quarantine protein: They’re cheap and versatile, and they last. Most eggs are good for a solid month after their sell-by date. Also, you might have noticed that the government stopped egg-bashing and warning us about all the cholesterol in eggs a while back; the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans didn’t include a limit for dietary cholesterol. Now’s the perfect time to celebrate the amazing, humble egg, and we found plenty of ways to do just that! Here are America’s favorite regional egg dishes.
1. Eggs Benedict: New York
The classic combo of English muffins, Canadian bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise was likely invented in NYC in the 1800s. Delmonico’s Restaurant claims it created the dish; the Waldorf Astoria hotel says a hungover patron invented it.
Make It Yourself: Classic Eggs Benedict
2. Loco Moco: Hawaii
In 1949, a group of high school athletes couldn’t afford a hamburger dinner plate at Hilo’s Lincoln Grill, so they asked the owners for a bowl of rice with a hamburger and gravy. Today it’s often topped with an egg and add-ons like Spam.
Make It Yourself: Loco Moco
3. Breakfast Taco: Texas
Charles Masters
Most everyone agrees that Mexican immigrants invented this dish in Texas, but the city is still in question; competing theories tie it to Austin, Corpus Christi and San Antonio. The tacos are served all over the state today with a variety of mix-ins.
Make It Yourself: Mexican Egg Tacos with Potatoes
4. Hangtown Fry: California
The origins of this fried oyster and bacon omelet are a bit scrambled. One (morbid) story: A condemned man requested the meal as his last, figuring the long shipping time of oysters would extend his final days. Today you can find the dish throughout central California.
Make It Yourself: Hang Town Fry
5. Taylor Ham or Pork Roll Sandwich: New Jersey
Tara Donne
Why does this egg sandwich go by 2 names? John Taylor invented Taylor’s Prepared Ham in 1856 but had to change the name to pork roll because of government regulations. Now North Jerseyans call it Taylor ham; South Jerseyans insist it’s pork roll.
Make It Yourself: Pork Roll Sandwich with Egg and Cheese
Credits:
All text by Audrey Morgan for Food Network Magazine.
United States of Eggs Photograph by Kang Kim.
Eggs Benedict Photograph by Ralph Smith.
Breakfast Taco Photograph by Charles Masters.
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