A Proper Breakfast Sandwich

Proper: (adjective) right, appropriate or correct; according to the rules

I eat a fair amount of breakfast sandwiches—but it’s not my go-to in the morning because it’s hard to balance all the components. So many sandwiches end up an inedible contradiction of soggy rubber. The cook has so much to consider – what style of egg? What kind of bread? Cheese or no cheese? What kind of cheese? The list goes on.

The folks at Valiant the Sandwich have somehow mastered their ingredients, and execute a perfect, “Proper,” breakfast sandwich. At first glance, the word “proper” seems a bold choice, but they can back it up, and I respect that. This sandwich is certainly worthy of the title “proper.”

Note: it’s “a” proper breakfast sandwich, not “the” proper breakfast sandwich. “The Proper” sounds like a sandwich that towers above all other breakfast sandwiches. “A Proper” just indicates this is an ideal example, not the only perfect specimen.

“A Proper Breakfast Sandwich” is just one of a select few breakfast sandwiches that Valiant has on offer, and it can stand as something other breakfast sandwiches should aspire to. This isn’t some ramshackle sandwich thrown together in a hurry. Its creator clearly thought about it. This sandwich is constructed with intent. But all that aside, does it taste good?

Sure I could skip to the part about the house-made sausage patty being cooked perfectly. I could also build up the fact that they opted for two cheese layers instead of one. I can’t speculate on why other than because they clearly “get it.” And, let’s not forget about the egg. The egg is the brilliance here. This isn’t just scrambled egg poured onto a grill and slapped around into a shapeless, rubbery, mass. They didn’t take the easy route and crack an egg into a ring mold (I’m looking at you McMuffin). It’s a thin layer of egg, delicately folded over itself several times to form a proportionally shaped patty that is then artfully placed atop the previously mentioned sausage. All this (plus the cheese) is sandwiched between a glorious biscuit or English muffin—your call. The end product is crisp without being dry, and juicy without being soggy. It’s truly proper.

Pair it with your choice of potatoes or soup, and (when offered) gravy (a lovely pairing). This is the sort of thing you plan for then count down the days to a glorious communion. Valiant, I’d like to offer a “proper” thank you for creating such a noteworthy version of something that rarely gets the attention and care it deserves.