These breakfast sandwiches are not for the faint of heart. While lighter options are plentiful around town, most Memphis eateries cater to the especially hungry crowd — no matter the time of day. You’re sure to find a wide variety of hearty breakfast orders to fuel your morning, but today, the spotlight is on sandwiches. Biscuits, bagels, and buns loaded up with mouthwatering layers of eggs, bacon, gooey melted cheese, and more. Check out these 12 epic options, and then head out to do some research of your own!
12 of Memphis’s Most Epic Breakfast Sandwiches
Fried Chicken Biscuit at Kinfolk
Kinfolk, the weekend breakfast residency hosted by Comeback Coffee in the Pinch District, is THE place to seek out a breakfast sammie on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays — and sticking around only until they sell out — the Kinfolk crew serves up a rotating menu of breakfast and brunch items highlighting locally sourced ingredients like pork from Home Place Pastures and honey from Cranes Nest Honey. Our go-to order is the Kinfolk Fried Chicken Biscuit, complete with a generous drizzle of hot honey.
Getting your hands on a Kinfolk Fried Chicken Biscuit is more than enough reason to climb out of bed early on a Saturday morning. Image: @explorereats
Brisket, Egg & Cheese Kolache at Bain Barbecue & Bakery
Though a kolache isn’t exactly a sandwich, we can’t resist including at least one of the objectively-epic kolaches from Memphis food-truck-turned-restaurant, Bain Barbecue & Bakery. And, if it can only be one, it has to be the Brisket, Egg, and Cheese. The team at Bain sources the highest-quality meat, and they are touted by many as serving up the best brisket in Memphis, so this breakfast order is well worth a drive to the charming Cooper-Young district.
One of several kolache filling options at Bain Barbecue & Bakery, this brisket-egg-and-cheese is totally epic and an absolute must-try. Add jalapeños if you like a little extra kick! Image: Facebook
Hen House at City Silo Table & Pantry
Known for its delicious and creative clean-eating options, City Silo delivers the flavor with the Hen House sandwich: farm-raised chicken, melted mozzarella, and a farm-fresh fried egg. This sandwich is served on a warm English muffin topped with local spring greens, tomato, and cashew ranch dressing. Good and good for you, this is a winning combination to start your day! Treat yourself at either City Silo location — East Memphis or Germantown.
The Hen House breakfast sandwich from City Silo is a delicious (and nutritious) way to start your day. Image: Justin Fox Burks
The Rooster at Sunrise Memphis
In the South, we love our fried chicken with almost anything … perhaps especially with our biscuits. Sunrise Memphis has us covered with this epic delight. With crunchy pickles and delectable Tabasco honey added to a classic fried chicken biscuit, The Rooster will have you crowing for more.
The ooey, gooey Tabasco honey has our mouths watering! Image: Instagram
Avocado Toasted Egg in the Hole at By the Brewery
“Almost all restaurants that serve breakfast offer avocado toast,” says By the Brewery owner Robin Joyce. “We wanted ours to stand out.” Mission accomplished. The Avocado Toasted sandwich features hearty grain bread with a sunny-side-up “egg in the hole,” sautéed spinach, melted mozzarella, a slice of fresh tomato, goat cheese, and of course, avocado. You can get it with homemade chips or a side of fruit. This deluxe sammie is listed on the lunch menu but is served all day.
There’s so much magic happening in this breakfast sandwich! Image: Hannah Joyce
Keke’s Breakfast Wrap at Big Bad Breakfast
Big Bad Breakfast has taken Memphis by storm, and we can see why. While Keke’s Breakfast Wrap isn’t a sandwich in the traditional sense, we couldn’t pass it by. As the menu says, this hearty burrito-style favorite is literally a fistful of breakfast. Warm flour tortillas are stuffed with perfectly scrambled eggs, sausage, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese — all served with a side of pico de gallo. Come hungry for this one!
Keke’s Breakfast Wrap at Big Bad Breakfast is a fistful of breakfast rolled tightly in a tortilla. Image: Angie Mosier
Breakfast Burger at Biscuits & Jams
A burger for breakfast? You betcha! With signature flair from Chef Monique Williams, Biscuits & Jams tempts your early morning taste buds with a beef patty topped with sharp cheddar cheese, a fresh fried egg, Romaine lettuce, a slice of tomato, and whiskey bacon jam. Yum! Served on a tasty brioche bun, this palate-pleasing sandwich will set you up for the day.
The Breakfast Burger at Biscuits & Jams makes a hearty start to the day. Image: Chef Monique Williams
Country Ham & Cheddar Biscuit at Bryant’s
Bryant’s has an extensive menu of mouthwatering breakfasts, many featuring their well-known biscuits. We had a hard time narrowing down the choices, but who doesn’t love thick slabs of country ham topped with melted cheddar cheese on a homemade biscuit? It’s a classic, done just right. Your grandmother would be proud of this tasty, toasty go-to breakfast.
Thick slabs of country ham on a biscuit? Yes, please! Image: @901_noms
Bardog Tavern Fried Egg Sliders
Get your brunch on at this neighborhood bar and restaurant in the heart of downtown Memphis, where Bardog Tavern sliders are one of the most popular choices on the morning menu. You’ll want extra napkins to handle these filled-with-gooey-goodness breakfast treats. Fried egg, spicy mayo, and a little garlic powder make the base; add cheese and bacon for an extra punch of protein, flavor, and texture.
How insanely delicious does this look?! Image: Instagram
Pimento BLT at Edge Alley
The Pimento BLT at Edge Alley offers an up-leveled twist to a time-honored classic, adding smoked pimento cheese to pastured bacon, arugula, and heirloom tomatoes served on a melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk biscuit. Order a side of fresh fruit, and don’t miss out on one of their stellar coffee concoctions. If you’re brunching, try a Big Mimosa or a Bloody Mary to start your meal.
Edge Alley’s Pimento BLT is a perfect savory start! Image: Edge Alley
Jalapeño Cheddar Bagel with Prosciutto, Egg, Cheese, and Spinach at Crazy Gander Coffee Company
Crazy Gander Coffee Company has the java, but did you know they’ve got crazy-delicious eats as well? Case in point: this jalapeño cheddar bagel from local favorite Dave’s Bagels, loaded up with prosciutto, egg, cheese, and spinach. You’ll definitely want to order an espresso, latte, or seasonal coffee to go along with your sammie — and save room for a Butterific Shortbread Cookie!
Crazy Gander Coffee Company’s jalapeño cheddar bagel topped with prosciutto, egg, cheese, and spinach is heaven on a plate. Image: Crazy Gander Coffee Company
Eggs & Debris at Elwood’s Shack
We can’t get enough of the Eggs and Debris at Elwood’s Shack. A fun twist on Eggs Benedict, this open-faced sandwich is served on a warm, flaky biscuit and piled high with “debris” — tender pieces of roast beef simmered extra-long to absorb extra flavor. Topped with poached eggs and house-made Hollandaise sauce, you’ll need a fork AND knife to eat this one. It comes with Elwood’s Taters: Yukon Gold potatoes, Vidalia onions, and Applewood bacon. This dish is ideal for weekend brunches, as you may need a nap afterward!
Elwood’s Shack’s Eggs and Debris is an open-faced sandwich offering a creative spin on Eggs Benedict. Image: Elwood’s Shack
Bon appétit, Memphis!
**********
Looking for more great dining options in Memphis? Check out our archives!
