The BEC battle of East Putnam

Straddling either side of East Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob, there are two competing takes on America’s breakfast backbone, the Bacon, egg, and cheese. Lenny’s Bagels And Roost are in opposition to each other, literally and gastronomically, in the fight for BEC supremacy. In doing so, they have both created a BEC, just in different fonts.

Cos Cob is filled with food places, covering everything from sushi to salads to burgers. But one repetition stands out: there are only two places that sell a Bacon-egg-and-cheese. When I go to grab a breakfast sandwich with my friends on Sundays and pull into the Mill Pond parking lot, there is always a divide: Those who want Lenny's head inside, those who want Roost hop across the street.

Lenny’s BEC is your traditional deli bagel sandwich, with endless add-ons or removals. But if nothing appeals to you, you can just create-your-own Egg sandwich. They lay it out simply: 1. Add Egg, 2. Meat, 3. Cheese, 4. Toppings, 5. Choice of Bagel. The sandwich is freedom; it’s grungy, it’s raw, it’s comforting. It is the kind of BEC that reminds you how special the classic combination of bacon-egg-cheese-and-bread is. I take one bite and want to shout God Bless America!

The Lenny's Bacon Egg and Cheese

Roost’s BEC, on the other hand, has been infiltrated by the influencers. It’s a cutesy-aesthetic, farm-to-table spin on the traditional sandwich. Where Lenny’s bagel was the star of the show, Roost’s is all about what’s inside: a runny farm egg, Applewood bacon, cheddar, chipotle mayo, tomatoes, and arugula all on ciabatta. I always add an extra egg because I love how the runniness of the yolk soaks into the bread. This BEC takes something comforting and turns it into something new and elevated, leaving you pleasantly surprised. 

Roost's bacon Egg and Cheese

The BEC battle of East Putnam is much more than a battle over the best bacon, egg & cheese of Cos Cob. It is a battle between separate entities— past vs. present, tradition vs. progressivism, minimalist vs. maximalist, and so on. Who knew that the classic breakfast could create such a divide?

So, I ask you. Which BEC are you choosing?

East Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob

For more information on either of the BECs, see both of their websites:

Lenny's Bagels: https://lennysbagels.com/cos-cob-menu/

Roost: https://heyroost.com/cos-cob