Lohud's Big Cheese: Bacon Egg and Cheese 'King' talks his perfect sandwich order

If anyone knows a good Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich, it's the self-professed BEC "King," Phil Lockwood.

Lockwood, who says he's eaten at almost every spot in Rockland County, started his Instagram page @BECSPK_king during COVID as a way to help support local delis and bagel places.

We reached out to the Rockland influencer in honor of Lohud's Big Cheese: Battle of the Bacon Egg and Cheese bracket, something we are doing for March Madness. We're asking readers to vote for their favorite sandwich makers each week until we crown "The Big Cheese."

Last week, we launched our first round, pitting eateries in Westchester and Putnam against each other in an "Eggy 18" bracket, and Rockland County Bacon Egg and Cheese makers in a "Savory 16" bracket. We asked you, our readers, to send us places that should have made the cut.

Lockwood does a March Madness bracket every year to celebrate what he calls NY's staple sandwich. Read on for his ideal order, as well as what readers had to say about our bracket choices.

Lohud's Big Cheese: Here's your Round 1 winners for our Bacon Egg and Cheese bracket

What does the Bacon Egg and Cheese King look for in his sandwich?

"So when I am ordering a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese I am looking for a well-layered sandwich." Lockwood said. That means at least two eggs (he says some places only use one, but two should be the standard), plenty of bacon and melted cheese (he prefers American).

"I am a salt, pepper, ketchup guy although I know tons of people who do not like ketchup on their sandwiches," he said.

When it comes to what bread the sandwich comes on, it depends on where he's ordering.

"When I am at a deli I get it on a roll, and if I am at a bagel place I do everything bagel, never toasted, as a good bagel should never be toasted," Lockwood said. "When I am feeling in the mood I add a hash brown for that extra punch."

Lockwood's favorite combo is a Bacon Egg and Cheese (BEnC or BEC), with salt, pepper, ketchup (SPK) and a hash brown on a French toast bagel. You may see a BEnC with hash browns listed on a menu as a "BOBO."

"I do prefer the sandwich on a roll as it keeps the sandwich together better," he said. "Bagels are great but the sandwich gets messy."

More deliciousness: Liebman's, old-school Jewish deli from the Bronx, opens in Westchester

What Lower Hudson Valley Bacon Egg and Cheese makers did we miss?

We asked readers last week for their favorite places we may have missed, and you answered enthusiastically!

Lockwood had a few recommendations for us when it came to BEnCs missing from the Rockland bracket: Canzona's Market in Piermont ("one of the most consistently solid sandwiches"), The Rail Trail Cafe in Blauvelt and Cafe Diem in Pearl River.

Anthony Acocella wrote us to let us know that we missed a major player in the Lower Hudson Valley's deli scene: Anthony's in Mamaroneck. Acocella called it a powerhouse, and we have to agree. There's a sense of community at Anthony's that became evident quickly from the feedback we got via social media.

"Yes I worked there part-time for 22 years, yes I'm in that place every day for coffee, yes I consider them my close friends," Acocella wrote.

We highlighted Anthony's the last time we featured Bacon Egg and Cheese for a poll (10 years ago), and it's clear that it's still a local favorite.

Thomas Dobbins makes the drive from Pelham to Rye every weekend for Jerry's Post Road Market. "That's how good it is," he said in an email about the shop, which has been family-owned since 1937. Dobbins said Lange's was also a go-to spot for him for years, until he discovered Jerry's. Still, he was glad to see Lange's on our list.

His twist on the Bacon Egg and Cheese (which he called "one of the best dishes on the planet"): raw onion.

"For that extra kick."

Do you put your own spin on the classic BEnC? I want to hear from you. Share your custom BEnC orders by emailing me at [email protected] for the chance to be featured in a future story. And, again, if we missed your favorite BEnC spot, let me know!

Thank you for voting for your favorite BEnC makers in Round 1 of Lohud's Big Cheese 2024! Stay tuned for Round 2, which starts on Friday.

Ashley C. Fontones is the Emerging Audiences Editor at The Journal News/lohud.com. Have an idea for a poll or a story? Send ideas to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hudson Valley delis that should be on our Bacon Egg and Cheese bracket