Tax Night Supper: The Spanglish Sandwich with Avocado

Do you remember the Spanglish Sandwich? This was the sandwich that chef Thomas Keller developed for Adam Sandler to make in the movie Spanglish. It had to justify the title the "world's greatest sandwich," and by the way the recipe immediately flew around the internet, it did seem like it achieved that!

It's basically a bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich dressed up with a fried egg and drippy egg yolk. Delicious! It's an indulgence for a busy night since it comes together quickly, and it's filling without being too heavy. It's comfort food and brain food at the same time. And if you want to dress it up just a little more, or leave off the egg, try topping it with avocado like in the top photo.

We first published this recipe several years ago -- here it is again.

World's Greatest Sandwich
from Thomas Keller
makes 1 sandwich

3-4 slices of bacon
2 slices of Monterey Jack cheese
2 slices of toasted rustic country loaf (pain de campagne)
1 tbsp of mayo
4 tomato slices
2 leaves of butter lettuce (yes, it's called butter lettuce)
1 teaspoon butter
1 egg

Preparation:
1. Cook the bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels
2. Place slices of cheese on one side of toasted bread. Place in toaster oven or under broiler to melt.
3. Spread mayo on other slice of bread top with bacon, sliced tomato, and lettuce
4. On non-stick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Fry egg, turning over briefly when the bottom is set (keep yolk runny)
5. Slide finished egg on top of lettuce, top with other slice of bread (cheese-side down genius)
6. Place sandwich on plate and slice in half, letting yolk run down sandwich

(Image: Flickr member star5112 licensed for use under Creative Commons; Kana Okada for Food & Wine)

Very nice. I will never tire of this sandwich even after serving it for over six years.

posted by art on April 15th 2009 at 4:36pm
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oh. my. god.

posted by abigailbelle on April 15th 2009 at 4:36pm
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Man, I refuse to make BLTs with crappy grocery store tomatoes. This will have to go in the "summer foods" file, because it sounds fantastic!

posted by erin in indy on April 15th 2009 at 4:40pm
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Somehow I was in the dark about the Spanglish sandwich, but my stomach is growling!

Yum! This is going to get made at my house for sure!

posted by Liana WW on April 15th 2009 at 6:08pm
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I missed this one, but now I want to make it! I ADORE fried egg sandwiches and the addition of a really good tomato and butter lettuce (also called Boston Bibb, isn't it?) and mayo sound divine.

posted by Tiamat_the_Red on April 15th 2009 at 6:21pm
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spanglish sandwich? that's a BLTE! something i request at every breakfast joint i go to whether or not it's on the menu. because if you can't do it right, you don't deserve my business. unless you're waffles make me weak.

posted by nenasadije on April 15th 2009 at 8:07pm
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the making of this sandwich is my favorite scene in that movie.

posted by miabica on April 15th 2009 at 8:59pm
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yes. the sandwich part was the only good part of that movie. holy f... i just ate a delicous meal, but am lusting after that drippy egg yolk

posted by chusmabilly on April 15th 2009 at 11:38pm
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I am with you, erin in indy. This is a summer sandwich with, oooh, heirloom tomatoes. And it would be a great lazy sunday BREAKFAST :)

posted by shayna on April 16th 2009 at 8:25am
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I want this for breakfast.

posted by revolution9 on April 16th 2009 at 8:40am
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Mmmmmm. Yes please.

posted by kmarie on April 16th 2009 at 8:57am
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This sandwich is epic - and we call it a BELT in our house.

posted by jessiem on April 16th 2009 at 10:16am
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I must have missed this the first time around, but it seems irresistible!

posted by Stephanie at Ice Cream Before Dinner on April 16th 2009 at 12:09pm
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Where has this been my whole life? I should start seeing horrible Adam Sandler movies.

posted by zaky on April 16th 2009 at 12:24pm
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oh my goodness, that sounds so awesome. is it weird that i want it even though i hate eggs to the core?? perhaps itll convert me. but probably not.

posted by deeboyayay on April 16th 2009 at 3:59pm
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I totally forgot about this sandwich, but I was obsessed with it for months after seeing that movie. I googled it unsuccessfully back when the movie came out. I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU.

posted by Kimber on April 16th 2009 at 9:44pm
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