Japanese egg salad sandos are becoming increasingly popular in Chicago as various new projects and popups riff on the country’s convenience-store snack culture. Modern takes are great, but there’s something to be said for a no-frills, plastic-wrapped classic tucked inside a cooler at Pastry Hippo House, the bakery inside Japanese food emporium Mitsuwa in suburban Arlington Heights.

Located in a low-key suburban strip mall, New York Bagel & Bialy Corporation has helped keep Midwest-based bagel enthusiasts sane with its freshly baked wares since 1965. Mornings call for the “New York Breakfast,” or sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel or bialy. There’s also a location in suburban Skokie.

Friendly Rogers Park spot Smack Dab is known for its “life changing” breakfast sandwiches, all made with one egg scrambled in butter. There are seven to choose from, including “the Bestest Seller” (eggs, pork sausage, shredded cheese, bacon jam, chive mayo, cheesy herb biscuit). There’s no dine-in service right now, but carryout and delivery are available via Toast.

Modern Jewish deli Steingold’s has a tight selection of simple breakfast egg sandwiches available on a bagel, challah, or rye. Any morning — or afternoon, for that matter — is vastly improved by an “Egg on a Roll” (fried egg, pastrami, provolone, challah roll) in particular. Online ordering is available via ChowNow.

This local mini-chain features a satisfying “Pork & Jam Sandwich” breakfast sandwich with pork sausage, cheddar, spicy pepper jam, crisp arugula, and an egg. It’s served on an English muffin.

Known for wood-fired vegan bagels and breads made in-house, all-day spot Reno has kept its popular “Cowboy Killer” on the menu for years. It’s made with maple-fennel sausage, a fried egg, bacon, American bechamel, and rajas on a trinity bun.

Adored local chain Goddess and Grocer’s “Maple Bacon Sandwich” puts a gourmet spin on the concept with a fried egg, slow-roasted tomato jam, gruyere cheese, and lemon rosemary aioli on a toasted brioche roll.

The menu at all-day haven Cafe Marie-Jeanne features an extensive breakfast selection, including a breakfast sandwich (english muffin; one egg any style; cheese; bacon, sausage, ham, or market vegetable). Patrons can doctor up any other sandwich with an egg too, from mackerel gravlax to a ham terrine club.

New River North venture Edie’s All Day Cafe and Bar cuts to the chase with its “Breakie Sammie”: cheddar, bacon, a three-minute egg, all on a poppyseed bun. Why mess with a classic?

West Town stalwart the Breakfast Club and Grill offers a popular patio and plenty of morning fare, including egg sandwiches. The sausage, egg, and cheese on brioche (chicken sausage, scrambled eggs, swiss, spinach, carmelized onions, pesto mayonnaise) is among the standout options.

The weekend brunch menu at West Loop’s City Mouse inside the Ace Hotel includes a fun and reliable “Gas Station Sandwich” with hash browns, egg, cheese, grape jelly, and sausage. Carryout and delivery can be ordered online.

It’s hard to go wrong at Moon’s Sandwich Shop, which has served Chicago since 1933. Start the day off right with an egg sandwich with added cheese, or kick the whole thing up a notch with ham, bacon, or sausage. Open-minded customers can just add an egg to any sandwich for an extra 65 cents, from a grilled ham and cheese to fried salami.

All-day breakfast stall Brekkie & Bake Shop, located inside Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall on the Near West Side, features five egg sandwiches to choose from. Breakfast sandwich aficionados will find everything there is to love about savory morning fare in the “Force of Nature” (sausage, eggs, American cheese, hash brown, scallion cream cheese, hot sauce, everything roll)

This famed Hyde Park cafeteria — a known favorite of President Barack Obama — features sausage-and-egg and bacon-and-egg sandwiches. Pair ‘em up with a side of hash browns, grits, or biscuits made in-house.

Bronzeville is lucky to have this newish bakery that specializes in cupcakes and breakfast. Emeche opened in 2019 and the croissant sandwiches, which come with a special jam, cheddar, and turkey bacon, are delicious.