Lohud's Big Cheese: Vote for your fave Bacon Egg n' Cheese in Westchester, Putnam counties

BEnC. BEC. BOBO. LMGABECSPK.

If you know, you know.

The Bacon, Egg and Cheese sandwich is a New York staple that has found fame across state lines. It's a lifestyle, a commitment, a phrase in which the four words blend together into a sizzling single-syllable for many (if you say it fast enough). You may not even need to ask when you get to the counter, your guy's (everyone has a guy) got you already, they're handing you your paper bag stuffed with the piping hot sandwich wrapped in foil and you're out the door and on your way to work (or working from home).

Maybe you top yours with hashbrowns (a la BOBO), or the traditional trinity of Salt, Pepper and Ketchup (SPK of course). You may opt for a classic kaiser roll or a comforting bagel. However you like it, the BEnC is your go-to. It's timeless; the BEnC never had to have a come back— it never left.

Enough breakfast poetry, we have a question for you. And it's a tough one.

Who makes Lower Hudson Valley's best Bacon Egg and Cheese?

In honor of March Madness, we're breaking out the bracket to put your food loyalty to the test.

We've selected 12 Westchester BEnC spots, and 6 from Putnam, to duke it out for the next few weeks. We're calling this first round the EGGY 18. Get it? Yes, a traditional bracket comes in multiples of four, but sometimes, things just don't fit the mold. And our area is a prime example.

Vote for your favorite BEnC-making eatery each week, and we'll narrow the bracket down to a final among these 18, and eventually square up with Rockland for the true Lohud's Big Cheese finale.

This list was determined thanks to Lohud Food writer Jeanne Muchnick's expert recommendations, painstaking online research and newsroom feedback. Considering this is New York, we are very, very likely to have missed your favorite BEnC spot, and for that we are sorry. Send us your favorite places by emailing [email protected] for an upcoming story.

Prices listed for each BEnC are subject to change.

Westchester and Putnam: Here's your Eggy 18 Bacon Egg and Cheese battle

Polls for the Eggy 18 round of Lohud's Big Cheese will close at noon on Wednesday, March 20. Results will post the next day. Read on to vote!

Battle of the 24/7: Rocky's vs. Cameron's

Both of these eateries dish out the classic Bacon Egg and Cheese at a similar price point: Rocky's (235 Saw Mill River Road, Millwood) goes for $4.80 while Cameron's (890 NY-35, Cross River) is $4.99. They are both open 24/7, all year round (including holidays). Locals swear by Rocky's — which has been serving the area all day every day for 30 years straight — and Cameron's comes with the benefit of multiple locations in the Hudson Valley. Both are contenders for the Big Cheese this year. Vote below:

White Plains wonder: Martine Gourmet Deli vs. Rooster's

In White Plains, Martine Gourmet (186 Martine Ave.) is known for its cozy atmosphere, while Rooster's Market (48 Gedney Way) is a traditionalist's dream. Both were highly recommended. At Martine, a classic BEnC goes for $5.75, while Rooster's is $5.50. Either way, its a tough choice. Vote below:

Who serves the Croton classic? Harmon Deli vs. Croton Mini

Two Croton-on-Hudson delis came highly recommended when we began our research: Harmon Deli and Croton Mini Deli. Both eateries have a loyal following and their own charm. At Harmon (358-360 S Riverside Ave.) you can indulge in a sandwich that features two eggs, bacon and cheese on your choice of bread (even a croissant) for $5.00, while Croton Mini (10 Maple Street) offers a BEnC that starts at $3.25 (choose from a variety of cheese options and add more eggs!) Vote below:

Rumble in the Bronxville: Lange's vs. Parkway Delicatessen

At Lange's (94 Pondfield Road, Bronxville), the key is in the customization, and you're the master of your domain. The "Make Your Own Breakfast Sandwich" is a gateway to the BEnC, and its yours for $4.45. You don't have to look far to realize there's steep competition in the area, one being Parkway Delicatessen (48 Pondfield Rd.) who slings an old school BEnC for $5.50. The choice is yours. Vote below:

The Somers supreme: Somers Super Deli vs. The Original Froggy's

The competition overall is already pretty stiff, but choosing between these two Somers spots may be one of the most difficult. Somers Super Deli (Lovell St, Lincolndale), a family-owned "full service" Italian American deli is a heavy weight when it comes to fresh food and variety, and Froggy's (253 Route 100, Somers) literally has the phrase "LMGABECSPK" emblazoned on their website. Score a BEnC at Somers Super Deli starting at $6.24, or go for a "NYC style" 2 eggs, bacon and cheese on a kaiser roll for $5.50. Vote below:

Sleepy Hollow's Dark Horse: Greene County Deli vs. Justin's Deli/Cafe

Don't lose your head: You're going to have to choose between two Sleepy Hollow delis that charge under $4 for a BEnC. Greene County Deli (44 Beekman Avenue), which has been serving the area since 1963, offers their 2-egg, bacon and cheese sandwich for a mind blowing $3.30. Nearby Justin's Deli/Cafe (86 Beekman Ave.) is slinging BEnCs for $3.75, according to their DoorDash menu. Good luck deciding. Vote below:

Putnam County

Major Mahopac: Route 6 Deli vs. Flory's

When we looked at Mahopac, we decided to keep it to the roadside spots (do not underestimate a gas station BEnC). Route 6 Deli (1100 US-6) offers a classic BEnC that starts at a delicious $3.99, while Flory's (157, Bryant Pond Rd. at the Mobil gas station) dishes out a 2-egg, bacon and cheese starting at $5.79. Could one of these Mahopac locations take home the Big Cheese? Vote below:

Bring it home Brewster: Brewster Superette Deli vs. JV Bagels

We found so many potential locations in Brewster, we had to double down and include four locations in our bracket. This first match up is between Brewster Superette Deli (2586 Carmel Ave.)— which offers a traditional BEnC online reviewers swear by— and JV Bagels (2505 Carmel Ave.), whose BEnC is the most-reviewed item on the menu. Vote below:

Brewster bragging rights: North Brewster Deli vs. Brewster Hill Deli

Our second Brewster brawl is between North Brewster Deli (278 N. Brewster Rd.) and Brewster Hill Deli (563 Route 312). Both delis are less than a mile away from each other, and both offer a breakfast special that includes a classic 2-egg, bacon and cheese with a coffee or tea. Let your tastebuds decide. Vote below:

Thank you for voting for your favorite BEnC makers in the Eggy 18 Round!

Results will post on Thursday, March 21. Stay tuned for the next round of Lohud's Big Cheese: Battle of the Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich, which begins Friday, March 22. And don't forget to give Rockland BEnCs some love! See the Rockland bracket here.

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: Vote for your favorite Bacon Egg and Cheese in Westchester, Putnam