Lohud's Big Cheese: Vote for your fave Bacon Egg n' Cheese in Rockland County

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 16 Rockland BEnC spots to duke it out for the next few weeks. We're calling this first round the Savory 16. Vote for your favorite BEnC-making eatery each week, and we'll narrow the bracket down to a final among these 16, and eventually square up with Westchester and 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.

Rockland County: Here's your Savory 16 Bacon Egg and Cheese battle

Polls for the Savory 16 round of Lohud's Big Cheese will close at noon on Wednesday, March 20. Results will post the next day. Read on to vote!

Nyack Classic: Pals Neighborhood Bagel and Deli vs. Nyack Hot Bagels

What's up Nyack? This battle is going to be tough: will you be able to choose between Pals Neighborhood Bagel (95 North Highland Avenue) and Nyack Hot Bagels (Hub Shopping Center 348 Route 59)? Each spot offers plenty of upgrades to the classic BEnC, with Pals dishing out BOBOs and Nyack Hot Bagels offering additional meat options like chorizo. Let your tastebuds decide. Vote below:

Battle of the Bagels: Bagel Boys vs. Bagel Train

You'll have to let your favorite bagel guide your choice here. Both of these Suffern spots are hugely popular; with reviewers recommending you hit Bagel Train (150 Orange Ave Suffern) early to avoid lines and the Bagel Boys Cafe (7 North Airmont Rd. Airmont) website saying they do it for the "Love of Bagel". The passion each location has for their craft, and of course, the BEnC, comes through. Vote below:

Bardonia-Nanuet Faceoff: Zimi's vs. Lucky Star

Another tough choice awaits you when your options are Zimi Bagel Cafe (269 S. Middletown Road, Nanuet) and Lucky Star Bagel and Deli (114 Route 304, Bardonia). Both spots serve classic BEnCs for under $6. Zimi's has multiple locations and ships nationwide when you need a taste of home; Lucky Star offers a few unique pairings for your breakfast: a refreshing traditional or upgraded Mangonada. It's your call. Vote below:

Pomona's Pride: Mountainview Deli vs. Three Boys Deli

These Pomona BEnC purveyors mean business. Mountainview Deli (Mt Ivy Plaza, 14 Thiells Mt. Ivy Road) has a multi-decade legacy in the area, and offers plenty of options to put your own twist on the BEnC. Three Boys Deli (Mt Ivy Shopping Center, 1621 US-202) is a more traditional Italian deli that keeps it classic. Both are delicious and start under $6. Vote below:

The Stony Point Standard: Deli Central vs. B's Nest Deli

Stony Point has a lot of options when it comes to breakfast, but these two stood out. Both Deli Central (9W 65 South Liberty Dr.) and nearby B's Nest (75 S Liberty Dr.) are family-owned and offer up plenty of deliciousness. Both offer a traditional BEnC for under $6. Vote below:

The New City Staple: Leonardo's Italian Deli vs. Manny's Famous Deli

You can't go wrong with a simple Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich, and that's what you'll get at Leonardo's Italian Deli (14 North Main St.) and Manny's Famous Deli (50 South Main St.). Leonardo's serves up their BEnC with two eggs on your choice of bread, and Manny's BEnC keeps it NY with your choice of roll or hero. Both delis being a five-minute walk away from each other do not make this choice easy. Vote below:

The New City Wildcard: Opa Breakfast & Sandwich vs. Zambetti's

Yes, this is a Bacon Egg and Cheese competition, but we couldn't leave well enough alone with these additional New City restaurants. You can upgrade your BEnC at Opa's (29 3rd St.) to a gyro meat egg and cheese or you could opt for a more healthy (yes, we said healthy) BEnC option at Zambetti's Kitchen and Market (192 S Main St.). How about that? Catch us outside. Vote below:

Congers Clash: Titanic Deli vs. Bella Vita Deli

Yes, our last Rockland County clash is in Congers. These two delis may be near each other, but they couldn't be more different. Titanic Deli (15 S. Route 303) has BEnCs on the menu, of course, but they've also got BOBOs and protein shakes, because why not. Bella Vita Deli is a traditional Italian salumeria that is also slinging BEnCs and BOBOs like its going out of style. Tough call. 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 Westchester and Putnam County's BEnCs some love! See the Westchester-Putnam 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 Rockland County NY