This summer I had a breakfast sandwich I’ll be dreaming about for years to come — and I have TikTok to thank for it.
The buttermilk biscuit sandwich from The Sagaponack General Store has been popping up all over social media this summer, and I can confirm that this grocery store’s simple version of a classic dish lives up to the hype.
It’s served at a small supermarket in the Hamptons that originally opened in 1878 and almost closed its doors permanently in 2020. The 150-year-old establishment was purchased by Mindy Gray, a longtime Sagaponack resident and co-founder of The Gray Foundation, who took her children to the general store when they were growing up. As reported by The Southforker, when the store went up for sale in 2020, Gray’s family encouraged her to make the purchase, saying, “You should reopen it.”
The cherished local hub opened its doors again this April after four years of renovations. Inside you’ll find a coffee counter for iced lattes and matcha, penny candy in a post office–box cabinet, a soft-serve station, shelves filled with pantry goods, a beer fridge, and a grab-and-go refrigerated section featuring prepared foods like baba ganoush, chicken salad, an avocado and sprout sandwich, and more.
Before you peruse all these alluring options inside the General Store, you’ll want to make a beeline to the bakery. This is where you’ll find fresh loaves and baguettes, beautifully displayed cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, cookies, and, of course, the famous breakfast sandwich.
Considering the store’s impressive selection, the fact that an egg and cheese sandwich on a biscuit is the trending item of the season is reason enough for me to try it in an effort to determine if it’s really as special as the internet says.
Everything you need to know about the viral Hamptons breakfast sandwich
Scroll through social media to find restaurants and dishes that are recommended in this high-end area of Long Island, New York, and you’ll almost certainly see someone praising this sandwich. It only has three components, but that hasn’t stopped online reviews from saying “This is the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had” or “This biscuit breakfast sandwich is next level.”
Gray tells Food & Wine, “The breakfast biscuit sandwiches are definitely capturing the hearts and bellies of Sagaponack.”
When I get in line to order my own sandwich, everyone ahead of me asks for the same item, which seems like early validation that I am making the right choice. The store keeps several sandwiches already prepared and wrapped up, so there’s minimal wait time, and once you pay, you can enjoy your egg and cheese immediately on the store’s front porch or back patio.
The sandwich is simple and packed full of flavor. It’s not overflowing with ingredients or extra condiments. Instead, it focuses on perfecting the building blocks of a good breakfast sandwich, including airy soufflé-style eggs, sharp Cabot cheddar, and a flaky buttermilk biscuit holding it all together. The store also offers the option to add ham to the sandwich.
As anyone else who’s tried this sandwich will agree, the buttermilk biscuit is the star of the show. It’s freshly baked, crisp on the outside, layered and pillowy on the inside, and topped with flaky salt. The rich flavor of this buttery vessel blends well with the salty, sharp flavor of the cheddar cheese.
Even at first glance, the egg inside the sandwich is striking with its soufflé-like, fluffy texture. After tasting this viral delicacy, I can confirm it is the fluffiest, airiest egg I’ve had in a sandwich before. As for the optional thick-sliced ham, I enjoy the extra burst of saltiness, but it’s not a must-add. The sandwich already hits all the right notes in its original form.
Located on Sagg Main Street in Sagaponack, the General Store offers a curated space with a rustic, nostalgic feel, featuring wooden shelves, old-school signs, and repurposed antiques.
Even if you’re not a local, the breakfast sandwich alone is worth a weekend road trip to see the store. Just make sure to arrive a bit early, as the sandwiches sell out pretty quickly — and now I understand why.
