Winner: BLT-M
Restaurant: The Trout and the Troll, Byram, NJ
Sandwich Creator: Bradley Boyle
Inspiration: “I wanted to up the flavor of the BLT.”
Key Ingredients: Bacon, lettuce, gingered tomato jam, shredded mozzarella, Pullman bread
Price: $9.50
Food Cost: $1.40
What the Judges Said: We’ll admit that we’re blown away when a chef can put together a dozen ingredients and create harmony. It’s not easy. But we’re also impressed by simplicity. Sometimes it only takes one creative ingredient to elevate a classic sandwich. That’s what Boyle has done here with the gingered tomato jam. New Jersey is known for its great tomatoes and he’s used the ingredient to make a knockout gingered tomato jam to take this simple BLT to another level. The magic happens when the jam mingles with the creamy mozzarella. We still dream about it.
Honorable Mention:
• Irish Hawg: Haw Jaw Fritz BBQ, Riverside, MO
• Red Rubenstein: Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café, Sanford, FL
• The Reuben: Scranton’s Restaurant, Pascagoula, MS
• Open-Face Corned Beef with Guinness Stout: Dell Dining Cafe, Round Rock, TX