Steak And Eggs Is A Riskier Brunch Order Than You Think

When heading out to brunch, no menu order speaks louder to the domesticated carnivore like steak and eggs. But bruncher beware, this protein-packed meal may not be all it's cracked up to be. In fact, chefs in the know are recommending diners steer clear of it in certain situations. The top issue with this dish is also its selling point: the steak, or, more specifically, the cut of steak you're getting. 

Depending on the type of establishment you frequent, the cooks will often pair the ubiquitous sunny-side-up eggs and potatoes with the cheapest cut of steak out there, usually skirt or flank steak. When used as the base for fajitas or a Philly cheese steak, this cut can be perfectly delicious. As a steak, though, this lean and thin cut of meat is bound to be the chewiest, toughest steak you'll ever encounter — a jaw workout if there ever was one. However, this condemnation doesn't extend to all restaurants. If you're dining out at a fancy establishment, you're usually safe. But if it's a chain or the local greasy spoon diner, you might need to think twice before ordering this brunch menu staple. 

Still, a restaurant's window dressing doesn't exactly promise quality, so how can you tell if it's best to skip the steak and eggs at a restaurant? With steak, you need to keep in mind that the quality of the item will be represented by its price. Of course, it can be hard to determine what's a suitable price for a steak when considering inflation and fluctuating geographical cost-of-living factors. 

A good rule of thumb is to compare the steak and egg menu prices against other vegetarian options, like a Florentine omelet or tomato-rich shakshuka. If there's very little difference between the two numbers, you can bet that the cook is using a cheap cut of meat. Quality steak commands high prices, and if a restaurant is shelling out for the good stuff, you can expect the menu price to reflect that. Either way, be on high alert when ordering the steak and eggs at your next brunch outing.