In diners across the United States, one of the most enduring classic dishes is juicy steak paired with freshly-cooked eggs. This deceptively simple combination was once among the most popular breakfasts in American cuisine, and it has a surprisingly complex history tied to centuries of tradition and changing palates. This brief guide explores how this beloved dish came to be an all-time favorite and some variations to try at your favorite restaurant.

The Origin of Steak and Eggs

For much of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, Americans were far more avid meat-eaters than they are today. Menus from these eras are packed with meat- and fish-based dishes paired with all kinds of baked goods, cereals and grains, vegetables, and sauces, with regional variations influenced by locally available livestock, game, and produce.

Regardless of the region or the season, beef has been an ever-present option on American dining tables for centuries. As nutritional science flourished, diners moved away from the meat-heavy menus of decades past, but steak and eggs remained a favorite of athletes, military service members, and others in physically demanding occupations or simply with a taste for savory, filling breakfasts.

Bodybuilders, beginning with Vince Gironda in the 1940s, adopted a protein-rich diet in which steak and eggs featured prominently to help them build muscle mass. Steak and eggs also became part of spacefaring tradition when astronaut Alan Shepard ate the dish before becoming the first American in space aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft in 1961. Such famous eaters, as well as the inherent savory satisfaction of the combination, have kept steak and eggs on breakfast tables right up to the present day.

Delicious Variations of Steak and Eggs

The classic steak and eggs consists of a piece of tender strip, sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak, either grilled or fried, topped with fried eggs. It can be paired with any number of savory sides, such as biscuits, toast, hash browns, or salad, along with fresh orange juice and hot coffee. Some diners even offer country-fried steak and eggs with rich, creamy gravy.

Other variations include steak and egg sandwiches, steak and egg tacos, and steak and eggs Benedict. Whatever your preference, steak and eggs can be accompanied by butter, onions, peppers, hot sauce, salt and pepper, and any other condiment you can think of to complement your taste.

Craving steak and eggs? Then visit Belgian Waffle & Pancake House in Branson, MO, for a plate of this classic breakfast dish, cooked to order using the freshest ingredients available. This treasured diner offers a menu full of dishes sure to satisfy your taste buds. Call (417) 334-8484 with any questions, or view their menu online.