SANDWICH PROPER
Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★⭑
District: Aksarben; Food trucks/pop-ups
Artisan Breakfast Sandwiches
Perfect For: Breakfast/Brunch; Casual Dining; Takeout
Standout Dishes: Proper Breakfast Sandwich; Grilled Cheesus; Breakfast BLT
One of the strongest contenders for Omaha’s best breakfast sandwich is only available one day a week. It doesn’t have a permanent location and shuts down completely during the fall and winter.
Despite its limited availability, it’s gained a cult following and in 2022 sold its 10,000th sandwich.
Such is the force of nature that is Sandwich Proper.
Established in 2016 by a couple of friends with a passion for breakfast sandwiches, Sandwich Proper has evolved into an Omaha phenomenon. The owners have regular day jobs, so the only time they have available to sell is at the Sunday farmers market in Aksarben.
But the word has gotten out about this team of sandwich-loving pros. Many fans come to the farmers market solely to get their hands on Sandwich Proper’s creations, and the stand frequently sells out. The earlier you arrive, the better shot you have of getting your hands on one of these delicacies.
At the heart of Sandwich Proper is its signature sandwich, the Proper Breakfast Sandwich. While the rest of the menu rotates, you can always count on this breakfast classic to be available.
And while the other creations are delicious, if Sandwich Proper only sold this one item, it would be worth driving to the farmers market and braving the crowds for.
The peppery garlic-sage patty is the sun around which all other elements orbit. It’s juicy, savory, and has just a bit of kick, and its date on the grill creates a fantastic caramelized crust. A heap of caramelized red onions balance the spice with a pleasant sweetness, and white cheddar wraps it all up in a melty cheese blanket. A perfectly-cooked fried egg tops off the masterpiece, and the buttery brioche bun soaks up the runny yolk.
That sandwich is understandably Sandwich Proper’s torchbearer, but it’s far from the stand’s only offering. The other selections are constantly changing based on what the owners are interested in or what fans demand.
Other specials have included a PB&J (with homemade pecan butter and strawberry thyme jam), the O Face Bagel Sandwich (shaved ham, fried egg, and peach jam on an everything bagel), and ice cream sandwiches between two soft chocolate chip cookies.
Maybe the best of the specials is the Grilled Cheesus, a celebration of all things gooey dairy.
Sandwich Proper employs three cheeses—havarti, yellow cheddar, and jack—to infuse each bite with rich, melty goodness. The three cheeses have similar characteristics, building upon their similarities to create a mild, creamy interior. The griddled brioche breads adds nice texture, but the kicker are the confit tomatoes, which add bursts of fresh sweetness.
Then there’s the Breakfast BLT, which will cause you to question every other BLT you’ve eaten—why have those sandwiches not included a fried egg?
The familiar elements of a BLT are present, but elevated. The braised bacon is thick cut and crispy, the greens vibrant and crisp, and the tomatoes roasted to extract extra sweetness.
One shortcoming of some BLT sandwiches is they can be a bit dry. Sandwich Proper sidesteps this pitfall not only with a fried egg that erupts yolky goodness, but also from the creamy richness of mayo and a healthy schmear of cream cheese.
All that goodness is encased between two slices of golden brown, chewy focaccia that practically oozes olive oil.
All of Sandwich Proper’s offerings seem simple in concept, but each detail is so carefully crafted. Everyone’s had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but one on brioche bread with homemade pecan butter? Or a grilled cheese sandwich with three perfectly complementary cheeses and fresh cherry tomatoes? Even Sandwich Proper’s choice of breads to pair with each sandwich show a thoughtful excellence.
The stand also ensures quality offerings by crafting their sandwiches almost exclusively with local products. From the sausage patties (O’tille Meats) to the brioche (Le Quartier) to the cheese (Jisa’s Farmstead), honey (Hunter’s Honey), and produce (Lone Tree Foods), Sandwich Proper intimately knows its vendors and sources only products it trusts.
There’s no getting around it—it’s not convenient to get your hands on a Sandwich Proper Sandwich. The limited availability and propensity to sell out limit how often you can enjoy them.
But this is the type of sandwich that is worth seeking out, even planning your day around. So much care, planning, and skill goes into these bread-y creations that you’ll be happy you prioritized them over your other plans.