1

Avocado Toast

Image: Brenda Godinez

Let’s get this right out of the way first with a recipe that is as close to perfection as possible. Avocado toast has been a staple of breakfast menus for the last ten years or more, usually paired with scrambled eggs and seeds.

For this version, add a poached egg and top it with tuna salad or alfalfa sprouts for a healthy and satisfying meal.

2

Peanut Butter & Pomegranate

Image: Khysrow Akbari

Peanut butter? Sure. Pomegranate? Not so much, right? You might be surprised by this one, but this odd pairing works quite well. The classic PB flavor is complemented by the fresh fruit , with its natural sweetness and juiciness helping to combat peanut butter's stickiness, plus some extra fiber.

The recipe is simple: just spread a layer of peanut butter on your toast and sprinkle a healthy dose of pomegranate arils on top.

3

Fig, burrata & prosciutto

Image: Kaufmann Mercantile

As with a couple of the following recipes, this very Italian version of breakfast toast might seem a bit sophisticated, but it’s really not. Indeed, a combination of fig, burrata, and prosciutto does look and sound impressive, but it is very easy to make.

If you want to go the whole nine yards, start with sourdough bread as the base. Top it with a slice of prosciutto, a spread of burrata, and the pulp of a fig. The sweet and salty combination is delicious.

4

Spinach & blue cheese rarebit

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

For those who don’t know, rarebit is a hot cheese sauce served on toasted bread . This upgraded version adds spinach leaves and tangy blue cheese, balanced by delicate crème fraîche and wholegrain mustard.

The flavor and texture mix of the creamy cheese, the crunchy toast, and the spicy mustard create a combination that will provide a nice kick to your breakfast.

5

Ricotta, blackberry & pine nut

Image: Nick Sarro

The first completely sweet (or almost completely) toast on our list is packed full of health benefits, thanks to the vitamins C and K, manganese , and more found in blackberries.

For this recipe, simply spread some ricotta cheese on your toast, pack it with blackberries, and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top. The creamy, tart, and crunchy combination will give your mornings a delicious health boost.

6

Boiled egg, avocado & quick pickled radish

Image: Jo Lanta

Yes, we said that the first item on this list was the only avocado toast recipe you will need, but in this one, avocado isn’t the star —just another ingredient alongside the mighty radish.

Place thin slices of quick-pickled, crunchy radishes on your toast , then add some avocado slices on top. Lastly, top with a soft-boiled egg. Done. The spicy-creamy combination of radish, avocado, and egg is a heavenly experience for brunch lovers.

7

Pesto eggs with crushed peas

Image: David Todd McCarty

What are pesto eggs, you might wonder? This recipe is a great way to use up the last bit of pesto in the jar by placing it in a frying pan, along with two eggs and two tomato slices .

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, place the pesto, tomato slices, and eggs in a blender and give it a quick spin to mix everything together. Spread the resulting mixture on two pieces of toast and enjoy!

8

Air fryer yogurt custard toast

Image: Olga Petnyunene

If you have an air fryer, it will come in handy for this delicious breakfast recipe. Start by beating together 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup in a bowl.

Once you’ve done this, spread the resulting mixture over two pieces of toast, add some raspberries on top , and air-fry for 7 to 8 minutes until the custard has set and the bread is crisp.

9

Breakfast Toasts With Cheese

Image: Jez Timms

Cheese is an almost always welcome ingredient in any dish, and breakfast toasts are no exception. From salty to neutral , from soft and creamy to hard , cheese comes in many varieties that can be part of your morning menu.

Ricotta is a versatile option that can be spread on toast with lemon juice, basil leaves, and honey, or with sliced pears, walnuts, and honey. Soft goat cheese pairs well with figs and thyme for a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast. Blue cheese can also be combined with sliced pears, walnuts, and honey. The possibilities are endless.

10

Breakfast Classics

Image: Chris Lawton

The last item on our list is devoted to the timeless classics that have always been there for us and have stood the test of time. From the delicious bacon and eggs toast with spinach leaves to the more upscale smoked salmon with lemon juice and sliced scallions , or a bagel with cream cheese, smoked trout, and cucumber , or even a simple toast topped with butter and your choice of marmalade or caramel, the classics are always there for you.

1

Nuestra Señora de Atocha (Our Lady of Atocha)

Image: NOAA

A ship that sank off the coast of the Florida Keys in 1622, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha is, to this day, the most valuable shipwreck ever recovered. Originally bound from Havana, Cuba to Spain, the Atocha was loaded with a large treasure, ranging from copper and gems to gold and indigo from the Spanish colonies.

But, shortly after launching from port, a major hurricane caught the ship and destroyed the Atocha , which sank 56 feet beneath the surface. In 1985, treasure hunters rediscovered the wreck off the coast of the Florida Keys. Currently holding a Guinness World Record for its recovered value, the Atocha is a continual treasure trove for divers and fortune hunters alike.

2

SS Republic

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

A ship that served both the US and Confederate governments, the SS Republic sank in 1865 during a hurricane off the coast of Georgia. After the Civil War, the Republic carried passengers and cargo from New York to New Orleans. On October 20, 1865, a hurricane off the coast of Georgia damaged the ship, which sank around four in the afternoon.

As a result of the sinking, the cargo was lost with the ship until 2003, when a commercial archaeology company rediscovered the wreck approximately 100 miles from Savannah, Georgia. About a third of the coins that were on board the ship have been recovered, and are now valued at over USD 75 million.

3

The Whydah Gally

Image: NOAA

The Whydah Gally was intended for service in the British Empire before it was captured by the infamous pirate Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy. As Bellamy and his crew approached the Massachusetts coast the weather turned, creating a violent nor’easter cyclone. The ship capsized and its cargo, 144-man crew, and captain were consequently thrust into the sea.

In 1984, underwater archaeologist Barry Clifford discovered the Whydah Gally. Since its rediscovery, many artifacts have been retrieved from the ship, including the ship’s bell , inscribed with the words: "THE WHYDAH GALLY 1716." This helped authenticate the Whydah as the first pirate shipwreck to ever be found and confirmed.

4

SS Central America

Image: Giuseppe Murabito

The SS Central America was an American sidewheel steamer that operated between the East Coast and Central America. In September 1857, carrying 477 passengers, 101 crewmembers, 38,000 pieces of mail, and 30,000 pounds of gold harvested during the California Gold Rush to New York City, the Central America was engulfed by a Category 2 hurricane.

At the time of the boat’s sinking, over 400 people were still on board, making it the most deadly of any American commercial boat disaster. The gold on board was also lost. In 1988, explorer Tommy Gregory Thompson found the ship, and up to three tons of gold were excavated, leading to long legal battles that have continued to the present day.

5

SS Georgiana

Image: Jason Mavrommatis

The SS Georgiana was a Confederate steamer. Built in Scotland, the ship sailed its maiden voyage in 1863 to Charleston, South Carolina, where it was expected to be outfitted by Confederate soldiers. However, the Georgiana was not armed with any guns on its first journey and approached its destination on March 19, 1863, with minimal defense.

A member of a Union blockade alerted the nearby battleship USS Wissahickon , which shot and pierced both sides of the ship’s hull. Captain Davidson, signaled a surrender to the Union blockade before beaching the boat. Before the beached ship could be boarded Davidson purposefully sank the boat, before escaping to land with his entire crew. Found on March 19, 1965, the Georgiana was lost for exactly 102 years before its discovery.

6

Edmund Fitzgerald

Image: Nott Peera

Arguably one of the most famous shipwrecks in American history , the Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship on the Great Lakes until 1971. The freighter was fatally wrecked on Lake Superior during the winter of 1975, with all her crew losing their lives.

The exact cause of the sinking, with no outward signs of severe damage, is still heavily debated. The prominent theories include the vessel running aground or suffering damage during the storm. A U.S. Navy Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft discovered the wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald in November 1975, 15 miles west of Deadman’s Cove, Ontario.

7

Carl D. Bradley

Image: Sandra Seitamaa

The SS Carl D. Bradley , a Great Lakes freighter built in 1927, was popularly known as the "Queen of the Lakes" because it was the longest and largest freighter on the Great Lakes at the time. In 1957, it collided with another vessel , the MV White Rose , causing damage to the hull.

It was caught in a storm in November of the same year and sank in Lake Michigan, killing 33 of the 35 crew members. The sinking was caused by structural damage caused by the poor choice of steel used in its construction. The wreck, lying 360 feet under the water, was discovered in 1959 by the Army Corps of Engineers.

8

Lady Elgin

Image: ALDO DE PASCALE

The Lady Elgin was a wooden-hulled steamship built in 1851 that served on the Great Lakes as a passenger ship. On September 6, 1860, while returning from Chicago, the vessel sank in an unfortunate accident.

While facing a strong gale, it was rammed by the schooner Augusta of Oswego and, due to the damages caused by the collision, the vessel sank sometime later, resulting in the death of more than 300 people. Though the exact number remains unknown since the manifest was lost during the accident, it remains one of the worst shipwrecks in the region.

9

SS Eastland

Image: Anton Repponen

The SS Eastland was a Chicago-based passenger ship , used for tours. On 24 July 1915, the ship rolled over onto its side while tied to a dock in the Chicago River. In total, 844 passengers and crew were killed in what was the largest loss of life from a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes.

After the disaster, the Eastland was salvaged and sold to the United States Navy which, after restorations and modifications, designated it a gunboat and renamed it USS Wilmette . It was used primarily as a training vessel on the Great Lakes and was scrapped after World War II.

10

Wyoming

Image: rashid

The largest wooden ship ever built , the Wyoming was a six-masted schooner built, completed in 1909 in Bath, Maine. It had a length of 450 ft from jib-boom tip to spanker boom tip.

Because of its extreme length and wood construction, the Wyoming tended to flex in heavy seas, which would cause the long planks to twist and buckle, allowing sea water to intrude into the vessel. For this reason, the Wyoming had to use pumps to keep itself relatively free of water. In March 1924, it foundered in heavy seas and sank with the loss of all hands.

1

Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, New York

Image: Umanoide

While its world fame derives from a hot dog eating contest where the flavor of each individual dog is hardly appreciated by the participants, Nathan’s Famous does make excellent frankfurters with a vast array of flavors to choose from.

Set up in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker, it's now one of the most popular and famous places on the New York City food map for its mind-blowing hot dogs.

2

Puka Dog, Hawaii

Image: LikeMeat

Pork is a central part of the Hawaiian culture and it should be no surprise that pork hot dogs are a popular treat in that lovely part of the country. Puka Dog’s Hawaiian-style hot dogs are named after the unique bun that's baked with a hole running through the middle .

The available hot dogs can be either Polish or veggie, and the local garlic lemon sauce can be mild, spicy, hot, or lava (yes, that is on the menu). Relish and condiments are seemingly infinite.

3

Portillo's, Illinois

Image: Samuel Ramos

A city well known for its all-beef hot dogs served in poppy seed buns Chicago has plenty of hot dog vendors. But, among them, Portillo’s is the place to go to get the real deal.

Its classic Jumbo Hot Dog with mustard, relish, chopped onions, sliced ripe tomato, sport peppers, and pickles in a delicious steamed bun is a city landmark in itself. Chicago natives are known to call this combo of toppings 'dragging the dog through the garden'.

4

Dat Dog, Louisiana

Image: Mateusz Feliksik

If you ever felt the craving for an alligator or crawfish hot dog , and you happen to be in Louisiana, this is the place for you. Dat Dog has nine house-special dogs on the menu, including everything from classic Chicago-style dogs to the aforementioned alligator and crawfish dogs.

The vegan and vegetarian options are also very popular, like the Vegan Banger, complete with a vegan-friendly bratwurst, sauerkraut, dill relish, onions, tomatoes and mustard.

5

Short Leash Hotdogs & Rollover Doughnuts, Arizona

Image: Andy Wang

Hot can be gourmet food and Short Leash Hotdogs & Rollover Doughnuts certainly knows that. There’s a long menu, from a ll-beef and bratwurst to veggie and spicy link, unconventionally served in naan bread with a range of toppings .

One of the house’s strongest contenders, the Oliver hot dog, is a mix of sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing. The Poutine Dog is smothered with French fries, cheese curds, and gravy.

6

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs, Nevada

Image: Chris Curry

The odd name of Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs makes sense once you understand that it is a word play on the traditional Korean beef dish, bulgogi , with lots of the menu items inspired by Korean and Vietnamese flavors.

The Banh Mi, a local favorite, is bacon, banh mi slaw, a herb blend, and sriracha aioli. The Angry Kimchi comes with spicy pork bulgogi, Asian slaw, jalapeños and fiery aioli.

7

Red Top, Kentucky

Image: Meg Jenson

These hot dogs might be served from a food truck but the food is gourmet style for sure. Its wild game and all-beef sausages including wild boar, wagyu, and bison include extravagant toppings to match.

Visitors can try the Nirvana – a combo of roasted garlic cream cheese, jalapeños, fried onions, and jalapeño jam – or the Black & Blue, with blue cheese spread, grilled onions, smoked bacon, and local blackberry jam.

8

International House of Hot Dogs, Alaska

Image: Freunde des Snacks e.V.

The first of two Alaskan entries, the International House of Hot Dogs is loved by Anchorage locals thanks to its easily customizable options and wide range of dogs and toppings. However, the undisputed specialty is the reindeer Polish sausage, dressed with sautéed onions and the joint's secret chipotle sauce .

If reindeer is not of your liking, you can also choose between beef, buffalo, chicken, or veggie dogs.

9

Talkeetna Roadhouse, Alaska

Image: Andersen Jensen

As exotic as these treats might seem elsewhere, reindeer dogs are a normal thing in Anchorage, Alaska, as seen in the previous post, and this one, where the Polish-style dogs are the house’s specialty.

The menu even features names like Rudy-in-a-Parka and Chili-Rudy, as a nod to Santa Claus’ ride. But visitors can rest assured that the meats used don’t belong to the famous reindeer.

10

The Hot Dog Box, Chicago

Image: Zeki Okur

The Windy City makes a second entry at the last stop of our list with The Hot Dog Box, a father-daughter-managed joint venture. While classic Chicago-style hot dogs are on the menu, what makes this place a Chicago original is the craftier original creations that prove there's still room for creativity in the hot dog department.

The Bronzeville Bourbon Hot Dog is a menu star, comprised of a decadent steak dog covered with bourbon barbecue sauce, a fresh cabbage and carrot medley, and hickory-smoked bacon , all served in a pretzel bun.