# Monte Cristo sandwich: Bring It On or Take It Away? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 2, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227 "2010-11-02T16:48:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/1 "2010-11-02T16:48:46Z")
I’ve only had one of these in my life. It was more than a decade ago, and it was so nasty I recall it to this day. I took exactly one bite, then shit-canned the remainder. I wonder now, though, if I merely got a hold of a bad one. The inside of the bread was very moist, and the sweetness of the French Toasty bread clashed horribly with the ham and cheese within. The Google images of the MC do look tasty, but I believe I may have been traumatized for life. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/2 "2010-11-02T16:51:12Z")
There’s two kinds–the “real” kind (real=original) that’s essentially a grilled sandwich using french toast–those are sublime (and it should be just barely sweet but very eggy). The other kind is dunked in batter and deep-fried. These are disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/3 "2010-11-02T16:54:34Z")
It should look like [this](http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Sandwiches/MonteCristoSandwich.htm) and NOT [this](http://idahofergusonfamily.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html). ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/4 "2010-11-02T16:55:09Z")
My dad used to make them, and I liked them though I didn’t eat them often growing up. Later, I had one at a restaurant, and couldn’t believe a friend was putting JELLY on his. WTF!?!?! I’ll eat anything once, so I had to try it. Yum! I also was pleasantly surprised by peanut butter, pickle and mayo sandwiches, so your taste buds may vary. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/5 "2010-11-02T17:00:26Z")
Hmmmm…maybe my experience was quite the exception. I suppose I should mention that the one Monte Cristo I had was in a hospital cafeteria. 😃 This may be the most lop-sided poll in Doper history. (note: I should have added an option for ‘never tried one’) mmm ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/6 "2010-11-02T17:03:53Z")
The only time I’ve ever gotten Monte Cristos is at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland. . . and they are _awesome_. I maybe eat half a monte cristo a year (I can’t finish that thing), but it’s an awesome half. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/7 "2010-11-02T17:05:24Z")
Yum! I love a good Monte Cristo. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/8 "2010-11-02T17:07:43Z")
One of my favorites. There used a be a restaraunt called the magic pan(a chain I think maybe) donwnon Larimer square in Denver that had the best Monte ever. Deep fried, but with light batter, not the heavy encrustation of so many today. And good maple syrup, no freakin Jam. Unfortunately I have largely give up on them. It seems like most places just deep fry them in the same oil they use for Onion rings and fish, and just makes it taste nasty, with large blobs of onions greasy crust. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/9 "2010-11-02T17:10:26Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > Later, I had one at a restaurant, and couldn’t believe a friend was putting JELLY on his. There was a chain restaurant (was it Bennigan’s?) that had a Monte Cristo, and they served it with a side of raspberry jelly. Delicious! It was fried there, but they managed to make it very light and crispy, rather than soggy and heavy. About 1,000 calories too many for me these days, but I have fond memories. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/10 "2010-11-02T17:11:17Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > The only time I’ve ever gotten Monte Cristos is at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland. . . and they are _awesome_. I maybe eat half a monte cristo a year (I can’t finish that thing), but it’s an awesome half. Same here. Also the only place I’ve seen that deep-fries. Every other place is French Toast and it just doesn’t measure up. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/11 "2010-11-02T17:18:09Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > There’s two kinds–the “real” kind (real=original) that’s essentially a grilled sandwich using french toast–those are sublime If you’re ever in the DC area, stop by a Lost Dog Cafe and order a #50. They call it a “Pound Hound” but it’s really one of these. I don’t know if the place still exists but the first–and best–Monte Cristo I hever had was [here](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=38.849952,-77.126405&num=1&t=h&sll=38.848347,-77.124309&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&ll=38.848649,-77.125129&spn=0,0.00795&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.848601,-77.124995&panoid=x_ZWhr2Iy6gvzdxJe9g6Fw&cbp=12,354.24,,0,5). ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/12 "2010-11-02T17:22:58Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Same here. Also the only place I’ve seen that deep-fries. Every other place is French Toast and it just doesn’t measure up. Agreed. It definitely has to be deep fried (though, this may be because I don’t like French Toast. . .). ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/13 "2010-11-02T17:34:58Z")
I saw a Kitchen Nightmares where Ramsey ordered one and then wrung it out on the plate:eek:. It was deep fried. When I worked as a line cook, we used to make them dipped in egg and grilled. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/14 "2010-11-02T17:37:43Z")
> [@eenerms](#): > > I saw a Kitchen Nightmares where Ramsey ordered one and then wrung it out on the plate:eek:. It was deep fried. FWIW, the ones at Disneyland aren’t greasy at all. They are flakey and light. Delish. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/15 "2010-11-02T17:47:35Z")
I’ve only had the french toast kind, usually open-faced. If it’s on the menu, I’ll consider it since I don’t see it very often. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/16 "2010-11-02T18:48:30Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > There was a chain restaurant (was it Bennigan’s?) that had a Monte Cristo, and they served it with a side of raspberry jelly. Delicious! It was fried there, but they managed to make it very light and crispy, rather than soggy and heavy. About 1,000 calories too many for me these days, but I have fond memories. I’ve had that sandwich, and it was delicious. The raspberry preserves were a perfect condiment. That’s the only one I’ve ever had, so in my view I like them fried. Frying them poorly however could easily ruin the entire sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/17 "2010-11-02T19:10:34Z")
I had the Bennigan’s one myself (the only time I’ve ever had one) and I can only eat half, too. I’m a plate-cleaner and that’s pretty much the only thing I’ve ever encountered where “one serving” was just too much. So, I voted “Eh, It’s OK” … in moderation. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/18 "2010-11-02T19:11:03Z")
I love a Monte Cristo. I didn’t know that they came in a deep-fried version; that sounds appalling. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/19 "2010-11-02T19:54:32Z")
Love the french-toast version, especially with jam. Deep-fried sounds nauseatingly bad. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227/20 "2010-11-02T20:13:02Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > I love a Monte Cristo. I didn’t know that they came in a deep-fried version; that sounds appalling. > [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > Love the french-toast version, especially with jam. Deep-fried sounds nauseatingly bad. Disneyland does it right. As **drastic\_quench** pointed out, poorly fried results in a bad sandwich just like any fried food. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monte-cristo-sandwich-bring-it-on-or-take-it-away/559227.md?page=2)