I tried breakfast sandwiches from Dunkin', Starbucks, and Tim Hortons. My favorite tasted fresh and flavorful.

Three sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches on a wooden table. — I tried breakfast sandwiches from Dunkin', Starbucks, and Tim Hortons. Ted Berg

There's nothing quite like enjoying a tasty sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich for breakfast.

Like many New Yorkers, I maintain a careful mental ranking of the best bodegas and street carts in my area for breakfast sandwiches. However, I became curious as to which coffee chain would be best to turn to when I'm traveling and need something to eat.

So, purchased sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches from Dunkin', Starbucks, and Tim Hortons and compared them. Here's how it went.

First, I visited a Tim Hortons location in Manhattan.

The exterior of a Tim Horton's location in Manhattan. — This was my first time trying a breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons. Ted Berg

To kick things off, I visited Tim Hortons, a Canadian chain known for its coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches.

Although I've been to a handful of Tim Hortons locations in the US and Canada before, this was my first time trying anything beyond coffee and doughnuts.

I went to order a stand-alone sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, which cost $5.99, but the cashier informed me that the $6 (pre-tax) breakfast deal came with the sandwich, a doughnut, and a medium iced coffee. So, I went with the latter.

I really liked the egg on this sandwich.

A sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich on an English muffin. — The egg had a fluffy texture and a soft, flavorful yolk. Ted Berg

The sandwich from Tim Hortons was the greasiest of the three, but it also tasted the freshest. The egg had a nice, fluffy texture and a soft, flavorful yolk.

The English muffin was pleasantly substantial, and the yellow cheese was melted to the perfect creaminess. The sausage added some heft, but I didn't think it had much flavor.

Next, I visited a Dunkin' location across the street.

The exterior of a Dunkin' in Manhattan. — I don't visit Dunkin' often, but was excited to try one of the chain's breakfast sandwiches. Ted Berg

To continue my search for the best sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, I visited Dunkin' — a chain known for its coffee, fruity refreshers, doughnuts, and sandwiches.

Although I've been to Dunkin' before, I'm not a huge fan of its coffee, so I rarely seek it out. However, I decided to give its breakfast sandwich a try.

The sausage, egg, and cheese cost $6.25 before tax, which is only slightly more than I paid for the other options I tried.

Like the Tim Hortons across the street, Dunkin' also advertised a $6 meal deal. Sadly, though, it was only valid for a coffee and two wake-up wraps, so I didn't take advantage of the offer.

Dunkin's option was made with flavorful sausage.

The Dunkin' sandwich was the largest of the three, owing mostly to the fluffy-looking English muffin it came on. Unfortunately, though, I was disappointed when I took a bite.

The English muffin tasted somewhat doughy and almost unnaturally soft — it reminded me a bit of white bread. It also had a floury coating, which I didn't love.

The egg was fairly puck-like and light on flavor, and the cheese didn't do much to rescue it. However, the sausage was the saving grace, with rich flavor and a hint of spice.

Finally, I visited a nearby Starbucks location.

The exterior of a Starbucks in Manhattan. — I typically stick to cold brew when I go to Starbucks. Ted Berg

To round things out, I visited Starbucks, a chain famous for its coffee, lattes, fruity refreshers, and selection of baked goods.

I visit Starbucks often, but I typically stick to the brand's cold brew. And although I've tried many of its breakfast sandwiches over the years, I mostly choose them for convenience, and never paid close enough attention to the flavor.

So, I was excited to try the sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich again.

The Starbucks sandwich came on a delicious English muffin.

I thought the Starbucks English muffin was the tastiest of the three I tried. It had an enjoyable toastiness and a chewy density that helped it stay intact while I enjoyed the sandwich.

The bright yellow disc of melted cheddar and egg, however, didn't taste like much of anything besides salt. Starbucks' sausage was decidedly the spiciest of the three, which I didn't expect, but also the driest.

Before tax, this sandwich cost $5.45, making it the cheapest one I tried.

Overall, the option from Tim Hortons was my favorite.

At the end of the day, these sandwiches were difficult to rank, as each had some points in its favor and some against. Ideally, I'd like a sandwich with Tim Hortons' egg and cheese, Dunkin's sausage patty, and Starbucks' English muffin.

But as they were, I liked Tim Hortons' sandwich the best. It tasted the freshest of the three, even though it was the first one I ordered, and the ingredients seemed fairly high-quality across the board.