Sure, you can score a basic egg-and-cheese sandwich at the deli counter. Or you can splurge a little and dive into an unbelievably rich and gooey piece of gourmet heaven guaranteed to make your morning. Don’t hit snooze and sleep through the six deliciously amped-up egg-and-cheese sandwiches below. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Toad in a Hole at The Pass and Provisions

At the much-lauded The Pass and Provisions in Montrose, the kitchen puts a playful spin on the traditional English dish, Toad in the Hole. Available during Saturday brunch, a fried farm egg is placed in the cut-out hole of a juicy burger patty, all presented on a house-made brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, and cheddar. Twice as nice: The cut-out beef circle doesn’t go to waste. It arrives on the same plate, inside a traditional burger. ($20)

807 Taft St.; 713-628-9020

Havana Daydreaming at Snooze an A.M. Eatery

The knockout breakfast food at the low-key Snooze an A.M. Eatery is the stuff dreams are made of, especially the aptly named Havana Daydreaming. The open-faced sandwich is served on a ciabatta roll with pork, shaved ham, Swiss cheese, and homemade pickles. But that’s not all. Snooze puts a sunny side egg on it, plus Dijon mustard and hollandaise sauce for a delicious bite you won’t soon forget. ($11.50)

Multiple locations

Sticky Bun at Bosscat Kitchen and Libations

At Bosscat Kitchen and Libations near River Oaks, the Sticky Bun Breakfast Burger is a sandwich to behold: The crazy-good dish is served with salted caramel and pecans on a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Stacked with a hamburger patty, ham, cheddar, and fried duck egg, it's only available Sundays — so plan your weekend around it. ($15)

And since the Sunday soiree brunch here includes DJ-spun beats and lively vibe, kick it up a notch and pair your breakfast burger with a parade of bottomless mimosas or bloody Marys for $32. Because sometimes you need your Sunday afternoon to feel more like your Saturday night.

4310 Westheimer Rd.; 281-501-1187

Fried egg sando at Max’s Wine Dive

Definitely not your average morning meal, the monster Fried Egg sando at Max’s Wine Dive starts with three eggs fried up in butter, and then ever-so-gently, so as not to break the yolks, it’s layered with gruyere, lettuce, applewood-smoked bacon, tomatoes, and black truffle aioli on artisan sourdough bread. You likely won't have room in your stomach for the side of truffle chips, but it's worth a try. ($16)

Multiple locations

Francesinha at Oporto Midtown

Portuguese restaurant Oporto Midtown serves up a killer house croque madame, the Francesinha, piled high with grilled hangar steak, chorizo sausage, country ham, raclette cheese, and a fried egg. Are we forgetting something? Oh right, there's also a rich, flavorful tomato-beer sauce on top. ($15)

125 W Gray St.; 713-528-0115

The Dean at Bernie’s Burger Bus

Bernie’s Burger Bus joins the breakfast game with a newly-launched morning menu. The popular burger joint offers a trio of standout sliders, including The Dean. Roast beef, Swiss cheese, and chimichurri come on a challah bun. But it's the super-fluffy eggs, baked frittata style, that make this mini-sandwich a big hit. ($3.75)

Multiple locations