Today on the tray: French toast sticks

November 28 is National French Toast Day.

According to Wikipedia, “French toast, also known as eggy bread, German toast, gypsy toast, or Spanish toast, is a dish made of bread soaked in beaten eggs and then fried… The earliest known reference to French toast is in the Apicius, a collection of Latin recipes dating to the 4th or 5th century; the recipe mentions soaking in milk, but not egg, and gives it no special name, just alter dulcia, ‘another sweet dish.’”

But lifting a fork is such a burden, especially after all that business of beating eggs and soaking and frying bread. That’s why, some 1,500 years later, French toast was made more convenient with the introduction of French toast sticks that you hold in your fingers and dip in a syrup-like substance. I’m not sure who first came up with the concept, but in 1986 Burger King rolled them out as part of its AM Express breakfast menu.

Burger King French toast sticks commercial (1986)

Have a French toast stick, Nick! Ooo, the dip is sweet, Pete!
The taste is great, so don’t be late
Get French toast sticks to go!

Burger King presents tasty golden brown French toast sticks with a rich, thick dip. They’re right at your fingertips, Skip!

You can eat ’em on the run, hon’!
You don’t need a plate, Nate!
They’re crispy to chew–It’s a breakfast that’s new
French toast sticks to go!

I suspect the writers of this jingle were influenced by Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” released in 1975, which employs the same device of rhyming lyrics with various male names. “Just slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. No need to be coy, Roy. Just get yourself free,” goes the song. It continues with personalized advice to men named Gus and Lee as well.

Whatever your name, and whether you dip it with your fingers or eat it with a fork, have a great National French Toast Day!

RELATED ARTICLE

• November 28 is National French Toast Day (foodimentary.com)