In East Dallas, Goodfriend Package is redefining the breakfast sandwich landscape, elevating it beyond the traditional combinations of egg, cheese, and protein.
At this vibrant sandwich shop, creativity knows no bounds, and customers are in for a treat with the introduction of the Snakebite, a wildly inventive breakfast sandwich that has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best in Dallas, if not Texas.
The Snakebite’s creation is credited to Patrick Staton, the assistant general manager at Goodfriend. Its origin story begins with an unexpected order of jalapeño cheddar bagels that arrived by mistake from a new partnership with Starship Bagel.
Goodfriend’s owner, Matt Tobin, was initially unsure about this collaboration, especially since it would mean reducing the sales of their signature house-made biscuits. However, when the accidental jalapeño cheddar bagels arrived, Staton took the opportunity to craft a limited-time special.
He toasted a jalapeño cheddar bagel and divided it in half, smearing raspberry jam on one side while adorning the other with a creamy spread made from roasted, seeded, and skinned poblano peppers mixed into cream cheese.
For the main protein, Staton created a breakfast sausage patty, layering it with fresh jalapeño slices and cooking it smash burger-style on Goodfriend’s renowned flattop grill for a textural contrast, achieving crispy edges topped with a slice of American cheese.
On the side, he fried an egg and prepared bacon, ensuring each element of the sandwich was designed thoughtfully, with structural integrity in mind. The assembly began with the jam-covered bagel half, followed by the sausage patty draped in jalapeños and molten cheese, then the fried egg, and crispy bacon. Finally, he capped it off with the poblano cream cheese-coated bagel half, resulting in a breakfast sandwich reminiscent of a jalapeño popper.
Staton presented the sandwich to Brian Bell, Goodfriend’s general manager, who is known for his discerning palate yet few words. Staton recalls, “He was quietly chewing and nodding, so I knew I had a winner.”
With Bell’s subtle approval, the Snakebite made its debut on Goodfriend’s butcher-paper-and-Sharpie specials menu, eagerly awaiting the perfect name. The title ‘Snakebite’ emerged from the restaurant’s unofficial theme song, “Snake Farm” by Ray Wylie Hubbard, and it quickly stuck.
Originally intended as a temporary offering until the surplus jalapeño cheddar bagels were utilized, the Snakebite exploded in popularity among patrons, prompting Goodfriend to continue serving it.
Oren Salomon of Starship, who provides the bagels, expressed his surprise upon learning that the initial order had been a mistake, admitting he originally questioned why they had ordered them. “This all makes a lot of sense,” he remarked, explaining that he was perplexed at Goodfriend’s sudden interest in those specific bagels.
Salomon decided to make the jalapeño cheddar bagels available to Goodfriend daily, which means the Snakebite can be enjoyed whenever customers desire it — a rarity in the area. The star of the sandwich is undoubtedly the jalapeño cheddar bagel, crafted with generous toppings of whole jalapeños and freshly grated cheddar cheese, frying to perfection in its own oil during the baking process.
Though at first reluctant to delve into non-traditional bagel variations, Salomon found the end result to be spectacular: “This is so much better than I thought it would be.”
At present, the Snakebite remains on the specials menu, but whispers around the shop suggest that it may soon become a permanent fixture alongside Goodfriend’s classic offerings established since their opening in 2016.
If you decide to order the Snakebite, it’s recommended to enjoy it as-is without modifications. Altering any of its components strays from the carefully crafted balance that makes this sandwich uniquely enjoyable.
Matt Tobin issues a friendly challenge to those skeptical about the raspberry jam, promising, “I’ll buy you another one without jam if you don’t like it, but you’ve got to just try it.”
The Snakebite is not just a sandwich; it’s a celebration of flavors, creativity, and Texan cuisine, showcasing how a simple breakfast offering can evolve into something truly exceptional.
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