Where is the “uitsmijter” most recognised as a popular dish?

In the Netherlands, an “uitsmijter” (pronounced “out-smiter”) is a popular breakfast, brunch or lunch dish. It is a full-meal sandwich consisting, in the main, of bread, cheese, meat (mostly ham) and fried eggs. The word "uitsmijter" itself means "forcefully throw out" and can refer to a ‘bouncer’ at a nightclub, but in food terms, it is the name of an open-faced sandwich, but one which is not for dainty eaters or those with a ‘peckish’ appetite.

The link with the literal meaning of “uitsmijter” is that it is often served as the last "one for the road before we get thrown out" meal after a night of partying. Groups of friends who end up at someone's house late at night (or early in the morning), after the bars closed, would wrap up the night with a satisfying meal. Many a parent has been wakened by the smell of ham and eggs in the middle of the night, only to find a kitchen full of youngsters eating breakfast. That is often said to be the point where the "throwing out" happened.

Germany has a similar dish called “Strammer Max” (meaning in English, "Strapping Max), which is a slice of bread, sometimes fried in butter, covered with ham and fried eggs. The ham may also be pan-fried; it is also possible to replace the ham with a slice of roast beef, in which case the dish is sometimes called “Strammer Otto”.

The “uitsmijter” is also enjoyed in the neighbour to the Netherlands, Belgium, but it is primarily a Dutch favourite.