If you've ever seen the latter on a menu (either abroad or here in America), you've likely also seen its counterpart, the ...

At its heart, the croque-madame is a fancy toasted ham and cheese sandwich. This French bistro staple features thinly sliced ham, shredded Gruyere cheese, decadent Mornay sauce and Dijon mustard.

Layers of melted cheese, crisp white bread, and smoky ham form this opulent yet comforting sandwich, ready in mere minutes. This French-style croque madame recipe transforms a humble ham and ...

Another $2 for a fried free-range egg buys the madame option. 2. Le Grand Cafe, Alliance Francaise This modern cafe serves a croque-madame ($8) with a twist, placing the egg inside the bread.