GOING PORTABLE | Selected items

With convenience, taste and nutrition in mind, we've assessed four portable breakfast items that can be ordered at fast food restaurant drive-throughs. Some are classic breakfast foods, and others are funky new products.
BACON, EGG AND CHEESE MCGRIDDLE
Where -- McDonald's
What's inside -- Two griddle cakes with maple syrup baked inside form the bread of the sandwich. Layers of egg, American cheese and two strips of bacon go between the cakes.
Portability -- The sandwich is small -- about 3 inches across -- and easy to unwrap. But it can be kind of thick if you get all the ingredients.
Spill factor -- Watch for dripping cheese or bits of bacon, but the griddle cake has few crumbs.
Taste -- The commercials are right. The McGriddle is bizarre, but it's actually a pretty tasty concoction. The griddle cakes are sweet with just enough maple syrup flavor to properly contrast with salty elements of egg and bacon. You might not want to eat one of these sandwiches every day, but they definitely break up the monotony of breakfast.
Nutrition -- 450 calories, 23 grams fat, 240 milligrams cholesterol, 1,270 milligrams sodium, 43 grams carbohydrates, 19 grams protein
Cost -- $2.39
COUNTRY HAM BISCUIT
Where -- Hardee's
What's inside -- Salted country ham in a buttermilk biscuit.
Portability -- Take off the wrapper, and the biscuit isn't too difficult to eat. It's a tad challenging to take tiny bites of the ham. The whole slice wants to come along.
Spill factor -- Nothing spills out of the biscuit, but a few crumbs will fall.
Taste -- The meat is quite salty, and you'll likely need a cup of juice or coffee to chase this one down.
Nutrition -- 434 calories, 23 grams fat, 29 milligrams cholesterol, 1,700 milligrams sodium, 44 carbohydrates, 14 grams protein
Cost -- $1.72
EGG AND CHEESE CROISSAN'WICH
Where -- Burger King
What's inside -- The flaky croissant holds a fried egg patty and slice of melted American cheese.
Portability -- The Croissan'wich is a bit larger than your basic biscuit, so it might be a little more challenging to unwrap while in transit, but the item isn't difficult to bite into.
Spill factor -- There isn't much threat of spill here unless some cheese decides to drip out. The croissant doesn't break into crumbs as easily as biscuits.
Taste -- This is a warm, cheesy sandwich that provides enough sustenance to carry you through the morning. It's not too heavy, but it hits the spot.
Nutrition -- 305 calories, 18 grams fat, 135 milligrams cholesterol, 630 milligrams sodium, 23 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams protein
Cost -- $1.47
CHICKEN BISCUIT
Where -- Chick-fil-A
What's inside -- A smaller version of the Chick-fil-A sandwich's fried chicken breast is situated inside a flaky biscuit.
Portability -- The chicken breast is thick, making it tricky to hold the biscuit with one hand and take a bite. It's easier to handle than other breakfast sandwiches with multiple ingredients, but the thickness does present some challenges.
Spill factor -- Crumbs fall off the biscuit and chicken breast but don't make too big a mess. They are easy to brush off clothes, car upholstery and office furniture.
Taste -- This biscuit is like a miniature Chick-fil-A sandwich. The breast has the same juicy inside with a slightly crispy outside.
Nutrition -- 400 calories, 18 grams fat, 30 milligrams cholesterol, 1,200 milligrams sodium, 43 grams carbohydrates, 16 grams protein
Cost -- $1.75