August 20 is National Bacon Lovers Day. Danya “D” Goodman and Meff “Human Cannonball” Leonard founded Bacon Day in 1997 as the one great day to bond everyone together. They say the best way to celebrate the holiday is to watch Kevin Bacon movies or movies with the word bacon in their title, such as “Bacon Grabbers” or “You’re Bacon Me Crazy.”
I gathered some exciting ways LA restaurants feature this delicious cured meat. The following are ways to participate on National Bacon Lovers Day.
#1 Bacon Wrapped Dates at A.O.C.
Bacon-wrapped dates have stood the test of time. Their salty and sweet combination is addictive and popular at cocktail parties. One of A.O.C.’s more popular appetizers is bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with parmesan. The parmesan gives this sweet and salty flavor a nice creamy tang.
A.O.C. 8700 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 310.859.9859
A.O.C. 11648 San Vicente Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049; 310.806.6464; aocwinebar.com
#2 – Bacon Wrapped Steak or Bacon Wrapped Scallops at Taylor’s Steakhouse
Surf and turf lovers will be delighted to know that their bacon desires can be satisfied on both platforms. Diners rave over their bacon-wrapped scallops. On Fridays, they feature an Omaha Tenderloin wrapped in bacon in a classic Bordelaise sauce.
Taylor’s Steakhouse, 3361 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005; 213.382.8449; taylorssteakhouse.com
#3 – FishBar’s Bloody Mary
FishBar has a solid local following in the South Bay. Not only is their seafood-forward menu popular, but the bar action is also lively. Their award-winning bloody mary with crisp bacon is a big draw for their weekend brunch.
FishBar, 3801 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; 310.796.0200; fishbarmb.com
#4 Bacon Cheeseburger at Hinano Cafe
The Hinano Cafe is a popular dive bar steps away from Venice Beach. Their signature bacon cheeseburgers are almost legendary. The patty is both crispy on the edges and juicy on the inside. The Hinano Cafe is the go-to place for late-night delicious grub.
The Hinano Cafe, 15 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292; hinanocafevenice.com
#5 Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwiches
The Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich is the iconic breakfast sandwich in New York City, and homesick New Yorkers can get their fix at Belle’s Bagels. Select from three of the shop’s signature salt, everything, or poppyseed bagels. Egg, cheese, and thick-cut double-smoked bacon make for a delicious BEC.
Belle’s Bagels, 5022 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042; 323.739.6336; bellesbagels.com
#6 – Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits by M.B. Post
People go crazy over his biscuits. Delicious cheddar oozes from the center and carmelizes on the edges. Hints of chive and smoked chewy bacon bits pack a lot of flavors. The late Jonathan Gold thought so much of David LeFevre’s Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits, and he described the experience in an LA Times video, “It’s just quite frankly delicious.”
M.B. Post, 1142 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; 310.545.5405; eatmbpost.com
#7 Bacon Cheddar Scone by Farmshop
If you enjoy smoke flavoring, try Farmshop’s Bacon Cheddar Scone. It features applewood-smoked dry-cured bacon from Petaluma’s lauded Zoe’s Meats, plus aged smoked cheddar from Fiscalini Farms.
Farmshop, 225 26th St #25, Santa Monica, CA 90402; 310.566.2400; brentwoodcountrymart.com/farmshop
#8 – Costa Azul (bacon and cheese-wrapped shrimp) by Zacatecas
Zacatecas is where families gather to enjoy tasty Mexican food. One of their most popular items is their Costa Azul, bacon and cheese wrapped around shrimp. Muy Deliosioso!
Zacatecas, 13737 S Inglewood Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250; 310.679.5161; zacatecasrestaurant.com
#9 Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs by Speedy Dog
Speedy Dog prepares an all-beef hot dog and wraps it with bacon. Bacon is the first thing you taste, and after biting into the casing, you taste the juicy beef hot dog. It’s a great item to experience after an evening of drinking.
Speedy Dog, 123 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90012; speedydogmobilecart.com
#10 Bacon Fried Rice by Gardena Bowl
Fried rice is a popular item to order, but if you add bacon, it’s even better. The origins of this dish are unclear, but you’ll find variations of bacon fried rice at many Hawaiian restaurants. Order some with a side of spam musubi at the Gardena Bowl.
Gardena Bowl, 15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247; gardenabowlcoffeeshop.com