Passionate about bacon? Here are 13 spots to celebrate the food in Charlotte
It seems like every day is a food holiday. From cookie days to ice cream days and everything in between, it can be tough to keep up.
But Sept. 5 marks a food holiday you won’t want to miss: International Bacon Day.
This day-long event will be celebrated across the nation, but lucky for you, Charlotte has some of the best spots to enjoy the savory treat. From cocktails to clotheslines, here are five unique ways to order your bacon this weekend:
(1) In a cocktail
The bacon-infused cocktail pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese benny at Snooze. Courtesy of Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
In honor of International Bacon Day, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is “bacon a difference” by giving back to No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger. Snooze is committed to donating $20,000 to the campaign to provide 200,000 meals for children in need across the country. How can you help? By eating bacon, of course.
On Sept. 5 from 6:30 a.m -2:30 p.m. you can enjoy a special menu with the “Bacon It Easy” cocktail, prepared with bacon-infused vodka, bacon crumble, Snooze sriracha and house Bloody Mary mix.
Pair your cocktail with the Habañero Pork Belly Grilled Cheese Benny (seared, cider-braised habañero pork belly, cheddar and jack cheese inside locally sourced brioche; griddled and topped with poached cage-free eggs, smoked cheddar hollandaise and Bacon But Different crumble) or the Graceland Pancakes (buttermilk pancakes with caramelized raw sugar, topped with bacon-whipped mascarpone, black peppercorn-infused Slopeside maple syrup, Tender Belly bacon crumble and candied pecans). The pancakes are also available as a vegetarian option without bacon.
Each dish will feature bacon from Tender Belly, one of Snooze’s long-standing partners and sustainable purveyors, so it’s food you can feel good about.
(2) On the go
If you want crispy bacon crumbles, you’ll need to start celebrating International Bacon Day a little early. What the Fries food truck serves incredible burgers and cheesy fries topped with bacon crumbles. Why crumbles instead of full strips? Because you can ensure you “get bacon in every bite.” What the Fries is ahead of its time.
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While the food truck won’t be available on Saturday because of a private event, you can look for the Gouda Bacon Mac and Cheeseburger throughout the week. Check out the truck’s Instagram account to stay up-to-date with its latest location.
(3) In a dessert
Did somebody say maple bacon doughnuts? (It was me, I said it.)
Whether you want to make just one stop or embark on a maple-bacon-doughnut tour throughout the city, Charlotte’s bakeries offer the perfect sweet-and-salty combo.
At BW Sweets Bakery, you can get the Maple Bacon Doughnut and the Maple Bacon Cupcake.
“My inspiration is pure salty and sweet,” said BW Sweets operations manager Frankie Taaj White. “Who doesn’t love breakfast when the syrup from your pancakes gets on your bacon? It’s a match made in heaven.”
The bakery is offering buy two, get one free bacon items on Sept. 5 to celebrate.
At Sugar Donuts, you’ll find a Maple Applewood Smoked Bacon Donut. This classic yeast-raised doughnut is covered with a handmade maple glaze, then topped with applewood smoked bacon. It’s been on the menu since 2014.
Sugar Donuts will also have its Bourbon Candied Bacon Donut, covered in a handmade bourbon glaze and topped with peppered honey-bourbon bacon. There are gluten free options available for both. And if you’re still craving something sweet, the bakery will also have Maple Bacon Gelato made from scratch by HoneyBee Gelato.
Duck Donuts, known for its hot-from-the-fryer doughnuts, also offers a maple bacon doughnut. And since its menu also has build-your-own options, you can add bacon to any doughnut of your choosing.
(4) On a clothesline
The most Instagram-worthy bacon dish is found atop the Le Meridian hotel in uptown, where Cloud Bar by David Burke serves the DB Maple Glazed Bacon Clothesline. It’s one of the most popular dishes on the menu and features maple-glazed bacon, a pickle spear and lemon.
(5) At a food hall — or a food stall
When Optimist Hall opened in 2019, it quickly became one of the city’s hottest destinations for food — and for good reason. Here, you’ll find everything from steamed baos to cold-pressed juices to refreshing gelato. And, of course, bacon.
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Not sure what type of bacon you’re in the mood for? Try it in the form of jam at Boxcar Betty’s on the Chicken “Not So Waffle” sandwich, complete with maple syrup, pimiento cheese, tomato and bacon jam.
If you want the perfect cheese pull for a photo before devouring your meal, head to Papi Queso and order the Bacon Jalapeno grilled cheese. It’s packed with Preservation Society pepper jelly, slab bacon, shaved red onion and fresh jalapenos, then melted together with a blend of cheddar, white American and fresh cheese curds.
And after your tour of gooey delights, consider a lighter option at Village Juice Co., where you can get bacon on everything from avocado toast to sandwiches, salads and grain bowls.
You’ll also find the savory treat at Camp North End food stalls. At Bleu Barn Bistro, you can add applewood smoked bacon to your Farmhouse Burger (local grass-fed beef, cheddar, shaved red onion, whole grain mustard and arugula on a toasted cornmeal kaiser bun) and enjoy bacon in the Cajun Potato Salad on the side. Also at Camp North End, you’ll want to stick around for dinner. Leah & Louise offers the Mata Pie, an heirloom tomato bread pudding with smoked mushroom pickles, tilefish, bacon and herb salad.
Vendors at the 7th Street Public Market also serve bacon-filled dishes, like the “Swalty” at Uptown Yolk, complete with smoked shrimp, red wine vinaigrette brioche croutons, spinach and candied bacon. Complement your candied bacon with even more at It’s Poppin’ Gourmet Kettle Corn, where you’ll find honey-bourbon-bacon-flavored kettle corn.
