Decadent, crispy bits of pork, sizzling slices of heaven, salty cuts of cured meat: Bacon. It’s the food of the griddle gods and we just can’t get enough. This flavorful foodie fad will never be over and North San Diego serves it up on the daily. Check out these porky portions sniffed out by Yelp fans.
Sublime Tavern (San Marcos + Del Mar)
People passionate about pork can recite Sublime’s Ecstasy Mac & Cheese ingredients from memory: it starts with the applewood smoked bacon and is made with Gorgonzola bechamel, mushrooms, roasted red pepper, garlic and a touch of thyme. Dig in but don’t stop there. Follow up with the Sizzling Sisig, a Filipino dish with braised and fried pork collar and shoulder. It comes smoking on a skillet with onion, a subtle jalapeno kick and Hawaiian sweet rolls on the side, which give a nice, sweet compliment.
Sea & Smoke (Del Mar)
Chef and owner Matt Gordon has a Bacon Benedict on the menu that you just have to bite. Stacked on top of a cast-iron skillet of moist corn bread (rather than the traditional English muffin), you’ll find Niman Pork Belly, steamed spinach, local poached eggs and a mustard hollandaise. If you’re in to dine for dinner, start with the Artisan Cheese and Meat board and surely select the Chorizo Seco: dried, cured pork with sea salt and mild garlic flavors.
Vintana Wine + Dine (Escondido)
Chef Deborah Scott serves up her pork product on a stick. You’ll find the Black Pepper Bacon-Wrapped Dates speared, presented and stuffed with chorizo, almonds and goat cheese; they glisten from their perches with a chile azucar glaze. If you really want to do it up decadent, order the Lobster Mac N' Cheese, also featuring that delicious Black Pepper Bacon, blue cheese and candied walnuts.
Union Kitchen & Tap (Encinitas)
Sundays are synonymous with a smokey bacon Bloody Mary at this coastal watering hole, so sip and savor with a thick slice bursting out of your beverage. If you’re ready for a fatback feast, order the Bacon Powdered Doughnuts ($7) with a side of Star Anise Maple Syrup. Wanna keep the pork party going? Stock up on the bacon and sausage breakfast flatbread to complete your breakfast. Here piggy, piggy, piggy!
Slater’s 50/50 (San Marcos + Liberty Station)
One cannot boast bacon without mentioning Slater’s 50/50. First off, the burgers themselves are 50 percent bacon, 50 percent beef. From there, you’ll find Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese, Bacon Poutine, Maple Bourbon Bacon Chicken Wings, Bacon Turkey Chili and even Bacon Ketchup. Oh, we’re not done with this pig out. How about a Bacon Old Fashioned to wash it all down with? It’s made with homemade, bacon-infused Basil Hayden’s Bourbon.
Trish Sanderson is the community manager and marketing director for Yelp North County San Diego. She leads the local community of Yelp reviewers both online and off.
