Bacon dumplings. Bacon pie. Bacon tacos. Bacon cotton candy. These are just a few of the smoky, salty treats that local chefs plan to serve at Baconfest Chicago this weekend. Unfortunately, the lure of these pork-packed dishes proved so great that the event sold out the same day tickets went on sale earlier this year. If you're not one of the fortunate few that will be stuffing yourself silly at the UIC Forum Saturday, you can still get your fix. These restaurants are serving the same or similar Baconfest dishes-but for a limited time, so don't wait too long or you'll miss out again. Find even more options on Baconfest's own Do-It-Yourself Baconfest Guide at baconfestchicago.com
Suckonork at Central Standard
169 W. Kinzie St. 312-527-9463
Price: $12
Order it: Now through April 25
This serious sandwich can only be described as pig on pig on ... more pig. Ham, bacon and sausage are rolled up in a piece of suckling pig and served on an onion roll with spicy head cheese, bacon mayo and cabbage marinated in a red wine vinaigrette.
Bacon-cheddar biscuits at Frontier
1072 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-772-4322
Price: $8
Order it: April 19-21 and 26-28, brunch only
Get a meaty start to your with chef Brian Jupiter's brunch biscuits. Not only are they baked with aged cheddar, chives and bacon in the batter so they develop a seriously smoky flavor while baking, but they're also topped with bacon gravy that's loaded with meat, so you're sure to get bacon in every bite.
Sunchoke, bacon and tangerine risotto at Browntrout
4111 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-472-4111
Price: $12-$22
Order it: April 19-26
This North Center restaurant took a its vegetarian risotto studded with sunchoke and tangerine and added bacon in honor of the fest-and it will serve the carnivore version at the restaurant in honor of the event through next weekend. Try just a taste with the appetizer portion ($12) or order the entree ($22) to make it a meal.
Bacon zelnicky and bacon dacquoise at Gingersnap Sweets & Such
1416 W. Irving Park Road 773-697-8529
Price: $4-$5
Order it: April 21-May 5 (while supplies last)
This Lakeview sweets shop is baking bacon into two of its treats. The first is zelnicky-a simple Czech cracker made from flour and sauerkraut that's meant to be eaten with beer, cheese or soup-sold by the bag. For something sweeter, try the dacquoise, a French meringue-based cake featuring layers of peanut butter mousse, caramel, milk chocolate and buttercream served in bar form. "I'd say it's too pretty to eat but that's not true. I can eat it," manager Stacy VerBurg said. If the bacon dacquoise proves popular, they may keep it on the menu for longer.
Bacon English muffin at Nana
3267 S. Halsted St. 312-929-2486
Price: $4
Order it: April 21-28
If you're looking for this dish-an English muffin with braised pork belly, green tomato jam, scrambled eggs and ancho pepper syrup--on the menu at this Bridgeport restaurant, you won't find it-it's an off-menu special for those in the know, available during daytime hours.
Maple-glazed pineapple and bacon doughnut at Firecakes Donuts
68 W. Hubbard St. 312-329-6500
Price: $2
Order it: Any time
This sweet-and-salty pastry is the smallest of Firecakes' doughnut offerings-most can devour it in two or three bites-but it packs a big punch of flavor thanks to bacon and pineapple glazed with caramelized maple syrup. They're available daily but have been known to sell out, so the earlier you arrive (the shop opens at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. on weekends), the better your chances.
Banh mi burger at Burger Bar
1578 N. Clybourn Ave. 312-255-0055
Price: $16
Order it: Throughout April
Here's a tasty coincidence: This Lincoln Park burger shop's Baconfest dish also happens to be its burger of the month. That means you have two more weeks to work up your appetite for a curry-spiced pork patty topped with bacon aioli and traditional banh mi fillings such as pork belly, daikon radish slaw, cilantro and jalapeno.
Bacon-wrapped pineapple upside-down cupcake at 2 Sparrows
553 W. Diversey Parkway 773-234-2320
Price: $3.50
Order it: April 21-28
At this Lincoln Park cafe, the classic pineapple upside-down cake is downsized to cupcake form and enrobed in bacon in lieu of a paper wrapper. After baking, the finishing touches include pineapple frosting and a bit of candied bacon on top.
Bacon bread pudding at Cru Kitchen & Bar
25 E. Delaware Place 312-337-4001
Price: $10
Order it: April 21-28
Cru's entire kitchen staff was involved in designing this dish, which features a traditional bread pudding base topped with bacon caramel and slices of braised bacon. A side of kimchee cuts the rich, creamy taste with both spice and crunch.
BLT at City Tavern
1416 S. Michigan Ave. 312-663-1278
Price: $13
Order it: This spring
At this South Loop bar and restaurant, chef Robert Hoffman deconstructs the classic sandwich, serving braised pork belly and corn bread croutons with a smoked tomato jam, all topped with applewood-smoked bacon sauce and baked kale chips. The dish is part of the restaurant's spring menu, so expect it to stick around for the next few months.
Black beans and rice at La Sirena Clandestina
954 W. Fulton Market 312-226-5300
Price: $6
Order it: Any time
When Chef John Manion opened this West Loop spot, his black beans were vegetarian. Then he prepared them loaded with ham and bacon for a dinner with local meat shop The Butcher & Larder and saw the error of his ways. "I was very, very wrong," Manion said. "I'd been doing my customers and staff a huge disservice." His porked-up version is on display at Baconfest (minus the rice) and on his restaurant's everyday menu as a side dish for the foreseeable future.
Belgian Triple Bypass at Bel 50
738 N. Clark St. 312-496-3948
Price: $7.95
Order it: Now through April 25
You'd need to be at Baconfest to try chef Brad Alexander's version of bacon-wrapped dates, a bacon-infused waffle with goat cheese spread and date syrup. But as a consolation prize, you can order this equally bacon-stuffed sandwich, which features the restaurant's new house-made sausage, Virginia ham, applewood smoked bacon, roasted red pepper aioli and cheesy eggs on waffle bread.
redeye@tribune.com | @redeyeeatdrink