BaconFest came out of nowhere last year at this time and blew people away. It was fun. It was popular. It created a buzz. And best of all, it brought plenty of traffic into the area's restaurants. That's top chef Patrick Mulvaney pictured getting in some heavy lifting
The second annual BaconFest is coming and there's even more excitement building. This celebration of all things bacon -- including some pretty incredible doughnuts at Doughbot -- begins Jan. 20 with an opening night party at Hook & Ladder, and concludes with the second annual Chefs Challenge at Mulvaney's on Jan. 27. Brad Cecchi of Grange returns as the defending champion.
It was quite a spectacle on S Street when the California Pork Producers Association recently delivered three whole hogs and 20 pork bellies free of charge in preparation for the finale. Tickets for the contest can be purchased online for $30 at Eventbrite. Click here to buy tickets.
Renowned food and wine expert Darrell Corti will be among the judges for the Chefs Challenge.
Scoff, sneer and overlook this week-long event at your peril. Restaurants are lining up to get in on this, featuring something special and bacon-centric on their menus during the week. The serious foodies try to check off as many places as possible on the list.
If you're into the dining scene, be it food trucks, casual eateries or fine dining destinations, there's plenty here for you. Personally, this year I'm planning on tasting every bacon-related dish on offer. Checking the line-up, I've eaten at every place except LowBrau, which opened on New Year's Eve in a great spot at 20th and K.
Here's a list we received from the BaconFest organizers. As you'll notice, some of our best restaurants are involved.
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:
Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co.
Formoli's Bistro
LowBrau
Enotria Restaurant Winebar
Old Ironsides
Magpie Cafe
Shady Lady Saloon
Pangaea Two Brews Cafe
Selland's Market-Cafe
Bacon & Butter
The Golden Bear
Mulvaney's B&L
Yellowbill Cafe
The Waterboy
The Eatery
Boulevard Bistro
Bows & Arrows
Lucca Restaurant
Ella Dining Room & Bar
Ten22
Restaurant Thir13en
Grange Restaurant
Masullo
Doughbot
Gold Rush Grill
State Bear
Sacramento Bartenders Guild
Testa Duro Salumi
The Republic
Drewski's Hot Rod Kitchen
Broderick Bar & Grill
Blair Anthony Robertson is The Bee's restaurant critic. Follow him on Twitter, @blarob.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.