10 Breakfast Chains Where Bacon Steals The Show
Bacon has a way of turning any breakfast into a celebration, and some restaurant chains know exactly how to let it shine.
Whether it’s piled high on a sandwich, layered into pancakes, or sizzling alongside eggs, bacon doesn’t play second fiddle here.
These breakfast spots treat it like the star it was always meant to be. If crispy, smoky perfection is your love language, you’re about to meet your new favorite morning destinations.
1. IHOP’s Hickory-Smoked Bacon Sensation
Crispy, smoky, and impossibly addictive, IHOP’s hickory-smoked bacon transforms ordinary pancake stacks into memorable feasts.
The restaurant’s bacon undergoes a special curing process that locks in that distinctive flavor profile bacon enthusiasts crave. While many come for the pancakes, regulars know to order extra bacon on the side.
IHOP offers it as part of nearly every breakfast combo, knowing full well their perfectly cooked strips keep customers coming back morning after morning.
2. First Watch’s Farmhouse Bacon Extravaganza
Farm-fresh and thick-cut, First Watch’s premium bacon elevates their already impressive breakfast menu to legendary status.
Each savory strip is hardwood-smoked and hand-selected for optimal thickness and flavor, creating that perfect balance of crispy exterior and meaty bite.
Locals rave about the Farmhouse Skillet, where the bacon takes center stage among fresh ingredients.
First Watch’s commitment to quality means they never microwave their bacon. It’s always cooked to order, ensuring that ideal texture bacon connoisseurs demand.
3. Waffle House’s Famous Bacon Magic
At 3 AM or 3 PM, Waffle House’s bacon sizzles consistently on grills across America, becoming almost mythical among late-night diners and morning commuters alike.
Their bacon achieves that perfect crispness while retaining just enough chew to satisfy serious bacon lovers.
Watch the short-order cooks masterfully flip those strips on the open grill. It’s part of the Waffle House experience.
The bacon appears in everything from their signature waffles to the beloved cheesy eggs, but many regulars simply order a plate of bacon all by itself.
4. Huddle House’s Country Bacon Delight
Southern comfort meets bacon perfection at Huddle House, where generous portions of country-style bacon complement every breakfast platter.
Their thick-cut strips deliver that smoky, salt-cured goodness that pairs beautifully with fluffy scrambled eggs and golden hash browns.
Regulars know to request their bacon exactly how they like it, from chewy to extra crispy.
The Big House Breakfast features a hearty helping of their premium bacon, though smart customers often add an extra side order because one serving is never quite enough of this mouthwatering specialty.
5. Snooze A.M. Eatery’s Artisanal Bacon Revolution
Bacon reaches gourmet heights at Snooze, where they source premium cuts from responsible farmers who raise heritage-breed pigs.
Their thick-sliced, slow-cured bacon develops complex flavor notes you simply won’t find at average breakfast spots.
Try their Bacon But Different menu, featuring candied bacon with brown sugar and cayenne that creates a sweet-spicy flavor explosion.
Snooze also incorporates their spectacular bacon into benedicts, sandwiches, and even bloody marys, proving bacon’s versatility extends far beyond the standard breakfast side.
6. The Original Pancake House’s Applewood Bacon Treasure
Bacon aficionados make pilgrimages to The Original Pancake House specifically for their applewood-smoked bacon, cooked slowly to develop its signature flavor profile.
The restaurant doesn’t rush the process, allowing each strip to reach its full potential. Their bacon arrives with a distinctive reddish hue from the smoking process.
Paired with their famous apple pancakes or Dutch babies, this bacon creates a sweet-savory combination that has kept customers loyal for generations. Many regulars confess they judge all other bacon against this gold standard.
7. Broken Yolk Cafe’s Bacon Masterpiece
Sizzling perfection greets your senses at Broken Yolk Cafe, where premium bacon receives the respect it deserves.
Their thick-cut strips undergo a special preparation method that renders just enough fat while preserving the meat’s natural flavors.
Bacon appears throughout their extensive menu, but shines brightest in the Bacon Lover’s Scramble.
The restaurant’s commitment to consistency means your bacon arrives exactly the same way every visit – crispy edges, meaty center, and that unmistakable smoky aroma that makes bacon the undisputed breakfast champion.
8. Another Broken Egg Cafe’s Gourmet Bacon Experience
Premium pork transforms into culinary art at Another Broken Egg Cafe, where their signature bacon undergoes a special brining process before being smoked to perfection.
The result is a sweet-savory flavor profile with hints of maple that elevates every dish it touches. Their Bacon Jam adds another dimension to the bacon experience.
Spread on biscuits or topping their famous benedicts, this concentrated bacon concoction proves the restaurant’s dedication to bacon innovation.
Regulars often request extra bacon on the side. It’s a testament to its irresistible appeal.
9. The Flying Biscuit Cafe’s Southern Bacon Specialty
Southern charm meets bacon excellence at The Flying Biscuit, where their apple-wood smoked bacon provides the perfect savory companion to their famous biscuits.
Each strip delivers that ideal texture combination, crisp enough to snap but substantial enough to satisfy.
Their Bacon and Eggs Breakfast features generous portions of premium bacon alongside creamy dreamy grits.
The restaurant’s bright, cheerful atmosphere complements the comfort of perfectly prepared bacon that tastes like it came straight from grandma’s cast iron skillet. It’s a true southern breakfast tradition elevated.
10. Black Bear Diner’s Wilderness Bacon Adventure
Hearty appetites meet their match at Black Bear Diner, where their thick-cut bacon strips arrive in generous portions that match the restaurant’s wilderness theme.
Their premium bacon undergoes a special smoking process that infuses deep flavor into each substantial slice.
The BLOB (Big Less O’ Bacon) features a mountain of their signature bacon that satisfies even the most dedicated bacon enthusiasts.
While known for portion sizes, Black Bear doesn’t sacrifice quality. Their bacon maintains the perfect balance of fat and meat, creating that ideal texture and flavor combination.