Metro Detroit’s Bacon-Lovers Guide

By: Carolyn Hall | October 25, 2024

Photo courtesy of Griffin Claw Brewing Company

Bacon lovers, rejoice! Metro Detroit is home to an array of dishes that put bacon front and center, from savory brunch options to indulgent burgers and pizzas. Whether you’re looking to start your day with a bacon-infused breakfast or satisfy your cravings with a sizzling burger, these local spots have something delicious to offer. Here’s a guide to some of the best bacon dishes in Metro Detroit…

VIVIO’S

3601 Twelve Mile Road, Warren

2460 Market Street, Detroit

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If you’re looking to kick off your bacon exploration with a bit of a twist, Vivio’s Bloody Marys are a must-try. Known for their massive, fully loaded Bloody Marys, Vivio’s doesn’t hold back when it comes to garnishes. Their Famous Loaded cocktail comes topped with everything from spicy asparagus spears to prosciutto-stuffed olives, but the real star is the thick-cut slice of bacon that adds a salty, smoky touch to the drink. Other bacon-loaded Bloodys include the Morning After with a hard-boiled egg, BLT with everything you’d expect in a sandwich and more, Surd & Turf with fried shrimp, or the Double Barrel for double the bacon, pickle, and lime. They are the perfect mix of a brunch cocktail and a snack all in one. 

BASEMENT BURGER BAR

33316 Grand River Avenue, Farmington

42452 Ford Road, Canton

1326 Brush Street, Detroit

If burgers are your thing, look no further than Basement Burger Bar. Known for their ‘build your own’ burger concept, you can customize your burger exactly how you like it, and that, of course, includes bacon! Other Signature burgers include the Bleu Burger, with bleu cheese, onion straws, and spring mix, the Bacon Cheeseburger with Thousand Island dressing and sharp cheddar, or the Tropical Burger with smoked barbecue ketchup and smoked pineapple. To take things to the next level, check out the Featured burgers, like Drew’s Peanut Butter Bacon option for even more loaded creations. Don’t forget to try their mac and cheese bites either, which are also loaded with—you guessed it—bacon!

basement burger bar loaded burger
Photo courtesy of Basement Burger Bar

THE DIXBORO PROJECT

5400 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor

The Dixboro Project offers a refined, farm-to-table approach to classic comfort foods. At The Dixboro House, you’ll find a rustic 100-year-old barn that offers a rich dining experience. The weekend brunch menu has Boro Bacon that’s maple-glazed with a touch of cracked black pepper for a sweet and savory combination. Pair it with the Roasted Vegetable Quiche, eggs Benedict, or the Malted Milk Pancakes with a blueberry maple compote. Another excellent side is the Crispy Redskin Potatoes, featuring gruyere, parsley, and mornay. Enjoy whatever catches your eye on the menu in this historic setting. 

COMO’S

22812 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale

Bacon lovers won’t be disappointed with their bacon-topped pies from Como’s. The crispy, salty bacon adds the perfect amount of crunch and flavor to the Detroit-style pizzas, pairing wonderfully with fresh mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce. The Chicken Caesar Salad pizza is a highlight, with red onion, shredded chicken, romaine lettuce, and more, while the Medical Weight Loss pizza is a meat-filled pie, with crushed meatballs, sausage, and pepperoni alongside bacon. Other bacon-filled favorites on the menu are the LGBT with spinach, garlic, and tomato, or the BBQ Chicken with pineapple, onion, and cilantro. You can also find bacon barbecue sauce wings, and bacon-topped salads, sandwiches, brunch burgers, and more. 

comos pizza
Photo of Como’s courtesy of @influenceit.co

GRIFFIN CLAW BREWING COMPANY

575 South Eton Street, Birmingham

2265 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills

Griffin Claw Brewing Company is all about local flavor, offering craft beer, spirits, and a menu full of hearty pub fare, including their bacon-topped burgers. “Griffin Claw is a local neighborhood microbrewery, distillery, and hard cider maker,” shares Marketing Director Christopher Lasher. “We have two taprooms with full food menus and all of our alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings which range from craft beer, distilled spirits and cocktails, hard cider, non-alcoholic hop water, and more all made on site.” At the Birmingham taproom, check out the Bronco burger (with an onion ring and cherry barbecue sauce), the Morning Glory burger, or the 4-Cheese Grilled Cheese and Turkey Club sandwiches. In Rochester Hills, consider ordering the Blackened Chicken Gnocchi and the California Salmon Club, or the Pretzel and Nifty Choice burgers. Their burgers, paired with crispy bacon and washed down with one of their signature brews, are a perfect way to enjoy this local favorite.

turkey bacon club from griffin claw brewing company
Photo courtesy of Griffin Claw Brewing Company

UNION WOODSHOP

18 South Main, Clarkston

If you thought bacon was only for savory dishes, Union Woodshop is here to change your mind. Their unique take on a banana split dessert includes a sundae topped with candied bacon! This sweet-and-salty treat tops a batter-fried banana with burnt honey vanilla ice cream, smoked pineapple caramel and scratch-made strawberry sauces, chocolate-covered potato chips, house-made malt balls, and more. It’s a flavor combination that is unexpected yet totally works together. It’s the perfect way to end a meal at this beloved barbecue spot. Beyond the dessert, Union Woodshop has bacon in a ton of its menu items, ranging from mixed in with sides like potato salad, collard greens, and baked beans to topping pizzas and burgers. 

JOLLY PUMPKIN

441 West Canfield Street, Detroit

311 South Main Street, Ann Arbor

Jolly Pumpkin specializes in brews and good vibes, but there is quite a variety when it comes to the bacon on its menus. In Detroit, you can find a few breakfast sandwiches to satisfy or Quiche Lorraine, with dressed greens, Michigan eggs, and cheese. As for pizza, check out the Pork Pie, with pepperoni, sauce, and charred tomato sauce in Detroit or the South Pacific with candied pineapple, jalapeño, shaved red onion, and more at both of these Metro Detroit locations. The JP Burger is also available at both, with a custom blend of grass-fed beef, and topped with cambozola cheese, cremini mushrooms, and tomato on a challah roll. No matter the meal, Jolly Pumpkin has something for everyone.

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