Birchwood Cafe
Chef Marshall Paulsen starts with thick-cut bacon from Fischer Family Farms Pork in Waseca, Minn., pairs locally grown heirloom tomatoes with another August treat, sweet corn (done up in a spiced-up coulis), then sneaks in basil from the restaurant's garden. Available during lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, $14.
3311 E. 25th St., Mpls., 612-722-4474, birchwoodcafe.com
Eastside
Lobster improves everything it touches, including the classic BLT equation. After piling tender, succulent lobster atop bacon, chef Denny Leaf-Smith cleverly adds a thick swipe of aioli fueled with Old Bay seasoning. Available at lunch and weekend brunch only, $17. Oh, and get this: free valet parking during weekday lunch.
305 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-208-1638, eastsidempls.com
Sandcastle
At this beachside stand, chef/co-owner Doug Flicker wisely sticks to BLT basics: toasted bread, mayo, fresh iceberg lettuce, juicy tomatoes and wonderfully crisp bacon, imported from Thielen Meats, north central Minnesota's butcher-shop-as-tourist-attraction. Available at lunch and dinner, $7.50.
4955 W. Nokomis Pkwy., Mpls., 612-722-5550, sandcastlempls.com
