Fried Fridays :: Maple Bacon Donut from Dynamo Donuts

The first thing that came to mind after taking a bite of Dynamo's Maple Bacon Donut was that it reminded me of a Chinese barbecued pork bun. The savory combination of salt and sweet made me want to order seconds and pack few for the trip back home. This is fried food at its best.

Dynamo Donuts was created by Sara Spearin, and the idea came to her while on maternity leave. She notes, "I suddenly realized the importance of a well-crafted donut and the utter lack thereof in San Francisco." Motivated by the dream of owning her own bakery as an outlet to share delicious handmade and not-so-ordinary pastries, a it did not take long before Dynamo was born.

To get a better appreciation of what Spearin and her staff do on a daily basis, you have to understand what goes into each of their donuts. Nothing is compromised and only organic, sustainable, and local ingredients are utilized whenever possible. And, they guarantee quality and freshness by rotating only 7 to 10 donuts per day, even though their menu includes over 20 varieties.

By far, however, their Maple Bacon Donut is their most popular. As a new found fan, I can vouch that it certainly doesn't disappoint.

Dynamo Donuts
2760 24th Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

415.920.1978

Fried Fridays - Hangtown Fry

What is in a name? If we're talking about the Hangtown Fry, plenty. Invented in nearby Placerville, California, the Hangtown Fry is basically an omelette that was made famous during the California Gold Rush. According to folklore, the dish was created when a gold prospector struck it rich, headed to the Cary House Hotel, and demanded that the kitchen make the most expensive dish it could provide. They didn't disappoint, blending together eggs, bacon, potatoes, and oysters.

By today's standards, the value of these simple ingredients are lost to us, meaning that such a dish would not be considered expensive. But, in the mid-1800s, eggs were not readily available in a mining town, bacon was shipped from the East Coast, and the oysters were brought in on ice from San Francisco, which was over 100 miles away and more than a week's journey.

With that said, there is much to appreciate in this homegrown delicacy. Not only does it pack bold flavor combinations and textures with each bite, but according to the El Dorado County Museum, nothing epitomizes California and its Gold Rush era more than the Hangtown Fry.

It's certainly become one of our favorites with the most common version found at Cafeteria 15L, where their Hangtown Fry consists of oysters, a poached egg, bacon, potatoes, and a rich Tabasco Hollandaise sauce.

So, if you are looking for something truly unique and time-tested, go no further than the Hangtown Fry. Enjoy!

In this photo: The Hangtown Fry from Cafeteria 15L in Sacramento, CA