Denny’s is paying homage to America’s love for all things bacon with the launch of “Baconalia! A Celebration of Bacon.”

No longer relegated to a side dish, bacon is now front and center with seven new mouthwatering ways to enjoy bacon.

The new menu boasts both traditional bacon favorites, such as bacon meatloaf, to more unconventional items such as the maple bacon sundae—a classic ice cream sundae piled high with maple-flavored syrup and a generous sprinkling of hickory-smoked bacon.

Not only are there seven meaty new menu items for customers to get their teeth into, there will also be a whole host of Baconalia! fun over the coming weeks. Bacon fans can participate in a Facebook sweepstakes to send one bacon lover and a guest to Baconfest 2011 in Chicago on April 9.

The weeklong sweepstake, beginning today and ending at 9 a.m. ET on April 4, will see one lucky winner receive flights, accommodation and full VIP access to Baconfest. Five lucky runner-ups will also receive $100 gift cards to Denny’s.  

“The average American consumes more than 18 pounds of bacon per year, so Denny’s decided to answer to the appetites of the nation and introduce a dedicated menu to the beauty that is bacon,” says John Dillon, Denny’s vice president of marketing and product development.

“Denny’s continually strives to meet the wants and needs of its customers, and with over 67 percent of Americans describing bacon as flavorful and satisfying, we’re sure the Baconalia! menu will please all those crackling cravings.”

Launched nationwide on March 22, the seven-item Baconalia! menu is available all day, every day for a limited time only and offers price points starting from $2.99. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert items.