The article “13 Reasons Bacon Tastes So Good At Restaurants” by Jay Wilson, published on February 22, 2024, delves into why bacon served in restaurants often tastes superior to what one might prepare at home. It begins by acknowledging bacon’s immense popularity and its widespread availability in about 70% of U.S. restaurants. The piece then outlines several factors that contribute to the enhanced taste of restaurant bacon:
- Quality Ingredients: Chefs select high-quality bacon, considering factors like animal welfare, diet, curing methods, and seasonings, which significantly affect flavor.
- Thinner Cuts: Many restaurants use thinner slices of bacon, which cook faster, become crisper, and have a concentrated flavor.
- Confit Method: Some chefs confit bacon in oil before finishing it on a grill, enhancing its flavor and texture.
- Freshness: High turnover in restaurants means bacon is often fresher, enhancing its taste.
- Leaner Cuts: Restaurants tend to use leaner bacon, balancing the meat-to-fat ratio for better taste and texture.
- House-cured Bacon: Some establishments cure their bacon, allowing for customized flavors and textures.
- Grill Press Use: Chefs use grill presses to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Pre-baking: Many diners pre-bake bacon to remove excess fat, finishing it on a grill or skillet for optimal texture.
- Specific Frying Techniques: Restaurants follow specific rules when frying bacon, such as using cast iron skillets and a low-and-slow approach.
- Roasting: Instead of frying, some restaurants roast bacon, providing uniform cooking and crispiness.
- Boiling: Some chefs start cooking bacon in water to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Creative Combinations: Restaurants use bacon in innovative dishes that highlight its flavors through contrast and complementarity.
- Flat-top Grills: Many chefs prefer flat-top grills for bacon, allowing for better control over cooking and crispiness.
These practices, ranging from the selection of quality ingredients to specific cooking methods and equipment, contribute to the superior taste of bacon in restaurants compared to home-cooked versions.
Reference: https://www.thedailymeal.com/1519664/what-makes-bacon-pop-at-restaurants/
