Who doesn't love the salty-sweet, chewy-crunchy, artery-clogging goodness of bacon? While the addition of this powerful ingredient can sometimes be seen as a crutch, several local chefs are graduating to a higher echelon with glorious and innovative uses of the prime part of the pig.
WARNING TO VEGANS AND VEGETARIANS: This article may contain graphic descriptions that you find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
Maple Bacon Glazed Donut
Family-owned and operated, Papa Yun's serves up creative donut flavors such as Strawberry Nutella, Samoa Glazed, S"more and Spicy Cheddar-Tang Glazed. Not only do they offer the Maple Bacon Glazed donut, but they also make a larger version, the Maple Bacon Bar. It's a sweeter way to get your fix of bacon in the morning.
Papa Yun's Donuts
4861 Bryant Irvin Road
Fort Worth 76132
817.423.0164
Goat Cheese and Bacon Jam Burger
Thurber Mingus shows off creativity with its innovative burger selection, including the Goat Cheese and Bacon Jam Burger. A half-pound patty is topped with lettuce, tomato, purple onion, creamy goat cheese and the star of the dish, bacon jam. Made by rendering down the bacon with Franconia Brewing Company's Dunkle (dark lager) brew, the jam's addictive smoky flavor is dangerous.
Thurber Mingus
4400 White Settlement Road
Fort Worth 76114
817.570.0537
Delia Pizza
Known for its Neapolitan thin-crust style, Cane Rosso takes risks with pizzas that are unconventional. The Delia pizza, one of the most popular items on the menu, is topped with slightly bitter arugula, fresh mozzarella and tart tomatoes. But, it's the sweet-and-meaty bacon marmalade that sends it over the top. Supposedly the inspiration behind the dish was the traditional BLT sandwich. All we know is that it's a slice of heaven.
Cane Rosso
815 W. Magnolia Ave.
Fort Worth 76104
817.922.9222
Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese
The fact that Reata's Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese exists in the world and that we don't all weigh 1,000 pounds is a miracle. Dices of pepper and applewood smoked bacon are folded into a creamy, gooey mixture of Monterrey Jack, sharp cheddar and Asiago cheeses. We don't recommend sharing. Even the best of friends will be fighting for the last bite.
Reata Restaurant
310 Houston St.
Fort Worth 76102
817.336.1009
Pecan Maple Manhattan
Bacon in a cocktail, why not? At Del Frisco's, they approach the drinks just like they do their dishes. Execution and flavor is flawless. The Pecan Maple Manhattan is a clever combination of pecan-infused smoked maple Knob Creek Bourbon and whiskey barrel-aged bitters. Praline bacon acts as much more than a garnish as it elevates the libation with its punch of salty sweetness.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House
812 Main St.
Fort Worth 76102
817.877.3999
