Bacon-Themed Everything Isn't Leaving Restaurants Soon

Just like every decade before it, the 2010s brought about new food trends. This time, it was the turn of bacon-themed just about everything you could imagine, from bacon burgers to vegetables wrapped in bacon, bacon-flavored things that we never knew existed, and bacon chunks added to just about every meal; there was no stopping the trend.

The twist? The trend is still going strong today. That comes despite the fact that veganism and vegetarianism are growing stronger than ever before. So, if you find yourself heading out any time soon and love all things bacon, then have no fear; bacon-themed everything isn't leaving restaurants soon.

Bacon mania saw bacon-flavored everything take hold

Bacon-themed everything was such a thing in the 2010s that it wasn't long before people named the time bacon mania. From bacon soft serve to bacon chocolate and millionaire's bacon to a frosted cupcake topped with a crispy rasher, there was no denying that the meat was here to stay. For many, the dash of salt on the menu at even some of the top restaurants across the nation was all they needed to add a splash of something different to their meals.

Pork consumption was up throughout the last two years

The last two years have seen plenty of changes in the food market, with more and more people spending their days at home. That hasn't stopped the bacon mania from gripping the world, especially as restaurants have been working on new creations behind closed doors. Believe it or not, but Costco reported that bacon sales were up 45% in March 2021, with many doing anything they can to get their hands on the meat. In fact, people in the US now eat more bacon in 2022 than they ever have in the past.

Gimmicky bacon additions might have lost their charm

One thing that has changed at restaurants in the last few years is the lack of gimmicky bacon-themed additions on the menu. Six years ago, Joshua Griffin reported he would cook about 45 pounds of bacon a week at his Hypnotic Donuts store, all to top his sweet treats. While he still cooks the stuff, Joshua now says it sits around 30 pounds a week instead. Zachary Menucuccu-Foster has also noticed a change. Being the owner and chef of Blue Dot Donuts means Zachary is always trying to keep up with the trends, noting he now makes and sells around one-quarter of donut-topped treats than he used to 11 years ago when they joined the menu. 

Restaurants are now offering more traditional bacon-themed additions

Just because outrageous bacon-themed everything isn't as famous across social media as it used to be doesn't mean that bacon is about to disappear off the menu any time soon. Brunch is a huge market across the US, with 90% of people ordering a side of bacon at Elizabeth's Restaurant in New Orleans. Other restaurants also have their own spin on the meat, with things like meatloaf wrapped in bacon, a bacon board made from different cuts of bacon, and sides of bacon being added to salad, all being the ways we can enjoy the salty addition to our meal.

Bacon-themed everything isn't leaving restaurants soon. Still, that doesn't mean it's the same as the bacon mania we saw grip the nation throughout the 2010s. Instead, it seems bacon has changed - but it still has a firm place on menus across the nation.