It was another year of bacon
awesomeness! It was my eighth year in a row going to Baconfest Chicago!
This year, I didn’t 100% follow my usual plan of attack (i.e., walk up and down each aisle and try the dishes that looked appealing and limit my bread intake). My first two dishes had bread. I thought this would impact the total dishes I would eat, but it didn’t. However, it did slow my pace a little.
Here's the bacon deliciousness I had:
This year, I didn’t 100% follow my usual plan of attack (i.e., walk up and down each aisle and try the dishes that looked appealing and limit my bread intake). My first two dishes had bread. I thought this would impact the total dishes I would eat, but it didn’t. However, it did slow my pace a little.
Here's the bacon deliciousness I had:
The Ruin Daily: Bacon Cheddar Gougeres with Bacon Shallot Jam
I thought this was going to be my downfall and I was just getting started. I wasn't sure what to expect on the inside. I decided to be "greedy" and just pop the whole thing in my mouth. It was different in a good way, although I tasted more of the pastry and cheese than bacon.
Wrigley BBQ: Bacon Bourbon Bread Pudding
This was pretty good. It wasn't too thick and I could taste both the bacon and bourbon.
Rack House Kitchen & Tavern: The Dusty Porker
This was an interesting dish/combination. I tasted more of the pickle, than the bacon and sauce.
Atwood: Bacon Panna Cotta
This was a good dish. I could taste the bacon along with a hint of almond.
Community Tavern: Thai-spiced Bacon Spring Roll
This was ok, but I thought the other ingredients overshadowed the bacon.
Goose Island Brewhouse: Candied Nueske's Bacon Bread Pudding
This was one of my favorites even though it was a little thick. I could taste all the ingredients and one didn't overpower the other.
I thought this was going to be my downfall and I was just getting started. I wasn't sure what to expect on the inside. I decided to be "greedy" and just pop the whole thing in my mouth. It was different in a good way, although I tasted more of the pastry and cheese than bacon.
Wrigley BBQ: Bacon Bourbon Bread Pudding
This was pretty good. It wasn't too thick and I could taste both the bacon and bourbon.
Rack House Kitchen & Tavern: The Dusty Porker
This was an interesting dish/combination. I tasted more of the pickle, than the bacon and sauce.
Atwood: Bacon Panna Cotta
This was a good dish. I could taste the bacon along with a hint of almond.
Community Tavern: Thai-spiced Bacon Spring Roll
This was ok, but I thought the other ingredients overshadowed the bacon.
Goose Island Brewhouse: Candied Nueske's Bacon Bread Pudding
This was one of my favorites even though it was a little thick. I could taste all the ingredients and one didn't overpower the other.
NoMI: Whole Milk Braised Pork Belly
This was another favorite dish. The pork belly was tender, the beans and slaw tasted good. Not sure if the dehydrated corn was needed, but still a very good dish.
Bistro Campagne: Bacon-wrapped Braised Pork Belly
This was a good dish. Probably could have skipped the radish though.
Chicago Artizen: Chocolate-Covered Hempseed and Bacon Brittle
This was another favorite. I could eat a whole pan of this.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken: Bacon Buffalo Mac 'n Cheese
This was a very good dish. The combination of the pimento mac n cheese, honey buffalo sauce, chicken, and bacon had a nice kick to it.
Fig & Olive: Chocolate Obsession Cake
This was heavenly even though the chocolate overpowered the bacon.
The Signature Room at the 95th: Bourbon Glazed Nueske Bacon Cotton Candy Lollipop
I can't remember what year it was that someone made bacon cotton candy at Baconfest Chicago and it was awesome. Somehow they were able to infuse bacon within the cotton candy. This dish was just glazed bacon on a stick wrapped with cotton candy. It wasn't bad though.
Cooking Skills Academy: Promiscuous Pork Belly
The pork belly was nice and tender.
Blue Door Kitchen & Garden: Bacon Bird Cake
This was a good dish. The cake was moist and the frosting was delicious.
Osteria Bigolaro: Baby Got Carb
I wasn't sure what to make of this dish that had egg yolk, parmesan mousse along with the bacon. It was ok.
Whirlyball: Drunken Pineapple Bacon Ball
This was pretty good. Essentially a bacon wrapped pineapple on a stick.
Bites Asian Kitchen & Bar: Bacon Sushi
The pictures probably don't do this dish justice. This was a pretty good dish with a little kick. The addition of the cheddar cheese on top seems weird, but it works.
Catering by May St: Applewood Smoked Bacon Chocolate Jalapeno Flan
The first bite I took of this I was on the fence due to the texture. I ate some more and it grew on me. I could definitely taste the jalapeno. This was a good dish.
NoMI: Bacon & Strawberry Fried Pie
This was another favorite. I could eat these like tic-tacs.
Travelle at the Langham: Maple Eclair
This was another favorite. This was quite decadent with the bacon pieces and sauce.
Piece Pizzeria: Applewood Smoked Bacon Pizza
This was a good dish with a decent amount of bacon.
Baptiste & Bottle: Bacon Mac & Cheese
This was a pretty good dish. The crispy lardons, jalapeno, and bacon crumble tasted good together.
Pink Taco: Shrimp & Jalapeno Bacon Grits
Besides the pieces of bacon on the side, this was an ok dish.
The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant: Apple Pecorino Glazed Belly
The dish didn't quite look like this when I picked it up from the table. The meat fell off the top of the polenta so I made a couple of attempts to put it back on top. Oh well. The pork belly was good. I wasn't really a fan of the polenta.
This is the t-shirt I wore. This is one of my faves.
