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Believe it or not, a public relations flak is to thank (or blame) for the ubiquity of bacon on American breakfast plates. Supposedly bacon – and the Thelma to its Louise, eggs – wasn’t much of a thing until the 1920s, when Edward Bernays (dubbed the inventor of PR) campaigned to get a doctor-approved message out to the public that this duo was truly the breakfast of champions. Their taste buds primed for battle, MilMag staff fired up a couple of electric skillets and put six bacon brands to an office blind taste test. The porky results might just make you squeal with joy.
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Winner
Sendik’s Applewood Smoked ($7.50)
“Just the right combo of chewy and crispy, and sweet and salty.”
– Megan Guzman, Circulation and Marketing Manager
Runners-Up:
Nueske’s Applewood Smoked ($11)
“Those crispy edges melt in your mouth. Smoke- and salt-forward and pretty intense flavor, which is what I want in my bacon.”
– Chris Drosner, Executive Editor
Oscar Mayer Original ($9)
“This tastes like childhood. A good balance of salty and sweet. Fatty but also surprisingly meaty. I’d have this with a big stack of pancakes smothered in syrup.”
– Ann Christenson, Dining Editor
Usinger’s Applewood Smoked ($8.50)
“Hearty and thick, smoky and a little sweet – overall my favorite.”
– Brianna Schubert, Associate Digital Editor
The Rest:
Patrick Cudahy Original ($9)
“Fatty and practically no flavor.”
– Chelsea Mamerow, Art Director
Boar’s Head Maple & Brown Sugar ($8)
“The pancake syrup flavor dominates – it’s overpowering.”
– AC
“Good peripherals, though – crispy/chewy texture was nice and it looks good.”
– CD
