Chicken fried bacon facts for kids
Chicken fried bacon with cream gravy from Sodolak's Original Country Inn in Snook, Texas
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| Course | Appetizer |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Texas |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Bacon, batter dip |
| Variations | With gravy |
Chicken fried bacon is a tasty American dish. It's made by taking strips of bacon, dipping them in a special batter, and then deep frying them. It's prepared much like chicken fried steak, which is also a popular dish.
This unique food first appeared in Texas, USA, around the early 1990s. A man named Frank Sodolak, who owned Sodolak's Original Country Inn in Snook, Texas, says he created it. However, some people point out that a similar recipe using "salt pork" (an older type of bacon) was in a cookbook called Louisiana Cookery by Mary Land. Chicken fried bacon is often served as a starter, usually with creamy gravy or sausage gravy for dipping.
Why Chicken Fried Bacon is Famous
Frank Sodolak's chicken fried bacon became quite well-known. It was even mentioned in a book called Texas Curiosities by comedian John Kelso. The book joked that "Things are not only bigger in Texas, they're greasier." It also said that "it's hard to imagine a more artery-clogging food."
Sodolak's restaurant served six pieces of battered and fried bacon with a bowl of cream gravy. He and his restaurant were even featured on a TV show called Texas Country Reporter. The video of their segment has been watched many times online.
Different Ways to Make It
Chicken fried bacon has become popular in other places too. In 2008, Glen Kusak from south Texas won an award for his version of the dish. He won the "Big Tex Choice Award for Best Taste" at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
The dish has also traveled across America. You can find it in Chicago at the Risque Cafe in Lake View. Their "country-fried bacon" comes with white gravy and costs about $6. To make it, they dip the bacon in an egg wash, then in flour with lots of pepper, and finally deep fry it in vegetable oil. The chef there, Andrew Niemeyer, said he thought of the idea while he was a student.
Eating Healthy
Chicken fried bacon is a very rich food. It has a lot of fat. Because of this, most health experts suggest eating it only sometimes, or not at all. Sally Squires, a writer for The Washington Post, agreed that it tastes good. But she also said it's important to eat it in small amounts.
Other experts mention that this dish doesn't offer many good nutrients. One expert said, "They've taken fat, they've double-coated it in fat, they've fried it in more fat, and then they've served it with a side order of fat." Jane Hurley, a senior nutritionist, even said she had "never heard of anything worse." This means it's a treat to enjoy in moderation, not an everyday meal.
See also
In Spanish: Chicken fried bacon para niños
