Agadir Restaurant Tests Veal Bacon as Pork Substitute in Burgers

The Israeli burger chain Agadir has introduced a new veal bacon product, aiming to replicate the texture and smoky flavor of traditional pork bacon, which is largely unavailable in Israel due to religious and cultural restrictions. The move comes as Agadir, a pioneering burger joint that opened in Tel Aviv in 1997, seeks to enhance its iconic burgers.

The author describes the challenges of discussing bacon in Israel, where it's often associated with pork and thus taboo for many, while others view any non-pork alternative as a "poor imitation" or "betrayal." Despite these sensitivities, Agadir invited reviewers to taste their new veal bacon.

During a tasting of two different burgers, a 300-gram patty and a smash burger, the veal bacon was found to provide a satisfying crunch and a smoky flavor that complemented the meat and cheese. The reviewer noted that bacon adds a crucial textural element, a crispiness that lettuce cannot consistently provide.

While the veal bacon was deemed a success in providing a crispy, smoky element, it wasn't a perfect replica of pork bacon. The author observed that not all pieces were equally crispy, attributing this to the lower fat content in veal compared to pork. Nevertheless, the veal bacon was considered a significant improvement over having no bacon at all, especially given the scarcity of pork bacon in Israel.