Agadir Burger Chain Reintroduces Bacon in Kosher Veal Version

The Israeli burger chain Agadir has reintroduced bacon to its menu, this time in a kosher version made from fresh veal. The original bacon was removed from the menu in 2018, not due to kashrut concerns, but because of difficulties in sourcing the cut regularly and its high price.

Since then, the chain has experimented with 'fake-on,' a lamb-based substitute that mimicked the appearance but not the taste of real bacon. Now, after months of development led by founder Eitan Trabelsi, Agadir is launching its veal bacon. The new product is treated, sliced, and served to resemble traditional bacon.

The veal bacon is being introduced in September as part of the 'Agadir Diner' dish, a double-layer burger featuring a 220-gram patty, a fried egg, the new veal bacon, and fries. The meal is priced at 89 or 99 shekels with a drink.

While the veal bacon visually resembles pork bacon with its pink hue, fatty marbling, and appropriate thickness, reviewers note that the taste is not identical. It lacks the sweetness, grill flavors, smokiness, and umami notes characteristic of traditional bacon. However, it is described as a very tasty smoked and professionally sliced veal sausage on its own. When layered onto a juicy burger with a fried egg, it creates a rich, flavorful, and texturally complex bite. Despite being a successful development, it is not considered a complete replacement for the original pork bacon.