This Is Hands Down The Best Grocery Store Bacon You Can Buy

Bacon is one of those foods that can range from regrettable to sublime. A lot depends on the brand itself, as companies can rely on dramatically different cuts, processing techniques, and flavorings. When we ranked grocery store bacon from worst to best, a lesser-known contender with a long history came out on top. That was Peter Luger extra thick cut bacon, with origins linked to the restaurant that gives it its name.

The product's story dates back almost as far as Peter Luger Steak House, the nearly 140-year-old eatery in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood. Initially, it solely served as a snack for the staff, who sliced portions off a pork belly and cooked it under the restaurant's powerful broiler. It later won a spot on the official menu in the 1990s and earned praise for an ultra-thick style that allowed diners to eat it with a fork and knife. Later, the chain took the major step of standardizing and packaging the bacon for sale in traditional supermarkets, so it could bring the product's flavor and texture into home kitchens.

This texture element is among the best parts, according to our reviewer, who wrote that "even if you crisp it to oblivion on the stovetop or in the oven, it miraculously remains tender and supple." He went on to describe the bacon as "smoky like a healthy campfire and just as comforting." You could incorporate this porky goodness in scrumptious BLTs and bacon and eggs or enjoy it on its own.

Bacon lovers in the New York City area are most likely to find Peter Luger products in their local stores. The meat has also been sold in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey. However, those who don't see it in their supermarket aren't out of luck. You can order Peter Luger bacon online in six-packs, with each individual 12-ounce package breaking down to about $10.83 before shipping. That's fairly high compared to many other alternatives, although some may feel the premium quality commands the loftier price.

Shoppers seeking a more affordable and more widely available option that's also worth buying can look for our runner-up, Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon. Our reviewer raved about the "near-flawless texture" and excellent flavor. Just make sure to avoid last-place Jamestown Brand Sliced Bacon, which was described as "a pile of pure carnage" and "an unpleasant eating experience that's somehow both charred and chewy."

Buying top-quality products can't fully protect you from the biggest mistakes everyone makes when cooking bacon. These include putting cold pork strips in a hot pan or using the wrong cooking utensils altogether, such as one made of aluminum. So even if you spot the Peter Luger brand when scanning grocery store aisles, it won't guarantee a good experience. Its flavorful, thick-cut meat is the kind of product that discriminating bacon lovers should make sure they prepare the right way.