There are few food items the have the same buzzworthy quality as bacon. Salty, savory, crispy, the qualities of this breakfast meat have escalated to cult status. While bacon has surged in popularity, the cut of meat it comes from, the pork belly, has quietly flown under the radar, only occasionally finding its way onto plates at higher end restaurants or in the know barbecue joints. There are quite a few places in town offering different takes on this wonderful cut. Chances are, if you like bacon you will be a fan of all these creative dishes.
Cafe Genevieve is known for their love of all things pork. It’s their restaurant logo, after all. While all of their pig products — from pork neck ragu to the pulled pork sandwich — are spot on, their pork belly lettuce wraps are tops. Served with pickled vegetables to balance out the salty pork belly, this appetizer is a great shared option for dinner.
Char Kaway Teow
Noodle Kitchen showcases their take on pork belly with the char kway teow. This noodle soup is served with chicken, pork belly, shrimp and an assortment of vegetables over rice noodles and a tangy sweet sauce. Feel like staying in? This savory bowl is a wonderful takeout treat on the way into town from skiing the Village.
The Kitchen’s version of pork belly comes in a slightly healthier form. Crispy pork belly plays a staring role on their wedge salad. The hearty option is also garnished with cherry tomatoes, avocado and green onion, with a miso-blue cheese dressing. Be sure to check out their happy hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for great drink specials as well.
Local also incorporates pork belly into their version of the wedge salad. At Local, though, they go the extra mile of house curing their pork belly, essentially turing it into what we all know and love as bacon. While you are there, don’t forget to make your reservations for Christmas Day, you can check out the menu here and book a seating by calling 307-201-1717.
Rendezvous Bistro: One of the only foods that can trumps bacon is cheese. Luckily, The Bistro offer a plate that showcases both. The burrata appetizer is topped with crispy pork belly, pistachios, apple balsamic vinegar, and microgreens. It makes for a wonderful start or end (don’t be afraid to order it for dessert) to any special occasion.
Gather: The pork bun is a difficult dish to perfect. The fluffy dough has to be perfectly steamed, incorporating sweet, salty and sour flavors into an impeccable bitesize morsel. Gather does an amazing job at getting all these flavors just right with their steamed pork buns appetizer. Served with crispy pork belly, radish slaw, and ginger-ponzu dipping sauce, this is a dish that will keep you coming back.
Teton Tiger: One of my favorite carriers of pork belly has to be traditional ramen. The Indian’s Mama’s Midnight Ramen is a great option for anyone looking for this noodle soup treat to warm them up in the middle of winter. A staple on the menu going all the way back to their days as The Indian, this dish is a staple.
Grilled Iceberg at MDCS
Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse incorporates pork belly into one of the more interesting and tasty salads you will find in town. Their charred baby iceberg comes complete with shishito peppers, Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese, pickled egg, and pork belly croutons. Don’t forget to check out their late night happy hour for great deals on drinks and food.
If you feel like whipping up some pork belly at home, don’t forget about Sweet Cheeks Meats. The new butcher store features all local options along with great breakfast and lunch specialty sandwiches. Their pork usually comes from Robinson Family Farms out of Thayne. Be sure to call or ask ahead for pork belly as they have a limited amount of cuts on hand.
