Bacon

Bacon was a fatty cut of pork, generally from the side of a pig or boar, eaten across northern and western Faerûn. Along the Sword Coast North, pieces of bacon were sometimes simply referred to as slices of boar fat. In the Dalelands and the Dragon Reach, a slab of bacon was called a "sideslab" and a slice of bacon was referred to as a "cautel".

Description
Bacon was used in all manner of dishes, but it was particularly common to eat it for morning meals. In the Western Heartlands, it was commonly served as a "morningfeast" alongside toasted bread flavored with the bacon drippings, or in thick slabs garnished with fruit (such as quince) and scrambled eggs. In the North, it was often served as a "dawnfry" with fried bread, along with a wedge of cheese, dark beer, and a raw onion, or along with eggs and fried fish. In the Lands of Intrigue, it might be served alongside pancakes and honey-molasses syrup, or in omelets along with additions like sausage, cheese, onions, and peppers.

Aside from morning meals, bacon was an important ingredient in many other dishes and meals, such as High Dale lamb (a traditional dish from Highcastle) and many low-brow or common meals, such as hack in Amn (fried slices of smoked fish and bacon) and bloodlick in the Vast (a gravy-like spread eaten on bread by farmers). Bacon dishes were also popular as tavern food and in pies and hand pies, often paired with leek, kidney, or gooseberries.

Bacon generally stored and travelled well, especially when wrapped in wax paper, which perhaps contributed to it being a reliable ration among manual laborers and adventurers in the Heartlands.

Other Uses
Bacon fat was an important ingredient in pastry dough throughout the Eastern Heartlands. The Watchful Eye in Essembra used bacon fat in the pastry of their Stuffed Turkey Pie, and the Wight on a Waterdragon restaurant in Marsember used it to make the pastry shell of their "sea pie" (filled with various macerated sea creatures cooked in beef stew). Bacon fat was measured by the knife.

In a pinch, flaming bacon could be used as a weapon.

Availability
While bacon was produced throughout north and west Faerûn, some locations' product had distinct reputations, such as the town of Hlintar in the Vast, which was was famous for its high-quality bacon, or High Helm in Cormyr, known for their bacon being very salty.

Notable establishments selling bacon dishes included:
 * The Battlescarred Bard, an inn on the Trade Way between Proskul and Imnescar, was known for the platters of fried bacon and onions served in the wintertime, often alongside dried apricots, buttery rice, and hot bread.
 * In the town of Berdusk, bacon was served in gravy alongside gondenstars at taverns.
 * The Cutlass in Luskan served mussels wrapped in salty bacon.
 * The Fast Sails tavern in Tulmene was known to make particularly delicious bacon tarts.
 * The Goblet and Gems in Mirabar was known for its bacon twists, one of the few things on its menu.
 * The Inn of the Dripping Dagger in Waterdeep served thick-cut bacon cooked to order (or raw, if desired) with parsley and bread rolls for 6 copper pieces.
 * On the High Moor, the Maid of the Moors restaurant in Mornbryn's Shield served a fryplate consisting of bacon and fried tomatoes and mushrooms topped with almonds and buttery scrambled eggs and finished with pepper and a few drops of brandy.
 * The Moonstone Mask in Neverwinter served a hot bacon and kidney pie.
 * The Old Troll's Foot in Kirinwood, Cormyr served local wild board bacon flavored with strong herbs.
 * The Stag Triumphant in Mosstone was known for its omelets, including ones with bacon.
 * Stargath House in Purskul was known for it's "Welcome Soup", a creamy stew of smoked bacon, black beans, and chives garnished with mint.
 * The Worried Wyvern in Hill's Edge served a breakfast of toast with bacon, sausage, and drippings.

Rumors & Legends
Elminster was a fan of bacon, and enjoyed sandwiches featuring cheese and bacon heated in an Earth microwave.

Druth, a flatfish found in the Akanamere, was said to taste like bacon.

Highmoon Dark was a beer brewed at the Oak and Spear tavern in Highmoon which was said to have an aftertaste similar to bacon.