Taste Test: Denny’s bacon ice-cream sundae

WHEN you’ve just shovelled one of Denny’s Moons Over My Hammys and several cups of coffee down your face, what’s the perfect dessert? How about a vanilla ice-cream and maple syup sundae topped with crumbled bacon?

I’ve demonstrated my love for bacon before, although that little experiment with the pinnacle of porcine of products ended in gallons of mouthwash and a desire never to repeat it. So it was with some trepidation that, when the server asked if we wanted dessert, I thought about getting one only to be beaten by Ev’s cry of, “He’d like one of the bacon ice-creams!”

This cardiac-inducing concoction is part of Denny’s annual Baconalia event, a name that’ I’m sure is a) not only a pun on Bacchanalia, but b) it’s a pun that will never be understood by 98.9% of Denny’s customers. Anyway, Baconalia celebrates bacon in the only way possible — by offering it in abundance, including Bacon Flapjacks, the Ultimate Bacon Breakfast, and — of course — the Maple Bacon Sundae. Although clicking any of the links to these on Denny’s official website just produces the message “Item Not Found”.

“But,” I hear both of you cry, “what about the sundae, fatso?” Hang on, I’m getting to it. As I said, I was a bit iffy about eating it as I’d just eaten a Moons Over My Hammy and the calorie content of that is 841 (including 78% of your daily fat intake). But then the magic words “easy update” floated into the three brain cells that weren’t swamped in salt and sugar, so in a way Ev made the right decision.

From our seat we could see the guy making the sundae: first, put maple syrup (note: maple not actually included — it’s fake) in the glass; add ice-cream; add bacon; serve. I’ve never been a huge fan of ice-cream on account of my sensitive teef, but when faced with the sundae I just dived in. And…

…it’s pretty bloody good. Really. The ice-cream has got plenty of taste, the maple syrup is an ideal topping, and the bacon adds a nice crunch and a decent amount of flavour. And I think it’s grilled bacon as there doesn’t seem to be too much fat floating around in the ice-cream. (Denny’s usually fries its bacon. Nothing else can explain the sheen of sweat it seems to wear when it’s delivered to your table.) And so I kept going.

As with all toppings, the bacon was soon gone. But what’s this? There’s more bacon in the middle! It’s a double-decker of delight! Never did I think I’d be eating bacon drenched in ice-cream and syrup, but here I was eating one. Result. Although when the server asked, “Anything else?” I was tempted to respond, “Yes, could you order me an ambulance?”

Oh, and just to prove how awesome Denny’s maple syrup is, not only does it add some delicious flavour to all it touches, it also helps kick off fights:

Skip to 2m30 for the good stuff.