I honestly think the bacon thing was an advertising push; one that gained its own momentum. If I remember something interesting, it’s that the original bacon advertising campaign over a hundred years ago was one of the most successful advertising campaigns in its long term effects on the ‘culture’ of american breakfast. Then there was another push with it to become a ‘premium’ addon in culinary circles in the 90s-00s.

There is definitely something odd about meat in people’s minds, though, you’re right. I’ve never heard of anyone, even italian chefs, caring about whether a pasta must be cooked al dente to be done right, but every idiot and their cousin will tell you they know exactly how a steak must be cooked, and everyone else is wrong, and not only wrong but a terrible savage for thinking differently.