There could come a day when we explain to kids that bacon used to be so good that everyone liked it. And they won't believe us. These people could fuck up a wet dream.
. . they're very good - and cheap. Sometimes a little too lean, but I can live with that.
I don't use strips very often, but if I need some I can just have my local store slice them off from a Polish slab. That doesn't cost much more (if any more - I haven't compared lately) than supermarket bacon.
Like you said, they're much leaner. For pieces in salad or pasta, that's generally good. Doesn't tend to give up enough fat for a good vinaigrette though.