Copycat Panera Rustic Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1, 12 oz. package thick cut bacon, chopped into small pieces (pro tip: partially freeze the bacon before cutting to make it easier to cut the bacon!)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced very small
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp. salted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups whole milk, warmed*
• 2 lb. russet potatoes peeled and diced, peeled and diced small, ~3-4 large (pro tip: once you dice them, place in a large bowl of cold water to prevent from turning brown)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp. kosher salt, taste and adjust from there
• freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp. ground mustard
• 1 tsp. Crystal hot sauce
• 1/2 tsp. celery salt
• 3/4 cup monterey jack cheese, freshly shredded (not bagged cheese)
• 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
• Garnish: shredded Asiago cheese, chives, bacon crumbles, sour cream.