La Espiga de Oro's Chicharrones: Meaty, Crisp-Skinned Hunks of Epic Goodness

M. Ladd

Salty-sweet and sexy.

​La Espiga de Oro's cheery Mission storefront stays busy with a steady stream of to-go customers getting their fix of chicharrones, Sinaloan tamales, handmade tortillas, pupusas, and lard, but it's the taste of freshly made chicharrones -- with meat attached to the skin -- is unforgettable. Order the chicharrones at Espiga's counter. After snacking on them recently, this blogger spent days remembering the salty-sweet, alternately crisp and deliciously soft pork treat. They're melty, even sexy, literally oozing off the lips -- our dining companion was clearly delighted to indulge in the fatty, slightly messy drippings.

It's possible to go whole hog here and have the meat and skin chopped up into a burrito ($4.95 regular, $5.95 super), or keep it simple, devouring the chicharrones as a rich snack. Bottles of Valentina hot sauce grace the table, or you can try a spicier tomato salsa kept in plastic bottles in the self-serve refrigerator.

La Espiga de Oro 2916 24th St. (at Florida), 826-1363