“Es que me sube el colesterol, mi amorcito,” by Fito Olivares—rest in peace—should be the soundtrack to the adventure we are about to take you on, but it’s all in good fun because rarely do we see chicharrón trending online. That’s right, chicharrón, which comes in different shapes and sizes and is usually made out of crispy pork belly or pork skin, is currently the newest trend hitting TikTok. And we at L.A. TACO are about to put you on some of the best chicharrón you can find in Los Angeles. From big chunky pieces that give your lips that porcine glow that no lip gloss could ever achieve, to thinly sliced chicharrón that is as perfect on a tortilla as it is in a guisado. Here are the 12 best locations to find the best chicharrón in town.
Photo by: Janette Villafana for L.A. TACO.
Chicharrón from Chicharroland.
CHICHARROLAND
Chicharroland in south Los Angeles is a must-stop when looking for perfectly crunchy chicharrón, one bite and you’ll be hooked. When you enter Chicharroland, you automatically see the collection of cochinitos (pigs) all over the restaurant. Their wall inside reads in big letters, “Michoacán, Mexico D.F., and Los Angeles,” representing the different generations of chicharrón makers that make up Chicharroland. And although they’ve been in business for 10 years, their expertise goes way back, and the owners have proof, some of them were mere kids when their families began making and selling chicharrón. The family-owned restaurant prides itself in its fried pork skin, when you turn over a piece you automatically notice the graph-like cuts on the skin. According to the owner, this ensures a crispy bite from end to end. Whether you have it on one of the restaurant's handmade tortillas with some nopales on the side or maybe you have it on its own, we have no doubt you will enjoy each bite.
Location: 4714 S. Main St. LA, CA 90037. Closest Metro lines and stop: Bus Line 48 - “Main/47th”, Bus Line 45 - "Broadway/47th" or Bus Line 105 - "Vernon/Main."
Open: Monday-Sunday, 8 AM-6 PM closed Thursdays.
CARNITAS LOS TRES HERMANOS RAMIREZ (CHICHARRONES)
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, this family pulls out big steel cazuelas. Benches are set up along the fence, and a tent provides shelter on the sidewalk in front of their apartment building. On this stretch of Avenue 26, carnitas that could rival some of L.A.s best are quietly being sold by taco, or by the pound. Maciza, cueritos, buche, and ribs are on the menu. But do not, under any circumstance, pass up their chicharrones. A crispy seasoned pork skin holds tender bits of pork belly together. Structurally, it’s a perfect bite of chicharrón. It’s a recipe that goes back to Michoacán, where their dad is a carnitas professional back home. - Memo Torres
Saturday & Sunday mornings only in front of 134 W Ave 26, Los Angeles, CA 90031. Closest Metro lines and stop: Bus Line 251 - “Daly/Pasadena” or Bus Line 45 - "Broadway/Daly."
Zamora Bros. chicharrón.
Zamora Bros. chicharrón with their guacamole salsa.
ZAMORA BROS.
Snuggled in between a laundry mat and a dental office, you will find Zamora Bros. which hands down has one of the meatiest and perfectly gelatinous chicharrón we have ever tasted. The family-owned business truly has a piece of chicharrón for everyone’s taste buds: Do you like a piece with less meat and all the crunch? They have it, do you prefer pieces that have the perfect amount of fat on them? You guessed it, they have it. The pieces of salty pork belly are perfectly combined with their guacamole salsa which adds some freshness to the hefty cut of chicharrón. For some spice, we recommend any of their salsas that not only pack a punch but are rich in flavor. And while you load up on their chicharrón make sure to grab some of their famous carnitas, and some dessert because they also sell fresh pan dulce and pastries. One step into Zamora Bros. and you’ll quickly see why it’s so popular because their food which ranges from tacos, mole, guisados, and more taste just like home.
Location: 1559 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States. Closest Metro line and stop: Bus Line 30 - “Pico/Union.”
Open: Monday-Sunday, 6 AM- 9 PM.
El Sabroso chicharrón.
El Sabroso chicharrón.
EL SABROSO
If you live in East Los do not sleep on El Sabroso, the business stands on the corner of Brannick Avenue and Hammel Street and sells Jalisco-style chicharrón by the pound. If you’ve ever stepped foot inside El Sabroso, you know the first thing welcoming you in is the three giant cazos (pots) on wheels piled high with chicharrón. At El Sabroso, you serve yourself, grab your gloves from the counter, and start filling your bag with as many or as little chicharrón as you want. You are guaranteed fresh, warm chicharrón every time because as soon as the employees hear the echo of the metal tongs hitting the sides of the empty cazo, they wheel it to the back to fill it up. And you know it’s fresh because when they return you can still hear each piece crackling. At El Sabroso, they have three types of chicharrón, thin and thick, and by the counter, you will find shredded chicharrón prensado ready to be used in your pupusas, gorditas, or tacos de canasta. Before heading out the door make sure to grab some of their warm tortillas to go.
Location: 501 N Brannick Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90063. Closest Metro line and stop: Bus Line 70 - “Cesar E Chavez/Hazard.”
Open: Monday-Sunday, 8 AM-8 PM (Note: It is Cash ONLY).
Chicharrón de pescado from Mariscos Corona accomapnied by their housemade guacamole.
MARISCOS CORONA
Craving chicharrón but it’s Friday and you can't eat meat because of lent? No problem, Mariscos Corona in Van Nuys has your back. The restaurant that specializes in seafood joined in on the social media trend and has recently launched its version of chicharrón in the style that you may find around beaches in Mexico. Chicharrón de Pescado (fish): a deep-fried thin piece of fish that is accompanied by their house guacamole, it’s flaky, crunchy, and light.
Location: 14901 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405. Closest Metro line and stop: Bus Line 162 - “Sherman Way/Kester.”
Open: Monday-Sunday, 10 AM- 8 PM.
CARNICERIA LA CHULETA FRESCA
Chicharrón-mania continues in Pacoima, where Carnicería La Chuleta Fresca is making perfect-sized pieces of crunchy pork belly. What makes La Chuleta Fresca extra special is they specialize in other meat products like beef and chicken, meaning they are using only the best for their pork chicharrón as well.
Location: 13566 Glenoaks Blvd. Sylmar, CA. Closest Metro lines and stop: Bus Lines 224 or 235 - “Glenoaks/Roxford.”
11552 Glenoaks Blvd, Pacoima, CA. Closest Metro lines and stop: Bus Lines 92 or 233 - “Glenoaks/Paxton.”
Open: Monday- Sunday 8 AM-6 PM.
CARNITAS LOS ZARKO’S
Carnitas Los Zarko’s in Compton is also in the game for best chicharrón in Los Angeles. The family-owned business operates from their home and only sells on the weekends. You can call in for your order or take a seat in their backyard restaurant and enjoy their Michoacán style chicharrón made fresh as early as 8 A.M.
Location: Contact them via Instagram @azarkocovarrubias or Phone
Open: Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 AM- but call 562.415.5179 to make your order.
Chicharrón tacos at Villa Moreliana inside Grand Central Market.
VILLA MORELIANA
This chicharrón is in the form of a taco, head over to Grand Central Market where you will be sure to find Villa Moreliana. They are serving up what has been described as some of the best tacos de chicharrón in Los Angeles next to their carnitas.
Location: 317 S Broadway Grand Central Market Los Angeles, CA 90013. Closest Metro lines and stop: Metro B and D Lines - "Pershing Square Station", Metro A and E Lines - "Historic Broadway Station" or Bus Lines 4, 30, 40 or 45 - “Broadway/3rd.”
Open: Monday-Sunday 10 AM- 6 PM
NORTHGATE GONZALEZ MARKET
Northgate is the chicharrón OG among L.A.'s supermarket scene because even before this trend came along, and just like Vallarta, they have always had good chicharrón on hand. They make them daily and they hardly ever run out. With all the styles, including a large-format one that can be up to two-three feet long that is great for tearing into with a large group. They have also been at the forefront of the current food craze with everyone from influencers to the local community flocking to their stores for a taste of that chicharrón.
VALLARTA SUPERMARKET
Stop by any of your local Vallartas and try their chicharrón which is keto-friendly, they have staff making chicharrón around the clock so you know they won't sell out. Accompany your savory chicharrón with their guacamole which you can customize to your liking at their signature guacamole station. This supermarket has been the focus of the recent Tiktok trend.
LOS CHINGONES CARNITAS
Next up is Boyle Heights, where you are going to find the family-owned carnitas spot Los Chingones Carnitas. Although the pop-up started in the midst of the pandemic the owner and his family also have a long history of making carnitas, the owner grew up making them in his hometown of Teocaltiche in Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico. And carnitas may be what they are known for, or their famous carnitas chilaquiles burrito but we suggest also ordering a piece of two of their chicharrón. Just like their carnitas, they are a taste of tradition.
Location: 1365 S. Dacotah St., Los Angeles, CA 90023. Closest Metro lines and stop: Bus Line 62 - “Olympic/Dacotah” or Bus Line 605 - "Grande Vista/Olympic."
Open: Every day except for Fridays from 8:30 A.M.- Sellout
CARNITAS EL ARTISTA
Last but certainly not least is Inglewoods beloved Carnitas El Artista, whose story is as incredible as their food. They started off selling out of their garage and eventually the demand from their community was so big they were able to open up their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Inglewood. Like many traditional carnitas, their style is 100% Michoacán and you don't have to look far for their delicious chicharrón just like their carnitas they are top tier. All fried to perfection in their copper cazos.
510 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301. Closest Metro lines and stop: Bus Line 212 - “La Brea/Hazel" or Metro K Line - "Downtown Inglewood Station."
