The pork was crispy pata, a formidable piece of pork knuckle with a crackly, fatty skin that was impossible to resist. I blame my sidewalk dining on the friendly counter girl who said they leave the top of takeout boxes open so the meat won’t dry out. The smell of the pork and fat was so overpowering, I just had to stop on the street and rip off chunks of the perfectly cooked skin
He enjoyed the chicken, as well.
The chicken? Tender, with a crispy golden skin that tasted fine fresh or reheated in a convection oven eight hours later. A whole chicken is $12.95, a half $7.95. The crispy pata ($12.95 small, $17.95 large) may be even better; whether eaten at home or on the sidewalk, the pig knuckle is a juicy snap-crackly delight.
687 Newark Avenue, in Little Manila (where else)
