If you’ve had too much beer last night, birria will bring you right back to life.
While the Jalisco specialty is traditionally made with goat or mutton, you’ll often find it made with commonly-available beef instead.
At El Chivo de Oro (the Goat of Gold) however, they go goat.
Although the food truck decals advertising $1 cabeza and $1.50 hot dogs is tempting, spend the extra 99 cents for the birria tacos.
When visiting El Chivo de Oro, make sure to bring cash as they are cash only. Walk up to the window, where someone outside next to the window will take your order and bring a tray of onion and cilantro with molcajetes of salsas to your table.
The birria’s tender braised goat has a faint hint of pleasant gaminess, balanced by the mild chiles and spices. The connective tissue has broken down to pure succulence, barely held by the freshly-made fluffy tortillas.
If you can handle heat easily, then dive right in to the red salsa. The cilantro-rich green salsa helps brighten up the rich meat as well — feel free to enjoy both salsas on your tacos.
Visit El Chivo de Oro on Facebook or find them parked at 457 W. Irvington Rd.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
