Who makes the best chicharron in Miami? I get that question a lot. Another favorite is there are no chicharrones near me.
Wake up, people; not everything is five minutes from your home. If you want to eat the best our city has to offer, then traveling will become part of your adventure.
It will be more fulfilling when there is a trek to find the best. Maybe that sounded a little harsh, but I’ve lived in Miami my whole life.
I find that most folks like to claim they support local businesses publicly but then can be found at the chains around town during happy hour instead. It bothers me because it is precisely how we lose these landmark restaurants around town due to a lack of support.
We almost lost Rio Cristal recently, but the community finally came out in droves to support them. Let’s hope that it was not a temporary thing.
Chicharrones are found in these little mom-and-pop restaurants around town. Please remember that when you’re making your dining decisions.
Are Pork Rinds and Chicharrones the Same Thing?
Another critical question that most folks don’t ask is, are pork rinds and chicharrones the same thing? Yes, and not really.
Chicharrones are pork belly with skin, meat & some fat. Pork rinds, on the other hand, are just pork skin. Both are fried, but the chicharron process is a little more involved.
Chicharrones are one of South Florida’s unsung hero snacks. They’re like Iron Man before the films made Tony Stark and his alter ego famous.
So when you found out how cool he was, you instantly became a fan.
The first time you have a true chicharron, you will become a fan. After that first bite, you’ll be trying to track the best ones in town.
Luckily, your friend Burger Beast has already done that for you.
Best Chicharrones in Miami
This is a real deal top 5 list, which means that someone did not go out and snap pictures for me. Someone did not tell me I should add this to my list untasted.
Well, they may have, but I didn’t listen.
I wholeheartedly believe these are the 5 Best Chicharrones in Miami. They are in alphabetical order.
Since you guys have been behaving, I threw in an extra chicharron-style dish that you might not even know about at the bottom of this post.
The Butcher Shop and Deli
You’ve probably driven by the Butcher Shop in Palmetto Bay and not even noticed it was there, the wrong move. They make a killer Pan con Lechon and some super awesome chicharrones.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get some chicharrones in your pan con lechon—a game changer.
The Butcher Shop
14235 S Dixie Hwy
Palmetto Bay, FL
(305) 253-9525
El Mago de las Fritas
If you’ve been following me on social media for some time, then you know Saturdays are chicharron and ajiaco day at El Mago. Yes, they’re great, but there’s something special about watching the entire process from start to finish.
The chicharron show starts around 11 AM every Saturday and ends when they run out, usually around 1:30 PM.
El Mago De Las Fritas
5828 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL
(305) 266-8486
El Palacio de los Jugos
The first chicharron I ever ate was from the original El Palacio de los Jugos (57th & Flagler). So whenever there’s a holiday, one of my to-do list tasks is a stop here for a sackful of these gems.
Luckily, there are now multiple locations around Miami, including my neighborhood of Westchester.
El Palacio de los Jugos
5721 W Flagler Street
Miami, FL
(786) 313-3052
Hate Mondays Tavern
Hate Mondays Tavern is a BBQ that happens to have some badass chicharrones. Could you get them without the buffalo sauce? I guess you could, but you could also stop breathing, and I wouldn’t suggest that either.
Hate Mondays Tavern
12461 SW 130th Street
Miami, FL
(305) 378-4900
Luis Galindo Latin American
I eat from Galindo’s frequently, aka at least once a week. It’s my go-to Cuban restaurant. Only a bag of their chicharrones will do when I need some snacks to watch a movie or a UFC event; well, that and a handful of their croquetas too.
Luis Galindo Latin American
898 SW 57th Avenue
West Miami, FL
(305) 267-9995
EXTRA CRUNCHY CREDIT
Breadman Bakery Chicharron Cuban Bread
Did you know that Breadman Bakery makes bread infused with chicharrones? They do, and it’s not always available, so I’d call ahead if I were you.
Breadman Bakery – Hialeah
5804 W 20th Avenue
Hialeah, FL
(305) 273-2362
and
Breadman Bakery – Westchester
8100 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL
(305) 265-1348
La Esquina del Lechon has good chicharrones. Will have to go by Butcher Shop, which is closer to me. Thank you.
LOS Jugos, but now I’m just being picky…. I 100% agree that The Butcher Shop is the best. Recent coverage has resulted in previously non-existent line. The price of PR.
Keep up the good work BB.
Somehow I spelled that one wrong and the other two correct. Thanks for letting me know.
You listed El Palacio de los Jugas as El Palacio de las Fritas by mistake. I appreciate the recommendations.
Yes, thank you. The problem is I finished this up at 5 AM before my morning cafe con leche.