South Philly Barbacoa

Philadelphians have been lining up down the block for a taste of South Philly Barbacoa’s legendary lamb barbacoa tacos since 2012, but chef/owner Cristina Martinez comes from a long line of barbacoieros, and has been making traditional barbacoa the old-fashioned way since she was a little girl growing up in Capulhuac, Mexico. After leaving an abusive marriage she immigrated to Philly, where she remarried and started selling her slow-roasted barbacoa out of her apartment. A food cart soon followed, then a brick-and-mortar restaurant, then appearances on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” and “Ugly Delicious” and national acclaim.

Martinez’s barbacoa recipe is top-secret, but it’s made with lamb that’s simmered for hours in a citrus-kicked marinade. It’s rich, deep, and complex, and after being gently shredded it’s piled onto a housemade tortilla and topped with nopales, rajas, red and green salsas, onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, and served with rich consommé on the side. This is as real-deal as it gets, and it’s being delivered straight to your door!