Aling Lucing's Sisig

The Callars came in from Tarlac to visit some of their relatives, and on the way back to Manila, they stopped at Aling Lucing's in Angeles City. This stall along the railroad tracks is the birthplace of sisig, which is a combination of grilled pig's cheek, pork liver, onion, vinegar and calamansi, all minced together and served on a hot metal plate.  The sisig choppers literally work roadside, and these guys start the cooking grills after lunch, making cooked sisig usually available by 3pm (you may have to make advance orders if you want it earlier).  Becca took home a couple of orders and of course, the food was packed in styro boxes (served minus the hot plate).  I understand this dish was created in 1974, and that since then, the dish has found its way all around the Philippines, and in practically most Filipino communities all over the world, with over a hundred variations, the most common of which is that a fried egg is added to top the dish.  The original dish, shown above, costs around P200 and is at the top of my list of all-time beer chow favorites!  We had a blast eating the meal at the Oregon mansion, and every single morsel was wiped clean off the banana leaves.  It's a good thing that the store still continues to serve sisig despite Aling Lucing's untimely demise in 2008 (she reportedly fell victim to a gang of house robbers).  Other local restaurants may have their own improved versions, but Aling Lucing's original street-food ambiance still takes the top spot!