Birria from Zaragoza

A lot of attention is being paid to local chef Stephanie Izard’s upcoming restaurant, The Girl & The Goat. She’s been hosting special preview dinners under the auspices of “The Wandering Goat.” When she finally opens on West Randolph St. there will certainly be goat in some form on the menu. But the pleasures of goat, are nothing new to residents on the Southwest Side. For several years, the Zaragoza family has been serving birria – the Mexican specialty of steamed then roasted goat, bathed in rich consommé‚ served with freshly-made tortillas – in their tiny-yet-cozy restaurant on South Pulaski. Izard will most likely bring it mainstream, but just remember the Zaragozas when goat becomes the new pork.