VISIT SANTA CRUZ | WHEN IN SANTA CRUZ | FOODIES

Don't leave without trying Ka Ambo's

Deep fried pork knuckles that will add the crunch to your Santa Cruz experience

Before heading out to sun bathe in Maniwaya Island or a night camp in La Preza Hills, be sure to include an order or two of Ka Ambo’s crispy pata in your lunchbox for a truly filling excursion. With its perfectly crisped pork skin, this legend which was once described by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as the best crispy pata in the Philippines is pure ASMR goodness for your next Instagram reel. 

For the real experience, however, go past the skin for the mouthwatering tender meat surrounding the knuckle bone that nearly melts in your tongue. We highly recommend licking the bone thoroughly to ensure no flavor is wasted. 

The secret to this porcine perfection? Ka Ambo’s selectiveness with her hogs. A meat vendor in her younger years, Ka Ambo or Ambrosia Reynoso surely knows how to choose her knuckles. And while her late husband was the original chef, it was her commitment to using only the best pork (neither studs nor birthing hogs) that has kept the star ingredient of every home-cooked pata in top form. 

Speaking of hogs, do you know that the ones raised in Marinduque, particularly in Santa Cruz are considered to be some of the tastiest pork in the country? But that’s for a different story altogether. 

Ka Ambo’s crispy pata sells out pretty much quickly during meal times, so be sure to give them a call before knocking for a knuckle at the Reynoso residence in Barangay Pag-asa in downtown Santa Cruz. 

The pata and other home cooked meals (their sisig is also a knock out) are available for take-out only from 10AM-7PM daily.