Pulled Pork: Oinkster vs. The Nickel

I wasn’t 100% sure what I felt about pork before I started my tour of the best food joints in LA. Now I know: I like it a lot. And I have learned if I want the choicest cut, pork butt is the way to go. Pork butt isn’t as bad as it sounds. This cut does not come from the rear end of the hog--it is cut from the shoulder. The pork shoulder weighs 12-18 pounds and consists of two portions: the butt, which is the upper portion of the shoulder, and the picnic, which is the lower portion And two versions of pulled pork sandwiches rise to the top of my memory bank. The Oinkster’s version has a sweet taste from some caramelized onions they slather on top of it, and the soy and honey sauce they marinate it in. You don’t nibble on this sandwich or save half of it for later. You eat all of it. And then you order another. And then another (for later, of course). Although I highly recommend the Oinkster coconut cupcakes I must say: who needs cupcakes if the pulled pork can serve as entrée and dessert? When you go to the Oinkster flip a coin to decide which sandwich you will order, the pulled pork or the pastrami. Or go with somebody and order one of each. I envy you, friend, when you go. If you find yourself in the heart of LA, head on down to the Nickel, which serves a rendition of pulled pork that has a monster of flavor. It brings a swift karate kick of heat with their pork on rolls filled with slaw and BBQ sauce. I like it. A lot. At the Nickel, you will eat your sandwich and notice the cool contrast of the heat sauce, cool slaw, and refreshing dill pickle. (And if you don’t leave room for homemade Hostess cupcakes there is something wrong with you.)Who wins this match up? Verdict: too close to call. For now, just give me more sandwiches and maybe I will tell you later.