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    Lechonera Los Amigos - Lechón, arroz con gandules, amarillos and pastel

    Lechonera Los Amigos

    4.6(81 reviews)
    13.6 mi
    $$

    We stopped here on the road between Ponce and San Juan, and since we didn't have a lot of time, we…read moredidn't wander too far down the Ruta del Lechon (Pork Highway). This place is right on the main highway, it's huge and packed so plan accordingly: we arrived before noon on a Friday, so we probably got one of the last parking spots (there's a guy managing or charging in the parking lot? not sure) and the line was manageable. A large group and some buses showed up after us, so it got really crowded! Anyway, we had a short line, had no idea what we were doing to order (I should have researched better) but pointed and nodded, and with some help from the nice people in line, ended up with two huge platters of pork, rice and some other sides - way more food that we probably needed. The food: delicious! I would say our #2 favorite meal in Puerto Rico, after Marmalade (but that was more than 10x the price!) The pork was delicious, juicy, flavorful, and the crackling was to die for! I wish they would package those and sell them - probably only good fresh, though. Rice and sides were adequate: my son tried to be healthy and said the salad and potatoes were ok, but you're really there for the pork. Cost etc.: we paid less than $50 for 2 enormous plates of food and some sodas. It was enough for 3 lunch servings, plus enough leftovers for 2 people to have the rest for dinner - so I guess 5 servings? The wait was not bad early on a weekday, but they must get incredibly overrun on weekends. It is entertaining to see the pork cooking on a spit (please don't come if you are vegetarian and sensitive to such things) and watch them hacking away with machetes. My husband wondered if the machetes are the same once used for sugar cane!

    During our trip to Puerto Rico, we made a stop at a lechónera- a restaurant that serves lechón (one…read moreof PR's unofficial national dishes), which is a whole, slow-roasted pig. This restaurant is just one of many open-air roadside spots that serve lechón along "La Ruta del Lechón", aka the "pork highway" in Guavate. We got a half pound of lechon along with Mamposteao, which was delicious and filling. The pork skin hit a level of shatteringly crispy texture that I have never had from non-fried pork skin. We came later in the day, which unfortunately meant that the pork was slightly dried out. However, the texture and flavor of the lechón was absoutely delicious. It's a "build your own box" style restaurant where you choose which sides you want on the dipslay. Besides the mamposteao there were also other delicious-looking sides such as plantains/mofongo, beans, fruit, etc. There's a small parking lot outside the restaurant- one where the rule is you can only back your car into your parking space. Interesting. Would definetely come to try lechón here again!

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    Lechonera Los Amigos - Lechón

    Lechón

    Lechonera Los Amigos - This little piggy went to market.

    This little piggy went to market.

    Lechonera Los Amigos - Lechon

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    Lechon

    El Jibarito - Flan de coco and flan de chocolate

    El Jibarito

    3.9(2.1k reviews)
    23.1 mi
    $$

    This was my first time visiting Viejo San Juan, and this was one of those legendary places I had…read moreheard about for years, going all the way back to when I was a little kid. On our most recent vacation, we finally had the chance to experience it for ourselves, and it did not disappoint. The moment you walk in, it feels like you have stepped back in time. The old school dining room is simple and no frills, with basic tables and chairs lined throughout the space, but that is exactly what gives the place so much character and authenticity. It feels like a true piece of old Puerto Rico. And then there is the food. Absolutely delicious, authentic, traditional Puerto Rican cooking. Our family shared the Bistec Encebollado, Carne Guisada, Chuletas Fritas, tostones, white rice and beans, and arroz con gandules. We started with Alcapurrias and Pastelillos de Carne, and everything was packed with flavor. The portions may be a little smaller than what some people are used to, but the prices are very reasonable, which makes it easy to order several dishes and share everything family style. For me, this was more than just a meal. It was finally getting to experience a place I had heard about for most of my life, surrounded by family and enjoying the kind of traditional Puerto Rican food I was hoping for. AMAZING! Definitely a must visit when you are in Viejo San Juan.

    Its been about 8 weeks since we came back from PR and eating at El Jibarito, and I can't stop…read morethinking about. Wish we had eaten here at the beginning of our trip, so we could have gone a couple more times. The service was amazing, a lady came by with a couple different little plates with different food, so we can try, i've never eaten somewhere, where they did that. I didnt see if she was walking around doing this, or she just did it for us. Everything was amazing and it was a hard choice to narrow down and decide what to order. I decided on the carne guisada, which is basically beef stew it came with rice and beans, chefs kiss!!! AMAZING flavor, the meat was so tender. Everything else everyone ordered was so good, hands down the best food we ate on our whole vacation, and we ate great food! The restaurant felt like you were eating at your tias house, beautiful decor, service was amazing it felt like home. As we walked out I thanked the lady that brought us the food, she stopped me and gave me the biggest hug as if she had known me a lifetime.

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    El Jibarito
    El Jibarito - Fried snapper

    Fried snapper

    El Jibarito

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    Chef’s Soul - wine_bars - Updated August 2026

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