After arriving to pork highway a little later than expected (6pm) and discovering most restaurants…read morethat specially serve lechon (roast pork) were closed, we went to La Placita de Guavate for some pork dishes alternative to lechon like the 'Can can' and pork chop tomahawk. Staff was friendly and was helpful in translating some dish names. There was also a happy hour until 8pm for a smaller sized cup of mojito - only $3! You can tell that the liquor was on the light side but for someone like me, I didn't mind it. I got the shrimp (camerones) dish with mofongo as a side, my husband got the can can, and our friends got the pork tomahawk to share. The 'can can' dish was HUGE (can feed two in my opinion)! It's basically a bone in pork loin chop with the belly and skin attached fried to a crisp. Drooling at the moment.. Overall lively atmosphere, nice staff and good food!

I'm on vacation so I'm going to keep it short and simple. A group of us spent the day driving and…read morebuilt up a great appetite. I came up with the idea of taking them to the pork highway. However, we were quickly disappointed to learn that most of the fire pit roasted pork locations were closed. We almost decided to head back to the hotel but I made one more search and found La Placita open. I called to verify and the response was enthusiast and welcoming. We were so happy. Then we get there and this amazing professional takes us to our table and immediately starts providing the friendliest and caring service. We joked about my horrible "spanglish" and I assisted my party with their orders. It was busy, we were starved and some where borderline hangry. But then the drinks and appetizer arrived. Happy Level 1 achieved. Then after a few extra minutes, the meals start arriving. Omg! Everything was amazing. Get the Tomahawk! Get the Carne Fritas! Sides were also great - rice & beans, tostones, sweet plantains, mamposteao rice were all amazing! I hate myself for not remembering our waitress's name. I want her manager and the restaurant owners to know how special she is. If it helps - we were a party of 6 that came in at around 7:30-7:45pm on 4/22. Thank you and we will return on our next visit to PR! Great environment, great people, even better food! Muchas Gracias!

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!

We stopped by for a couple of cocktails, didn't try the food…read more Our experience at Alavera was great. Found this place by mistake and glad we decided to stop. The views and energy of the restaurant is beautiful. A must visit. Our cocktails were delicious! The servers and bartender were attentive and helpful. Very curious how their food is so I guess we'll have to visit again!

Don't miss out on this restaurant! We have been here twice…read more Employees are wonderful! Views are fabulous! Bartenders are amazing! I asked for a fresh ginger margarita. Mind blowing! Lime juice, Blanco tequila, agave & fresh grated ginger! Yum!!!! ¡Gracias!

Food and service is amazing we found this place passing by and decided to give it a chanceread more

What a little gem! Reminded me of my great grandmas old ranchito style house. The antiques…read moredisplayed throughout are fascinating! Service was very attentive and friendly. The food was amazing! Very generous portions. The side of "pegao" was a nice touch! Highly recommended!

We were restaurant hopping in the area and this was hands down the best pernil we tried…read more The mean and skin were super tasty, not fatty and very flavorful. The sides were delicious. Fast service and very friendly bartenders. Cool little outdoor place with live music on Sundays. Definitely visiting this place again.

It was super exciting to visit Guavate (aka Pork Highway). This is one of the oldest running…read moreestablishments there. The interior was pretty spacious and colorful, with festive decor for the holidays and a live band playing. There was a happening atmosphere to the place. I ordered Pork (of course), tostones, and yuca. The Pork was well seasoned, though a little dry. I was disappointed that the skin was not crispy thin enough to eat. Tostones were nice and crisp. Yuca were cooked perfectly and had just the right consistency. Also got to try the Pork Ribs, and this was my favorite! They were small in size, delightfully tender, juicy, full of bold flavor, making for truly mouthwatering bites.

Sabado 11 de enero de 2025 nos fuimos de rumba por la ruta de Guavate empezando por Caguas…read more Nuestra primera parada fue para comprar un relleno de papa y un taco de pollo. El restaurante y lechonera estaba listo con el lechón, pollo asado y todas las demás delicias para comer. Ambiente de barrio, local limpio y ordenado.

All the food was great , but that Cuajo is the best I've ever tasted. Service was good and fast…read moreeven when the place was crowded

Si buscas una lechonera en Guavate, esta es una que puedes evadir. Al igual que otras lechoneras de…read morepobre calidad, el lechón aquí es cocinado en horno el lugar de asado al carbón como es de esperar. El resultado es una carne reseca, y un cuerito duro imposible de comer. Contrario a otras cercanas, la ausencia de fila para ordenar debió ser una advertencia que no atendimos. El condimento del cerdo era sal, mas sal, mas sal. No apto para personas con alta presión. La extensa variedad de acompañantes tampoco lucia muy fresca ni apetitosa. El local se encontraba limpio y la atención muy atenta, pero busquen el lechón en otro lugar.

This is the second time in 2 vacations we came here, the pork from the spit roast is always…read moreseasoned so well. My wife loves the sausage but we both agree the rice side and the fresh lemonade is hands down the best.

I don't know what that rub/flavor is that they put on the pork at El Rancho Original but I vote…read morethis is the best pork on the Pork Highway. It is the last lechoneras on the street but if you are driving and making the stops make sure to leave room in your stomach for this one. Loved it a ton although I would have liked the band volume to be a little lower. Also we had other friendly customers jump in and help us when we messed up during our ordering. Then our line neighbors made sure we knew how to pick up our food when we were at the pick up station. Everyone here was so nice. Def come here!

Went restaurant hopping in the area, and even though this is the most popular spot, it was…read moreliterally the worst pernil we tried. The vibes of the restaurant were fun and we had a great time, but very glad we weren't hungry after trying the other spots on the strip, because the pernil wasn't good AT ALL! Flavorless, and almost raw pernil, and more expensive than the places around. I wouldn't visit this place again. Go eat somewhere else, and come here for a drink and dancing.

Sábado 10 de mayo de 2025 continuamos local en Caguas para ir decidimos almuerzo. Este local lleva…read morevarios años establecido y es mi primera vez. Por fuera no dice mucho pero por dentro y sus alrededores son otra cosa. Hay negocios independientes detrás del negocio, bueno será en otro momento, fuimos almorzar. Local bien decorado y servicio excelente. Porción de la comidas grandes. Ambiente diurno es familiar.

De la verdad la comida no está mala pero no me salió buena. Es una chinchorreo, y tiene platos…read moretípicos. Comió el conejo frito una de las especialidades de las casa pero mio fue tan seco que casi no podía comer y habichuelas de lata. Los tragos son buenos, y el ambiente si es muy familiar pero aparentemente fue una pelea o asalto pero dentro de la entrada y eso no caí bien. Lo dudó hay voy a regresar. Muy caro por lo que recibo el servicio está bien.