Lechonera Los Pinos
Lechon
Morcilla + Longaniza de Cerdo
Arroz con Grandules
Name + Plantanos Maduros
Tres Leches
While some may find it strange that a person who travels to dine does not watch “Food Television” the fact remains, but on the same day as a trip to El Yunque National Forest the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico’s famous “Pork Highway” proved impossible to resist.
Locally known as La Ruta del Lechón, a dozen or more Restaurants at elevation on a winding road in Guavate, it is following the 45 minute drive from San Juan that travelers will find Lechonera Los Pinos, a bit of rain and pandemic precautions seeing few guests at 9:30am even though staff and Food were ready to go.
Found along Route 184, stories of visits by Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain prominent across Social Media, it is from the parking lot that the smell of cookery becomes prominent, the friendly all-Spanish servers helping first-timers navigate a menu loaded with Proteins and Starches.
Open air and spacious, the sort of place already designed for spreading out long before “social distancing,” it was after watching an older man hack bits of Pork from the whole Hog with a machete that seats were taken, Los Pinos’ Lechon perfectly seasoned with rendered Fat glistening beneath skin that shatters like glass with a smoky finish.
More than just Lechon Asado, Rice with Pigeon Peas and sides of Sauteed Plantains plus tender Yam also delicious, those in search of more Pork will do well to order both garlicky Longaniza and boldly flavored Blood Sausage with Rice before wrapping up with individual Tres Leches in a small aluminum cup.
www.lechoneraspr.com