Lechóneras are open air restaurants that offer freshly roasted pig and a variety of traditional side dishes like plantains, octopus salad, blood sausage and rice with pigeon peas.
After hearing for the upteenth time that we should visit Guavate, Puerto Rico, known as the ‘Pork Highway’ for it’s vast selection of Lechóneras, we decided to make the drive from San Juan and finally see what all the hype is about. The drive was pretty easy since we went midweek and avoided the crowds of people that gather here on the weekends. Although we missed the traffic and long lines, we also missed getting to experience the excitement that comes along with the weekend, including live music and a larger selection of vendors – most of which are only open on weekends. We did, however, stop at Los Pinos – one of the few lechoneras that is open on a Tuesday.
Not for the faint of heart (or vegetarians), these roadside stands are rustic by nature and although tasty, require some level of acceptance that you might leave with a mosquito bite or two and that stray dogs will hover around you while you eat, looking for a handout.
