RICO'S LECHON - U.P. Town Center — Restaurant in Quezon City

Not really the type who gives feedback to any place but I’m way too disappointed to let this pass.

I’m a fan of Rico’s Lechon and always finds time to drop by at their resto when I’m in Cebu. I’ve been raving about it to my friends here and abroad. So when I noticed some weeks back that they’ll be opening a branch at UPTC, I was more than thrilled!

So tonight was the first time I eat at Rico’s outside of Cebu. And boy, was I disappointed. AS IN GAYAWYAW AKONG KALAG. First red flag was when we’re served lechon skin that really looks gummy so I asked the waiter to replace it with something crispy. He explained—somewhat rudely—that that is how lechon skin is a couple of hours after it’s served. The thing is, I grew up eating lechon and you’re not fooling me, pal. We even roast our own lechon in our backyard so I definitely know my lechon. The section they served us is part of the lechon that often have that gummy skin when cooked. So what he did was offered us to fry it to become crispy. Had I known my lechon would be fried, I would have just went elsewhere. LECHON GANI DIBA, DILI FRIED PORK! NAGKARINDERIA NA LANG UNTA KO EH! OR NIULI KOS BALAY KAY NAA MAN KOY BAGNET, PAREHO RA MAN NGA PINIRITONG BABOY! What annoyed me more was that the table beside us and other people after us were served with what I saw were very crispy lechon skin. SO BAKAKON ANG STAFF. Nonetheless, I was still eager to have a go and tried to let that all pass in anticipation of the Rico’s lechon that I’m really craving for. BUT NO, I could hardly taste the flavor of lechon in the meat. I even tried extracting the juices in the meat (yes, I tried to suck the juices out of it) while eating it but there’s hardly any lechon flavor there. We ordered spicy lechon and all I can taste is chili and it’s spicyness. No lechon flavor at all. And for the price, it’s totally not worth it. AS IN, KALAS SA KWARTA. And for my one-star rating? I’m definitely being generous here; I’d give them a 0.5 star or less given the choice...

BOTTOMLINE: DI MASARAP. Take your...

Probably my worst experience in a sitdown restaurant ever. Had better experience in carinderias and turo-turos. 😂 Sat down, had to call the attention of wait staff multiple times just so we can place an order. We were only willing to wait 20 or so minutes because wait staff said one of the items we ordered might take some time to prepare. Okay, fair enough.

While waiting, nothing really came to our table—utensils, water, nothing. Asked another wait staff for service water since we’ve been waiting a while. Manager actually comes to our table to ask if we already ordered anything, because only people who’ve placed an order can have service water daw. We said yes, and then decided to follow up.

Same wait staff who took our order said, “Ma’am, sigurado po bang may order na kayo?”

Me: “Yes po, kayo po nagtake ng order namin kanina. Pinaulit ko pa nga po sa inyo just to be sure.”

Wait staff: “Ay, ma’am, hindi po ako ‘yun!”

Me: “Ate, kayo po nagtake ng order namin kanina.”

Wait staff: (Thinking long and hard, checks the phone where she input our order) “Ay, ma’am, hindi ko pa po pala naforward sa kitchen!”

Me: “Alam mo, ate, aalis na lang kami.”

Mind you, it wasn’t even a busy time. I can only imagine how it’s like when it’s lunch or dinner service. Such an inefficient system and bad customer service for some expensive “meh” food. And it’s consistently bad, since my friend and I have had the same experience in their GH...

Craving for Cebu's lechon? No worries for Quezon City residents. Here in Rico's lechon, your cravings shall be satisfied. Well as any Visayan lechon, do not expect a liver sauce to be served with your lechon bcoz Cebu's lechon is best with soy sauce & vinegar. Visayans do not actually use liver sauce for their lechon. But the resto should also give an option to MMla customers by providing liver sauce. When we were served our order of lechon, I tested the pork skin with a fork. All crisps except for one piece. So I requested for a replacement of that one piece and the courteous server immediately did so. So thankful for that! For a one-fourth kilo of lechon, it was enough for 2-3 persons. Also ordered adobong kangkong, and grilled chorizo (Cebu's streetfood). I liked too that cup of rice is served in a...