Lechonera El Rancho Original — Restaurant in Cayey

another place that is worth the drive for sure.

we cam here during a rainy day and it was perfect as it was not packed and we got to enjoy the best sit in the place.

they have private parking and that was awesome since we drove there and did not have to worry about parking, since it was not packed parking was easy to achieve.

this is an outdoor restaurant and has plenty of covered sitting but no real indoor area as I could notice, but maybe I just didn't notice.

the food is all on display through a glass as well as the roasting pigs so you get your plate filled while pointing at the parts and side you like to have, then after getting the food you order your drink and after all you pay and go have a sit to enjoy your meal.

ROASTED PORK- you pick your favorite part of the pig and that is about it. it is a roasted pig so it is a very different way of eating, the skin is very crunchy and fun to try.

PINA COLADA- the Pina colada here is pretty amazing it is definitely a must try, they make them right in front of you old school.

BLOOD SAUSAGE- not my thing but yes they have it here and so if you never had it, do give it a try.

RICE- they have this lentil and yellow rice, that to me was a bit blend but the flavors of all the meal are so strong that the rice should not make much a difference here.

APPETIZERS- we got some fried appetizers and they were not super awesome but they were ok to try for sure.

the real star her is the sitting area. the sitting area in the back of the restaurant is by the river side and it looks amazing, you have a lot of nature all around you here. the sitting area is just breathtaking and perfect.

I will definitely come back here if I have a chance, not so much to eat but to have another pina colada and enjoy the...

The lechoneras (pig roasts) of El Guavate are a great concept that have unfortunately been overly commercialized. El Rancho Original is no exception. There are several lechoneras in the area with souvenir shops scattered in between. We were there early, so there was no live music -- just reggaeton blasting from the speakers.

The Good - A great way to experience the cuisine of Puerto Rico. This locale has a series of open-air bohíos (gazebos) were you can eat picnic-style.

The Bad - To order, we were ushered into a Disney-esque roped lined that zig-zagged across the property. To speed things up, a server took orders while we waited in line and passed them directly to the people dispensing the food. By the time you got to the front of the line, someone was already calling out your name. (more on this coming up)

The Ugly - Because the order was pre-placed while we waited in line, we did not see it being served. We ended up with a 2.5 lb order of roast pork with a lot of bones and fat. (Normally, you would order in the front and see your food as it is packed into take-out containers.)

Go early. Expect to pay for parking. Insist on ordering your food directly from the serving line so that you see we hay you're...

If you visit San Juan, Puerto Rico you must visit this restaurant! This is part of the famous "Pork Highways" that can be found in various areas of Puerto Rico. Pork Highways feature both restaurants serving roasted pig as well as numerous shops selling everything from locally made souvenirs to ice cream to homemade Puerto Rican hot sauces and candies. El Rancho Original is a beautiful, sprawling restaurant serving roasted pig, chicken, yellow rice with pigeon peas, desserts and some of the best Pina Coladas that I have ever had. They restaurant has seating for approximately 150 people and features live music. The prices are great and the food is even better. Very popular with the locals - which is always a great sign - but even if it's crowded you won't wait in line long. Make sure you get the yellow rice and order both chicken and pork. Very affordable and a dining experience that one must have to experience authentic Puerto Rican food. TIP: If you go try to get there before noon because it gets pretty crowded. The road is in the mountains and the driving can be a little nerve wracking for those not used to Puerto Rican mountain roads. Take your time and arrive...