La Manada Ribs V8 — Restaurant in Guayanilla

Disappointing Experience with Over-the-Top Rules, Salty Food, and High Prices

I was excited to try this BBQ place after hearing the hype, but my experience left a lot to be desired. Here’s what happened:

Reservations Are a Joke: Despite making a reservation, we were required to wait 45 minutes in our car upon arrival. We were instructed to park and weren’t allowed to step out, even though we were in the parking lot, and there was no explanation for the delay.

Preordering Meant Nothing: We followed the process and preordered our BBQ meats the day before, assuming this would streamline the experience. Unfortunately, even with the preorder, it still took 45 minutes after we were sat at the table to get the food. We couldn’t understand why it took so long—the food arrived cold.

Long and Frustrating Wait: We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation, thinking we were being proactive; however, by the time we finally got our food and left, it had been about three (3!!) hours. The kicker is that you get a message with “the rules” the day prior, and they state that you must arrive on time, or your “reservation” is cancelled after 15 minutes, and that you only have a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes (max) at the table, so they can turn it over for other reservations. For a BBQ place, this level of inefficiency is unacceptable.

Salty Food: When we finally received our meal, the BBQ was underwhelming. It was far too salty, and the flavor didn’t justify the excessive wait or the rigid rules.

Awkward Interaction with the Owner: The owner came by to ask how the food was, and we considered being honest that it was just okay. However, we soon realized he’s a celebrity on the island. Some other patrons mentioned his celebrity status as a judge on a cooking show or something. He spent time taking pictures with other tables, but that didn’t improve our experience or the food.

High Prices: For the amount of hassle we endured, the prices felt unreasonably high. Given the salty food and long wait times, the meal didn’t justify the premium pricing. This added to the overall disappointment. We spent about $80 per person when all was said and done, including taxes and tip.

Overall, the rigid and overbearing rules, poor service, high prices, and underwhelming BBQ made this an experience I wouldn’t repeat. If a restaurant imposes this many rules, the least they can do is honor reservations, have orders ready, and serve food that lives up to the hype.

Living in the Southern U.S. has spoiled me with BBQ so good, you can walk into a restaurant, sit down, and know you’re about to have something amazing every time....

La Manada smoke house is unequivocally Word’s Best BBQ establishment; having visit many BBQ restaurants myself I mistakenly thought TN, Bourbon St. had the best. At La Manada, Lucas (Grillmaster) developed a process of brining and slowcooking involving 22 hours that allows each meat-cut to absorb the seasoning and smoke flavors avoiding taste suppression hence the need for Sauce. The Briskets are tender and juicy; the Ribbs are tender, juicy and off the bone; the Quail possesses the aforementioned descriptions; side dishes are awesome as well. Craft beers are good especially Pachanga. If your palate craves Good BBQ visit La Manada, but arrive EARLY because the food vanishes fast; Lucas’ grilling process involves so much time and close attention that precludes volume cooking, procrastination will lead to missing out on an...

Arrived early about at 11:15, as soon as you arrive you are greeted by their employees on the parking lot which verify your reservation. Very courteous and friendly. Once you arrive to the restaurant you are greeted and a table is assigned to you. Everything is very clean and it looks in order. Service was very good, tried the longaniza as appetizers and they were really good, we ordered the ribs and brisket. The brisket was amazing, very well cooked, juicy and soft, the spareribs were over cooked and really dry. Not what I was expecting for a place which specializes on smoked food. The coffee flan was delicious, it's a must try. I will give it a second try, but will ask the next time before ordering, the doneness of the spareribs. If not happy with it, I will go full brisket, it was really great! That I really...