Lechonera Ocala — Restaurant in Ocala

This is one of the lowest reviews I've ever had to write and honestly, it hurts me to do. I love supporting local mom and pop shops. And we were soooo excited to find Puerto Rican food in Ocala, as most local latin restaurant options are Cuban or Mexican.

The only nice thing I can say, is that the gentleman at the counter, was overall polite.

Here's why 1 star is the most I could give: When you walk in, you first notice a food counter to the right, a bunch of mismatched tables, some fridges with drinks and maybe a small dance floor? But the place needs a make over. No big deal, till you add the following details.

We sat down, there was only one other family there at the time. Placed our order, and waited. And waited. Waited a but more. Giving it the benefit of the doubt, I'm thinking everything is being made fresh. So we sat patiently. At least an hour later, drinks come out. Then another 15 min and food has arrived. The portions, though smaller then the average latin restaurant, are still plenty to fill an average adult. The price however... did not equate to its value, at all.

The mofongo, overall was okay, but was a tad dry. The issue came in with the steak. 2 people of 3 at our table ordered the steak. I'm not a picky person, so for me to not eat and send the food back, it takes A LOT. After 20-25 min, someone finally came over to see how everything was. The churrasco meat (steak) was spoiled. The after taste is still in my mouth, hours later. 🤢🤮🤢 most of our plates remained mostly untouched.

I expressed my concerns to the gentleman, and he turns to my husband, asks if he tried it and felt the same. He nods and suddenly my complaint is considered. He goes back to the kitchen, the woman to tell him the meat is fresh, bought that day and just opened. My concern was dismissed and in other words they said I lied.

No offer to sub the meal for something else, replace or refund. I paid EIGHT SIX dollars for food we could not eat. I know I'm going to wake up sick. I have felt sick to my stomach, shortly after leaving.

So very disappointing. I DO NOT recommend. And unfortunately, will not be going back. I don't recommend...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Lechonera Ocala and I must say it was an outstanding experience. From the moment I walked in, the aroma of the delicious Latin cuisine filled the air, immediately making my mouth water in anticipation.

The restaurant itself had a cozy and welcoming ambiance, with warm colors and charming decor. The staff members were incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure that all of my needs were met throughout my meal. They were also very knowledgeable about the menu and were happy to answer any questions I had. The service was prompt and efficient, and I never had to wait too long for my food to arrive.

Now onto the star of the show, the food! Lechonera Ocala offers a wide variety of Latin dishes, but their specialty is definitely the lechon, or roasted pork. The lechon was perfectly cooked, with a crispy skin and tender, juicy meat that practically melted in my mouth. The flavor was absolutely incredible, with a subtle smokiness and a hint of citrus that added a nice tang.

I also tried their tostones, which were crispy and flavorful, and their rice and beans, which were a perfect accompaniment to the lechon. Everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned just right.

To top it all off, the portion sizes were generous, ensuring that I left the restaurant fully satisfied. The prices at Lechonera Ocala were also very reasonable, especially considering the high quality of the food.

Overall, I cannot recommend Lechonera Ocala enough. The combination of delicious food, friendly service, and inviting atmosphere makes it a top-notch dining experience. Whether you're a Latin food enthusiast or just someone looking for a great meal, Lechonera Ocala is definitely...

Hispanic or not, this is the place for delicious latin food! Family-like staff, so enjoy the hospitality while you "eat at home." Definitely took me back to my childhood which was great since there aren't many spanish restaurants other than Mexican style (no shade, it's just different). I came for dinner, I recommend rice and beans, roasted pork, and sweet fried plantains always, or any other one of their sides...can't go wrong either way😉 I will be going for breakfast and I will be ordering a "typical Dominican breakfast"--ask for...