663841 Sun Nov 01 05:55:10 -0800 2009 6 54 Caribbean 0 5146431 Will be in Puerto Rico soon and am looking for the best lechoneras. The food, of course, is the most important factor. But, I hear Sundays are the best day to go for the full experience, including live music. So, where would you recommend? Also, does it make a difference if going Saturday instead of Sunday? Thanks all. Sun Nov 01 05:55:10 -0800 2009 12118 jdf 1 5150478 I personally like Lechonera Ferreira in Guaynabo. Probably because it's close to my family's house. :) On Sunday, you get the church crowd going out, so you have more people there and better turn-around on the lechon. :) Mon Nov 02 16:12:26 -0800 2009 5146431 235517 annapurna7 1 5159146 I would go on a Sunday as opposed to Saturday if you want the entire experience. And I believe not all the places are open on the other days. I originally wanted to go to El Cunao but couldn't find it (yes, it is that crazy there on a Sunday!). So I ended up going to Los Pinos (the one Anthony Bourdain went to). I know Bourdain really enjoyed his pork but I thought it was quite dry. Could have been the luck of the draw as there was a HUGE line of locals. But I also wasn't too impressed with the sides. Here's a NYT article on Guavate if you're interested. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9502EFD8153EF937A35754C0A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Thu Nov 05 14:27:42 -0800 2009 5146431 10763 Miss Needle 2 5159944 Great. Thanks. We'll be there this weekend. Have heard good things about El Rancho Original, which was the one that Andrew Zimmern went to. May go there, but will report back. Thu Nov 05 20:16:19 -0800 2009 5159146 12118 jdf 1 5172181 So, we wound up going to El Rancho Original. It is in the area where many of the lechoneras are concentrated. We got there around 11:45 a.m. It is cafeteria style and you line up and tell them what you want. We had the lechon, pavo (which is turkey with the same seasoning as the lechon), longaniza, arroz y habichuleas and the arroz con gandules. Heaping portions for about $16. There are various seating areas and we sat down by the stream. Lechon was very good and moist. Turkey (pavo) also good, though I would stick with the lechon. After our meal, we walked up and down the strip, stopping in a few other places. Live music in many of them, but El Rancho Original seemed to get the most crowded. Got some beers, sangria and pina coladas and just relaxed. Very fun. To answer my original question as to the bets lechonera, in speaking with some locals, they felt they were pretty much al the same. They may not have been real foodies, but this is what they said. In any event, worth the trip for good food and a fun afternoon off the tourist track. Wed Nov 11 05:13:53 -0800 2009 5146431 12118 jdf 2 5185221 Thanks for reporting back. Glad to hear that your pork was moist. I hope they gave you lots of crispy skin too. That's the best part! Mon Nov 16 07:50:57 -0800 2009 5172181 10763 Miss Needle 3 5185590 Thanks. Skin is the best part! It was great. Not the kind that is gummy, but crisp and full of flavor. Next time, I may try El Cunao, too, as I've heard very good things. Mon Nov 16 09:42:15 -0800 2009 5185221 12118 jdf