How to Order at a Lechonera
Lechoneras are restaurants that serve lechón and most have a cafeteria-style setup. When you arrive, you get in line and order right at the counter, either individual portions which include pork or chicken and two sides (called a combinación) or you can order pork by the pound, chicken by the quarter, and sides by containers (small or large). The pork is laid out on a cutting board behind the counter and chopped into pieces with a machete. Sides are steaming in hot trays with classics like rice and beans, tostones, sweet plantains, mofongo, and rice and pigeon peas, as well as less common yuca al mojo (cassava with onions, olive oil, and vinegar), boiled sweet potatoes, and guineítos (boiled savory banana). The adventurous eater will also want to try the cuajito (stewed pig stomach), morcilla (blood sausage), and longaniza (spicy sausage).
For those who don't eat pork, the chicken is a great option since it's seasoned and prepared similarly to the pork giving it a great flavor. If you're a vegetarian then the root vegetables and plantains are your best bet since most of the rice dishes and the beans will probably contain pieces of pork or ham hock as part of their seasoning.
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Once you have your food, head to the nearest communal table (though some restaurants have regular round tables as well) and start divvying up the feast. Usually, the bar will be separate from the food station so if the place is crowded (and the good ones always are) then be strategic and have one part of the group in charge of ordering food and the other getting drinks.
After your meal, you can get in on the dancing if there's a live band playing or take a walk around the roadside stands to see if any souvenirs catch your eye.
