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    El Meson de Melquiades

    4.4 (33 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    El Meson de Melquiades Photos

    EL MESON DE MELQUIADES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Meson de Melquiades

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    Crème brûlée
    . ..

    Food was DELICIOUS Service was PERFECT Couldn't ask for more Just keep in mind they don't use AC they have fans but it's not bad The lady who served us was so warm she treated us like her own Definitely recommend this place Beautiful surroundings as well

    Brownie with vanilla ice cream. Very good!
    Rebecca B.

    This is a restaurant up in the mountains of Cayey, about a 20 minute drive from the main highway, along winding roads. I took Dramamine beforehand as a precaution and was glad I did. We came on a Friday evening before sunset and were able to find parking right away, and were seated with no wait. The view from the back porch is nice but I would not come out from San Juan just for it. You have a view of an inner vale and some houses facing the restaurant. My in-laws who live in the area were very unhappy with the service, given the prices of the food - service was slow at the end of our meal. Nevertheless the food was quite good. The oxtails (Rabo de Buey) were the best dish at our table but the rice that came with it had some hard parts. My father-in-law had half a serving of veal with half a serving of javelina, which he enjoyed. The desserts were all great! I would swing by if you are in the area and want to try some less common cuts of meat. Those unfamiliar or u comfortable with twisty mountain driving should leave before nightfall.

    Bill G.

    This is my first visit to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and my uncle took me to your restaurant. Everyone was very friendly at our arrival seated as quickly and the wait staff was there to perfection. Each morsel that came to the table was more delicious than the previous. I can't say enough how wonderful the atmosphere was and how delicious every bite that went into your mouth was. The place was packed and this was not even their busiest night so get a reservation and prepared to wait for at least a little bit but not to worry it is more than worth your wait. Because I was there with one of the islands better known citizens we were also treated to a visit by the chef and some of the rest of the family and they were delightful. Even the staff talks about the owners as one team and as a family and are a well oiled team. I did not partake of the desserts because I was so full and I didn't want to lose any of that deliciousness still left in my mouth. While you're there go out to the patio in the back and take a look at a view that is worth the visit to the restaurant all on its own. This is my first trip but not my last trip I will return to this island and I will return to this restaurant.

    Best eatery in the mountains. Clean, family oriented great view wonderful food. Ask for Jerry, he will take good care of you. Must have the corn beef alcapurrias. Yummy. Everything is fresh and home made. Great little bar, well stocked. Buen provecho!

    Lamb
    Ryne S.

    We finally made it to the Meson de Melquiades and it live up to all the hype. It was in our "hit" list for quite sometime and it was worthy. Great service, amazing qulity of food. The "alcapurrias" with corn beef are a must. We had the lamb and the buffalo (yes, buffalo) as they have specialized in bringing unique meats such as kobe, boar, etc. Both were tasty and amazing presentation. Great views and can live to the hype of being a gem in the middle of the mountains. For dessert, we had the manchego flan and was uneventful. Too sweet.

    Great entrees, food and service. Prices are moderately high, for for the taste and quality of the food it was worth every penny.

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    3 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Delicious upscale Puerto Rican restaurant with great quality food and nice ambiance/views

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Osso bucco is out of this world. Very busy restaurant but efficient staff keeps it moving.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Estuve recientemente en el Restaurant, comida, servicio, personal, estacionamiento excelentes, lo recomiendo no se van arrepentir.

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Excellent Cuisine. Super Varied Menu. Family Ambience and Menu and Prices for everybody.

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    14 years ago

    Bien buena, las sopas son de primera.

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    El Meson de Melquiades Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - El Meson de Melquiades

    Varied menu, great presentation and excellent food choices like the pastel en hoja, corned beef alcapurrias and much more tasting appetizers.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Lechonera Los Amigos - Lechón, arroz con gandules, amarillos and pastel

    Lechonera Los Amigos

    4.6(81 reviews)
    9.5 km
    $$

    We stopped here on the road between Ponce and San Juan, and since we didn't have a lot of time, we…read moredidn't wander too far down the Ruta del Lechon (Pork Highway). This place is right on the main highway, it's huge and packed so plan accordingly: we arrived before noon on a Friday, so we probably got one of the last parking spots (there's a guy managing or charging in the parking lot? not sure) and the line was manageable. A large group and some buses showed up after us, so it got really crowded! Anyway, we had a short line, had no idea what we were doing to order (I should have researched better) but pointed and nodded, and with some help from the nice people in line, ended up with two huge platters of pork, rice and some other sides - way more food that we probably needed. The food: delicious! I would say our #2 favorite meal in Puerto Rico, after Marmalade (but that was more than 10x the price!) The pork was delicious, juicy, flavorful, and the crackling was to die for! I wish they would package those and sell them - probably only good fresh, though. Rice and sides were adequate: my son tried to be healthy and said the salad and potatoes were ok, but you're really there for the pork. Cost etc.: we paid less than $50 for 2 enormous plates of food and some sodas. It was enough for 3 lunch servings, plus enough leftovers for 2 people to have the rest for dinner - so I guess 5 servings? The wait was not bad early on a weekday, but they must get incredibly overrun on weekends. It is entertaining to see the pork cooking on a spit (please don't come if you are vegetarian and sensitive to such things) and watch them hacking away with machetes. My husband wondered if the machetes are the same once used for sugar cane!

    During our trip to Puerto Rico, we made a stop at a lechónera- a restaurant that serves lechón (one…read moreof PR's unofficial national dishes), which is a whole, slow-roasted pig. This restaurant is just one of many open-air roadside spots that serve lechón along "La Ruta del Lechón", aka the "pork highway" in Guavate. We got a half pound of lechon along with Mamposteao, which was delicious and filling. The pork skin hit a level of shatteringly crispy texture that I have never had from non-fried pork skin. We came later in the day, which unfortunately meant that the pork was slightly dried out. However, the texture and flavor of the lechón was absoutely delicious. It's a "build your own box" style restaurant where you choose which sides you want on the dipslay. Besides the mamposteao there were also other delicious-looking sides such as plantains/mofongo, beans, fruit, etc. There's a small parking lot outside the restaurant- one where the rule is you can only back your car into your parking space. Interesting. Would definetely come to try lechón here again!

    Photos
    Lechonera Los Amigos - Lechón

    Lechón

    Lechonera Los Amigos - This little piggy went to market.

    This little piggy went to market.

    Lechonera Los Amigos - Lechon

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    Lechon

    El Rancho Original

    El Rancho Original

    4.3(162 reviews)
    9.8 km
    $$

    Oooooiiiii!!! The Legendary La Ruta de Lechon (Pork Highway)…read more AMBIANCE Parking: Can definitely get busy during peak hours and weekends, but there's usually attendants and nearby parking options helping direct traffic. There's paid parking and street parking. All in all come early. Seating: Huge open seating areas with picnic-style tables and plenty of room for large groups, families, and celebrations. Take your pick, close to the live music or the local river for a more natural feeling. Vibes: The area keeps you busy from souvenir shopping, listening to music, or just Chinchorreo (like bar crawl but with pork)! The spot itself is alive on the weekend with music, people dancing, pig roasting and for a calmer pace, enjoying the scenery of the mountain, flow of the river and the chirps of animals around. Great place for a nice food adventure for families, friends, or just rolling through solo. FOOD / DRINKS Combo Plate (Recommend) I know it's important to save room to chinchorreo but especially if this is your first time, this should be your base. Lechon - Pick your protein, obviously I got pig - it was juicy, flavorful and tender slices of meat, and a nice piece of crispy skin. Morcilla - not your usual sausage but a rich flavorful with a chewy spiced earthy flavor. Pasteles - kind of like a tamale which was a savory soft doughy base. Arroz con Gandules - If they're out of their seasonal pasteles, then this is a nice savory with a lot of lot of lively flavors and seasoning. The portions overall were generous and very "family style" feeling. This is not tiny trendy food--you come hungry. CUSTOMER SERVICE Awesome! Props to the people that work the weekends for their consistent friendly service. TL;DR OVERALL 5 Stars. Good food, reasonable prices, and a one of a kind Puerto Rican vibe. From the mountain scenery, live local music, smoky aroma, and the general playful energy - this was a highlight of my trip I won't be forgetting for a while. When in Puerto Rico, La Ruta de Lechon is a must and make sure to stop by El Rancho Original. TIPS * Come hungry and come early (for parking and to get the best parts of the lechon). Weekends are the best as it is livelier.

    I don't know what that rub/flavor is that they put on the pork at El Rancho Original but I vote…read morethis is the best pork on the Pork Highway. It is the last lechoneras on the street but if you are driving and making the stops make sure to leave room in your stomach for this one. Loved it a ton although I would have liked the band volume to be a little lower. Also we had other friendly customers jump in and help us when we messed up during our ordering. Then our line neighbors made sure we knew how to pick up our food when we were at the pick up station. Everyone here was so nice. Def come here!

    Photos
    El Rancho Original - Roasted pork (Lechon)

    Roasted pork (Lechon)

    El Rancho Original - Good vibes

    Good vibes

    El Rancho Original

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    El Meson de Melquiades - spanish - Updated June 2026

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