When in Cebu, it’s almost mandatory to try Cebu’s best lechon (unless you are a committed vegetarian). We asked several locals for recommendations, and the most popular answer was Rico’s Lechon. Intrigued, we made sure to have a meal in one of its branches before leaving Cebu City. So what’s with Rico’s lechon that everyone is craving for it? It must be their original discovery: the best-selling SPICY lechon, the first in the Philippines.
Rico’s Lechon serves lechon with ingredients that penetrate the deepest part of your taste buds. Cooked with precision and served with perfection, the lechon is dished up with only garlic and leeks. Is it really that good? We’re keen to find out.
Review of Cebu’s Best – Rico’s Lechon Restaurant (Mabolo, Cebu City)
Ambiance: ★★★☆☆
This branch of Rico’s Lechon in The Ridges Commercial Building emphasizes a casual and easy spirit rather than sophistication and formality. Interior design was very simple and clean, with palettes mainly yellow and white. Setting a welcoming vibe, the arrangement of the tables and chairs was orderly, straightforward, and functional. The dining room was quite spacious and the ambiance looked ideal for accommodating large groups (stacked chairs at the back).
Service: ★★★☆☆
Any meal at Rico’s Lechon centers in—you guess it right—lechon, as almost every item on their menu consists of it. We ordered their specialty, the Spicy Lechon but were saddened to know that they had ran out of it. What? It was only 7PM and everyone must have reserved an order of lechon ahead of time for delivery. It was just disappointing that the main purpose of our visit was defeated.
Instead, we ordered baked scallops, however it was also unavailable. Frustrated this time, we asked the staff to just point on the menu which items we can have to be sure that we won’t hear the same comment. Later, good news came: one customer called and cancelled an order of lechon. The staff asked if we want it. Yes, please.
Notwithstanding, service was kind and quick, and staffs were courteous. Inventory planning just needs a little improvement.
Food: ★★★☆☆
Crispy Lechon (PhP 180) when served did not have a nice crispy and crunchy skin, but there’s no denying that the meat was savory even without sauce. What’s good is that it hardly had any fat. The deal breaker for me though ended up with the texture. This one broke my heart because it’s chewy, dry, and tough like it was way overcooked.
Next, we had Lechon Sisig (PhP 160)—fatty, juicy, and a bit salty. Served on a sizzling hot plate, it was an exciting dish with loads of flavor. We enjoyed it with white rice, honest and plain.
Finally, a plate of Rico’s Lechon’s special Spicy Lechon (PhP 550/kilo) arrived on our table. The pork skin was far from crispy, but the meat was indeed tender and well-seasoned. Its spicy flavor was nothing we’ve had before and definitely close to addictive. For those who love lechon and spicy food, this is the perfect dish for you to try and cozy up to.
Price for Value: ★★★☆☆
Rico’s Lechon is a typical mid-tier Filipino restaurant serving unpretentious food that comes with affordable pricing. The lechon dishes we tried were packed with aromatic flavor cooked up differently. Theirs were some pretty good versions of lechon, but for the title of being “Cebu’s best,” I thought I want better than pretty good.
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Other branches:
Rico’s Lechon – Corporate Office
Address: One Paseo, Maria Luisa Road, Banilad, Mandaue City
Telephone: (032) 344-0119 | (032) 239-2830
Fax: (032) 344-1343
Mobile: +63915-703-3964
Email: info@ricoslechon.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/RicosLechonOfficial/
INS: https://www.instagram.com/RicosLechonOfficial/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dabestgyud/
Rico’s Lechon – Commissary
Address: Highway 77, Talamban Cebu City, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines
Telephone: (032) 344-0119 | (032) 239-2830
Fax: (032) 344-0119
Mobile: +63915-703-3964
Email: commissary@ricoslechon.com
Rico’s Lechon – Mabolo Branch
Address: F. Cabahug St, Cebu City, Cebu
Phone: (032) 344 0119
E-mail: mabolo@ricoslechon.com
Rico’s Lechon – Mactan Promenade
Address: Mactan Promenade, Airport road, Lapu-lapu City
Phone: (032) 239-2830
E-mail: promenade@ricoslechon.com
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