Rico’s is finally here!

Whenever I go to Cebu, my trip is never complete without stopping by Rico’s Lechon, arguably the home of Cebu’s best and most loved lechon. I always bring home to Manila at least three kilos of Rico’s lechon because I love the way it tastes and the fact that it no longer needs sauce (though vinegar brings out a really nice taste to it).

George Pua and Rico Dionson by the first-of-its-kind roasting pit of Rico’s Lechon in BGC.

So, I was glad when Rico’s Lechon recently opened its first branch in Manila at Fort Entertainment Complex in Bonifacio Global City.

Being the first Filipino brand in the roster of international restaurant brands operated by Meat Concepts Corp. (of the Tony Roma’s, Ogawa Japanese Restaurant, Modern China and Thai BBQ fame), the restaurant’s Manila opening was met with much anticipation.

Chopped original lechon.

Since it opened this month, there has been a steady queue of customers outside its 180-seat restaurant waiting to be seated or to have some take away. For now, customers are only allowed to take home a maximum of two kilos of lechon to accommodate everyone who wants a taste of Cebu’s best.

The restaurant’s menu includes other Filipino favorites like fried rice trio, which contains three kinds of dried fish (danggit, tuyo and tinapa); seafood kare-kare, dinuguan, crispy feetchon, sizzling lechon sisig, lechon humba and a very tasty version of chicken inasal.

Chopped spicy lechon.

Rico’s Lechon Manila has a roasting pit, the first of its kind in BGC and the only site to have this viewing corner. Different from Cebu’s — which is done in soil — the lechon roasting is done indoors. The roasting pit is built with a mechanism for its exhaust and adjusting temperatures, upholding quality and food safety standards. Customers or passersby can view lechon roasting anytime. 

Lechon humba.

“I’ve been a patron of Rico’s Lechon for years and personally believe it’s the best. We want to be able to have Cebuanos take pride in sharing this with the rest of the country, and eventually the world,” said Meat Concepts Corp. president George Pua, who told me that hopefully by November, customers can already order a whole lechon if the commissary will be finished by October.

Sizzling lechon sisig.

There are plans to open soon at Tiendesitas in Pasig City, Top of the Glo in Glorietta Makati, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf and U.P. Town Center in Quezon City.

(For inquiries, call 0917-8447067, Rico’s Lechon Mactan at 0917-111-3000, 032-4020845 or 032-3831498, and Rico’s Talamban at 0917-1027553.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)