Why Triangle Town Center should be a stop on your barbecue journey

Driving the news: Lechon opened in a former California Pizza Kitchen in 2022 and, in that short time, has already found itself on the lists of best barbecue places in the area and the region, according to places like Southern Living.

Zoom in: That's especially noteworthy in the land of whole hog barbecue and the rich traditions of Eastern-style North Carolina barbecue. (Though, as the region grows, so does the diversity of its slow-cooked meats.)

• While Lechon serves a variety of meats on its menu — including roasted chicken, pork shoulder and ribs — the main show is still the whole hog.
• But unlike North Carolina barbecue, Puerto Rican barbecue is more about crispiness than smokiness. The meat is marinated in adobo seasoning, which is heavy on the garlic and pepper, and slow roasted for hours until the skin blisters.

What we tried: The signature Lechon con cuero ($18), which provides both a succulent tenderness with the pulled pork and the salty crunch of its skin (the cuero).

• But don't sleep on the sides. We ordered an accompaniment of white rice and black beans.
• Of the two, it was the beans — cooked in a complex broth — that nearly stole the show of the meal.

📍 Location: 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., suite 2121, Raleigh