Arepittas is a Venezuelan street food spot three blocks away from campus located between Forbes and Smithfield Street. I was the most excited to go to this restaurant out of all the other places that I have visited so far. From what I know, Latin American food is really good and typically doesn’t disappoint. The flavors are far different from the processed, overseasoned, and oversalted American food that is most common here. I can only describe the dishes as herbal and amazingly spiceless. Arepittas Downtown certainly doesn’t disappoint, serving delicious traditional food.
When I entered, I found that the restaurant was more of an order-and-sit style like a pizza place or Panera Bread. There was a glass case and a place to order off to the right, next to the large menu on the wall. After what felt like five minutes, the cashier got off the phone with another customer and turned to take my order. After looking over the menu, I decided to get an arepa and empanada. When I ordered, I spoke to the cashier in Spanish, and he then responded to me in English while also repeating back words, and correcting my pronunciation. I like to imagine that people come and order from him like this a lot, but if he doesn’t respond in their mother tongue, they won’t understand him.
After ordering, I went to the seating area off to the left where there were six sets of metal black-and-yellow tables and chairs. Behind where I sat was a TV that the cashier Bluetooth-ed YouTube music from his phone.
When the food came out and I opened it up, I was confused as I had received two arepitas instead of an empanada. Only as I was writing this article did I realize that I pronounced what I wanted incorrectly. An empanada on the menu is called the pabellón and the other is called the pabellon, quite a noticeable difference in pronunciation that I failed to annunciate. When the food came out, I was still content with what I had ordered as both items were two of their most popular.
The first dish I tried was the Reina Pepiada, which is an arepa with “shredded white meat chicken, tossed with tender avocado, mayo and garlic” for $8.99. It was served inside tinfoil and, upon opening it, steam escaped. Looking inside there was tender shredded chicken served between “cornmeal flat bread” and a slice of avocado on top. With my first bite, the cool taste of the avocado filled my mouth while the crunch of the cornmeal added warmth and texture. The chicken tossed in the avocado mixture was so very divine, and I found myself wishing that I could have another avocado slice with it. Yet I looked at my tray and settled for the extra avocado dipping sauce that was provided.
The next dish I tried was the pabellon, “shredded beef, caraotas (black beans), tajadas (sweet plantains) and grated white cheese” for $9.49. When I unwrapped the small dish I could see the cheese on top sparkling in the light and the dark meat underneath. The experience of this arepa was far different from the last. It had more dark, juicy flavors from the beef and beans layered on top. I found myself eating one area of the arepa until I reached the bottom, where I was surprised by the sweet sensation of the plantain. It was like all the heavy, cheesy, juicy flavors came together and ended with a sweet treat at the bottom. The crunch of the cornmeal flatbread began to become less crunchy and more soft like a pancake the longer I took to finish the food.
I think it’s amazing how different the same dish tasted based on the variety of filling that was provided. I honestly think that anything on the menu could taste as good as these two arepas did. I could not recommend a restaurant more, yet, if you are to visit the place, come with an open mind. The flavors are not basic, salty or American.
