- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Arepera Guacuco
Category: Restaurants Latin American Latin American [Edit]
44 Irving Ave(between Jefferson St & Troutman St)
Brooklyn, NY 11237
Neighborhood: Bushwick
(347) 305-3300
- Nearest Transit:
-
Jefferson St (L)
Dekalb Av (L)
Morgan Av (L)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 12 pm - 11 pm
Thu-Fri 12 pm - 12 am
Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Kevin W. said: "Bonus star for letting me use a Groupon and order ANYTHING off the menu!! This is UNHEARD of these days. A bonus star is like an extra sticker from the teacher. Yippee skippee! Surprised this place isn't more crowded for brunch. I…" read more »
86 reviews for Arepera Guacuco
Review Highlights
-
"com/2010/06/venezuelan-restaurant-in-bushwick." In 13 reviews -
"I recommend trying the passion fruit drink to boot." In 4 reviews -
"...beef, black beans, white salty cheese & sweet plantains." In 3 reviews
Loading...
86 reviews in English
-
Review from Lisa S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/2/2012 3 Check-ins Here
My favorite restaurant in Bushwick.
The atmosphere is great and classy. The food is delicious. I've had basically every appetizer, and they're all awesome. The orange and green sauces are the best! I drank a pitcher of sangria this weekend. No regrets.
The only down side is that everything is small portions, and it quickly gets expensive (for the neighborhood). -
Review from John P.
Brooklyn, NY
4/23/2012
It was really disappointing yesterday, got some arepas and was so angry at how awful the salchicha(sausage) arepa was. It was like hot dogs out of a can and was completely disgusting. After one bite, I could not eat the rest of it. The jamon y queso arepa was not good as well.
A saving grace was probably the restaurants best arepas (if you like meat)- the pabellon (beef) and pernil (pork) arepas. Besides the arepas I have had a fish dish which was ok, and their cocada(coconut) milk shake is pretty good. Hit or miss here, and the prices are a little too high. -
Review from Eric K.
Brooklyn, NY
3/20/2012
I used to live in Venezuela and I was looking forward to a nice pabellon criollo and theirs was pretty decent, though the tajadas (plantains) were cold and there was no fried egg. The arepa was excellent, I'd come back just for one of those. I thought the prices were a little high.
I didn't check the menu for anything else, it would be great if they had cachapas con cochino frito! -
Review from Martina F.
Brooklyn, NY
5/20/2012
I live in the neighborhood so I've been here a few times and love the fresh food. HOWEVER, today at around 5pm, I was shortchanged after paying for my order. When I pointed out that he still owed me 25 cents, thinking it was a mistake, he actually said that they "always round up the change". As in, rounding up so that the customer is actually paying more than we're supposed to on each transaction. It's only 25 cents (this time), but it's dishonest, and who knows how many extra dollars they make every day from "rounding up" on every bill.
-
Review from Christopher D.
Nashville, TN
5/15/2012
Pretty great empanada! They lose one star for playing terrible contemporary Christian music though.
-
Review from Danny A.
Brooklyn, NY
5/16/2012
best empanada in brooklyn no joke
-
Review from Roberto A.
Brooklyn, NY
4/28/2012
Finally! Very happy to have discovered this place. Having lived in Venezuela before, I was stuck with the remaining options here. Guacuco has great original venezuelan food without the hipster attitute towards service. The chef is a truly venezuelan mom, those who cook like all our moms... delicious! Love the food, love the service! Tequeños are great, Arepas nicely filled, and please, if you just want to die, try the Cazon empanada! Although normally venezuelan food comes in small portions, don't go crazy here! Sizes are big enough for hungry moods! So enjoy!
-
Review from Cynthia D.
MIDDLE VLG, NY
3/5/2012
Delicious arepas 5 mins driving from my house! The arepa itself was very crispy (hit or miss, the first few were crispy the second round not as much-maybe this is why you should eat in and not order out) which is something I have not experienced at Arepas Cafe, Guayoyo, Patacon Piaso or Caracas Arepas Bar. My friends ordered the special of the day which was shredded chicken, cheese and avocado, vegetarian and the grilled chicken and steak. They all hit home especially with the green and orange sauce. The hot sauce was decent too but didn't really hit it out of the ball park. The coconut shake was amazing. Get it as a dessert!
I also ordered a seafood soup which was delicious. I'm very found of Latin American food and I've been to Venezuela before so I was expecting it to be salty which is very typical and yes it was. There was some rice that was in the soup which gave it a nice touch and the only suggestion I have is if they served the soup with a side of rice to make it more hearty and to dilute the saltiness. Or if they served the soup with a plain arepa to dip it in. MMMMmmmmm. It was too cold to get the papelon con limon but next time I will try it! Try this place. It's so good, won't disappoint and doesn't have long crazy lines like some other places. I'm so glad I found great arepas within 5 mins from my house. No need now to go into the city! -
Review from Jonathan F.
Brooklyn, NY
5/18/2012
really great food, maybe slightly pricey but the arepas are a good size and everything tastes so good
-
Review from Seattle F.
Seattle, WA
4/15/2012
Fantastic food. The vegetarian arepas were delicious and so were the sauces served on the side. Highly recommend the coconut milk shake and the molasses/lime drink, if you like the flavor of molasses.
Looking forward to our next visit to this place! -
Review from Matt S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/7/2012
Everyone should give this place a chance. I believe the food is very delicious but definitely over priced. Some of the waiting staff is rude and short. But the food is good. Sangria over priced and mediocre at best. Cheese sticks are amazing. Go visit it
-
Review from Jesse H.
JACKSON HTS, NY
3/27/2012
I got a chicken arepa and it was really yummy, even at $6. The coconut shake was outstanding. The maduros were pretty standard. But wtf with the rice and beans? I expected more than a blob of plain white sticky rice and some gloopy, straight out of the can black beans. The only flavor they seemed to have added was sugar (!?). I can't believe I paid $3.50 for that. Next time I'm sticking to the arepas.
-
Review from Lauren R.
Brooklyn, NY
3/19/2012
one of my favorite place to eat ever.
the number 1 and 9 are amazing! all the sauces! i go here like once a week.
so cozy and the staff is amazing.
dont sleep on this spot yall. -
Review from Louis D.
Brooklyn, NY
12/13/2011
4 stars because every other arepera joint I have been to has not touched this place!
I always feel uncomfortable asking someone if they would like to get arepa because I cant say it in the right accent. It ends up sounding like I should goto jail.
Coconut shake is AMAZING
Get it as a dessert
The sweet plantains are also a must
Every arepa I have gotten has been good. Go with the Pork Shoulder one if your interested in something a bit salty.
This place delivers but if I were you I would dine in -
Review from Jim C.
Brooklyn, NY
2/26/2012
I've never had a bad meal here - always happy with what I've eaten there (and by now I think I've eaten the full menu). Love the plantains & cheese, beef & black bean arepa, seafood soup, cheese empanada, molasses and lemon drink, and coconut milkshake.
One word of warning, however... It doesn't seem to travel well, and ends up disappointing and soggy when I've ordered for delivery. So, just go eat there in person and get it piping hot. -
Review from Shilpi A.
Brooklyn, NY
1/24/2012
Serious NOMS! Wow. The tostones (plantains - savory) were heavenly, with a bit of quesito on top and alternating dips in the yummy sauces (try them all). The coconut cocada was perfection! Both are must-haves.
I got the vegetarian arepa and it wasn't to die for, but it was pretty good. Worth trying once at least.
The interior of the place is nice, clean, and relaxing. Thumbs up, wish it were closer to my house. -
Review from Chris P.
Brooklyn, NY
11/8/2011
I must say I was utterly disappointed in this place. I paid 23 dollars for three areperas with dry meat and chalky tasting vegetables. In South America an arepera on the street costs no more than 75 cents and has a ton more meat and filling in it. These were merely appetizer portions at best.
This place is nothing more than run of the mill, overpriced fusion cuisine that comes with gentrification that makes new transplants feel cultured. -
Review from Jamie S.
Massapequa Park, NY
4/20/2012
Awful delivery food. All four of our arepas were covered in grease and too limp to pick up. One of our pork arepas had inedible joint and bone parts in it. Extremely disappointing given the high reviews on here. Maybe it's better at the restaurant, but this place will NOT be getting a second chance.
-
Review from Natalie M.
DO IT! It's so good. So, so good.
Sweet plaintain appetizer? Cocadas coconut smoothies? The arepas? Yes, yes, yes. Oh, and put that green sauce on everything. EVERYTHING.
The service is slow, but still...5 stars. It's just that good. -
Review from yo sub k.
8/20/2011
Caracas, you longer hold a place in my heart.
it only belongs to Arepera.
Try the green sauce.
You know how newlywed couples play 'games' with chocolate? I can only imagine that with the green sauce.
We'll never leave the honeymoon stage. -
Review from Ralphy M.
Brooklyn, NY
8/10/2011
Since I recently received an angry email from a fellow Bushwick resident who accused me of "bashing" restaurants that are "bettering the neighborhood," this one is for you, I hope this brings a smile to your little black heart.
Arepera Guacuco is excellent!
Simple menu with food done right and from the heart, and it shows in the clientele. People sit and eat and drink for hours. I personally love ordering off the arepera menu, kind of like a pita made of 100% masa flour and stuffed full of Venezuelan awesomeness, with a glass of Sangria by my side
And don't leave without getting a cocada! -
Review from Renata D.
Brooklyn, NY
8/29/2011
Guacuco is so good it is in my speed dial right under my parents and my roommates. I usually order once a week, sometimes more.
The people who work here are the friendliest people ever, and even if they were trolls I would still come because the food is so good. But I am really glad they are not trolls. Delivery service is excellent, as is the eat-i experience.
I have tried several items here (giant empandas, appetizers, plates) and all have been great. Favorite is the Pabellon arepa. Even simple items like rice and beans are mouth parties here. DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE SAUCES DROOOL
If I could make a deal with the devil to sell my soul in exchange for a neverending arepa from here, I'd do it. Are you there, Devil? Its me, and I've got my napkin ready. -
Review from Christine W.
Brooklyn, NY
2/7/2012
Good food. Chill vibe. Friendly staffs. I will bring friends there!
-
Review from D W.
Brooklyn, NY
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food , good sangria , & friendly staff
This place is nice the Arepas are stuffed & the Empanadas are sweet & filling. The staff was friendly & very helpful the sangria has a real kick to it. Great place for groups or couples. Small can be a little noisy when full. -
Review from Ariel D.
Brooklyn, NY
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Walking with my fiancée down Irving ave, we bumped into this cute & trendy spot on the corner of troutman. First and foremost GREAT Ambiance! Cute waitress & last but not least! Awesome Food! The Venezuelan Arepas were perfectly crispy & tasty to the last bite! PERNIL, chicken, avocado we had it all! Will definitely be returning soon! Try the Spanish fruity drink aswell! (guayaba or passion fruit)
pss: Argentinian Beer- quilmes! Smooth taste! -
Review from Ellie R.
Brooklyn, NY
8/21/2011
This is my go-to delivery place in Bushwick. They have always been around 30 minutes, food still hot so that's a plus.
Almost always I go for the traditional A Pabellon (shredded beef, white salty cheese, sweet plantains and black beans), which to my knowledge is one of the original Venezuelan fillings for arepas. I've tried a few of the other arepas and found that the beef ones were best. I LOVE the sweet + salty mix going on with the plantains, beans, and beef. Must use the green sauce that comes with it too!
The coconut milkshake is also as delicious as they claim. -
Review from Shannon P.
Brooklyn, NY
11/29/2011
I want to love this place, since I live in the neighborhood and there are not a ton of great restaurants. The problem is they mess up every order I place and the staff is not very accommodating. A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went to order pickup on our way home from work. We ordered 2 entrees and were only given one. We had ordered some other random things and didnt realize we were not charged for 2. When we got home and realized they said they would drop off the second entree, but we would still have to pay for it. This error was obviously theirs (why would 2 people order 1 entree), so why would you not just eat the mistake?
On Saturday we had friends in from out of town, so we decided to give this place another shot, and again issues! Their credit card machine was down (again, which has happened to me before there) and they made my friend walk over to another block to an atm to get out money. You would think they would have taken off an arepa or give you something for the inconvenience, since she now has to pay money for bank fees, but no. Then we get home and the order was messed up again!
Its such a shame, cause I do like their food, but the service is terrible! -
Review from Nolwen C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/8/2011
Guacuco is my new neighborhood spot. Everyone who works there is really nice and helpful. They know their food and they'll explain all the specialties if you're not familiar with Venezuelan dishes.
The arepas are tasty and rather cheap (about 4 dollars). The complete meal consists of meat, arepas, plantains, beans and rice: freaking delicious!
Small, intimate setting and amazing food for less than 15 bucks. What more do you want? -
Review from Erica J.
Manhattan, NY
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
The juicy pernil arepa, sweet cocada (coconut drink), and super friendly staff are well worth the trip.
-
Review from Max I.
Philadelphia, PA
2/18/2011
Totally charming inside, nice lighting and music. Waiter was super helpful and informative and attentive.
We decided to eat strictly arepas for our first visit. In order of how much we liked them:
1) Pabellon: shredded beef, white salty, cheese, sweet plantains and black beans
2) Pollo: shredded chicken in red tomato juicy sauce
3) Pernil: pulled juicy pork shoulder with spices
4) Parrillada: grilled slices of steak with chicken, onions & peppers
The jalapeño and tomatillo sauce and the Venezuelan sauce were both really amazing out of the squirt bottles, and the papelon con limon drink I got was really sweet and tart and different!
I bet if they had a full bar that place would be rammed, but we enjoyed the mellowness. One other table and one person sitting at the bar at 9pm or so on a Friday night. -
Review from Steve T.
Brooklyn, NY
4/12/2011
This is a great new restaurant for the area. Everything I had was absolutely delicious, with the exception of the cold sausages in pink sauce, but I'm guessing that's an acquired taste.
At times it can take awhile to get your order, but it's worth it on most days. The sauces are amazing and the arepas are out-of-this-world. It also boasts a friendly staff and the largest bathroom I've ever seen in a restaurant. -
Review from John X.
New York, NY
4/23/2011
Totally laid back place, with friendly staff and great food. I ordered a few empanadas and did not realize how BIG they are. So, be advised! The beef empanada was delicious. Not a typical dried, pulled meat...this was juicy, flavourful and just right. Also, the pollo arepa is absolutely worth a trip. This is not a flaky arepa shell it's fatter dough and just a bit crunchy. I dug it though in the red sauce.
Be sure to try to green sauce. -
Review from Biancs R.
Brooklyn, NY
12/28/2010
Really Good Food!
The empanadas are huge and delicious! -
Review from Jaclyn U.
Brooklyn, NY
5/19/2011
All I have to say is YUM! If you live in the area please don't pass this place up it is so so good!
I have only been two times and had the Pabellon both times since , it was amazing. The sauces they have with the sanwiches are so good as well, addicting. The guy serving my roommate and I said they were probably going to start bottling the sauces since people have been asking about them.
Ah now I am hungry writing this review! -
Review from Rich M.
Ridgewood, NY
11/21/2011
Went in here the other day with a small group of very hungry friends. We ordered a few of the arepas and were a little disappointed when they finally came out. They were a little on the small size and tasted bland. Some of my friends drowned them in sauce just to coax some flavor out of them. Since we were obviously still hungry, we ordered the empanadas, which were a lot better as far as flavor. The Beef empanada was especially tasty. Prices were a little expensive considering this place is in Bushwick. The Arepa I had was 7 bucks and the empanada was 5 - again, a bit expensive when you're looking at the small portions and location.
-
Review from Adam S.
Brooklyn, NY
6/15/2011
Prompt and knowledgeable service. The waiter noticed that my girlfriend was only ordering meatless selections, and he informed her that there are more vegetarian items off menu. Keep this in mind if that's your thing.
Also, I was amazed at what they were able to do with a plantain.
As a recent neighborhood transplant, I'm confident I will be back here soon. -
Review from Tanya C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/17/2010 2 photos
We actually ended up here by chance. We initially wanted to have brunch at Northeastern Kingdom (a block from this place) but they we're super busy and we were starving. I had passed this place before and I was curios to know what exactly repas were.
All 3 of us were pleasantly surprised starting with the cafe con leche (delish) and the repas. We ordered the chicken, pork, and beef. All were very very good. They even make the repas bread there....to die for. We also tried the flan and it was really good too. Very authentic. I would definitely go back.
The only thing that I would say was missing was the help. There was only one waiter working on all the tables. -
Review from Michael W.
San Jose, CA
8/15/2011
DELICIOUS Arepas. Prices are a Tad high, but you wont really mind after faking your first bite! Consistent quality is what makes a great restaurant, and this place has it!
-
Review from Jessica Q.
Brooklyn, NY
12/15/2011
So good, and adds much-needed diversity to neighborhood cuisine.
Get the coconut shake
Minus one star because the black beans are too sweet. -
Review from christina c.
Oakland, CA
1/9/2011
5 stars for really REALLY patient service staff!
We walked in a few days post 'Blizzard of 2010' with a hungry crew of adults and kids during lunch time. Although we were the only ones dining there at the time, the kids were going bananas with all the snow outside and rushing in and out of the place, practically tearing the joint apart that at some point we thought we might have to offer to buy the whole restaurant before they tore it down!
We had a bunch of things on the menu but some standouts were the tostones- each one was a perfectly seasoned/dressed two-bite starter that definitely put to shame most tostones I've had before these. The empanadas have a perfect crunch- I wish they had more vegetarian choices for empanadas other than solamente queso. They got the cocada down, but too bad they don't have a liquor license yet (nor will they let you BYOB, sadface) to throw in a shot of ron/rum to make that shake really come alive!
The food was great, but I was left wishing they had more vegetarian arepa choices other than the 1. I asked to have black beans added in mine which they did, but it made me appreciate Caracas' menu for having several vegetarian choices (something that'll keep me going back!) than only one on the menu.
I hope this place continues to grow and add some more vegetarian-friendly choices to the menu as well...that'll keep us coming back for more!
