- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Aripo's Venezuelan Arepa House
Category: Restaurants Latin American Latin American [Edit]
118 N Marion St(between North Blvd & Lake St)
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 386-1313
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harlem-green (Green Line)
Oak Park-green (Green Line)
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11 am - 8 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 5 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
108 reviews for Aripo's Venezuelan Arepa House
Review Highlights
-
"My favorites are the La Nuestra and the Choriarepa." In 11 reviews -
"For my side dish I had the fried plantains." In 14 reviews -
"The shredded beef and black beans work harmoniously well..." In 18 reviews
Loading...
108 reviews in English
-
Review from Emily Y.
Updated - 4/27/2012
Yum-yum-yum-yum-YUUUUM!
Okay, Party people. After years of being brainwashed by Chipotle, I ordered a bowl at Aripo's. It may or may not have been a lunch special, but it was enough for lunch + dinner, and it was $7.21 w/ tax.
There are two kinds of bowls, but the lady at the counter whotalksreallyfast, butissupersupersweet told me I could do half meat (bowl 1) and half veggie (bowl 2), so I took her up on it.
My favorite thing is the green sauce they gave me with it. To be fair, they gave me three sauces. But in the future I will just be requesting the green one, x3, please. And I don't care what it comes with - bowl, arepa, empanada, salad... as long as it comes with green sauce.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/1/2010
I tried the chicken salad arepa today (A11, I think), and now I'm a fan!
I was a little skeptical… Read more »
-
-
Review from Yvonne O.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 5/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Came back here last weekend and they had specials for Cinco de Mayo, which I thought was odd, since that has zero to do with Venezuela. But, why not? I ordered the special "Mexican" plate that came with beef, spanish rice and a couple sweet plantains and black beans. It also had a plain arepo on the side. The meat was FIRE hot, so I was glad to have the sides to put out the fire. Husband had a ham and cheese item that he enjoyed and he got the tostones (non sweet plaintains) to start.
Service is pretty fast, but something about the place's acoutics makes it really hard to have a conversation if there is a gaggle of screaming children or women inside, so we did not linger.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/3/2011
Yum. We were walking to another location when we spotted this place in the middle of the Marion… Read more »
-
-
Review from Alicia K.
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
After eating here twice in the last month, I feel I can officially say, "Ay, ay, ay... am a fan!" ;]
First off, you should know that I LOVE Venezuelan food which gave this very authentic place a good shot at a solid rating from yours truly from the get-go. But seriously -- their arepas are right on the mark with those I've tried made by friends' moms FROM Venezuela! The breading is yummy, the plantains are just the right amount of crispy, and all of their ingredients taste super fresh in combos that make each arepa a yummy snack or great lunch option. And they don't skimp on the ingredients, either, so your arepa will have a good amount of meat compared to the size of the bread it's packed in.
New to arepas? Try the La Nuestra. It's FANTASTICO and a classic at this place! Not an arepa fan or want something different? Their empanadas are honest to goodness some of the best I have EVER had! Imagine a small pocket of tender, flaky perfection holding within it the tastiest, juiciest meat or the most ideal blend of cheese ever. Yep... Heavenly. The Pabellon plate is also a great sampling of their best stuff (like the La Nuestra with rice on the side instead of everything stuffed in their special bread). I've tried about 6 of their items so far and have been satisfied by each one.
The place itself is cute -- small to medium sized, good for small groups of people (max 4-6), cultural art adorning the walls. You order at the counter, they bring it to your table. The staff has always been super nice to us and are always excited to offer a recommendation if your taste buds can't seem to make up their mind, overwhelmed with all the yummy possibilities!
So why 4 stars? I'll admit that their bread can be too thick and a little dry, though the flavor is good. And since that's the only thing, maybe future visits will earn them that extra star. Regardless, most definitely try this place next time you're in the Oak Park area! The fiesta buds on your tongue will thank you. -
Review from Nancy H.
5/14/2012
I had La Nuestra and the chicken salad arepas, as well as their chicken empanada. The empanada was really good - loved the crumbly masa crust, as it was less starchy than most because Venezuelans don't use flour in their empanadas (per the wise "Internet"). The arepas were just ok. I wish they mixed the ingredients before they put them in the arepas because oftentimes the first few bites don't taste like the last few bites cuz they layer the ingredients in the arepa pockets (i.e., meat at the bottom, beans on top, then cheese, then avocados or whatever). Overall, I didn't think the arepas were too "doughy," but any thicker, and I would've thought so for sure. One arepa is "just enough" for lunch, and they run $4-6. I also thought they'd be better with some sauces, as it got kind of dry tasting for me.
-
Review from Esther P.
Chicago, IL
5/13/2012
I've never had an arepa before, so we were ordering without knowing what to expect. They're delicious! Best of all, they were very reasonably priced and the beef was good quality. Wish I lived closer, because I would come here all the time.
-
Review from Eric C.
Chicago, IL
5/6/2012
Tried a bowl with shredded chicken it was excellent - the chicken was cooked with a great combination of spices. Only complaint there is that it was not filling enough for dinner. Had to go back and order an arepa with eggplant and red peppers. This was ok, the cornbread-tasting sandwich had so-so flavor and all the breading was a bit much. The passion fruit dessert was very tasty and refreshing. An overall good place, great service, give them a try!
-
Review from Alona B.
Oak Park, IL
5/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This is my absolute favorite restaurant in Oak Park. The service is great, the food is fantastic (healthy, fresh, and cooked with care),, the staff are friendly and accommodating, and the atmosphere is nice. I take all my friends here and it immediately becomes their favorite spot in Oak Park. My favorite things to order are the arepas, the plantains and the salads. My friends love the bowls. The staff even make accommodations for vegetarians and vegans.
-
Review from Derek H.
Cook, IL
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
The food (arepas & empanadas) here are very good but I wish there was something to dip them in as the flavor was bland. My arepa was a bit harder than I have had anywhere else. Part of me is torn when I think that 2 empanadas, 2 arepas, and 2 juices cost over $25- that's more that $4 per item...
-
Review from Gino W.
Ever since a past co-worker had told me about Aripo's, there isn't anything yet to deter me from satisfying my craving for any authentic Venezuelan food and thus making Aripo's my stop.
Empanada domino. Pabellon Criollo.
I am addicted to their empanada domino. Stuffed with black beans and chihuahua cheese, these are indeed the best empanadas in America. And the pabellon criolloo is absolutely top. Spiced pulled beef that is tender, well-seasoned black beans, and rice that isn't bordering on Asian sticky rice make for a festival in your mouth. Love it. Love it. Did I say, Love it? -
Review from Brenda H.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2012
I was a bit dissatisfied after trying an arepa. I find the breading too thick and I'm not a fan of the flavor.. but that could be because I'm Mexican and am used to gorditas. Different thing altogether but it looks similar, you eat it the same way, etc..
In any event, I absolutely LOVE their empanadas and dinners!!! I had their pabellon criollo and thought all the flavors went well together. It's a bowl of shredded beef, white rice, black beans, crumbled cheese and fried plantains on top. The fried plantains were so good that I had to order a side of them.
My favorite empanada is their pabellon with chicken---it's just perfect! It's like the dish I mentioned above but with chicken.. and deep fried in this delicious corn breading instead of being in a bowl. Two of these knock me out!
They also sell a Mexican drink called Sidral.. it tugs at my heart strings and makes my dining experience so enjoyable. -
Review from Sara E.
Oak Park, IL
1/6/2012
I should start this review with a brief disclaimer: I've only had the empanadas.
But holy jesus. They were a true gift from heaven. We walked into Aripo's by chance while participating in the Oak Park Beer Fest, mostly in search of a glass of water to cleanse my pallet and for a toilet that was actually nailed to the ground. And what we found, was so much more. We found Aripo's Empanadas: Edible gold.
We ordered the Ham and Cheese (uber-cheesy!), the Shredded Chicken (tender, moist, and well spiced!), and lastly the Pabellon--what I call the King of all empanadas. What's more, is that these three golden bundles of joy came with your choice of three special salsas/sauces for dipping (or all three if you're a pig like me). And I loved all three of them so much that I couldn't decide which was my favorite. Seriously, that's a first. I'm much to opinionated to not have a favorite.
If not for the ice water or toilet, at least stop in for the empanadas. You'll be happy you did. -
Review from CJ Q.
Schaumburg, IL
4/1/2012
Yum! Yum! Yum! Eaten here more times than I can count. Bout time I yelped about it. :o)
Love everything I've tried. Love the contemporary decor. Somewhere between fast food and regular sit-down restaurant. Cozy without feeling like fast food "joint", and without the wait time or overly traditional feel of family restaurant. In nice weather, nice to eat outside smack in the middle of shopping district, by the fountain.
Always recommend to friends and people new to the area. -
Review from Yvonne B.
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This review needs to begin with a description of my Venezuelan amiga who is bonita and inteligente. She rides a motorcycle and everyone wants her and when she speaks, people listen. She told me that I should eat at Aripo's so I did.
I had no idea what to expect from Aripo's. I've had Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican and can appreciate their distinctions. I wondered how Venezuelan food could differ much from my previous dietary encounters with South and Central America. ¡Ja ja ja! A nice hombre at the counter welcomed me to Aripo's and kindly explained an arepa.
An arepa is a cross between a Mexican taco and a sándwich of Los Estados Unidos. The "bread" is flattened cornmeal that is thicker and denser than a tortilla, but not squishy like bread. My arepa was filled with shredded chicken, black beans, and plantains. I had a bottled apple soda with which to wash it down. The portion was perfect for me (no sides or extras) and satisfied my hunger for a little over $7.
Aripo's Venzezuelan Arepa House is also a treat on the inside too! Like my amiga, the restaurant is a treasure to behold. The interior is exquisitely decorated with dark wood furnishings, wooden floors, and vaulted ceilings. I give major props to the decorator because I would not have expected the inside to be so impressive considering the strip mall exterior. Although Aripo's has great food and lovely decor, it is really casual. You order at the counter and then your food is brought to you.
If it's not apparent from my review, I highly recommend Aripo's. It's an exciting addition to a culinary tour of South America. ¡Buen provecho!Listed in: Around Oak Park, Lunch
-
Review from Tony L.
Oak Park, IL
12/13/2011
Finally got around to trying this place last week and it was almost what I had expected. I had seen what an arepa was on TV and it looked pretty tasty. We showed up on a Friday night and there wasn't a lot of people there, the menu is pretty overwhelming if you try to read everything. If they had broken the items up on the menu it would be easier to read.
I had ordered the Pernil Arepa and the Pabellon Criollo, my wife had the chicken empenada and shredded beef empenada. I found that the dough on the empenada was heavier than what I have had before. the Pabellon Criollo was pretty good, I liked the presentation, but the pork was kind of dry, if it had a bit more sauce and was maybe cooked not as long it would have been perfect. I was surprised by how dense the Arepa was and how well it held it's heat. The Pernil Arepa was pretty good, and was cooked perfectly.
The service here is bus service only. You go up to the counter, order and they give you a number and they bring out your food to you. The service was pretty fast considering they only have 2 wait staff there. Overall, the food was pretty good. I'd come back and try some other things on the menu. -
Review from Daina B.
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Before Aripo's if you asked me about going for an Arepa I would have thrown you a Whoopi Goldberg a la Kenan Thompson on SNL glare. (I really wish I could insert an image of that in this review, google it.)
Aripo's opened a month or so after we moved into our new condo so we decided to try the new kid on the block since we were in the same boat.
Oh boy, this place is delicious. Fried plantains? Yes please! Chorizo? Do you even have to ask? And they have salads! The Heart of Palms one is delicious.
I like to come here for lunch/brunch on the weekends and sit outside if it's nice. It gives me the opportunity to yell at kids who might splash me while playing in the nearby fountain. And I guess the delicious food is nice too. -
Review from Jelena Z.
Whoa, Nelly!
A random happenstance that I'd like to call fate brought me into this Venezuelan dream factory last week... and though I adore tortas, I wasn't familiar with an arepa. After getting a quick education from the owner and taking a longing glance at some of the photos on the menu, I was smitten. Done. Where's the fork?
My schooling included a recommendation for the La Nuestra arapa - and with its flavorful explosion courtesy of mounds of tender shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains and crumbled white cheese all neatly nestled in a cornmeal cocoon, this baby is the daddy of all arapas. Actually, I may have been crying like a baby (don't tell). Though there's a lunch special including two arepas and a soft drink for $8.75, you'd be hard-pressed to eat more than one of the Nuestras. Solution: split it with a friend and now you've got a tasty lunch for less than $5 a piece! Or just be piggy and risk upsetting the stomach gods... worth the risk, anyway.
The shop is clean and friendly - so much so that I pulled out my laptop and worked for a good half hour after finishing my lunch. In addition to the mighty arepa, they freshly squeeze some exotic fruits into juices (papaya, guava, passion fruit, mango and guanabana).
With so much to try (19 different arepas!), Aripo's will be seeing a lot of action from me.
*BYOB. -
Review from Eric M.
Chicago, IL
2/27/2012
The food in this place is great. The price is very reasonable.
-
Review from Jeff S.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Walked downtown after a tour of a Frank Loyd Wright home and opted for this Latin American spot based on Yelp reviews of local shops.
Was a nice little place with a simple menu, but the food was not quite as good as I hoped based on the reviews I found here. The beef in the La Nuestra was really good but the beans were a bit under cooked, and the plantain(s) are actually just on stuck on the top with a pinch of cheese, at most.
Also tried a chicken empanada but it was not very good at all. Overly doughy breading which just soaked up the fryer grease and didn't sit well at all (in the basket or in my stomach). -
Review from Ryan B.
I am happy this place in is downtown Oak Park. Something different not too far away. It's kind of like a Venezuelan Panera - mostly good for lunch. I, in my ignorant ways, had never heard of an "arepa" before it opened. Now I am a believer and a follower. I have been here several times for lunch and once for Sunday brunch enjoying each visit.
For lunch, I always get the Aripa #A8. It's hard to try new ones when one is so good. I have also enjoyed the Aripo's Sunday brunch plate which was delish. It looked as good as it tasted - so good, in fact, that I took a picture. My well-being yearns for more as I write this.
My only complaint is that I wish they had a greater selection of cheaper sides. I am usually still hungry for a little something more after I eat my arepa and the sides are almost as expensive as the sandwich (how is steamed rice, one of the cheapest foods on the planet, $2.25?!!). So I usually leave feeling partially satiated - the exception being brunch - because I don't feel like spending a ton on lunch.
Service has always been great. The atmosphere is good as well. It's fun if you get an outdoor table so you can people watch and wait for some kid to splash you in the fountain. Just kidding, I get crotchety and yell at them before they get a chance to splash me. Just kidding again.
3.4 stars! Not kidding. -
Review from Grace N.
8/1/2011
The yelp description is outdated since they don't serve beer or wine. In fact, when I asked them about it, they said it's BYOB, but there is no BYOB sign anywhere, so BYOBAYOR (at your own risk).
We tried the A-8 Pabellon Arepa and it was ok, not stunning. The bread was a bit too crunchy, resembling a stale texture, but the meat was tender. The fried plantains and white cheese added nothing to the flavor. Arepas are a good baseline food, but I wish there were zesty sauces to add some kick to these pocket sammies because it took a lot of Louisiana hot sauce to tease some flavor out of them.
Portion size depends on your appetite. I was full, but my petite girl friend was still hungry after her arepa. -
Review from Jacqueline A.
Chicago, IL
6/22/2011
One of my favorite lunch spots. Sweet location. I love to sit outside and relax. Great people watching, friendly folks passing that often strike up a conversation.
I am especially attached to the staff. Each time I go they recognize me, bring my wine glass (as I always bring a nip) and pick up our conversation where we left off previously.
The food is delicious. Try the cheese arepa #2. It always calls me back. -
Review from Jessica M.
Des Plaines, IL
6/17/2011
A-MAZING. Would eat here every day if I could... Try the perico (eggs) and conuquera (for plantain & bean lovers).
Don't forget to ask for their special green sauce. Yum! -
Review from Doug G.
Chicago, IL
5/29/2011
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuu.....
Ridiculous. This place has the flavor of being three blocks from the beach in southern California, drunk at 3 in the morning, and I mean that in the best possible way. We ordered carry-out and tried to get a little bit of everything, and we weren't disappointed with anything.
The empenadas are stuffed with meats that have been slow simmered in the joyful tears of angels, and fried in the innocent dreams of small children.
Are you still reading reviews? WTF.?! Close your damn laptop and get in the car. The arepas aren't going to eat themselves, even though they wish they could. -
Review from Robert S.
Chicago, IL
11/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
It has been a Epic couple months for foods I have not tried before and today I got one more in Venezuelan :)
I am gonna start off with 4 stars and more than likely goto 5 as I don't think it was a fluke today for the food to be so damn good but I want to try it a second time before I make up my mind
so we were out trying coffee shops as our usual by the house was closed, and we ended up in Oak Park, we had just left the grocery store with things for dinner but the Arepa Sammiches looked like they just might tide us over till I cooked dinner, and we love to try new cuisines
so we went in to see what these sammiches were all about, I got the "A8 Shredded Beef, Black Beans, Plantains and Crumbled White Cheese" oh this thing rocks my socks I will be back to try others I also got a bite of my partners Sammich he got the "A2 its a big slice of White Cheese on the bread and heated" its kinda like mozzarella but not salty and oh so tasty also, plus I got a order of fried Plantains and they were nice and sweet just sliced and slightly mashed then fried, we got a couple Mexi Cokes and snack was complete and the sammiches were both under $6 so very reasonably priced
can't wait to go back and try other stuff an flavors of Sammiches -
Review from Peter R.
2/9/2011
Its a funny story what led me to this restaurant. I was watching Food Network and saw this chef making "Arepa's" and stuffing it with various meats and cheeses. It looked so frackin' delicious that I made it my mission to find a place that served it nearby. I found good reviews of this place here on Yelp and decided to make the drive to Oak Park the next day.
This place is tucked away in downtown Oak Park, a block east of Harlem Ave. The restaurant itself has a nice comfy vibe to it. I pulled up to the counter and started asking questions about the different types of "Arepas" they had to offer.
The friendly girl behind the counter told me to try the Pabellon Arepa...she said it is their most popular. It has seasoned shredded beef, black beans, plantains, and white cheese. I took her up on her recommendation and decided to give that one a try.
I am sooooooo glad she told me to order that. It was absolutely one of the best sammiches that has been in or around my mouth!!! It was awesome, I was just sad that the Arepa wasn't bigger. They need to make a JUMBO version for peeps who just cant stop eating em.
I cant wait to try all the different types of Arepa's they have on the menu. -
Review from Becky E.
River Forest, IL
11/20/2011
My first experience with aripos was very yummy. I picked one w/ shredded beef and another w/ cheese and beans- both were delish. There aren't many veggies in the sandwiches but a side salad went by that looked very good- it had hearts of palm and avocado on top. It's a little messy to eat but they will bring you silverware. All of the employees were friendly and the place was cute. Grab one of the 2 tables outside if it's a nice day. In all, a great alternative to other quick fare.
-
Review from dallas h.
10/1/2010
Unfortunately Aripo's arepas were very disappointing. As were their empanadas. Oh yes, and their plantains.
My problems with the food were many. I ordered the arepa with chicken salad and avocado. Amazingly, it was the most bland thing I've eaten in a while. White rice has more flavor. It was unbearably dry as well. I also split a tiny empanada with a friend and a side of plantains. The plantain serving was very tiny for the price. I think there were maybe six thin slices. I wasn't expecting a huge American sized portion, just a but more than what I got.
Ultimately, I will not likely return unless it's for their diet coke. That was good.Listed in: You may want to reconsider.
-
Review from Liz W.
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Seriously working in Oak Park is going to do some damage on my waist line. I decided to explore around the area for lunch and I found this place. The menu is pretty simple. Mostly arepas, some apps, and side dishes. I decided to go with the chorizo arepa and a side of white rice with black beans. Now the arepa wasn't huge it was a normal size, but it was good. It was a little messy because of the yummy chorizo. I black beans and rice were huge! It was enough to feed 2-3 people and it was only $2.85. I didn't realize there was a lunch special until I was leaving. For $8.95 you can get 2 arepas and a drink. My coworker ordered the Boliqueso and OMG it was so good. It's like a cornmeal ball with cheese. You just have to try it!
-
Review from Ato Z.
Chicago, IL
9/27/2010
I had had a Colombian arepa and really enjoyed it so I said ok when a friend wanted to try this for lunch when we were in O.P. I should have kept walking to the other brunch place I wanted to try, because this was not worth our time or our money. We split a ham & cheese empanada which had one measly slice of ham in it and reminded me of a Hot Pocket only worse. We also split a side of fried plantains and the portion was small as was the taste. My arepa was filled with some bland black beans and not enough cheese, and the arepa itself was bland and dry. Her arepa of chicken and avocado was also pretty flavorless. Bland, bland, bland. That's the main thing I have to say about this place.
Too many cute places to dine in the neighborhood, next time I will keep walking by. -
Review from Chris M.
Oak Park, IL
11/7/2011
Anybody with a hankering for some out of the ordinary Latin cuisine should definitely check out Aripo's. Amazing food and irresistible flavor all packed into a small dough filled exterior. Oak Parkers this is a must.
-
Review from Vanessa K.
Oak Park, IL
1/20/2011
I live a block away from this place, so I'd been dying to try it. And it's pretty good. Not fabulous; in fact, a little disappointing ... but good ...
I'll give points for the service. The waiter/counter clerk was very helpful. My friend and I explained that we'd never been there before, and needed suggestions on what to try. The waiter gave us a thorough run-down of the menu and suggested a few of his favorites. We both decided to try the "Carne Mechada" or shredded beef arepa.
The food was a little expensive (Oak Park prices, not Chicago prices) but it came out relatively quickly. We both liked the shredded beef arepa ... but honestly, it wasn't anything special.
To me, it tasted exactly like Cuban food, down to the white rice and black beans that came with it. I love Cuban food, but I can head down to Humboldt Park ... or across North Avenue to Caffe Cubano in Elmwood Park ... if that's what I'm craving. Most Cuban places in Chicago that I've tried are much cheaper than Aripo's.
And the arepa bread? Meh ... gimme a fried Cuban sandwich any day ...
Moral of the story? Come here once, just so you can say you've tried Venezuelan food. Then, head to any of the dozens of inexpensive Cuban places in Chicago and order pretty much the exact same thing. -
Review from Denise M.
Downers Grove, IL
2/26/2011
I've wanted to try an arepa for years and was so happy when I saw Aripo's while wandering around.
The menu is packed, but everything item has a blurb. The guy at the register answered any questions I had and was really friendly. That alone made me glad I'd stopped in. Had I known they were there, though, I would have come earlier for the lunch special. Looks like a great deal. I had an arepa and app and brought most of the arepa home. Yeah, they look small but they're STUFFED. And really tasty.
The place itself is well-lit, open, and nicely decorated. Very pleasant to spend some time in.
I highly recommend Aripo's for a quick but worthy meal that's a nice change from the norm. Everyone go there and chow down. Maybe then they'll open a location closer to me. -
Review from Bunny G.
Chicago, IL
2/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
As I sit here waiting to explode, I am shocked at the handful of reviews that complained about portion size. Really guys? it's pure cornmeal flatbread. No gluten-fueled spike & crash cycle, it's all dense and slow to digest. I couldn't make it through one!! (but that may have something to do with splitting an order of yuca frita & tequenos before).
I really liked this place. The conuquera arepa was lovely, and i'm hoping it will make a good lunch reheated tomorrow.
super cute little place tucked in with all the other nice lil places. clean, friendly staff. Kinda makes me think the bad-reviewers went somewhere else by mistake and didn't realize it. Venezuelan chipotle? other than geographic proximity, nothing about this place makes me think of chipotle. not even close.
and the venezuelan lemonade? YUM.
My little one said his Parchita was "awesome AND amazing".
my only request would be a hot sauce type thing readily available, but that may just be my tapatio addiction talking. -
Review from Christine M.
Oak Park, IL
4/26/2011
Yes.
Just yes.
If you get a chance to make it to Oak Park, eat here. If you're no where near the area, get over here and eat an Arepa.
I love typical central/south American food, but Aripo's is ...
Black beans; Boliqueso; Mouth Wateringly Flavored meat; Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside thick cornmeal tortillas; Fried plantains; did I mention Boliqueso??
Boliqueso with the cheese (Nata)/butter dip is to DIE for.
And if you don't know what any of this is, ask the people at the register. They're super friendly and willing to explain anything on their menu.
And if you think you would like something on your Arepa, just ask. If you want the awesome, crumbly cheese with the chicken and black beans and you don't see that option on their menu, they'll still make it.
I suppose they have other things on the menu aside from Arepas and Boliqueso and Fried Plantains, but why would you eat anything else? -
Review from Amelia D.
River Forest, IL
10/14/2010
The positives -- the space is lovely and the staff was very helpful. But, we were so disappointed. It was $35 for two adults and one child. It was super pricey for the food. The best items we ordered was the Guava Fruit drink and the Beef Empanada.
We ordered the Tequenos appetizer and they were bland and I think undercooked. My daughter ordered the ham and cheese Aripo, she loves ham and she wouldn't eat the ham. I ordered the Eggplant Aripo and it was missing the red pepper and it was tasteless. I am not a woman who turns down bread, any bread, but the bread I didn't get at all. It tasted really doughy and strange. I couldn't eat it. We spilt a chicken Empananda and it was bland and dry too.
Based on the price, and the quality of the food, we won't return there. I see high ratings so I wondered if we ordered the wrong things. We love ethnic food and love trying new things, but this was just so disappointing. -
Review from Luis G.
Meriden, CT
10/31/2011
Excellent place to enjoy Venezuelan goodies in Chicago area. Nice and friendly staff. Thanks Claudio for helping us.
-
Review from Jean S.
Oak Park, IL
8/9/2010
It's a lovely and clean place. The man who took our order was remarkably patient while we navigated the menu. It's an order in front and they bring it to your seat sort of place, so the line grew behind us. We ordered chicken salad, shredded chicken arepas, and the national dish (another shredded chicken item with rice and beans on the plate)
While I admit to being unfamiliar with the cuisine, I found it completely flavorless and therefore unsatisfying. I would not go back for the food, but encourage everyone to try it, because it may just not be to my taste. My palate was ready for tender and unique and got tough and bland. -
Review from Wendy K.
Elmwood Park, IL
7/15/2011
I happen to be walking around Oak Park last night and noticed this place. It looked really cute and I have never tried Venezuelen food before, so I decided to take a chance.
The lady behind the counter greeted me and was very nice. She did a good job of answering the questions I had.
I was really hungry and could not decide what I wanted. So, I decided to order an appetizer, an arepa, and a side dish figuring that I would have plenty left to take home for another meal. Boy was I wrong!
I ordered the yuca frita for the appetizer. The order was not nearly the size I thought it would be and i was glad I was alone because there was not enough to share. The yuca tasted fairly good, as did the sauce they serve it with. The sauce was sort of an avcoado cream sauce that was very garlicky. Like I said, they were pretty good, but nothing I would rave over.
I ordered the Arepa with the shredded beef (I forgot the name of it). The arepa was very good. The actual arepa/corn cake part of it was very light and flaky and had a nice delicate taste to it. The shredded beef was a little dry, but had a good taste to it. It had just a little bit of a bite to it, but I would not say it was really spicy.
For my side dish I had the fried plantains. I asked the female behind the counter if they were sweet plaintains, to which she replied yes. So, I ordered some, since I love sweet plaintains. Well, they were not very sweet. In fact, they really didn't have any taste to them at all, so I was very disappointed. They were also pretty firm for sweet/ripe plantains and were kind of dry. I ended up not eating all of them and threw the remaining plantains out.
Overall, I'd say this is a nice little place. It is well decorated and tucked back in on a nice little side street. They have tables outside so you can enjoy the weather and the nice Oak Park setting. I was not extremely pleased with my meal, but it was good enough that I am willing to give Aripo's one more chance. -
Review from Ann S.
Oak Park, IL
9/18/2011
More spice, please.
-
Review from Jeannie A.
Burbank, IL
5/28/2011
Stopped here for a late lunch, with a party of 5. Order at the counter, and they bring it to you. It was fairly busy, and they said it would take about 15 minutes to get the food out.
I ordered an arepa with a side of rice & black beans. Everything was awesome. I would love to go back and work my way through the menu.
Great addition to Marion street. Reasonable prices, good portions, fresh ingrediants.
