New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Try Venezuelan or Colombian arepas in CT
Feeling like celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month?
You might want to try a Venezuelan or Colombian arepa made from warm white or yellow dough that is filled or topped with various cheeses, proteins and vegetables.
“Arepas are an everyday meal that can be eaten at any time of the day,” said Alejandro Cordido, owner of Somos Handcrafted Arepas.
There are no limitations to what can be in or on an arepa. Ernesto Garcia, owner of Rumbamba Restaurant, said, “Colombian arepas de choclo are sweeter and usually have cheese on them, but we like for our customers to have options.
And Javier Eastman, coowner of La Calle Arepa Bar, said you can’t go wrong with a “classic” one — whether that is La Catira, which means “blonde people” in Venezuelan slang, filled with shredded chicken and shredded Gouda cheese, or La Reina Pepiada, which means “queen” and is named in honor of the many Miss Venezuela contestants that went on to win Miss Universe, filled with shredded chicken and mushed avocado mixed together.
Here are six spots around Connecticut to try arepas: El Latino Restaurant, Bridgeport
El Latino Restaurant is a Colombian family-owned restaurant that has been at its location for over 30 years.
“My family has been making arepas their whole life and brought their expertise to Bridgeport from Colombia. They make sure to teach all of us in the family how to make them,” said Carolina Mazo, owner of El Latino Restaurant.
They sell both corn arepas and arepas de choclo which you can top or fill with anything you’d like.
553 Park Ave, Bridgeport
Mosaico Cuisine, Branford
Mosaico Cuisine has been open for three years. The Cubillan family came to the United States six years ago and “saved up to show Branford what Venezuela is all about,” said Luis Cubillan, owner and chef. “Our arepas are traditional and authentic to Venezuela, but we have unique items that you can only find here as we change up our recipes for our customers’ liking,” he said in Spanish.
539 Main St, Branford
Somos Handcrafted Arepas, New Haven
Andres and Alejandro Cordido opened Somos Handcrafted Arepas in June 2020. They make Venezuelan-style arepas, which are meant to be stuffed with various ingredients.
“This is the food we grew up eating and wanted to share this with the city of New Haven,” said Alejandro. There are no limitations or rules when it comes to their arepas and Alejandro said they can be eaten at any time of the day.
Somos Handcrafted Arepas also offers vegan options. 63 Orange St., New Haven, La Calle Arepas Bar, Norwalk
La Calle Arepas Bar brings an authentic Venezuelan street food experience to Norwalk. Brothers Harold and Javier Eastman had a dream of one day opening a Venezuelan food truck or small restaurant and opened La Calle Arepas Bar in June 2019.
“We cook everything from scratch, with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. Arepas are just a must at any Venezuelan restaurant,” said Javier Eastman, co-owner of La Calle Arepas Bar.
Calle means “street” and is the inspiration for selling street food at La Calle Arepas Bar. 74 N Main St, Norwalk
Valencia Luncheria, Norwalk
Zach Young, the owner’s son and manager at Valencia Luncheria, said, “What makes us so unique is we have used the same recipe since 2004, with the same kitchen and prep staff.”
Valencia Luncheria was one of the first Venezuelan restaurants in Connecticut and caught Food Network star Guy Fieri’s attention. A staff member said Fieri loved the uniqueness of the arepas since the ingredients are all fresh and last no longer than a day.
164 Main St, Norwalk Rumbamba Restaurant, New Haven
Ernesto Garcia opened Rumbamba Restaurant in New Haven in 2008. “We brought the culture of the arepas to New Haven,” Garcia said in Spanish.
Rumbamba Restaurant specializes in Colombian arepas de choclo, with yellow sweet dough. The arepas come with rice, plantains and guacamole. Rumbamba Restaurant also sells Venezuelan arepas and other Latin cuisines.
25 High St, New Haven