Reviews for Rica Arepa | Venezuelan Restaurant in Chicago, IL

I appreciated that they had several vegan options on the menu and they were all delicious. I visited multiple times while in the... area and I was never disappointed. The black bean and plantain empanada was my favorite. ???? Read more

Okay, first please know that I was born and raised in Venezuela. I moved to Chicago about 2 months ago from California where I... lived for over 7 years. While in the East Coast I looked for the authentic flavors of my beloved Venezuela everywhere with noluck. But Rica Arepa in Lake View is 100% authentic and you can tell from the presentation of the food, the flavors, the musicin the restaurant, the drinks, and they even have a Venezuelan Pantry with candy and Harina PAN. The food is fantastic, easilyexceeded my expectations. I had the Pabellón Empanadas, the mini arepas with Nata Cheese, the Veggie 2 arepa, and the Arepa dePabellón. I will go for more soon, but before that you should head over and experience the 100% authentic Venezuelan food. Read more

My company catered Rica Arepa's arepa bar, tequenos, and empanadas, and we were blown away by the flavors and quality of the... food! They really knocked it out of the park! Our employees were so pleased with the lunch, it had them going back for secondand third helpings! Maria (one of the owners) was so helpful with putting together a personalized catering menu for us, the foodwas perfectly packaged, hot upon delivery, and the delivery was right on time!! We highly recommend Rica Arepa for any cateringneeds! We will definitely be ordering again! Read more

Very good venezuelan food. My very 1st time trying this food. This restaurant have appetizers, entries &... dessert. Unfortunately, I got super full with 1 Arepa & I couldn't try the desserts but they sure looked good ???????????? . Idid it a really big Arepa, it's called Parrillada. It has 3 meats, beef, chicken & chorizo with cheese & guacamole sauce. Itried it with a garlic sauce, that was delicious. I also tried it with a red sauce that I didn't like. The red sauce tastedlike the Louisiana bottle sauce that people use for chips. So the restaurant it's called Rica Arepa because that's their maindish. They have like 20 different ways of making them. For the Mexicans, Arepa is just like a "Gordita" that's preparevenezuelan style. Do be prepared cause it is expensive. My one Arepa "Parrillada" cost $16!???? This restaurant is in theNorth side so maybe for the community is normal pricing. They have a nice patio in front of the restaurant. About 3 or 4tables with umbrellas & lights for the night. Very pretty. But they also have a back patio! ????. I just saw it from where Iwas sitting. It looked super nice, it had some kind of ceiling that will protect you from the sun but it still had the outsidelooks & fresh breeze. This back patio was way bigger & spacious. Would love to come back & sit in the back patio very soon! ?? Read more

We enjoyed an array of different arepas and were very satisfied with the food and the service.

My husband and I stayed a week for vacations and this place was the best Venezuelan spot we could find (we tried others, and no,... THIS IS real Venezuelan food). The food was always good and presentation just amazing all the times. We had tequeños, arepas,brunch and lunch. No complains at all. Food, environment and service always incredible, they deserve 5 stars. Read more

I tried this place for the first time and loved it! Never had Venezuelan food before but all of it was super delicious. The... owner even came by our table to make sure we enjoyed everything. I'll be back again to try the other options ???? Read more

It was my first time coming to this restaurant and it exceeded my expectations. We went there last night and when we got there... the place was empty at the front I was a bit worried because there were only two people behind the counter and no diningcustomers. They greeted us with smiles and told us we can sit anywhere we want or we could go to patio at the back. I was sorelieved to see half the patio filled and my worries melted away. There were so many food choices to choose from and we startedwith appetizers (Rica Mix Sampler) that were an assortment of small bites. I had the Punta trasera & queso de mano, the portionwas okay. It won't fill you up if you are famished but will be enough if you are moderately hungry. The others had PabellonCriollo and Criollo Brunch, the shredded beef was a bit too salty but the rice and beans were a bit plain so it evens out. Ialso tried the Chicha Venezolana (it is like a horchata with milk, it is very thick and filling)  and Papelon Con Limon (not myfavorite probably because I'm not a big fan of lemonade). The service was great, the food portion is decent and the prices werealso reasonable ($10-$20/per meal). I really enjoyed it and would definitely go back again. If you like Venezuelan food or arein the mood to try for thr first time then this is the place for you, you won't be disappointed. Read more