Even in Summer‘s Heat, Arepitas brings a Welcome Warmth
By LISA CARLISLE | Photos courtesy of AREPITAS
During the summer in Texas, we do all we can to escape the heat yet, dining at Arepitas Restaurant invites a new form of warmth that won’t make you sweat. The warmth takes over instantly; you are greeted by smiles from the staff, the aroma of spices, and the sound of Latin music in the air. You are welcomed as if you are family, and the feeling remains throughout the dining experience.
Arepitas Restaurant in Harker Heights serves homemade, from scratch authentic Venezuelan food earning top awards. Recently earning the 66th spot in Yelp’s top 100 in Texas award, Arepitas has become a staple in the area for its incredible menu, family atmosphere, and fresh ingredients.
Family owned and run by husband and wife team, Tony Caselle and Maria Fernanda Rodriquez, who were determined to produce only the finest meals for their customers while bringing in the flavors and flare from Venezuela.
“When we started the business, we wanted for it not only to be a restaurant, but a movement,” Caselle said. “As soon as we started this location, we started an agreement with Braveheart Beef which use DNA-traceable cows. No steroids, no growth hormones, no artificial ingredients, grass fed, and the chickens are the same.” This is evident throughout their menu, every item being made to order. The wait may be a bit but it’s worth every second.
Arepitas server Alexander is full of zesty energy. He speaks with joyful pride about various items on the menu, highlighting traditional favorites and flavor profiles. His first suggestion are the tequeños, a traditional Venezuelan party staple and easy to see why. A tequeño is a breaded and fried cheese stick but is so much more than that simple description. An initial crunch then the warm gooey cheese, it’s new yet somehow a familiar flavor, it tastes like home.
The next item explained was the Pabellón arepa. Pabellón is Venezuela’s national dish. It is a flawless combination of black beans, rice, and marinated slow roasted beef, nestled in an arepa with cheese and plantains. An arepa is another traditional Venezuelan food made from cornmeal creating a warm cake, perfect to house these flavors.
There are several vegetarian options utilizing arepas and incorporating your choice of homemade sauces. Many feature plantains and roasted vegetables, so there is something for every palate.
Arepitas also features several cocktail options, all of which are also made from scratch containing only natural ingredients and freshly squeezed juices. Alexander points to the Pape-Rum, a refreshing drink which uses top shelf 1796 Venezuelan Rum with a raw cane sugar lime combination. Among the options is a sangria made with Merlot and imported rum with fresh cut pineapple, green apple, and oranges. They also offer zero calorie drinks and other classics like mojitos and mimosas.
Arepitas Restaurant is an intimate space with cultural pride on display, from flags to art to music. A screen rotates through scenes of mountain tops, majestic ocean views and scenic vistas highlighting the overwhelming beauty of the country. The tables offer the convenience of a QR code and pay-by-phone option for those who would prefer it.
The staff is constantly smiling; not only at the customers, but even more so at each other, they are clearly glad to be there. They are the family you’re invited into when you come in, and they are thrilled to share stories of traditional food and drink which is a wonderful way to introduce new items. Arepitas has started a local movement, one of traditional foods done deliciously with their customers at heart.
“Our main goal is to feed people the right way, like they are home,” Caselle said, and that is exactly what you get. You leave with a full belly, some education, a smile, and a new place to call home.
IF YOU GO
Arepitas Restaurant
Address: 440 E. Central Texas Expressway,
Suite 101, Harker Heights
Phone: 254-220-4535 or 254-833-5137
Website: arepitasusa.com
