4. Restaurants

Aripo’s Venezuelan Arepa House

118 N Marion St, Oak Park, IL, 60301
  • (708) 386-1313
  • Store is closed

Aripo’s Venezuelan Arepa House Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Oak Park for healthy meals suggestion.

Denny’s ( 711 N Harlem Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Oak Park for healthy meals suggestion.

Denny’s ( 711 N Harlem Ave )

  • Howard L.

    Great food. I came back for a second meal today.

    (4)

  • Pablo E.

    The food was very good. I had La Nuestra, which I was told is the typical arepa, and the Domino empanada. I like very spicy food so the arepa and empanada were a bit bland for my taste, but very good for what they are. I normally stay away from any deep fried foods because they don't agree with me but I was in the neighborhood so I gave it a chance. I'm happy I did, there's a nice fountain to look at if you dine outside. I wouldn't eat here on a regular basis (trying to watch my weight) but I definitely will come back.

    (4)

  • c m.

    I work in the area and this is by far my favorite lunch spot in OP. You might have to wait a bit for you food, but its made fresh and you can taste the difference!! The A8 is where its at, but even their salads are great, and reasonably priced. The staff is always friendly and the place is quite clean. There is something for everyone on the menu, go!

    (5)

  • Jenny Z.

    Went to Aripo's for the first time today. I got a beef arepa and my husband got one with beef, black beans, plantain and white cheese. His was much better....my beef arepa was dry but the flavor was very good....just needed a little something more. The corn bread was grilled nicely and tasted very fresh. I can't wait to go back and try one of their platters....Oak Park is lucky to have a new restaurant like this!

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    First time having an arepa today and it was overall a good experience. I had a chicken and cheese arepa and it was mighty tasty. Not really filling, which was kinda nice. The food took a little long for carryout, but when I got home it was worth it. I will be going back and exploring the other arepas on the menu. It's something out of the ordinary in a good way.

    (4)

  • Simon B.

    My experience was not bad but good. The prices are not connected with the service. I would said it is a little over price for a combo between a restaurant in which you have a table and a fast service restaurant were you going to pick up your food. The food is good but not excellent. The menu is overwhelming specially for people who are not familiar with the product, too many choices, besides you have to make a fast choice right away in front of a person with attitude (a young girl in my case). Sometimes people don't realize that their body talk for them even if they don't use a word. When I tried to talk in Spanish, which is our language and I wanted to feel a warm welcome, my idea was rejected! I don't feel ashamed because I speak Spanish. It is a place to visit to try to make your American and other Latino friends to know about your native food, if you don't have the time to do it better by yourself at home. I would think twice to come back.

    (2)

  • Standard Y.

    Decent arepas, good service, definitely worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    I had walked by Aripo's a few times, but could never convince my companions to stop in with me... The bf was out of town, so I decided to stop in on my own. It was my first time with an arepa an I really liked it! I got the A8 (shredded beef, black beans, and fried plantain); everything was really flavorful and the "bread" part was warm, crispy, and delicious. One was plenty for me, but I can see how some people may want more. They had a lot of tasty sounding menu items and I'm excited to try more. My bill was about $7.50 for the arepa and a fountain pop. It may be the cheap part in me, but I thought it was a little much for a sandwich.

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    Outstanding deal for lunch, 2 Arepas with a drink for $8.25. My favorites are the La Nuestra and the Choriarepa.

    (4)

  • Daniel N.

    Very authentic Venezuelan restaurant (I'm Venezuelan). Food was great and you can try everything we'd typically get in Venezuela. The cheese wasn't as good as it is back home but that's just a limitation of being in the US. Took friends there and they loved it.

    (5)

  • Andy S.

    Well I gotta give it up for Aripo's. They do listen to reviews. I did notice a lunch special and they are participating on Thursday nights in the OP. The service was better and the food was good. But man what's up with the plantains? I'm gonna have my mama go there and show them how it's done. Overall I'm pleased and I do think they were working out the kinks. I wish them well. But work on those plantains, seriously.

    (4)

  • Bernie D.

    This place is great if you're looking a sandwich, but not looking for the same old lunch meat on bun. The Venezuelan arepa was great, I had the shredded chicken and cheddar. There was a great selection sandwiches, the place is clean, the staff is friendly, and best of all it was cheap. I recommend anyone looking for something different and quick to give this place a shot.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    Unfortunately, not as good as the first time. It lacked flavor this time so I ended up just adding tabasco sauce. And the chicken was dry. Tequenos were still good though. And the food came out faster this time.

    (2)

  • Brenda V.

    Really good food, great service and pleasant surroundings. You must try it..

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    I went back to Aripo's since my initial review and had a really tasty chorizo/potato arepa...yummy!!!

    (4)

  • Jerome H.

    I've never had Venezuelan food outside of this place, but these Arepa things are pretty darned tasty. Very large menu, and fairly fast/convenient to boot.

    (4)

  • John T.

    My friend got this to go the other day, and I was really disappointed. It was only a short walk to our place from here, and it was cold and literally inedible. Will not be going back. Maybe I had a bad experience considering so many people have positive things to say, but, sadly, I don't fit the norm.

    (2)

  • Emily J.

    Let me paint you a picture. Winter is right around the corner. It's gray outside and all the leaves are gone. It's cold and the temperature's dropping by the hour - with 20 degrees as the suspected final temp tonight. YAY....kidding. I went to Aripo's for lunch with a friend. I had the La Nuestra for lunch. It's heralded as everyone's favorite on the menu - so how could I say no! I mean, everyone can't be wrong. They were not! The La Nuestra was hot and delicious. Shredded beef, cheese and plantains to boot? Perfection!! I was in absolute bliss. My whole body warmed up! I could have curled up on the floor and taken a nap after my meal. Aripo's puts most other restaurants in Oak Park to shame. Aripo's has delicious food that doesn't taste like just another version of Americana. (Not that I'm complaining about OP restaurants, but other restaurants tend to be some version of modern Americana cuisine. It doesn't really help diversify the palate). Are you wondering how I came to such a conclusion after just one dish? Try it out for yourself and you'll see!

    (4)

  • Jose B.

    Excellent Venezuelan Food is the authentic Venezuelan food... Really good Place, family ambient, reasonable price, super clean. It's a good place to go !!!

    (5)

  • Lizette Y.

    I'm glad there's such a unique little food shop like this in the neighborhood, Oak Park needed some spice! We started off with the boliqueso (cheese-stuffed corn fritters), really good. In terms of arepas we ordered la suave (cheese, sweet plantains, avocado, and sauce), la margaritena (caribbean shark), vegetariana (sauteed veggies with cheese), and conuquera (peppers, onions, plantains, black beans, and cheese). Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! Each arepa was quite large and all of the ingredients tasted super fresh. In fact, it took a while for them to bring out our food because everything is made to order. Feast on these arepas, people! You won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Vanessa M.

    I've adventured to this restaurant only 3 times in the past seven months, but the food is always fresh and decadent. My only complaint is that they are not open on Mondays and I wish they delivered. But the atmosphere is wonderful, I enjoy knowing that there is a family sharing their recipes with us to enjoy. Also, a plus is that it's BYOB of you chose to dine in

    (5)

  • M S.

    Went to Thursday Night Out Oak Park 8/6/15 and got a Pork Pepito. You order and come back about 10 minutes later- that went fine. Came back at 8pm and ordered another Pork Pepito and came back 10 minutes later and handed them the receipt they gave me which apparently was not the receipt they wanted. They refused to give me my sandwich and was surprisingly quickly accused of trying to get free food. I called over to the cashier to vouch that I just gave her a ticket 10 minutes ago and she went into the back with the rude attendant who reluctantly and with attitude said she would give me the sandwich - I told her to keep it and I would never be back. She said "good". Nice business strategy.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth W.

    Aripo's is unique--where is there another Venezuelan restaurant around here? The food is delicious--I've loved everything I've tried here, with the suave and the veggie bowl among my favorites. The mint limeade is amazing on a hot summer night. Why just three stars then? The great food, low prices, and lack of competitors means Aripo's is usually pretty busy. They can't always handle all the business. Once I waited fifteen minutes for a to-go juice, and another time half an hour for my rice bowl (if the place is empty, it takes under ten minutes). They only have one register, so on a super busy night like Thursday Night Out, there's a line out the door. I've also dealt with them running out of things--once it was plantains! Isn't that like a sushi place running out of nori or a hot dog stand running out of fries? They're in at least 3/4 of things on the menu. I wasn't told this, and I think they were too busy to talk to me about it, so they made a substitution I didn't really want. My recommendation? Order to go and call at least 15 minutes ahead to avoid some of these issues. I love the food here and will keep coming back. I really hope they iron out their issues so they can keep up with all the business their amazing arepas draw.

    (3)

  • Leang E.

    This place brought me to Oak Park for the first time! I would totally love to come back and check out the area when the weather gets warmer, but it was worth it to meet up my friend. As I was checking out this place out there isn't actually any Venezuelan restaurants in Chicago, so I'm glad I got to try one of the 2 locales near the city. It was so nice that when we sat down that the staff was so friendly and helpful with the menu even though you have to get up to place your order. I got the shredded beef and the shredded pork arepa, and both were very flavorful and delicious. Of course, I couldn't pass up the fried plaintains and that was really good, too. The two red sauces had a little bit of spicy, but the green one was kind of bitter. The staff is really friendly and helpful with suggestions. The prices were reasonable. What a nice spot to have in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Christian M.

    Stopped by after some cycling with a friend. Happy we stopped, they even let us bring our bikes inside, to keep them safe while we ate. I ordered Cafe con Leche to drink and an Arepa de Queso and a ham and white cheese empanada. Both items were different than what I have had in the past at Colombian restaurants. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

    (5)

  • Shamoon K.

    Service was a little slow but they delivered big on flavor. If you need something really quick then I'd go somewhere else but otherwise it's worth a visit to this place. Unique and flavorful

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Aripo's arepasss- piping hot and delicious corn cake sandwiches stuffed with tender shredded meats, sweet plantains, and an overflow of beans and white cheese... enough said. I never would have even seen this place on Marion street had I not heard about this wonderful little restaurant from some family friends. I've been here on multiple occasions, but I really recommend coming here for lunch- 11 bucks for two arepas and a soft drink. had the opportunity to try the pabellon dinner which included a mound of moist and dense white rice. Accompanying it were tender shredded chicken and pork with a side of black beans and the best part- plantains! The nuestra is advertised as everyone's favorite and for good reason. It has a balanced mix of the beans, shredded beef, plantains, and cheese that everyone loves. I guess I've only tried anything with the plantains in em because they're my favorite part. Also don't forget to order the sauces! My only real gripe is that the wait time for the food can be pretty intense. This is by no means fast food as I've waited on average 10-15 minutes for an order. Other than that the staff are friendly and the food super tasty!

    (4)

  • BobbieJo B.

    Would be 5 stars but they need more descriptions (in English) on the menu - It's ignorance on my part, but I do not know what I am ordering. You order at the counter rather than with a server, but the atmosphere is nice and the food is fantastic!

    (4)

  • Darren L.

    There were three reasons why I chose to eat at this place: 1)I've never had Venezuelan food, 2)it has good ratings with only one dollar sign, and 3)I was hungry as always. For me, that's almost enough to get a full 5 stars. As soon as I walked in, I was very delighted by the interior. For the entire time I was there, I was able to appreciate the environment. Beautiful paintings, and nice ethnic music playing. This isn't a sit down and wait for the server restaurant. You order up front and they bring your food to you afterwards. After I ordered, the cashier told me that the food would take me 25 minutes to be prepared. Although it can seem like a long time, that's what you sacrifice in order to get fresh food. I ordered the Pabellión Criollo, boliquesos, and chicken empanada. They were amazingggggg! The plantains, the beans, the chicken, damn it even the rice was beyond expectations.The food wasn't as hot as I wanted but that did not take away from the tasteful dishes. All of those for just $17 dollars too! I forgot to use my 10% off check-in offer but food was still worth it. My brother got the brunch special which I had the chance to try. That was also very yummy. I enjoyed the Venezuelan twist on normal American breakfast. Let's put it this way, I will definitely be returning soon lol. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Kristine P.

    Eh. The appetizers are not worth the price. Arepas are too hard. Will not be coming back

    (2)

  • S S.

    Just visited Aripos this afternoon. The quesobolis were so yummy! I ordered 2 different arepas and they were both delicious. My boyfriend ordered the V3, which is basically a steak plate. The steak was definitely over cooked and chewy. Next time we know just to stick to the arepas! The gentleman working seemed very nice and offered a sample of their Venezuelan lemonade prior to ordering which was very nice. The young lady taking our order and bringing out our food could've been much more pleasant. She seemed uninterested in doing her job and providing good service. Food came quickly, surprisingly since many other reviews commented that the service was a bit slow.

    (4)

  • Kara E.

    The first time you eat here, you will feel ashamed you ever set foot in the Lake Street Chipotle.

    (5)

  • Tracy H.

    Came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch with a girlfriend. She loved it! I've come here sporadically for the last few years. Everything is always really fresh and tasty. I personally love the arepa with pork, avocado and cheese. Yum! Place is cute, clean and friendly. Nice change of pace for Oak Park, which more and more seems very commercial. Anyway, try it! You'll love it.

    (4)

  • T M.

    I was so excited to see a Venezuelan restaurant, especially in this Oak Park. I saw all the great reviews and wanted to try it. But I was not very impressed. The portions are too small for the price they advertise. I paid almost $10 for a natural juice and pabellon de pollo and was still hungry. I expected more and I'm disappointed. Will not be returning to this eatery. I give it 2 stars because the juice was good, but not so much the food.

    (2)

  • Jordan N.

    I have to give this place my saludos! Now, the main thing that makes this place stand out in Chicagoland is that it's the only Venezuelan restaurant in this vast Midwestern metropolis. How did Oak Park end up with this ethnic gem out of all places? That, I don't know and unfortunately forgot to ask. Shocking, I know, but then again, when I spotted a bag of harina PAN used for making arepas costing $4.50, I could understand why. Profit margins are probably quite small up in the north compared to cities in the East and South where it's normally $2. Regardless of the price discrepancy of such Venezuelan commodity, I found the prices in this place to be more than fair. Especially when there is authentic and tasty Venezuelan food to be had. I had ordered light when I visited - opting for an empanada rather than an arepa (I made arepas all the time at home, and not empanadas, simply because I am averse to frying my own food at home :) ). And shock settled in when I took a bite - their empanadas (stuffed with queso Caribe, apparently a cheese similar to a Venezuelan cheese), were better than many empanadas I had in South Florida, home to majority of Venezuelans in this country. And topping it with their avocado sauce (guasacaca) was pure heaven. Perfect crunch on the outside, perfect gooey cheese, and just perfect all around! With friendly service, nice atmosphere, I can't see any reason why I would not return if I was living in Chicago. BONUS: Arepas are customizable, just call in advance to see if they could do it. I had inquired about them making me an "arepa llanera" consisting of steak, avocado, cheese, and tomato - and they said it was doable!

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    After a major miscue in not checking to see if Johnie's beef was open (it wasn't and won't be until Feb. 17th), my buddy and I wound up in downtown Oak Park to check out the world of Arepas Very clean and charming inside. We ordered the A8 (the famous "La Nuestra") a ham and white cheese empanada and some fried plantains for appetizer. The food was good, not excellent. The arepa was quite small for the $6.25 price tag. I also didn't like that everything looked and tasted authentic, except that they brought the sauces out in disposable Solo containers. I'm convinced that a small clay pot sauce bowl would have fit the theme and authenticity of the restaurant a lot better. I'm not familiar with downtown Oak Park, but I'm sure Aripo's adds some originality and uniqueness to the area. However, for me, the flavors could be a bit bolder and the portion sizes could definitely be a bit larger.

    (3)

  • Pinar M.

    I give this place 5 stars for what it is. The food has the most authentic taste that I have had in years. The restaurant had enough seating for a busy afternoon. The ambiance is especially good for a fast food place!

    (5)

  • Maggie G.

    First timers: What is an arepa, you ask? It's a venezuelan sandwich. It's a dense bread-like tortilla pocket filled with goodies. Oak Park's "foodie fest" gave us a reason to give aripo's a second chance. We weren't very impressed with the price or the bland taste the first time around. This time, however, we were blown away with the la plua?...The shredded beef was juicy, tender, and flavorful. Don't wear a brand new white shirt though, because that grease will get ya'. The plantains were good with the white sauce, (tasted like a sour cream blend) but needed more shredded cheese. All in all, the food is good but the prices are high, and the menu needs some combo options.

    (3)

  • Diana S.

    Cool little place. The food is a little on the dry side. I've tried a chicken arepa and a pork one. They each come with a little sauce on the side. The staff is really friendly. Overall a good place to try. The location is great too!

    (4)

  • Lindsey D.

    I feel really bad about giving three stars, I wish I could give five. The food is outstanding! My boyfriend and I are regulars and enjoy every dish we have at Aripo's. I give the food 5 stars. However, just about every time we are there they are out of something we want. We're big fans of the empanadas and tostones. They are ALWAYS out of multiple types of empanadas and today they were out of tostones as well. Very disappointing. There were also no paper towels in both the men's and women's bathrooms today!! We understand that it seems like the restaurant is family owned, it's great. But I think it's time to hire another employee to help out with clearing tables, keeping the bathroom stocked, etc. Also it would be wonderful if they would plan ordering food/popular items a little better! We're always disappointed when we hear "Sorry, we're out of that right now". We love you Aripo's.. but we really wish you could get it ALL together.

    (3)

  • Peter N.

    The Food here is excellent. But the past 5 times i've been here, I've either been turned away or they've been out of key ingredients such as Rice or Arepas.

    (2)

  • Sabrina C.

    For those of you who aren't familiar with what an arepa is its like a corn meal fritter that's eaten by Venezuelans and Colombians. I grew up eating them because my dad is from Venezuela. Arepas from Colombian resteraunts that I've had tend to be sweet, which I don't like. It's hard to come across a good Venezuelan arepa because most Venezuelans that live in the states live in Miami or New York. But lucky me I found aripos...they make the corn meal fritter non sweet and its used to stuff the inside with delicious things like plaintains, meat, cheese, beans or whatever else your heart desires. I love the suave which comes with avocado, plaintains, cheese, and I pay an extra dollar for them to add black beans. It's phenomenal, it's cheap, and it's filling. Not to mention their passion fruit juice accompanies my arepa well. Plus the decor is made to look like your on the patio of a Venezuelan house. If you want to try something new that you can't typically find in the Chicago land area and your near by oak park try a Venezuelan arepa it doesn't disappoint... I love them!

    (5)

  • Sherry Y.

    The fried plaintains are amazecakes here. Be sure to get it as a side or even a whole separate plate, they are that good. I could do without the high price, but the dish I had was quite good, a platter full of rice, meat and beans. Quite traditional and home-y despite the price tag. Would I do it again? Meh, probably not, though I might try to replicate those amazing fried plaintains in my own kitchen.

    (4)

  • Jannis M.

    I love this restaurant for many reasons. First off it is extremely clean. *that's always a wonderful thing* Portions are ample and the meat is never dry.

    (4)

  • Stacey F.

    Amazing! Good service quick and delicious never tried anything like it before I tried La Nuestra and Chriarepa with a side of plantines it's going to be my new favorite spot !

    (5)

  • Claudia S.

    I enjoy this place a lot! The food is fresh and very tasty. I absolutely love their white cheese. Service is fast and staff is helpful and friendly. Their decor is also a plus when enjoying your lunch - appealing both to the taste and vision palette.

    (5)

  • Lavon K.

    Very good food. I ordered two vegetarian friendly arepas and my husband ordered two meat filled empanadas. Delicious. This place is going on our list for take out!

    (4)

  • Irina H.

    I'm downgrading my review of Aripo's because 2 out of 3 times now were disappointing. The first disappointment was on Thanksgiving weekend when there was a long wait and no soup. Tonight, there was no soup again, because "the owner is the only one who makes it and he is on vacation." Not only that, but there was one little piece of plantain on the "La Nuestra" sandwiches. Seriously? When did plantains become too pricey to add as one of the main ingredients on your little sandwich that comes with NO sides?

    (2)

  • Pete Z.

    Maybe I am just not used to Venezuelan food, but I ordered various dishes including their national dish, and found all of them to be extremely bland. Even the sauces that they use did not have very much flavor to them. I feel if they just add a little more seasoning to their dishes, then their food could be exceptional. Overall just really disappointed in the food and not what I was expecting.

    (2)

  • Meredith B.

    I don't understand the high reviews for this place.... I ordered the appetizer plate, pabellon criollo, and domio arepa. The food was not good at all. I will not be returning. However- I did enjoy their friendly atmosphere. The woman that helped us was extremely kind and accommodating. Customers sitting in the table next to us left without touching their food- what a sad disappointment.

    (1)

  • Rachel S.

    The food is wonderful (and wonderfully inexpensive)! It's BYOB and you order at the counter, so it's a great place to have a casual (ahem - cheap) night out with your friends without feeling like you're sacrificing the experience. It's in a super cute part of downtown Oak Park, so if you feel like strolling around before or after you eat, it's great for that, too! I had tons of vegetarian options from which to choose, which is another plus in my book. I had La Suave, and I can't wait to go back and try it again! (Or should I try something new next time??) This is one of many reasonably priced local treasures in Oak Park.

    (5)

  • Kim B.

    What is an arepa, you ask? The easiest way to describe it is as a Venezuelan sandwich. But definitely come to Aripo's and they'll show you how it's done right! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this adorable Oak Park neighborhood by accident one day. My handy Yelp app led us to Aripo's because it was nearby and had some great reviews. We decided to share the A8 - with shredded beef, beans, plantains, and cheese. Imagine all the delicious elements of South American food (marinated meat, fried plantains, black beans) and put them all together in a sandwich where the bread doesn't fall apart. Delicious!

    (4)

  • Juan Manuel N.

    It's difficult to find a good Pabellón Criollo, a lot of restaurants has in their menu but to honest, there are a few with a good ones, if you are in Chicago and you are missing to have a Pabellón for lunch, this is the place to find a good Pabellón. I would like to try more food but I can, so, I think I will come back here because I want to eat all the menu.

    (5)

  • Jeannine K.

    All arepas are gluten-free. Some appetizers are, but anything fried is in the same oil as flour. Staff was helpful. Arepas were delicious!

    (4)

  • C L.

    Food is great but service is slow. Kitchen seems to always have problems. Maybe next time I will order to go!

    (2)

  • Aleah O.

    Firstly, I want to say that I am really disappointed that this place has been in my back yard basically for 2 years and I have never went! Always had intentions to go but never went. I studied abroad in Venezuela for the summer of 2008, so I ate arepas y pabellon y all types of Venezuelan food. This place definitely comes close to what I had there. This was my first time here and I had the pabellon arepa, it was FRESH, DELICIOUS, AUTHENTIC and FILLING. What more can you ask for?? I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    This place is great, I get the La Nuestra each time. I'm going to have to diversify a little, but it's hard because you can never get tired of the La Nuestra.

    (4)

  • Eric G.

    I've always been open to trying different types of cuisine so when a friend of mine suggested meeting her at Aripo's for lunch I was game. There's ample areas to sit as you wait for your food to be served. We ordered the boliqueso which is basically fried cornmeal balls with a side sauce. I don't recall the boliqueso being particularly flavorful and I didn't get to try the sauce much cause my friend was double and triple dipping on it and while I'm not a germaphobe (hello think of all the germs we get when swapping spit), I didn't feel inclined to partake in it so I ate the boliqueso plain. Much tastier was my shredded beef empanada. The food along with the perfect location for people watching is enough to make me come back for more.

    (4)

  • Whitney D.

    I love Aripo's! The food can sometimes take longer than one would expect to wait for a sandwich as I've had to wait as long as 45 minutes before, but it is completely worth it. The sandwiches are really filling but I would still suggest anyone get 2. My favorite is the La Catira with a side of grilled white cheese. I asked one of the women working there which white cheese it was exactly and I was told it was Carribean Frying Cheese in case anyone wants to know. I'm very impressed with the quality and the portion size especially for the cost. I got a glimpse of a woman making the arepas by hand and you're really eating a piece of art. (Sidenote: Your arepa would be ugly as shit if I worked here; she put A LOT of work into one piece of cornmeal. Kudos to her.) They have cornmeal empanadas I highly recommend. A very nicely decorated and adequately heated inside makes it a nice place to sit and enjoy your food and admire the artwork too.

    (5)

  • Maggie S.

    I have been coming here for years- can't believe I've never written a review. Friendly staff, great food! La nuestra arepa and the pabellón empanada are my go to. Honestly try everything- it's all amazing

    (5)

  • Diana S.

    The arepas were amazing! They may be the best ones I've had. This area of Oak Park is super cute and quaint. I would definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Simon C.

    While on a business trip to Chicago, I decided to check out this establishment. Being born and raised in Maracaibo Venezuela, I was thrilled to enjoy some of my favorite dishes that remind me of my beautiful country. The Arepas were amazing just like mother makes them. I know lots of people say that, but when I peaked to the back where they were cooking the food, it reminded me of my grandmother and my mother cooking together and realizing what I missed all of this years. I highly recommend this place, not because I'm Venezuelan, but because the food, and service was great! The place was beautiful and very clean and that's a huge plus.

    (5)

  • C K.

    4.5 Rating: Authentic Venezuelan Street Food HIGHLY RECOMMEND: For when you feel like spending $6-$7 for a flavorful meal! Try the La Suave. Today was my second visit in 5 days. Yes, my first visit was that satisfying. Chicago is a city of delicious food but it is seriously lacking in the Arepa category. I was quite sad to find that only authentic place in Chicago was located in Oak Park. While the food here does not quite compare to what I am use to, it was awful close. The Arepa bread was the right flavor and texture (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The fillings were flavorful and tender. The sauces (recommend trying all three at once) while tasty were the one component that was not quite as good as my favorite place in Brooklyn (hence the 4.5 instead of 5 stars). If I lived nearer to Oak Park then Aripo's Venezuelan Arepa House would become one of my regular dinning spots. Please open another location in Chicago (preferably on the Northside). THANKS for a wonderful meal!

    (4)

  • 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?

    (5)

  • C C.

    First time here and everything was fresh and delicious. Our picky eater tried everything and enjoyed it! Will definitely be coming back :-D.

    (5)

  • Thomas C.

    wife likes this place better than I do. Great concept, sandwiches are good, but unremarkable to me, good location on Marion Street, very clean and efficient inside, but was not blown away by the sandwich.

    (3)

  • Kristina R.

    The food is so delicious!! However they were out of beef, in a restaurant it's key to have what you have on the menu. They also need to speed the turn around time up!! Then it could be 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Cher M.

    Aripo's is my go-to place when I need noms and can't think of what I want. Everything on the menu is good. Seriously. EVERYTHING. During Lent, I was here almost every Friday, as they have several vegetarian aripas, including my favorite A15, which has zucchini and eggplant. Add in a piece of extra cheese to the mix and order a side of fried plantains. This is a must-visit eatery. How often do you get to try Venezuelan food?

    (4)

  • Wes M.

    Wow. I wish I had been more hungry for lunch. I had the chicken arepa. Chicken had obviously been simmered for an eternity, as it was incredibly tender and flavorful. Messy as all get out, but the flavors and textures were wonderful. Will definitely stop here again if I'm in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Noomi J.

    Fun to try out. I had the La Nuestra Arepa ($6.25) and the boliquesos (6 for $6.25). When I walked in at lunchtime on a weekday, it was empty. The employee at the counter was friendly and helpful, but when I had asked if they had any lunch specials, she said no. After I had ordered, two Spanish-speaking men came in and asked the same thing in Spanish, referring to the 2 arepas + drink for $10 special. She went to ask the manager and said yes, they have that lunch special. I wish that it had been posted up somewhere, but owell, it seemed like an honest mistake on her part. The arepa sandwich had plantain slices, black beans, and shredded pork (maybe more, but those are the only ingredients that stand out in my memory haha). Of the 3 ingredients, I liked the black beans the best, which I didn't expect lol. It had a slight sweetness. I didn't like the hard bread though. I ended up just eating the filling and leaving behind the bread. The boliquesos hinted at a taste of cheese, but mostly it tasted like a corn meal fritter. The sauce that came with it tasted like standard cream cheese. I did not think that those little balls were worth $6.25 considering that deep fried mushrooms cost $2-3.

    (3)

  • Andy K.

    When I started writing this review, the food hadn't arrived and I was at two stars. The food moved it up a star. While we were glad to see a new arepa place come to town, we built it up in our heads that it was going to be great. The arepas were authentic and the fillings were well prepared. The service was fair at best. The woman who took our order at the counter remained seated and did not make eye contact. We were there for lunch on a Saturday and they didn't have empanadas...a standard for the Latin table. Don't let poor service eclipse good food and lead to the demise of a great restaurant idea.

    (3)

  • Sofia D.

    I was surprised to see Aripo's located in a busy area of Oak Park. When I walked in, I was immediately impressed by the cleanliness and great decor. I ordered the Arepa con Pibil and some tostones. The tostones sauce was flavorful and I wish I had ordered a second arepa as it was delicious. The girl at the counter and the man who I believe was also a cook were friendly and helpful. I'll be returning and trying something new from their great menu!

    (4)

  • Melissah L.

    This was my first experience with Venezuelan food-- YUM! I didn't really know what to expect, but what I got was a piping hot sandwich filled with flavorful meat, beans, plantains and a little bit of cheese. The La Nuestra... drool. The sandwich is the perfect lunch size-- I wasn't overly stuffed after eating one arepa, but I was plenty full. The service was good and the restaurant is comfortable... I can't wait to come back and try more :).

    (4)

  • Emil S.

    Great dining spot! Price is very reasonable! Get a taste of Venezuelan food in Oak Park, without the trip expense! :D - Food is great - Price is great - Decor is great - Service is very slow (that is why I gave it a 4) Will come back soon though!

    (4)

  • 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.

    (5)

  • Nick S.

    This place is off the chain! Delicious food, great for vegetarians. Amazing flavor, great for ballers on a budget and a great location. I always get the veg bowl!

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    I was motivated to come here today by a favorite Yelp friend who gave it 5 stars. And she was right, it was one darn good restaurant! I liked the idea of having Venezuelan food, I never had before. We tried the La Nuestra Arepa and split an empanada. I tasted a very sweet juice (wasn't that just so nice of the darling server to let me try it?) but settled on Venezuelan Lemonade. I am now officially a fan of Arepas! Who knew? The beef, the plantain, the cheese and the beans were delicious tucked so cozily inside their cornmeal sleeping bag. It paired nicely with my lemonade, such contrasting flavors. We sat outside and watched the fun on Marion street and loved our meal. Venezuela, your food is really really good! I am super excited I got to try it. Hugo Chavez might not be my fave world leader but his country can sure provide us with terrific food. ¡Viva Venezuela!

    (5)

  • Oscar A.

    So I have to take my daughter to get her hair did for homecoming. God damn I feel old. Anyhow I stumbled upon this place next door. It doesn't get much better folks except around 730 I will be at the hawks game on the glass so maybe it does but lets focus on the food. Ordered La Nuestra arepa sandwich and an empanada. Ofcourse I ordered an empanada. Why wouldn't I? The sandwich was delicious I could have ate three of them. Arepa was a little tough but that's because it's corn. I loved the plantanos in my sandwich. Damn!!! Empanada delicious. I love corn empanadas. Ground beef naturally. It was a larger empanada, I saved some of it for my daughter the empanada queen. My only regret is that they don't serve alcohol. Whoever comes here and has Greek style sandwich is strictly a dumbass. There's no such thing on the menu. Coming back here for sure.

    (4)

  • Edward B.

    Stopped in here for a quick lunch a good while ago and realized that I didn't leave a review. My friend and I each had an arepa. I don't remember which ones we got, but I remember that both were delicious. I would stop here again if I was nearby.

    (4)

  • Timothy T.

    Fantastic, tasty food in a charming space. The food takes a bit to be delivered (especially if they're busy), but it's absolutely worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Lin L.

    It's great to find an authentic Venezuelan restaurant. I had an arepa and empanada. They were delicious and the price is reasonable for what you pay for. I so excited that I found this place while visiting Chicago. I would definitely come back here again the next time I'm in Chicago. 5 stars for sure!

    (5)

  • Seth G.

    Amazingly authentic, the crowd was all Spanish speaking as were the signs out front! I stopped in here during the Oktoberfest, ordered la nuestra and it was surprisingly good, but also small. So remember to order two if you want one!

    (4)

  • Kristina M.

    Love it!!! If ur sick of Chipotle or Qudoba, this takes its place! Fresh meat, very tasty, cheap prices. Well done. Icing on the cake: BYOB

    (5)

  • A D.

    Enjoyed sitting outside for lunch in front of the fountain. La Nuestra arrived steaming hot with the surprise sweetness of plantains coupled with savory beef & black beans. Filling! My friend ordered a bowl topped with fresh avocado & chicken, while my daughter had chicken & cheese aripa. Great menu choices. You won't leave hungry! Very good value.

    (4)

  • Jesus G.

    Good, fresh food. The portion sizes are small but the quality is great. Vegetarians and vegans will like this place as well as they can remove the dairy for you - food is full of flavor and close to the CTA!

    (4)

  • Andrea B.

    Had an arepa with gyro meat,red onions, tomatoes and the tzatziki sauce on Thursday night out in oak park. The cornmeal arepa was bland and it overpowered the fillings. The meat was low quality and flavorless. Not worth your money. There are way better restaurants in the area.

    (1)

  • Ann F.

    Holy cow! What a great place. I'd like to just run through the whole menu. I had the fish soup, which was an excellent chowder, and a "La Suave" arepa. Every bit of it impressed me. A thick piece of perfectly grilled cheese. Nice slices of ripe avocado, fried plantains, all stuffed in that wonderful fresh arepa. What a great neighborhood find.

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    My husband and I absolutely love this place and so do the kids. A friend of mine compared the Venezuelan "arepas" to Mexican "gorditas". I have to say they are similar because they are made of corn meal but the fillings are very different. Anyway, I LOVE, LOVE this place. My favorite arepa is number 8 on their list. I think it's called La Nuestra or The Pabellon Arepa. It's a cornbread pocket filled with shredded beef, black beans, sprinkled with crumbly cheese and topped with sweet plantains. I can only eat one arepa. They are very filling. My husband and I usually spend 20$ to 25$ for the both of us. Relatively an inexpensive meal. I have had the scrambled egg arepa, Perico (if you want a breakfast item) and it is delicious. I've also had the Reina Pepiada, chicken salad and sliced avocado. Really good! My kids usually eat a whole bowl of black beans and white rice. They love it! They also serve wine and beer. Once in a while you will get lucky and dine while you listen to a live marimba player or guitar player. This place is a hidden gem. My writing cannot do it justice. Lot's of people bring their kiddos to eat here too. I love kid friendly restaurants.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I've been here a couple of times. It seems to be kind of hit and miss. The sandwiches are really hard to eat, and always seem to sound better on the menu than they actually are. The empanadas are really good, and consistent in quality. You go up to the counter to order, get a number and seat yourself. They have self-serve soft drinks as well. The counter staff here always seems pretty clueless (and not that interested in taking your order) whenever I come in. Given, I never go at peak times. I will keep going back for the empanadas, but will pass on the sandwiches in the future.

    (3)

  • Eddy V.

    When I'm feeling a bit stressed out at work, I know that a nice arepa will cheer me up. Luckily, Aripo's is located at walking distance from my job. This place is awesome. Food: Recently, I had the famous "La Nuestra - The Pabellon Arepa." For those not familiar with Venezuelan, an arepa is similar to a Mexican gordita - it's made with corn dough, it's flat, round, sliced through the center and filled with an array of meats, veggies, and cheeses. With that being said, "La Nuestra" is filled with a nice portion of shredded beef (similar to Ropa Vieja) and is amazingly paired with the fried plantains, black beans in the thick, grilled arepa. As a side, I ordered the plain white rice. TO DIE FOR. Service: Each time I've walked in, I've been kindly greeted by the girl at the counter. It usually takes a few minutes for them to make the meals, which is never a big deal. To this day I've never dined in, although the atmosphere during lunch is nice and calm - there's usually soft Latin American music playing in the background. Will I keep coming back? YES. It's quick, inexpensive, and super delicious. GO!

    (5)

  • Tabitha M.

    Such great food!! One of the best restaurants in Oak Park. The food takes a little while to be served but it is worth it. We always order V1 which is a large dinner plate (I share with my husband) with shredded (juicy and tender) beef, white rice, black beans, plantains, and a corn bread type side (totally don't know what this is called). It is plenty of food and has great flavor. It is somewhat pricey compared to Chipotle (food doesn't even compare, Aripo's is MUCH better, but just wanted to give some basis for price comparison) but it is such a great treat for us when we do go there.

    (5)

  • Robyn K.

    This place is overrated. The arepa was over fried. The famous Nuestra was so bland and very small shredded beef. The only good thing was the natural guava juice. I waited for over 20 minutes for my food. Service wa so non-smiling. Will not return. Drove all the way from Evanston looking for a memorable experience. Thumbs down.

    (3)

  • Alicia K.

    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.

    (4)

  • Miysha S.

    Good food and service; not outstanding. If you don't know what to order, the staff will help you out!

    (4)

  • Heather H.

    I had a good dinner here. The lunch prices are cheap so I will be back to try some lunch specials.

    (4)

  • FoodLover Z.

    I was very excited to go to Aripo's because there aren't any arepa place in Chicago. I had two of their most popular arepas, one had pulled pork and the other shredded beef with plantains. Both the arepas were average - not bad, but not great. We also tried their natural juices, which were watered down and very disappointing. Overall, I suppose this place is OK for Oak Park, but I won't be recommending it.

    (3)

  • Tzeittle C.

    Checked out this place with a girl friend and was definitely impressed. Being Puerto Rican, arepas to me are a completely different thing and I'm not a fan of corn arepas, so I went with an empanada. I had the cazon (Caribbean shark) empanada and it was delicious! I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm glad I went with it. My friend had the chicken empanada and while she says it was good, she thought she would've liked the cheese empanada better. We both had the passion fruit juice and it was just ok. It was good, but I've had better, so maybe I'd try another juice or just a fountain drink. The price is definitely reasonable and I'd check it out again.

    (4)

  • Daniela A.

    This place is amazing!! I had the Pabellon Arepa and it felt as if I was eating in Venezuela. The place is very clean and the staff is very kind. Great service and food. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • A U.

    This is absolutely my favorite place to eat in Oak Park! So reasonably priced, the food is fresh and amazing I can't tell you how great it is only that it tastes just like homemade Venezuelan food that one of my best friends in grad school made for me. I'm a customer for life!

    (5)

  • Yvonne B.

    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!

    (5)

  • Becky E.

    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.

    (4)

  • Foster R.

    This is my first time trying venezuelian food, and it was very delicious. The arepas was fresh and hot, and the place itself is very nice, I love the color scheme, and also the location. Aripo's have a lot of different type of arepas to choose from, I had one ground beef and one chicken and a drink for $8.75 and they were well worth it. Great place for lunch I love everything about Aripos and I plan on checking in again in the near future.

    (4)

  • Sam D.

    I went there to get a take-out late lunch/early dinner. The service was fast without any of the kinds of snags others have reported. While reasonably priced, I will say the portions are slightly small considering they don't include any sides. Throw in a side salad or some such and this would be a great value. Then again, considering they use fairly exotic ingredients of a high quality perhaps it's not really fair to complain about the price point which is still under $6 for all but one item on the sandwich menu. All in all, I was extremely impressed by the food and will absolutely be going back for more.

    (4)

  • Kristie n scott V.

    The Arepas were delicious. They were smaller than I thought - I probably could have eaten two. The Tostones appetizer was great and the sauce was good too. My daughter ate the ham and cheese arepa. I liked that she had a chance to try the cuisine, but it was mundane enough with just ham and cheese for her to not be intimidated. Restaurant doesn't have atmosphere, really. It is just a takeout restaurant with tables. That being said, it is clean and attractive.

    (4)

  • Efrain R.

    It really upsets me that a menu item is not available, this has happened twice with natural juices and empanadas. As far as prices, they are about 30% too high, but being the only Venezuelan eatery in the Chicago area, they can get away with it. My wife surely prepares better arepas, but going into a place and ordering a couple of em, is convenient. Tips for owners: stock the damn place and serve what's on the menu.

    (1)

  • April P.

    I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!!! I wish it was a chain. I want to eat there every day! I'm thinking about moving, and usually when a person thinks about moving, they are sad to leave their friends and/or family. I'm sad about that, but I also can't stop thinking about how much I wish there were more Aripos in the world!

    (5)

  • Vicky B.

    I can't say enough good things about Aripos. It was one of the most delicious and interesting meals I've had in a while, and definitely a great addition to Oak Park. You order at the counter and then they bring the food to your table (appetizer and entree at the same time). To start, my fiance and I split an order of tostones. These were good but not needed as the rest of our meal was heavy on the starches. The dipping sauce that came with was amazing though. In the future, I am going to just ask for a side of that sauce (it tasted like a roasted red pepper aioli-light on the oil). For my entree I got the vegetarian Conuquera arepa. It had black beans, roasted red peppers, onions, cheese and a plantain. It was well seasoned and very well balanced. For those who have never had an arepa, the best comparison I can come up with is a Mexican sope. It will be hard to not order this every time I go (who are we kidding, I am definitely going to order that every time PLUS the dozens of other things I want to try on their huge menu). My fiance ordered two empanadas: the pabellion (with shredded beef, black beans, plantains and cheese) and the shredded chicken. These were verrry good as well. The empanada dough was flaky and very flavorful - nothing was too greasy and all the of meat stayed moist. For the best experience, I definitely recommend trying an empanada and an arepa. We felt like we got a really good deal for all of the food we had. Our bill came to about $20 (we also ordered a Mexican Coca Cola - try this!). We contemplated ordering another empanada but I'm glad we didn't - we were stuffed. One last note, I know the tendency is to order the shredded cheddar cheese because it's familiar, but I definitely recommend seeking out an arepa with the traditional white cheese-it was sooooo good!

    (5)

  • Tina K.

    I've been to this place a few times now and really like the food. The arepa sandwiches are tasty and very filling (despite looking small). Ditto for the empanadas. Service has been friendly every time. Can't wait to go back and try some other items on the menu.

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    I grew up in Venezuela and Aripo's is a taste of home, everything I have tried is very authentic. I had two different arepas, one with just cheese and one with deviled ham, or 'diablito' as it's called there. They were both very good. Crispy on the outside with a nice tender inside, and a good portion. The pabellon was also good, and was available in a smaller bowl portion that evening. The chicken empanada came with a spicy salsa. Their quesillo, or flan, is very smooth and rich, a perfect finish for the meal. They also have some good juices with Venezuelan fruits like guava and mango. The decor is nice and very clean. The ordering is similar to a Noodles and Company or Corner Bakery where you get a number and they bring the food out. It's also BYOB.

    (5)

  • David K.

    Love the Arepas and other traditional Venezuela dishes. If you've never had an Arepa I'd recommend you start with something simple like ham and cheese and work your way up to the more complicated fillings.

    (5)

  • Rosemary D.

    Casually ran into Aripo's today and went in. My niece and I each had an empanada (Chicken and beef). They were delicious. I will definitely be going back for an arepa!!!

    (4)

  • Julie T.

    Charming decor, exceedingly nice staff and pretty good food. Service is gracious but a little slow, so plan on enjoying a leisurely meal. The hours have seemed to vary day to day (they write it on a chalkboard in the front window) which is problematic, but I've enjoyed the food here. I see a few reviews complaining about the Reina Pepiada being cold and having mayo in it. In my hand is the menu that I picked up the second day they were open, and the description for it says, "Shredded chicken and avocado salad". To me, a chicken salad is almost certainly going to be served cold and have mayo in it. I'm not a mayo fan myself, but do see the purpose of using (not overusing) in a chicken salad. Personally, I enjoyed this sandwich; avocados were very fresh and the salad was also comprised of small chunks of boiled potatoes and other veggies. I've also had the La Nuestra - the Pabellon Arepa that's comprised of shredded beef, black beans, fried plaintains, and crumbled white cheese. Have even tried their arepa burger, La Musiua and was pleasantly surprised. My burger still had a tiny bit of pink in the center, was seasoned well, and served with fresh tomato, lettuce, red onion, and a side of the "special dipping sauce" (description in a minute). Is $4.25-$6 perhaps a lot to pay for a "street food" sammie? Yes, a bit. But everything really tastes fresh and made with care. The "bread" of the arepas has a very nice toasty corn masa flavor, and I think the size is fine. Arepas are served with a pat of butter on the side which has seemingly confused everyone so I had to ask the staff. Apparently in Venezuela, arepos traditionally have a pat of butter put into the sandwich to melt right before you eat it. Aripos is leaving it on the side for the health-conscious to decide if they want to partake. Considerate, no? Plan to order side dishes with your arepa. What I've had thus far has been good: The ham and white cheese, as well as shredded beef empanadas were definitely enjoyable. Nice and warm, good flavors. Black beans are clearly not from a can! Still have a little bite and substance to them and great cuminy flavor. Tostones were crispy and tasty, and while I didn't get excited about the Arepitas Fritas, they're a great delivery vehicle for the sauces provided. Their "special dipping sauce" is a mild but flavorful and creamy chili sauce of sorts, and guasacaca is a creamy avocado sauce. Also tried the passion fruit mousse. The texture was, unfortunately, quite rubbery, but the flavor and aroma...wow! Passion fruit paradise. So yes, Aripos is new and still working out some kinks. Give them a try! I've had their food thrice now and am very happy they're here.

    (3)

  • Steph C.

    Never had Venezuelan food before so cannot comment on authenticity. However, for a self-service place, their price is much higher than expected with relatively small portion.

    (2)

  • C. N.

    I stumbled across this on a rare free afternoon in Oak Park. I have had Arepas in the logan square area before, but they were dry and boring. I had the A8. It's shredded beef, plantains and white cheese. It was so tasty. Some people are saying bland, but I didn't find it to be at all. The meet was perfection! The owner (?) was really friendly and checked in to see how I liked it. I loved it! I can't wait to go back! Also, I thought the price-under 8.00 for the Arepa and a drink- was very reasonable. The portion was perfect for me, but if you are a big burly person, you should do the lunch special and get two.

    (5)

  • Crz C.

    Tooooo expensive $ 35.00 for only 4 arepas wow !!! I ordered 4 arepas and they keep coming one at the time, every 10 min each one, I can't imagine if I order ten arepas, the services to bad, it would be easier go to a Mexican restaurant and order some gorditas, which is pretty much the same, and does the beans are fresh or canned?, and they forgot to bring my drink and when i ask them where my drink was ,they told me if i was sure they didn't bring it already, and there were only 3 tables, not to busy to lost my drink.

    (1)

  • LaShelle N.

    My husband and I visited here a few years ago when they first opened. I admit we had never had an Arepa before. I tried Reina Pepiada, Queso Amarillo, Husband had some empanadas and bistec encebollado, and Tequenos and Boliqueso (which we really liked).The food was decent, I would have to try it again to make sure that I am a fan. It has been a while so maybe it is time to try again.

    (3)

  • Marlene S.

    Nitce place for a quick bite to eat. I got salad #1 which is potato salad w/big pieces of chicken and peas. The small size was plenty for me. I also tried the flan and a Venezuelan red pop. Both were great. I think the bill was under $10. Such a deal. Will be back to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Cody Y.

    This was exactly what I was looking for. My wife and I happened upon arepas while we were visiting California and I set off to find them when I returned home. Turns out, we have a great place for arepas right here in Oak Park. I had the the Carne de Mechada (shredded beef) with cheese and it was everything I was hoping to get. The beef was incredibly tasty. The corn bread of the arepa was terrific. My wife had an arepa off the Sunday brunch menu with egg, cheese, shredded beef and an avacado. She really seemed to enjoy it as well. When we finished up our arepas, we had their quesillo (flan) which we also really enjoyed. I would highly recommend getting over to Aripo's to enjoy their terrific food.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    Aripo's is officially my favorite restaurant in Oak Park. My girlfriend and I have visited several times now and our fondness grows with each trip. I find myself planning the next menu item to try and recommending the restaurant to friends and co-workers. First, the food is excellent! I am slowing working my way through the menu and now I find myself conflicted about which is my favorite dish. Aripo's serves traditional Venezuelan fare, and the restaurant appears to have been teleported in from Caracas. The art on the walls, commissioned by the owner, was painted by a Venezuelan artist. The paintings are striking and I offered to buy one as I would love to hang it in my house but the owner politely refused. Indeed much of the décor was imported from Venezuela with the result of a pleasant colonial feel with fidelity to the roots of the restaurant. Latin music plays softly in the background rounding out the wonderful feel of the place. The owner's wife greets customers at the counter with a charming smile and excellent taste in music. On my third trip the owner recognized me and my girlfriend and send over a flan, to thank us for our business. Overall the staff is very friendly. Most importantly, the food is delicious. I leave full and pleased without feeling like a disgusting glutton. There are several menu items currently competing for status as my favorite dish and all are strong contenders. I should not neglect to note that there are multiple options for vegetarians. This immediately won my girlfriend's heart as most places a vegetarian option seems only an afterthought while Aripo's seems to embrace it. Some of my fellow reviewers opine that the price is slightly too high. I will disagree for a couple of reasons. First, it is easy for two people to walk away full for under $20. The ingredients taste fresh and are obviously high quality. With that combination I feel like I'm getting value for my money. It is easy to stay in stock when everything is frozen, Aripo's uses fresh everything. I will be patient with them if they occasionally run out of something so long as the ingredients are as fresh and tasty as they are now. Next, they do offer a lunch special of two aripas for around $7. I doubt I could finish two, as they are very filling, but this will allow you to sample multiple items and still have a snack later. For brevities sake I will describe my two favorite aripas so far and offer and unqualified recommendation of both. I love a good chicken salad sandwich, which is a standard offering on most lunch menus. A chicken salad sandwich is common but sadly more often mediocre than inspiring; easy to do difficult to do well. Aripo's offers the best chicken salad I have ever had, called a reinapepiada. They combine tender chicken with chunks of potato and peas and stuff it into a warm fresh aripa (a cornmeal based flatbread) and top it with large slices of avocado. The result of the cool filling hugged by a warm aripa left me in rapture. I added a side of fried plantains and I can't stop thinking about this dish. The other contender for my favorite dish is the choriarepa, a spicy Mexican sausage with diced potatoes. This aripa has an amazing flavor that was rich and stimulating without overwhelming. I added a side of black beans to this aripa and left with a huge smile on my face. I took a passion fruit mousse to go and shared it with by girlfriend who, after the first bite, told me I should have brought two home instead of one. All in all, I am a huge fan of this place and I have no doubt that they will quickly develop a loyal following in the area. They have been getting some good press recently which is great for them, but I hope I can still get a table anytime I want! Cheers.

    (5)

  • Stephanie P.

    I work not too far from Aripo's and one of my clients who lives in the neighborhood recommended that I try it out because she felt it was a nice change from your regular lunch. So, I went online read through the menu and placed my order for a pabellon empanada and the pabellon arepa. I just happend to love, love, love plantains and black beans with anything! I have had empanadas from different countries and love them but I never had an arepa. I'll start with the empanada, it was good, a tad bit oily but very flavorful. But then I bit into the overflowing arepa which had seasoned beef (like my mom's slow cooked roast beef) black beans, plantains, and a white cheese all stuffed (and I mean stuffed) into a something that reminds me of cornbread but different .... OMG!!! It was FANTASTIC! It was like I had just bitten into central and south america! Delicious! So I have informed the staff that they will all be getting arepas tomorrow for lunch so that I can spread a little bit of this love around! KUDOS! My client was right, a delightful change from your typical lunch. The ambiance is also nice. Love, love, love the salsa music, it's clean and contemporary. A must try!

    (5)

  • Cynthia W.

    I love ethnic foods and will travel. The place has a nice flavor, and staff were courteous. We had several different arepa's, the chicken was fresh and tasty. The chicken salad arepa looked better than it tasted. This reminded me of hot water corn bread (which I love) opened and stuffed with potato salad, chicken, mayo and the avocado fell off first. I have to go back and try the empanada's and other things on the menu. Was not impressed, kinda common and expensive.

    (3)

  • c d.

    Really enjoyed the arepas, the bread is really great and the shredded meats were tender and delicious. A great dinner alternative and very inexpensive. With all the options on the menu it is sure to please just about every taste. Friendly and helpful service. The wait was a bit due to the crowd, but I was given forewarning which was much appreciated. Love that they serve Coke in the bottle too.

    (4)

  • Andrew J.

    Aripas are definitely I haven't seen anywhere else. Of the few that I've had, the taste ranges from kinda bland (black bean) to really good (barbacoa). Though my wife liked the black bean better. I like the place itself, the atmosphere is nice and casual and the service has always been pretty friendly.

    (4)

  • Zeldin Q.

    4 stars for taste, 2 stars for price. Arepas were very tasty. Fresh, flavorful, garlicky, grilly. Good! Tostones were fine; freshly fried and crunchy, but the quantitly is not remotely worth the price. Two arepas which are small, plus one order of tostones, and one bottle of coke = $20. Too much for what is supposed to be street food. Would have liked to have tried empanadas but were out already. It's ok, they deserve some time to work out the kinks, but hopefully they'll realize that the prices need to be brought down by 20% if they are going to keep customers.

    (4)

  • Victor V.

    AREPAS ROCK! These little pita pockets are delicious. I had the one filled with Caribbean shark - it was perfect.

    (5)

  • StanLee T.

    I first saw the sign on the window that this place was coming about a week ago and got very excited. Growing in S. Florida arepas & empanadas became a staple in my late night diet. This place lived up to the hype. It is way nicer inside then the places I grew up going too but the food was equally authentic and delicious. We ordered an array of food and the owner came out to tell us there will be a small wait on the empanadas because they were changing the oil. Day 1 and they are changing the oil! That shows a commitment to making fresh food. I am excited to go back and try some more.

    (4)

  • Amanda U.

    The food is awesome and at a great price. Everything is always fresh! My favorites are the chicken or steak empanadas and the aripas with chicken and avocado. The rice is also very good!!

    (5)

  • Mary M.

    holy cow. must go must try now!! i drive from hoffman estates for this place!!! every single thing me or my boyfriend have shared is amazing.... great portions, great flavors , great variety...this deserves 10 stars. keep it up guys, keep it original.

    (5)

  • nikki s.

    Yeah so i found an excuse to go back on sunday afternoon...I had to eat somewhere since I was in the area, right? This time I had the passionfruit juice (a blast of tropical yum in my mouth) and the shredded beef aropa with black beans, cheese and plaintains. We also tried the deep fried cheese balls which were pretty good too. Once again, my tummy was pleased!

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    had the veggie arepa. It was delicious. The prices were a little more than I was expecting though (to be fair, I'm a fairly cheap person). I wanted lunch, and one arepa was about $6. They're good, but one is definitely not enough food for a meal. You would need at least 2 arepas -- possibly more. Dropping $12-$18 for an arepa lunch is a bit more than I'm usually willing to spend.

    (3)

  • Krista M.

    Seriously YUM!! Got one of the "bowls" this time: absolutely fantastic!! Fresh, delicious, NEVER boring!!! Perfect when you can't figure out what you want for lunch! (or dinner... or breakfast... or a snack...)

    (5)

  • Dan P.

    Never had Venezuelan food before. Really enjoyed my sandwich with pork, black beans, plantains and cheese. Quaint place on a quaint street for a unique dining experience. Coke in a glass bottle is always refreshing, too. I've been back a couple times since.

    (4)

  • Paige T.

    so good! we stopped in for dinner after i had heard great things and we are definitely going to become regulars. we both had the featured arepa with beef, cheese, plaintains and beans. plenty of food for the cost. delicious! everything on the menu looked great, too.

    (5)

  • Vanessa V.

    Biggest rip off Ever!The most overpriced white rice & steak I've ever seen and it was bland! It was cold too! Yuca Fritas side over $5 for 4 tiny peices of yuca! They should be ashamed of themselves. I could serve a family of 20 with cheap white rice & that cheap thin steak for 1/2 the price I was charged for 2 meals. I would add more flavor too. I should open an ethnic restaurant in oak park to over charge for easy to make cheap food.

    (1)

  • Kris P.

    I lived in Weston, FL. for about 5 years and was able to enjoy the food of my Venezuelan friends many times. Upon my return to Chicagoland, one of my friends recommended Aripos, I came to try it and I would come back for sure. The place is nicely and neatly organized, the bathrooms are spotless and the atmosphere is family like. You have to order your food up at the counter. You cannot go wrong with any of the appetizers and my favorite shredded meat arepa. They offer some natural juices as well as fountain sodas (the sodas are way too pricey). You can also get a delicious and satisfying bowl. The owner is super friendly! And you can see the kitchen from outside, its always super nice to see such a clean kitchen. The only reason that I don't give Aripos 5 stars is because the people working at the front are lacking a smile and some manners, nonetheless the experience is good.

    (4)

  • Mary T.

    I'm in the area a lot and have dined here at least half a dozen times. My first visit was kind of a disaster; they had power issues and could only offer a small segment of their menu. I get it, shit happens and didn't hold it against them. Now that I've been back multiple times, I've come to realize their food underwhelms me. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but it's not great. I've had better arepas at a few places and always dine here hoping that they've upped their game. The special sauce lacks depth resulting in an overall blandness in flavor. That could be combated with a better sauce or more interesting flavor combinations. I've tried the Arepa de Queso, La Suave, Domino, and Conuquera arepas or virtually every vegetarian arepa on the menu. I've also tried the Cazon empanada; it was interesting, but not something I'd return for. The best thing I've had is something I think they were testing out; a shortbread and dulce de leche Oreo-like cookie. That was fantastic. Bottom line, I like this place, but wish I could say I love it. What keeps me coming back is that Aripo's is a nice break from the monotony of sandwich places in the area.

    (3)

  • Rob C.

    I was excited to try this place based on reviews. Walked in on a Tueday about 5:30pm. Kinda empty only one couple in there. Had no idea what an arepa was but i was starving. I ordered the a8 La Nuestra- The Pabellon Arepa, A7 Carne Molida Arepa and V1 Pabellon Criollo (with shredded Chicken). I also ordered a Papelon con Limon (Venezuelan Lemonade) As i wait, upbeat latin music plays over the speakers. Nice vibe. Was informed the place is byob. After seeing an arepa, i can say it reminds me of Gorditas in Mexican cuisine but much much thicker. Positives - The A8 The Pabellon Arepa.... its everyones favorite for a reason. Very good. It comes with shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains and shredded white cheese. Most arepas dont come with the plantain but they should. The shredded beef was good. Overall my favorite from my entire experience. Thats where the positives end I'm afraid. Neutral The Shredded Chicken Pabellon Criollo was forgettable. The only highlight was i got to eat more of the fried plantain. Which i ended up using to try to save the other arepa i ordered. Negatives Carne Molida Arepa (A7) is very greasy. Literally dripping red grease as i picked it up. The seasoning was very overpowering and just too much for me to enjoy. I tried to save it by stuffing white rice and fried plantain in there but the damage to my taste buds had already been done. And any good taste in their from the La Nuestra Pabellon Arepa was violently erased. Papelon con Limon (Venezuelan Lemonade) Its lemon juice and water. No sugar whatsoever. Lol Please just call it Lemon water and dont charge $3.75 for it. Thanks. Staff I told them it was my first time there and they made no suggestions or even showed any hint of caring. Just blank stares. I will visit again for the La Nuestra Pabellon Arepa but i will stay away from the greasy ground beef and $3.75 lemon water.

    (3)

  • Maricela A.

    I enjoyed this place this time. Perfect location. Great service. Very friendly people here. We had the sampler apetizer plate which had a little of everything and was very tasty. For desert, we had their flan. And surprisingly the flan was so delicious. They also have mexican sodas. I definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Lupe D.

    Lord is the food good here. Thank GOD this place is not anywhere near my house because I would eat there almost everyday and balloon up at least 10 sizes. The Aripos are great and the empanadas are even better. My favorite is the cheese empanada - so so bad with all the gooey cheese and deep fried dough, but goodness gracious, I MUST indulge once in a while and this is worth the calories and lectures regarding my cholesterol. Highly recommended, reasonable prices, great staff, really cute location.

    (4)

  • Vrati D.

    This was my first arepa experience and it was DELISH! I had all the veggie ones and they were allll great! The cheese is amazing! I also had the cheese balls, which were really good with the dipping sauce. By itself, it's a bit dry. Overall, great food and service!

    (4)

  • Suzanne Z.

    This is a review of a Venezuelan-food-eater beginner. I literally googled what an arepa was the afternoon before coming in here. We came in on a Tuesday night; the place was not empty but by no means full either. I had perused the menu online prior to coming in (highly recommended), and decided I needed to try their advertised #1 favorite arepa- the Nuestra. I TRULY appreciate that the menu has everything numbered for us people with terrible skills at attempting other languages. I ordered this, my guy ordered a shredded beef and cheddar, then we also ordered the bollitos app with two fountain drinks. **** Check in on yelp for an additional 10% off!!*** Our total was about $21. The restaurant itself is really warm and inviting. Definitely puts out the right vibe for the type of place it is. We enjoyed looking at the paintings and decorations while we waited. A short time later, our food arrived. The bollitos app was 6 dense doughy cornmeal type balls with cheese inside. Not as much cheese action as I would've hoped, but they had pretty good flavor. I enjoyed trying them with the dipping sauce- a white yogurty/cream cheese type sauce. To be honest, we ate two a piece and stuck the other two in a napkin in my purse. The last two tasted so much better later in the evening. Maybe the warmth initially took away from the flavor? The arepas were a decent size, but able to be eaten without leftovers going home. I don't think I'd order the same one again. I enjoyed the plantains, meat, and beans on these, but the arepa is like a stuffed pita, and I wasn't able to get a good bite of everything together. It was eating it in layers, which I think took away from the experience. I think a more simple choice would be better, as my guy really seemed to enjoy his! I definitely want to come back and try more of the menu!

    (4)

  • Susie C.

    My husband and I came here for lunch on a Friday. It was not busy at all around noon but the crowd started strolling in around 1230pm. We started with the boliqueso..theyre deep fried cornmeal balls with cheese inside. I like the texture of the balls, but found the taste a little too bland for my liking. My husband didn't enjoy it too much. For entree I ordered 2 arepas - one with the slow roasted pork and the other was the famous one they are known for with black beans and shredded beef. Both were okay. It's very juicy so make sure you have plenty of napkins. My husband ordered one of their dish that came with rice - he enjoyed it. Overall, it was an okay place for us. We've been here before with few friends few years ago.

    (3)

  • Margaux D.

    I'm surprised I never reviewed this place. I don't live in Oak Park anymore, but Aripo's was one of those restaurants that made me happy to live there. It blends right in with Marion Street and the "come on in" kind of vibe they give off. Aripo's was my first encounter with arepas, but I can honestly say it made a great impression. The shells were warm and all ingredients were fresh. I tried the shark arepa. whah. And I really enjoyed everything with chicken. Their sauces were zesty. Everything made to order. I'd definitely recommend Aripo's.

    (5)

  • Rona H.

    ***This place is one of the hidden gems in all of Chicago Land.*** There is a decent amount of seating indoors, and the service, although not fast, was realistic. They told us the wait for our food would be 20 minutes, and that's exactly how long it took. I love restaurants that tell the truth about how long things will take.. What a concept?! What makes this place SO amazing is the quality of the food. I had the "La Suave," which is an arepa with white cheese, fried plantains, fried plantains, and their special house-made sauce. I've only had an arepa once before, and I still can't even describe to you what an arepa exactly is, but all I know is that this food is great. The kicker of all of this is that it's a great value. My arepa cost $5.45, and my friend's cost $5.35 for the carne molida arepa. She said hers was great too. In New York, this would easily cost twice as much. This place is also situated in downtown Oak Park, which makes for an enjoyable dining experience too. It's not as fun to dine in the middle of nowhere you know?

    (5)

  • Cora C.

    I had the La Nuestra - the Pabellon Arepa. It has shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains, and shredded white cheese. Simply delicious! The staff was also really friendly.

    (5)

  • Marissa D.

    Good food, service could be a little better. I had to tell them I was missing things from my order, and waited a while to get my missing juice that was no longer available. None the less the food was on point! :-)

    (4)

  • Tavi J.

    Last night I attend Thursday Nights out in Oak Park and stopped in to try the Pork Patacon sandwich. I've tried similar sandwiches like it before, but this was the best! The outside of the sandwich is green mash plantains and the inside is bursting with so much flavor. I would love to know what the Aripa's special sauce is. This sandwich is also very filling. My mom tried the Pork Pepito mini sub and said she enjoyed hers as well. Can't wait to go back and try more items.

    (4)

  • Saga A.

    It's amazing! Coming from a Venezuelan native.... The cheese is "queso de Mano" for those Venezuelans that know what it is! Highly recommended

    (5)

  • John M.

    The best arepa in town Down to earth in down town Oak Park, I tried this restaurant few times and I am always impressed by the consistency of their Perico Arepa, scramble eggs, minced veggies and white cheese, their Empanadas, are delicious, I always tried the Domino, white cheese and black beans. They fresh juices are fabulous. Keep the good work .

    (5)

  • Natalie M.

    Situated in Oak Park, this place has a unique selection of arepas and other traditional Venezuelan foods. I tried the yuca frita and boliqueso, which are cornmeal balls stuffed with cheese. The nata sauce alongside was delicious but the star of the sauces was the guasacaca, an avocado/parsley/garlic sauce from this region. I've had this before--this was really good and flavorful and went well with the yuca. I've had yuca so many times and it can either be super dry or creamy. The fries were done well--good texture inside. Yuca can be pretty bland but the taste of the sauce went well with it. I had the La Nuestra arepa. It has shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains, and white cheese. It may have needed a bit more cheese because all I could really taste were the beans and beef. It had maybe one piece of fried plantain (sweet fried plantain--maduro?) and that was good but it didn't really stand out in this arepa. I would like to try their other ones because the beef was flavorful but overpowered the taste of the other ingredients! I may come back to try La Suave arepa or the La Margaritena--there are a lot to choose from!

    (3)

  • Will R.

    Venezuelan food, where have you been all my life?! I had La Nuestra, "everyone's favorite" as the menu claims, and it lived up to its reputation. Sweet and incredible. The atmosphere is casual but well decorated. If I lived nearby I would eat there several times a week.

    (5)

  • James H.

    This food is, bar none, some of the best I've had in my life. I originally though it'd be spicey because I'm a slightly racist piece of shit who thought "South of the border? Must be spicey because I can't challenge my cultural conotations due to my euro-centric schooling." (in fewer words than that) But Jesus M. Christler is this food savory. Have you ever had fried plantains? I wouldn't think to fry a knock off banana, but I'm sure as shit happy that the owners of this restaurant put one on my plate because gato damn was it good. Also, their fried white cheese, I'm pretty sure is not cheese. I'm pretty positive it's god's skin, shaved and grilled to a perfection even he couldn't imagine. Their empanadas are like like hot pockets except without any of the hot pocket part because hot pockets are only good for Jim Gaffigan bits. So they're good. Essentially everything hot pockets are not, but everything they wish they could be. When you do go in here, (and if you're living your life by any definition of the word proper you WILL go in here) just point at the menu and say "that and the items immediately above and below it." You literally cannot go wrong. 5 stars and Aripo's has earned every single one.

    (5)

  • Luis V.

    I never liked this place, nor the service or pricing. I decided to give it another try. I had the vegetarian arepa. It was well made but bland. Service very slow. It took them 20 min to serve me although the place was more than half empty. The name of the place is terrible too.

    (2)

  • Daniel P.

    I'm a Venezuelan-American originally from South Florida, and this is a place I've been dreaming about since moving to Chicago. I've been hoping to find good Venezuelan (not just Latin) food in the Chicago area for a while now, and when I heard about this place, I decided to go and it did not disappoint. For anyone looking for a very traditional Venezuelan dish, their pabellon criollo (shredded beef with black beans, white cheese, rice, platanos, and an arepa) is on point. My friend got the bistec encebollado and really liked it too. It's a little on the pricey side considering you order up front rather than at your table. I also wish they opened earlier on weekends because I grew up eating arepas for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. But overall, this is a great place I'm happy exists.

    (4)

  • Will L.

    The only freaking place in the Chicagoland area that sells Arepas. Crazy!! The empanadas are great, the drink is always fresh, the tostones are good, but the Arepas are what's the real deal. As authentic as they come (if I remember correctly). The menu is very large, so a newbie might be very intimidated by the selection. No worries, play it safe the first time with some chicken or vegetarian option. The sauce is good, not spicy but it gives it a kick. The juices are very fresh... skip the High-fructose stuff and get a fresh juice or lemonade!!! You will not be disappointed. The place is very casual. Nice decor, clean. Show up, go to the front, order and sit down and wait for your order. Great for groups or families.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    Cute clean restaurant. I've been wanting to stop here for a while but never had Venezuelan food before so I was intimidated. Don't be! It was great. Not a fan of plantains I learned but it's just a personal preference. They're a little too sweet for me. Try something new and check this place out! Also it's not as much of a "fast food" restaurant so if you're getting food to go i would call ahead of time.

    (4)

  • Aisha C.

    Great ambiance and colorful decor . In the heart of downtown oak park which means ample car parking and options for dessert afterwards. Had the la nuestra arepa which was a little underwhelming. The cornmeal took over the sweet plaintain flavor and the meat was not well seasoned. I also tried boliqueso for the first time which was creamy and perfectly fried. The best part of this meal was actually the guasacaca sauce that comes with the yucca fritas. That had all the flavor (if you like onion, this will please you) and texture the entrees were missing. Make sure you check in for 10% off your total.

    (2)

  • Megan P.

    Went in here for an early dinner one day with a friend. We'd never had Venezuelan food before and thought it would be fun to try. Cozy, quaint little place and not too crowded since it was a week day. Since we were newbies and it wasn't busy we had a lot of questions about the different dishes and the girl taking our order was really nice and patient about answering them. Great tasting food and decent size portions for a good price! Overall happy with the experience and would definitely go there again.

    (4)

  • Renita M.

    Oh yum. I'd never had Venezuelan food but I was familiar with some of the flavors, having eaten my share of Caribbean and Latin food. So I was prepared to enjoy my arepa. And I did. We met my cousin and his girlfriend here for lunch on a Saturday. It's cozy but there's a decent amount of seating. We ordered the boliquesos (cornmeal cheese balls), three nuestras and a La Catira (chicken & cheese). I also got a side of plantains which was probably totally unnecessary. We did wait a little but not too long. The cheeseballs came out first and they were perfectly crisp on the outside, toasty warm and gooey on the inside. So good. The dipping sauce is really just crema (it's called nata - but same thing, more or less) and it's a lovely cool creamy contrast. Right as we were done devouring our cheeseballs, our arepas came out. The La Nuestras were totally stuffed full of deliciousness. Prices are totally reasonable, and the atmosphere is cozy and clean. I don't get to Oak Park that often, but I'd absolutely come back here to stuff my face full of cheese and deliciousness.

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    I reviewed this restaurant in August 2014. I gave it five stars at that time. However, we recently went here for lunch before taking in a matinee movie at the Lake Theater. We both had the bowls. My husband had the chicken and I ordered the beef. It is a hearty meal, and it was definitely tender, flavorful and prodigious! The bowl was filled with white rice (I only wish they offered brown rice), topped off with black beans and tender shredded melt-in-your mouth meat. It was worthy of five stars and so is the price-point. I only wish they would add a little bit more meat, because the ratio to the rice and beans was not appropriate. Appetizers: We ordered the round balls of corn fritters (not sure what they are officially called), but these little suckers were very, very bland despite the fact that these were filled with white cheese. Even the cheese couldn't save them! We dipped them in a white sauce that comes with these fritters. The sauce saved this appetizer, because it was the sauce that provided the flavor. Otherwise, it was a disappointing appetizer (and it is their number one selling appetizer). Why? I have no clue. We also ordered a side of the sweet plantains (platanos dulce or platanos maduros). They were swimming in grease (oil) and we used about eight napkins to soak up the oil. Several of the sweet plantains were burned. Although they were super ripe and incredibly sweet we could not stomach the amount of oil/grease they were coated in -- you could also see the oil on the plate -- these suckers were swimming in grease/oil. I'm not sure why they did not use paper towels to soak up the extra grease/oil that these were fried in, but needless to say, these were a disaster. We will continue to go back to Aripo's whenever we are in the Oak Park area, but we will not be ordering these "sides" ever again. Stick to the bowls, their sandwiches or empanadas and don't waste your money on ordering the sweet plantains or those little round corn meal fritters. Their empanadas are truly worthy of 4 to 5 stars, but they are over priced (they are not huge empanadas for the price-point). The food is between 3 to 4 stars. I'm not sure if they have a new cook (chef) or if they were having an off-day here when we stopped in, but due to the experience we had with the two appetizers, we have downgraded Aripo's from 5-stars to 4-stars. Also, the young lady at the cash register didn't even crack a smile. She seemed to not want to be there to take care of the customer's orders. Maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed. On the other hand, our Server, who delivered our food to the table, was personable, kind and professional. She was not over the top attentive. Service receives 4-stars. The price-point and our main dishes receive 5-stars! We prefer going here for lunch as opposed to dinner. It is a small place, but charming, dark, colorful and cozy. Go directly to the cash register to place your order. You'll be given a number on a tall stick. Place the number on your table and when your food is ready, it is delivered to your table. In the summer time they have outdoor seating, but it is very, very limited and fills up quickly. This is a family-owned mom and pop restaurant. If you are ever in Oak Park and looking for a "different" place to try for lunch, hit up this joint.

    (4)

  • Rachel P.

    Wonderful! So many vegetarian options. And it's amazing how filling just one Arepa is! I really recommend this if you're looking to try something new and delicious.

    (5)

  • Brie S.

    Aripo's food is delicious. We have had: arepitas fitas, tostones, empanadas, arepas de queso. All were served quicky, perfect temperature, and delicious. Unfortunately, none of the 3 times ew have been in did they have tequenos. Apparently only specific chefs make them--otherwise this would easily be 5 starts!

    (4)

  • Nessa N.

    OMG!! how much I love this place! The arepas are delicious! I always get La Nuestra and La Suave..my kids n fiancé love this place too. Too bad they are closed on Mondays, that's why they are not getting 5 stars from me plus they close on Sunday too early, other than that this is a great Venezuelan restaurant!!

    (4)

  • Aimee M.

    Ever walk into a restaurant and just cant make up your mind what to order because everything looks/sounds so good? Yeah, that was me at Aripo's. So, I just asked the woman at the counter for the most popular item and she said either the Nuestra or the Choriarepa. I wasn't in the mood for chorizo so I went with the Nuestra instead and added a cheese empanada for the sidekick. Even though you order at the counter before you take your seat, this is not fast food nosh at all. It's flavorful, it's well-made and the surroundings are warm and inviting. Their sidewalk patio seating is open, but we took our food further down Marion to a park bench so there was more room for the sidekick to stretch out on the bench and walk around and say hi to the numerous dogs that were being walked in downtown OP. The Nuestra is a mouthful. There's so much going on--shredded beef, fried plantains, black beans and white cheese--all inside a cornmeal pocket. Even though there is much flavor to the jam packed Arepa, don't let that dissaude you from trying an empanada. Our white cheese empanada was crispy on the outside and melty goodness on the inside. We called it "crispy cheese" and my son loved it. I thought about taking more to bring home for later, but we were in a hurry...so we'll have to stop in again! Those housemade juices sound wonderful and worth a trip to try as well!

    (4)

  • RE A.

    This was an accidental find and what a find it turned out to be! We found ourselves in Oak Park last week apartment hunting when we wandered into Marion Street's village atmosphere, hungry for lunch. The menu was attractive, the options ample, but most of all, the food itself did not disappoint. The only other time I've eaten arepas was from a food truck so at least I had an idea of what I had ordered. Of course the quality, taste, and the available fillings were leaps and bounds better. I'd certainly go back the next I find myself in their neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Kathy R.

    I've been here twice now and I have to say that it is truly wonderful. Both times I had lunch with friends and ordered the "bowl" lunches. Once, with roasted pork and veggies over lettuce and once with veggies over rice. I also tried the fried cheese (awesome!) and some sort of layered pumpkin dessert (also awesome). The service is very friendly and the place is clean. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Devon W.

    This place is delicious, BYOB, and cheap! What else could you want? (besides delivery at 4am... ;-) My brother and I have been here a few times, and so far have tried the vegetarian arepa, some sort of delicious meaty avocado arepa, the fried plantains, the fish soup (special) and an assortment of empanadas. I'm no expert on Venuzuelan cuisine, but I do love food and I have not been disappointed yet! Word of warning, they bring everything out as soon as it's ready... and despite the mouth-watering smells, the food is REALLY hot... so maybe wait a few minutes before nomming all the delicious arepas. Seriously, you don't want to burn off your tastebuds before you try these ;-)

    (5)

  • Valerie R.

    Aripo's makes their food with tasty, fresh ingredients and has tons of vegetarian options. The best part- it's affordable! (Ok, maybe the white cheese on my sandwich was REALLY the best part,) The girls working there were very friendly, too.

    (4)

  • Brenda H.

    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.

    (4)

  • Sarah C.

    I love Aripo's. And have to admit, my side gig as #FoodieFest cheerleader has allowed me to make some excuses for eating here more frequently lately. HOW had I missed eating their Yucca fries before? I don't know - but now that I have had them - I can't resist. I also have a bias toward owners who are on site, smiling at their customers - and the owners are always here. LOVE THAT. And love them.

    (4)

  • Keith H.

    When it comes to Venezuelan arepas, it gets no better than this! I've yet to find a place that offers this cuisine at this price point. Aripo's is conveniently located within walking distance of the L and the metra and the arepas, by nature, are gluten free (they are made from corn meal, no wheat at all!) They have a lunch special where you can get two arepas and a drink for right around $10!

    (5)

  • Veronica L.

    It's nothing special. I got their aripo with avocado and sliced pork the first time around, that was a tasty bite because of the large wedges of fresh avocados. But the second time around when I got their house special on valentines with white rice, plantains, and shredded pork I was disappointed. I'm not sure if that's just how it was suppose to be, but the pork was dry, and the rice was kind of just a clump and plain. Their plantains was something I can make even better myself, and was flavorless. So all in all I wasn't impressed, especially when their special was around $14. Furthermore the portion wasn't enough for 2 meals. It was just blah in every department, and I think I would have enjoyed korean bbq more around the same price because of the way korean bbq meat is sliced thinly and the sauce involved. I'm giving two stars because this restaurant is first at which I've tried venezuelan food and after this experience, I can cross venezuelan food off the list, it's just not gonna be something I'll ever crave.

    (2)

  • Winslow W.

    I love Aripo's and their excellent Arepas. They have numbers next to all of the menu items, so you won't have to butcher the names of their fantastic dishes. I love Oak Park, and this Venezuelan restaurant is just what this area was lacking, the locals simply didn't know it at the time. The interior is clean and modern, the service was good, and the food was phenomenal. Honestly, who wouldn't want to consume Venezuelan soul food to the delightful sounds of Joropo music?? 5 out of 5.

    (5)

  • Royce B.

    Deeeezaaaaamn!!!

    (5)

  • Oscar S.

    The menu is interesting.Im definetely going to try more of their extensive menu.The only thing I probably wont eat is the Arepa de Cazon(shark). Only because I love sharks.I had The Pabellon Arepa and the Boliqueso.Neither of them left me disappointed.Im going to study their menu and keep ordering different things each time I come in.Glad I found Aripo's.

    (4)

  • Kevin G.

    Went here for dinner last month. We were supposed to eat somewhere else, but couldn't get a table. I am glad that happened so that I was able to discover this restaurant. We went here on a Saturday night and had no trouble finding a table. The place looks cool. It is decorated to look like the inside of someone's house and was very clean. We started off with the mixed appetizer plate. All of the items were excellent and the waitress explained to us which sauces were best with which items. As my entree, I had the Pabellon Criollo, with shredded beef. The beef was very juicy and flavorful. The rice tasted pretty good, as did the black beans. The only downside was that the arepa had no flavor. Nonetheless, the food was excellent. The service was good and the prices were reasonable. It appears to be a family run restaurant (those are usually the best). I will definitely go back.

    (3)

  • Tay H.

    I love me some Arepas! But I didn't know that before I went here... Thank you, Aripo's for opening my eyes to an amazing new food.

    (5)

  • William M.

    I really wanted to like this place, but after two visits, it's just not worth it. Food is pretty pricy and the quality and service isn't very good either. The women at the counter seemed vey annoyed taking my order and was not really helpful as I am not accustomed to Venezuelan cuisine. I think it could be a better place if service was more helpful and they lowered their prices. Food is just okay, nothing to admire.

    (1)

  • Marie F.

    I spent over 10 years in Chicago looking for home-made arepas. This is it. Authentic. The best. I actually want to move to Oak Park just to be closer to them.

    (5)

  • Jeannie A.

    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.

    (4)

  • Tiffany T.

    Being a true blue New Yorker that has had the best Venezulean arepas ever back home, I can't say this place is amazing. Its cute and small, with great paintings on the wall, and the arepas are average. The arepas themselves are drier than they should be cooked, which in turn makes you very thirsty. The pabellon arepa was delicious though and I was pleasantly surprised of how well cooked and seasoned the food was. There could be more of a variety of arepas though, as I couldn't picture myself wanting to try most items on the menu. It was also annoying to try to order something about 30 minutes before closing to take to home to my boyfriend and they were out of arepas. I understand the store would be closing shortly, but if you are still open and your main food theme is arepas, you should have enough until you close. This being the only place in the Chicagoland area I could find that even sells arepas, I will go back, as they were not horrible, I've just had better.

    (3)

  • Jeff S.

    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).

    (3)

  • Marcos P.

    All the time I tried to visit the restaurant during the weekends , the order time is between 35 to 45 min what!!! Such a bad management

    (1)

  • Grace N.

    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.

    (3)

  • Mgb C.

    If you are from Latin America and are home sick. This is the right place to go for food. Really authentic and tasty. Love it!

    (5)

  • 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.

    (3)

  • Dallas F.

    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.

    (2)

  • Jessica C.

    This was the first time I've ever tried Venezuelan food, and thanks to Aripo's, it was amazing! I loved it. I didn't get much, just the De Pernil? A3. I must say, before I tried it, I was really confused as to what it was, but hey, for all you first timers, it's really nothing too dramatic that it will murder your taste buds. Give it a shot! The salsa was also not spicy at all, which makes me happy since I'm not into spicy foods. I kind of wish they portioned out the food better in these things, but I guess you get what you can get.

    (4)

  • Steve B.

    I LOVE this place. Great food, friendly staff, and supportive of the community. Favorite is the cheese, avocado and plantain.

    (5)

  • Nancy H.

    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.

    (3)

  • Ana C.

    After a play date in a local playground, my toddler and I got hungry...THANK YOU fellow yelpers for finding this place! we both loved the chicken empanadas! I also tried the steak pabellon, which was very flavorful. We (and I mean a bottle of Pinot Grigio and me) will definitely come back to try the arepas everyone's talking about. Is this a family restaurant? WeeelI, not all the way. You can find highchairs but not a Kids Menu or a changing table!

    (4)

  • Kelly R.

    I always have an enjoyable experience here. Make sure to check in so you get 10% off the order. I haven't had anything bad here. Make sure to ask for their sauces..so good! It is a long wait time but worth it because everything tastes fresh. Nothing is sitting under a heat lamp in this place!

    (5)

  • Lauren H.

    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.

    (2)

  • Peter R.

    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.

    (4)

  • Kaz L.

    This place has great Venezuelan food. The grilled cheese are addicting! Most of the food are a bit heavy and greasy but if you're hungry, very satisfying.

    (3)

  • robert a.

    Good, good, good, and after that good, Oh yeah, it is also good. I have had the cuisine before, and this is the real deal, and it is here in the village. We go there often, and always leave happy. I have taken visitors, mothers, fathers, friends, and food snobs here, happiness is always the verdict. It is cooked with love, and you should eat it. try the brunch.

    (4)

  • Emily Y.

    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.

    (4)

  • Yvonne O.

    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.

    (3)

  • Nancy C.

    This is the first time trying out Venezuelan food. Tried the shredded beef arepa and it was very tasty. Had a side of rice & beans and both were also very delicious as well. The plantains were sweet and tasty. My boyfriend had the pernil arepa and that was somewhat bland. Definitely want to go back and try the rest of the menu.

    (3)

  • Kymberly J.

    I so wanted to like this place. I got excited when I walked by an saw that an arepas place was opening in my town. We needed something other than another Italian eatery. I have been to Colombia and it was there that I was introduced to arepas. Colombia and Venezuela are next to each other so I knew there would be similarities. The decor is comforting and tropical. I ordered a fresh fruit drink and was told they do not offer them yet as they were slowly introducing menu items. The girl at the counter was totally unconcerned when I mentioned that Yelpers were talking about menu items not available. She barely knew what Yelp was! Strike One. If the items arent available, then cover up that portion of the menu! I got the ensalada mixta. The bowl was over loaded making it hard to mix in the ingredients piled on the top. The avocado in the salad mentioned on the menu was actually a few bits of mushy avocado. I was expecting (as with most Latin American restaurants) large slices of avocado. I got the conuquera arepa with veggies and plantains. It was Ok. A little bland but I wasn't expecting spicy or hot. The arepa was served in a basket three times the size of the arepa making it seem like I was not getting a good value. The should have either put it in a smaller serving piece or fill the empty two thirds with something else like a side of beans. In total, I paid over $12.00 and wasnt even full. I will try it again and get something with meat or maybe a signature Venezuelan dish.

    (3)

  • J H.

    We were in Oak Park to tour the FLW Home and Studio. Were impressed with the uniquenes of the downtown area. Instead of heading to a chain restaurant for lunch, we found Aripo's. I'd never eaten Venezuelan, but knew about empanadas, so it looked like a fun place to dine...with a nice ethnic atmosphere. We ordered at counter then seated ourselves. There was a group of 10 who had come in before us so it took about 20 minutes to get our food. I had the bowl (with rice, black beans, shredded beef and topped with plantains)...basically a burrito without the tortilla wrap-- very good. I especially loved the plantains! Hubby had the pork arepa- which he loved! I also had a guava juice- which I was a bit disapppointed in as it was kinda bland. We ordered some cheese balls, "something-queso" to go. Nibbled on a few while hot and enjoyed them. But later ate a couple when we got home and they were not as good microwaved. Would have liked to try the empenadas, but didn't want to overdo it. Environment was real nice...enjoyed our lunch and will go back if/when I'm in Oak Park again.

    (4)

  • Gayle F.

    Food was o.k. They were out of shredded pork. Shredded chicken was dry and bland. The kids loved their empanadas. Grown ups were not impressed.

    (2)

  • Ben T.

    Wasn't blown away, but perhaps I'm just not crazy about Arepas. The prices are decent, the atmosphere is fine, the food just doesn't quite do it for me. So So.

    (3)

  • Cherish S.

    Went here on a Friday evening for the first time and had a WONDERFUL experience. It was on my radar but after running into a coworker who had lunch there that afternoon, I bumped it up on the list. Between two of us, we ordered a "La Nuestra" arepa (the corn cakes filled with shredded beef, plantains, black beans and crumpled white cheese) and the V1 specialty "Pabellon Criollo", which was essentially a platter of the items listed for the arepa, with rice. We also got a small "Ensalada Mixta" salad with the house dressing. The entire meal was very tasty! For two this was a good amount of food. We aren't big eaters and actually had enough left over for a large "midnight snack". The prices were good and for me, one arepa plus a small salad would be a decent meal with room left for dessert. This place definitely goes on my list of Places I Love!

    (5)

  • Daina B.

    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.

    (4)

  • Maureen T.

    My friend and I were looking for a local place to have lunch on a Saturday afternoon when we walked past Aripo's and decided to stop in. I am not familiar with Venezuelan food so I didn't know what to expect. We each ordered a cheese empanada, which is corn meal based shell with cheese and cornmeal in the center of it and fried. It was delicious! It was served with some sort of sour cream sauce which was very good. We also ordered an arepas called La Suave, which is vegetarian with cheese, avacado, fried plantains served in a cornmeal sort of bread and served with a special spicy orange sauce. This was also delicious. Prices were pretty cheap too with the arepas being 5.45.and the empanada being 3.60. They have a nice outdoor seating area but it was hot out so we ate indoors. Our server was very nice. I'll definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Sara O.

    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.

    (5)

  • Stephanie V.

    I really enjoyed aripos!! The only down side is that its expensive for the amount of food you receive, and it took like 20 min. For them to bring me 3 arepas (cost $20), and their was only one other customer and they were already eating. We got the shark arepa, which was really good, la nuestra n la suave . They were also out of many empanada flavors. maybe i would have had a better experience if I had gone earlier in the day.

    (3)

  • Tony L.

    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.

    (3)

  • Jacqueline A.

    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.

    (5)

  • Katie C.

    Amazing food, friendly service.

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    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!

    (5)

  • Tanya S.

    A-OK for different cuisine. The food was too heavy for me- meat meat meat and bread-it was good, but too much meat for me, I need more 'stuff' in a sandwich.

    (3)

  • Janet E.

    The empanadas here are good. The arepas were not so great. At least not the chrizo (choriarepa) one I had. The dough of the bread was on the sour side and tasted like an English muffin. The filling was too spicy for me. Overall it gave me heartburn. At $5.25 each, it was not worth it. The empanada (empanada de pabellon de carne) was nice and crunchy on the outside. It was perfectly fried. But not worth the $4 I paid. Overall I've had better empanadas but this is a great option for fast Venezuelan food. Plentiful seating on the inside and street metered parking is right outside the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Lucy R.

    Delicious and reasonably priced healthy fast food. Make sure you ask for the sauce as some of the arepas can be dry without it. Love that you can also sit outside when the weather is nice. Lots of vegetarian options and the arepas are gluten-free as well.

    (5)

  • Doug G.

    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.

    (5)

  • Jonathan B.

    An OP neighborhood favorite. Great arepas and fresh juices. Order in or take out.

    (4)

  • Joe M.

    Delicious arepas. I always stop here when in Oakpark

    (4)

  • Jean S.

    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.

    (2)

  • Dennis L.

    I was really excited when I saw Aripo's was going to open in Oak Park. Unfortunately, my wife and I were disappointed with our experience. The decor, location, and menu variety was good. The actual food was so-so. My wife had a chicken arepa, and I had a steak arepa. The flavors were decent, but the arepas were shockingly small for the price. Even with an appetizer, our meal seemed more like a snack. To be successful, the restaurant will either have to add a side dish to each arepa, increase the size, or lower its prices. Unfortunately, the poor value and mediocre food will certainly have us frequenting other dining establishments.

    (2)

  • Aisa V.

    I am an old Foodie but a new Yelper. In all my treks, it takes less than two hands to count restaurants that have succeeded in matching quality and taste with substance and heart. Fortunately for me, my boyfriend, and our humble road trip budget, Aripo's has earned one of the few spots on my culinary treasure list. Raised in a cooking culture driven by flavor and freshness presented in big, potluck-happy gatherings, I know I've arrived at a special place when every dish tastes like Family. Days after our Oak Park getaway, I can effortlessly recall Aripo's warmth and flavor -- a homemade happiness not unlike some of my favorite childhood kitchen memories. Aripo's owner Jose Rodriguez did not think twice in choosing tradition over trend, and for this, my palate rejoiced. No pretentious sandwiches overcompensating with complicated or cheeky names here! Instead, Aripo's menu provides a rich assortment of Venezuelan mainstays that lets food, not advertising, do the talking. Our meal came within minutes of ordering, delivered with a smile and extra sauces to boot. I paired a chilled glass of papaya juice with Tostones, mashed plantains perfectly crisped and complemented by a tangy original sauce and a side of fresh black beans. As we swooned over our appetizers, the main course arrived to whisk us away: For me, the Conuquera Arepa, brimming with fried plantains wrapped in light sweetness, grilled Venezuelan cheese, and zingy red peppers; For him, the Choriarepa, a harmonious (Read: TASTY) blend of sauteéed chorizo and potato. Quesillo, a delicately caramelized Venezuelan flan, concluded our evening on an airy, sweet endnote. Taking final sips of papaya juice while listening to the soft splash of Aripo's outdoor fountain, we let the sun set and the joy of our meal linger. Unforgettable entrées at affordable prices, sweetened by cozy ambiance and a welcoming staff, had left me speechless. Not a problem: Our meal sang.

    (5)

  • Mike N.

    I thought this place was awesome. The Venezuelan lemonade was incredible, and the food was great. The arepas are almost perfect, some of the best I've ever had. This place just adds to a solid Oak Park downtown.

    (4)

  • mei s.

    maybe i've developed too much of a taste for spicy foods. i swear my mouth was watering the other night watching andrew zimmern in chengdu eating/slurping meats drenched in hot chili oil. anyways, i guess that's where i'm at right now. i thought the food here was interesting but not as flavorful as i would have liked. the service was definitely great though. we ordered tostones, a ground beef empanada, for arepas, we ordered: la nuestra, reina pepiada, and la margaritena. la nuestra was probably the best of them all. the chicken salad one was a dud. i think einsteins bagels makes tastier chicken salad. the shark was a little fishy. for drinks, we had the papaya juice which was fine. but the venezuelan style lemonade got thumbs down from the family. a little too bitter.

    (2)

  • Janna L.

    We are from Ontario, Canada. I am a caucasian female, my husband is from Caracas, Venezuela. I have been there once, with him and since that trip and my first arepa, he has not stopped talking about them with me. Arepas, Arepas, Arepas! Coming to the Chicago area was exciting and I figured the big City would have authentic Venezuelan food. We found Aripo's on several review sites, in Oak Park. This appeared to be the only one in the whole area! We drove in Chicago rush hour traffic, about an hour to arrive at this lovely, clean, almost festive restaurant. I was pleased when I walked in. I had heard good things about the husband/wife owners and they were there tonight!!! I figured my husband and he would chat it up but - the owner was not that talkative? It was dead when we arrived but later picked up with more patrons. The washroom was 100% clean and stocked - Important to me. Food... We ordered: The Cazon empanada - YUMMY! (shark) La Reina Pepiada (chicken/potato/carrot/mayo salad and avacado) La Nuestra (shredded beef, black beans and fried plantain with white cheese) Flan for dessert My husband felt the food was very authentic, like he was back home. The empanada was delicious, the fish nicely seasoned. The corn bread shell on the outside was crispy and fresh. The Arepas were also good. I do not like mayo so I mainly stuck to my own. The chicken one had nice slices of avocado, big chunks of chicken. The beef one - had SO many beans that when you got halfway down the arepa that was all there was. The beef was juicy, the cheese, not much of it, was good. Venezuelan white cheese is salty and has good texture. Not many plantains to speak of and I was so looking forward to these! We should have ordered them as an app. but we would have been stuffed! To all the reviewers who stated that the fillings were dry, I have no idea about that. Ours were great in that aspect. The arepa shell - perfectly grilled and nicely sized. The flan was homemade and deelish and we are not even dessert people. Overall, $30 for 2 people inlcluding 2 Venezulan Lattes and 1 bottle of water and a Venezuelan lemonade (a hit), great value!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You order at the front counter and the food is brought to your table, by number with a smile. We had to clean our own table, but, minor detail! Thanks Aripo's for putting a big smile on my hubby's face!!!! We would return!

    (4)

  • Robert S.

    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

    (4)

  • Aurore L.

    I am a nerd and a TV addict. But I (almost) only have a couple of channels on rotation: HGTV and Food Network. (I actually can't wait for the launching of the Cooking Channel at the end of the month....it will be hard to get me out of the house at this point. Except for dinner, of course. I have priorities. Eating food wins over watching food being eaten by others, hands down.) So when I saw months ago Bobby Flay in an "arapas throwdown" (I know, be lenient and don't judge), I knew that I had to put my teeth on/in/all over one of these little wonders. That only happened today, in Oak Park of all places. And man, they are as good as they look on screen.... So - if you are not Venezuelian, Columbian, fellow FN afficionados or if your Spanish classes were lacking in the culinary department, here are a few words on arepas (with a nice rolling 'r' - it sounds so much more exotic and delicious): The arepas are little pouches of bread made of corn meal, water and salt and grilled, baked or fried. They are then either filled or topped with cheese, meat, shrimp, vegetables,......the possibilities are endless. Here, they are rellenas. Stuffed. We arrived five minutes before closing time, and quickly placed an order of tostones that came with an amazing home-made sauce, and two arapas: La Sifrina (ham and cheddar) and La Conuquera (sauteed red peppers and onions, plantains, black bean and grilled white cheese - like a dense queso fresco slighly charred....so yum). Wow. Just. WOW. It's incredibly satisfying. The masa is super fresh and crunchy, but moist inside and is a killer on its own. Basic or more elaborate, you have 19 options to choose from. Plus empanadas, tequenos, yuca fries, and natural fruit juices......... Caracas on a plate. To top it off, the place is super cute and everyone is really friendly. I just want to hop on a plane and move down there and try to make friends with Hugo. Last tip: Any two arepas are only $7.50 during the week between 11am and 3pm. Do it. Careful, they close at 3pm on Monday!

    (5)

  • david m.

    It may be easy to read some of the comments and dismiss this restaurant, but the owner clearly read them and responded, and some are a result of folks not being familiar with Venezuelan Cusine. Great Food, Great Service, Great Atmosphere! Venezuelan food is typically smaller portions, so that you can taste a variety and enjoy. Everything here is hand made, and it is authentic! The flavors, are amazing! The service very courteous - don't miss Arepas, Tostones! personal Faves and they are VERY authentic and delicious. You only need to order 2 or 3 items, and you will be VERY satisified! Try it, if you like Latin American Cusine - I plan on returning SEVERAL times. Note - some say the prices are high, that is not true, if you were to go to Miami you would pay equal - the reason is behind the shipping of some of the foods directly from Venezuela which always will drive up some costs - but those who complain about cost, should not expect a dollar menu - go to Mcdonalds - then you will be happy.

    (5)

  • Brian P.

    I've now been back to Aripos two times since my initial review and it has definitely become one of my favorite local places. I found some of the other comments here regarding portion size surprising, as my wife and I shared the fried plantains, had an empanada and an arepa each on our latest visit and thought it was just the right amount of food, all for about $20. That's a good value in my book. I had a chance to meet both Jose (chef and owner) and his wife Laura (who is usually working at the register) and they are both great people. Just from our brief conversation, I could tell how much they care about their business and their customers. If you haven't been yet, check them out! If you have and weren't sure, give them another shot! You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Josclyn W.

    They don't have set hours.... We have stalked this place for the last three days, Saturday the sign said 12:30 and we waited for 20min for them to open then we finally left. Sunday, we drove into town to find out they are closed, finally on Monday we waited till 12:50 and they finally opened the doors to tell us thet didn't have any epmanadas or juice. Number one biggest pet peve!!! If it it on your menu it must be available. I had the shark and it was really greazy, orange oil all and very bland the sauce they provided smelled like ketchup and mayo but that is what saved it. I also tried the chicken with avacado and that one was better but was cold. Mr. tried the ground beef which he said was bland and the shredded beef which was greazy. The decor was also very lame. So, I don't think we will be going back... or at least give them time to work out the kinks.

    (1)

  • Amelia D.

    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.

    (2)

  • Derek H.

    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...

    (3)

  • Jim N.

    Great food, this place never lets me down! I highly recommend the A8 (no beans) and don't forget the side of plantains! The only downside is they are not open on mondays. I really would like to start my week with an Arepa!

    (4)

  • Carla M.

    I am originally from Venezuela and the food here is awesome, its nice to have a little piece of home here. The arepas are amazing, they even have the authentic venezuelan cheeses that are really hard to find in the US. The service was great and the staff was super friendly, the chef even came out to the table to check on us and get feedback. I can't wait to go back, this is definitely a Venezuelan Heaven! P.S. for the people commenting on the chicken salad and size of the meals. The arepas are the everyday meal in Venezuela, you usually have 2 or more with different filings, these are actually a very good size. About the reina pepiada, that is a very traditional Arepa and its served COLD and with MAYO, don't take the translation of the menu too literal and ask about what you will be ordering, some of these dishes are hard to explain in other languages.

    (5)

  • Angela M.

    I went with my family and we tried different dishes and the food here is really GOOD and tasty. If you go with kids, order: Tequeños, ham and cheese arepas or empanadas, and passion fruit juice...mmmm..... you won't go wrong, the little ones will love it. The colonial decoration is lovely, I am from Caracas and it's like being in "El Hatillo" ( venezuelatuya.com/caraca… ) If you've never eaten something like this before, and you are not sure what to order, I'd suggest you to start with something simple as ham and cheese.... then, open your mind and go wild with the fillings. Definitely a MUST TRY!!!

    (5)

  • Denise M.

    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.

    (5)

  • Becky H.

    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.

    (4)

  • Megan S.

    We were excited to check this place out, but were disappointed that you order your food at the counter -- like a Venezuelan Chipotle. The woman working behind the counter seemed annoyed to be taking our order. Once we placed our order and were going to sit down, every table was dirty. We stood there looking around and picked the least dirty table. I had to ask someone to clear it off for us, which she did and did apologize that it wasn't cleaned prior. The arepa that I had was turkey & cheese. The only thing that made it different from a plain turkey cheddar sandwich that I could make at home was the arepa bread itself. My finace asked to have cheddar cheese added to his ground beef arepa, and they charged him $1 for some shredded cheese. In this country, my friends, cheese is a right and not a priviledge. 50 cents, I get. But a buck for about an ounce of cheese...not so much. What should have been a $20 meal cost us $32. We're glad we gave it a go, but won't be back.

    (1)

  • b k.

    Mouth watering, complex flavors await you here. My favorite is the Conuquera arepas - black beans, cheese, grilled plantains and grilled vegetables served piping hot and fresh. My only complaint is that if you don't know to ask, you won't be offered sauces to go on the arepas and the sauces are not only delicious but really vital to the whole flavor and texture of the meal. I love being able to eat outside on Marion street and enjoy the street life. It would be nice to have the meals served on a plate rather than in a wax paper lined basket since they are so messy. We're lucky to have this place here in Oak Park! If you're visiting from out of town and have never had arepas, come try it, it'll be a great memory.

    (5)

  • Alexander C.

    The owner wrote me and explained the difference between Colombian and Venezuelan arepas. I think I might like the Venezuelan style arepas better with the topping on top of the bread. The bread they are using here is simply made with cornmeal, water, and salt. No grease or fat. ;) Anyways... The owner of this business is humping to please and trying to make a genuine Venezuelan product. Give this small business a shot. The chef is passionate about what he is doing and it should come across in the food.

    (3)

  • Eric C.

    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!

    (4)

  • Steph F.

    With my mouth watering as I recalled the Anthony Bourdain segment where he stuffed his mouth with arepas, I scanned the menu and thought I couldn't go wrong with any of the scrumdelish choices. I stand corrected. We ordered the arepa de carne molida and la nuestra (recommended by the staff). Both were dry (took many gulps of cerveza to wash it down) and lacked spice. Anticlimactic. On the other hand, the ham and cheese empanada and tequenos were feakin' awesome! Should've ordered more of the deep fried grub. Pretty much can't go wrong with that!

    (3)

  • Carmen A.

    True Venezuelan stuff, well made and healthy. I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Cisdevry C.

    Too expensive. Service too slow. This place wont survive like this. The food is good but you need to eat at least 2 arepas = $12 to be OK plus tax plus drink...you are looking at a $15.00 simple meal. You can get something better for that price.

    (2)

  • Christine M.

    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?

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    Went to this place with a group of friends this past weekend. Only one of us had ever had venezuelan food before, so we were very curious to see what it tasted like. I ordered one of the bowls meals that had shredded beef and it was very good, the beef was very tender and it had a really good flavor. It came with fried plantains, which I had never tried before, and although I found them a little strange, it's probably a food that could grow on me after a few more tastings. It was a good portion size for the price. I would definitely come back next time I'm in the area

    (4)

  • Esther P.

    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.

    (5)

  • Suzen R.

    The food was delicious. Beautiful restaurant. helpful waitress. Very economical. Wheelchair accessible. And very knowledgeable about food allergies.

    (5)

  • Alona B.

    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.

    (5)

  • Thomas L.

    Not feeling like waiting in line for an over priced torta? Give the Venezuelan cousin a try. The arepas simply fan'spanking'tastic. The bread is not too firm and not too fluff and grilled to perfection. The shredded beef and black beans work harmoniously well together. I only wish they had something on the side in the basket, it looks lonely. I am not a huge plantain fan and these were a tad too sweet. Can't beat the prices though.

    (4)

  • M R.

    I went to Aripo's for lunch, I ordered a few dishes to try and they were delicious. The Arepa's are wonderful and the passion fruit mousse was refreshing at the end of the meal. The restaurant is very nicely decorated, clean, and the staff was helpful when asked about the menu.

    (5)

  • Allison R.

    My boyfriend and I randomly stumbled across Aripo's a year or so ago when they were sampling some of their Yuca Frita's, which kind of tasted like a healthier French fry. We decided to give it a try and have been back at least once a month since then. My personal favorites are the Boliqueso appetizer with that yummy sauce - so good. For a long time I was stuck on getting the same arepa. The Perico arepa (A13) which has scrambled eggs and veggies, but I have since ventured off into getting the La Suave (A2) which has fried plantains, white cheese, avocado, and comes with this delicious dipping sauce. A few boliquesos and one arepa is definitely plenty for lunch or dinner. I've tried the veggie bowl, but found the onions to be way too much and a little slimy, plus just way too much food. If you're like me and have never had Venezuelan food, I think Aripo's is a great place to try it.

    (4)

  • Tristan C.

    I have been here a few times and I love it. I think the beef empanada is my favorite, but who can really say, there's a lot to choose from. My husband and I enjoy their beverage selection. I have been there several times and they accompany some of their menu items with sauces, but the sauce accompaniment has been inconsistent. They were happy to give us some when we asked for it, though. I like the decor inside, and the staff is really friendly.

    (4)

  • T W.

    Yummy Venezuelan areas!

    (4)

  • Cyn P.

    This was a first trip and I was very excited to try this place. Overall experience = ok 3.5 stars. Overall ambiance - 5 stars. Cleanliness - 5 stars. Helpfulness and Friendliness - 4 stars. Food - 3 stars. I had TOSTONES. And, they left something to be desired. They were to flat, too overcooked, and lacking flavor. However, the dipping sauce was very good - although the portion was small. I had the A-8 - La NUESTRA - PABELLON Aripa. It was good -- contained shredded beef, white crumbled cheese, black beans, and fried plantains. The beans had no flavor, or sauce for that matter. The friend plantains were almost invisible - hardly tasted them and they were gone in the first bite. The beef was very tender and good but a little dry. The bread was very good. It was hot and well put together. But for my taste it needed a sauce or more natural juice from the beef. Here is the thing... At the counter, I asked which aripas came with a sauce or gravy because I like my food "wet". For example, if I get an Italian beef, I want it dripping with juice. The counter person, although nice, was confused and could not help. She explained they had three different sauces, although 1 was not really a sauce, it was a cheese. So I got my food, ate, and then she asked me how it was. I said "it was OK". Just ok?, she said. I repeated, "yeah - just ok". I explained that I needed a sauce, like a tomatillo - green sauce. She seemed a little offended and said, we don't have tomaillo sauce. I will try it again but will forego the tostones. I make better ones at home.

    (3)

  • Angela B.

    Enjoyed the plantains very much. Just wish the serving size was larger.

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    The food in this place is great. The price is very reasonable.

    (4)

  • CJ Q.

    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.

    (5)

  • John F.

    We weren't really sure what to expect from this place, having never had an arepa before (or even heard of them before Aripo's opened up a few months ago). The menu is pretty big, with a number of options-- both arepas and empanadas, including a number of meatless options. One of us got beef and the other chicken, both with shredded cheese. The beef was well-seasoned and flavorful, mixed with peppers. The chicken was pretty bland, even though it had what looked like the same kind of sauce. So it seems that not all the varieties are created equal. One arepa is also not a lot of food. It was fine for us at this meal because we weren't super hungry, but if you're looking for a big dinner you will definitely have to order two, or get an appetizer. The lunch special is quite a good deal, with that in mind. We will definitely try Aripo's again, since there was such a difference in the two we tried and so many other things on the menu. It didn't blow us away, but it was good enough to make it worth finding the right choices.

    (3)

  • Wendy K.

    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.

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    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.

    (4)

  • Luis G.

    Excellent place to enjoy Venezuelan goodies in Chicago area. Nice and friendly staff. Thanks Claudio for helping us.

    (5)

  • Liz W.

    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!

    (4)

  • Ann S.

    More spice, please.

    (2)

  • Margaux D.

    I'm surprised I never reviewed this place. I don't live in Oak Park anymore, but Aripo's was one of those restaurants that made me happy to live there. It blends right in with Marion Street and the "come on in" kind of vibe they give off. Aripo's was my first encounter with arepas, but I can honestly say it made a great impression. The shells were warm and all ingredients were fresh. I tried the shark arepa. whah. And I really enjoyed everything with chicken. Their sauces were zesty. Everything made to order. I'd definitely recommend Aripo's.

    (5)

  • Kris P.

    I lived in Weston, FL. for about 5 years and was able to enjoy the food of my Venezuelan friends many times. Upon my return to Chicagoland, one of my friends recommended Aripos, I came to try it and I would come back for sure. The place is nicely and neatly organized, the bathrooms are spotless and the atmosphere is family like. You have to order your food up at the counter. You cannot go wrong with any of the appetizers and my favorite shredded meat arepa. They offer some natural juices as well as fountain sodas (the sodas are way too pricey). You can also get a delicious and satisfying bowl. The owner is super friendly! And you can see the kitchen from outside, its always super nice to see such a clean kitchen. The only reason that I don't give Aripos 5 stars is because the people working at the front are lacking a smile and some manners, nonetheless the experience is good.

    (4)

  • Mary T.

    I'm in the area a lot and have dined here at least half a dozen times. My first visit was kind of a disaster; they had power issues and could only offer a small segment of their menu. I get it, shit happens and didn't hold it against them. Now that I've been back multiple times, I've come to realize their food underwhelms me. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but it's not great. I've had better arepas at a few places and always dine here hoping that they've upped their game. The special sauce lacks depth resulting in an overall blandness in flavor. That could be combated with a better sauce or more interesting flavor combinations. I've tried the Arepa de Queso, La Suave, Domino, and Conuquera arepas or virtually every vegetarian arepa on the menu. I've also tried the Cazon empanada; it was interesting, but not something I'd return for. The best thing I've had is something I think they were testing out; a shortbread and dulce de leche Oreo-like cookie. That was fantastic. Bottom line, I like this place, but wish I could say I love it. What keeps me coming back is that Aripo's is a nice break from the monotony of sandwich places in the area.

    (3)

  • Vrati D.

    This was my first arepa experience and it was DELISH! I had all the veggie ones and they were allll great! The cheese is amazing! I also had the cheese balls, which were really good with the dipping sauce. By itself, it's a bit dry. Overall, great food and service!

    (4)

  • Sherry Y.

    The fried plaintains are amazecakes here. Be sure to get it as a side or even a whole separate plate, they are that good. I could do without the high price, but the dish I had was quite good, a platter full of rice, meat and beans. Quite traditional and home-y despite the price tag. Would I do it again? Meh, probably not, though I might try to replicate those amazing fried plaintains in my own kitchen.

    (4)

  • Jannis M.

    I love this restaurant for many reasons. First off it is extremely clean. *that's always a wonderful thing* Portions are ample and the meat is never dry.

    (4)

  • Stacey F.

    Amazing! Good service quick and delicious never tried anything like it before I tried La Nuestra and Chriarepa with a side of plantines it's going to be my new favorite spot !

    (5)

  • Rob C.

    I was excited to try this place based on reviews. Walked in on a Tueday about 5:30pm. Kinda empty only one couple in there. Had no idea what an arepa was but i was starving. I ordered the a8 La Nuestra- The Pabellon Arepa, A7 Carne Molida Arepa and V1 Pabellon Criollo (with shredded Chicken). I also ordered a Papelon con Limon (Venezuelan Lemonade) As i wait, upbeat latin music plays over the speakers. Nice vibe. Was informed the place is byob. After seeing an arepa, i can say it reminds me of Gorditas in Mexican cuisine but much much thicker. Positives - The A8 The Pabellon Arepa.... its everyones favorite for a reason. Very good. It comes with shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains and shredded white cheese. Most arepas dont come with the plantain but they should. The shredded beef was good. Overall my favorite from my entire experience. Thats where the positives end I'm afraid. Neutral The Shredded Chicken Pabellon Criollo was forgettable. The only highlight was i got to eat more of the fried plantain. Which i ended up using to try to save the other arepa i ordered. Negatives Carne Molida Arepa (A7) is very greasy. Literally dripping red grease as i picked it up. The seasoning was very overpowering and just too much for me to enjoy. I tried to save it by stuffing white rice and fried plantain in there but the damage to my taste buds had already been done. And any good taste in their from the La Nuestra Pabellon Arepa was violently erased. Papelon con Limon (Venezuelan Lemonade) Its lemon juice and water. No sugar whatsoever. Lol Please just call it Lemon water and dont charge $3.75 for it. Thanks. Staff I told them it was my first time there and they made no suggestions or even showed any hint of caring. Just blank stares. I will visit again for the La Nuestra Pabellon Arepa but i will stay away from the greasy ground beef and $3.75 lemon water.

    (3)

  • Maricela A.

    I enjoyed this place this time. Perfect location. Great service. Very friendly people here. We had the sampler apetizer plate which had a little of everything and was very tasty. For desert, we had their flan. And surprisingly the flan was so delicious. They also have mexican sodas. I definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Lupe D.

    Lord is the food good here. Thank GOD this place is not anywhere near my house because I would eat there almost everyday and balloon up at least 10 sizes. The Aripos are great and the empanadas are even better. My favorite is the cheese empanada - so so bad with all the gooey cheese and deep fried dough, but goodness gracious, I MUST indulge once in a while and this is worth the calories and lectures regarding my cholesterol. Highly recommended, reasonable prices, great staff, really cute location.

    (4)

  • Vanessa V.

    Biggest rip off Ever!The most overpriced white rice & steak I've ever seen and it was bland! It was cold too! Yuca Fritas side over $5 for 4 tiny peices of yuca! They should be ashamed of themselves. I could serve a family of 20 with cheap white rice & that cheap thin steak for 1/2 the price I was charged for 2 meals. I would add more flavor too. I should open an ethnic restaurant in oak park to over charge for easy to make cheap food.

    (1)

  • Suzanne Z.

    This is a review of a Venezuelan-food-eater beginner. I literally googled what an arepa was the afternoon before coming in here. We came in on a Tuesday night; the place was not empty but by no means full either. I had perused the menu online prior to coming in (highly recommended), and decided I needed to try their advertised #1 favorite arepa- the Nuestra. I TRULY appreciate that the menu has everything numbered for us people with terrible skills at attempting other languages. I ordered this, my guy ordered a shredded beef and cheddar, then we also ordered the bollitos app with two fountain drinks. **** Check in on yelp for an additional 10% off!!*** Our total was about $21. The restaurant itself is really warm and inviting. Definitely puts out the right vibe for the type of place it is. We enjoyed looking at the paintings and decorations while we waited. A short time later, our food arrived. The bollitos app was 6 dense doughy cornmeal type balls with cheese inside. Not as much cheese action as I would've hoped, but they had pretty good flavor. I enjoyed trying them with the dipping sauce- a white yogurty/cream cheese type sauce. To be honest, we ate two a piece and stuck the other two in a napkin in my purse. The last two tasted so much better later in the evening. Maybe the warmth initially took away from the flavor? The arepas were a decent size, but able to be eaten without leftovers going home. I don't think I'd order the same one again. I enjoyed the plantains, meat, and beans on these, but the arepa is like a stuffed pita, and I wasn't able to get a good bite of everything together. It was eating it in layers, which I think took away from the experience. I think a more simple choice would be better, as my guy really seemed to enjoy his! I definitely want to come back and try more of the menu!

    (4)

  • Susie C.

    My husband and I came here for lunch on a Friday. It was not busy at all around noon but the crowd started strolling in around 1230pm. We started with the boliqueso..theyre deep fried cornmeal balls with cheese inside. I like the texture of the balls, but found the taste a little too bland for my liking. My husband didn't enjoy it too much. For entree I ordered 2 arepas - one with the slow roasted pork and the other was the famous one they are known for with black beans and shredded beef. Both were okay. It's very juicy so make sure you have plenty of napkins. My husband ordered one of their dish that came with rice - he enjoyed it. Overall, it was an okay place for us. We've been here before with few friends few years ago.

    (3)

  • John M.

    The best arepa in town Down to earth in down town Oak Park, I tried this restaurant few times and I am always impressed by the consistency of their Perico Arepa, scramble eggs, minced veggies and white cheese, their Empanadas, are delicious, I always tried the Domino, white cheese and black beans. They fresh juices are fabulous. Keep the good work .

    (5)

  • Rona H.

    ***This place is one of the hidden gems in all of Chicago Land.*** There is a decent amount of seating indoors, and the service, although not fast, was realistic. They told us the wait for our food would be 20 minutes, and that's exactly how long it took. I love restaurants that tell the truth about how long things will take.. What a concept?! What makes this place SO amazing is the quality of the food. I had the "La Suave," which is an arepa with white cheese, fried plantains, fried plantains, and their special house-made sauce. I've only had an arepa once before, and I still can't even describe to you what an arepa exactly is, but all I know is that this food is great. The kicker of all of this is that it's a great value. My arepa cost $5.45, and my friend's cost $5.35 for the carne molida arepa. She said hers was great too. In New York, this would easily cost twice as much. This place is also situated in downtown Oak Park, which makes for an enjoyable dining experience too. It's not as fun to dine in the middle of nowhere you know?

    (5)

  • Cora C.

    I had the La Nuestra - the Pabellon Arepa. It has shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains, and shredded white cheese. Simply delicious! The staff was also really friendly.

    (5)

  • Marissa D.

    Good food, service could be a little better. I had to tell them I was missing things from my order, and waited a while to get my missing juice that was no longer available. None the less the food was on point! :-)

    (4)

  • Tavi J.

    Last night I attend Thursday Nights out in Oak Park and stopped in to try the Pork Patacon sandwich. I've tried similar sandwiches like it before, but this was the best! The outside of the sandwich is green mash plantains and the inside is bursting with so much flavor. I would love to know what the Aripa's special sauce is. This sandwich is also very filling. My mom tried the Pork Pepito mini sub and said she enjoyed hers as well. Can't wait to go back and try more items.

    (4)

  • Saga A.

    It's amazing! Coming from a Venezuelan native.... The cheese is "queso de Mano" for those Venezuelans that know what it is! Highly recommended

    (5)

  • Claudia S.

    I enjoy this place a lot! The food is fresh and very tasty. I absolutely love their white cheese. Service is fast and staff is helpful and friendly. Their decor is also a plus when enjoying your lunch - appealing both to the taste and vision palette.

    (5)

  • Lavon K.

    Very good food. I ordered two vegetarian friendly arepas and my husband ordered two meat filled empanadas. Delicious. This place is going on our list for take out!

    (4)

  • Natalie M.

    Situated in Oak Park, this place has a unique selection of arepas and other traditional Venezuelan foods. I tried the yuca frita and boliqueso, which are cornmeal balls stuffed with cheese. The nata sauce alongside was delicious but the star of the sauces was the guasacaca, an avocado/parsley/garlic sauce from this region. I've had this before--this was really good and flavorful and went well with the yuca. I've had yuca so many times and it can either be super dry or creamy. The fries were done well--good texture inside. Yuca can be pretty bland but the taste of the sauce went well with it. I had the La Nuestra arepa. It has shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains, and white cheese. It may have needed a bit more cheese because all I could really taste were the beans and beef. It had maybe one piece of fried plantain (sweet fried plantain--maduro?) and that was good but it didn't really stand out in this arepa. I would like to try their other ones because the beef was flavorful but overpowered the taste of the other ingredients! I may come back to try La Suave arepa or the La Margaritena--there are a lot to choose from!

    (3)

  • Will R.

    Venezuelan food, where have you been all my life?! I had La Nuestra, "everyone's favorite" as the menu claims, and it lived up to its reputation. Sweet and incredible. The atmosphere is casual but well decorated. If I lived nearby I would eat there several times a week.

    (5)

  • James H.

    This food is, bar none, some of the best I've had in my life. I originally though it'd be spicey because I'm a slightly racist piece of shit who thought "South of the border? Must be spicey because I can't challenge my cultural conotations due to my euro-centric schooling." (in fewer words than that) But Jesus M. Christler is this food savory. Have you ever had fried plantains? I wouldn't think to fry a knock off banana, but I'm sure as shit happy that the owners of this restaurant put one on my plate because gato damn was it good. Also, their fried white cheese, I'm pretty sure is not cheese. I'm pretty positive it's god's skin, shaved and grilled to a perfection even he couldn't imagine. Their empanadas are like like hot pockets except without any of the hot pocket part because hot pockets are only good for Jim Gaffigan bits. So they're good. Essentially everything hot pockets are not, but everything they wish they could be. When you do go in here, (and if you're living your life by any definition of the word proper you WILL go in here) just point at the menu and say "that and the items immediately above and below it." You literally cannot go wrong. 5 stars and Aripo's has earned every single one.

    (5)

  • Luis V.

    I never liked this place, nor the service or pricing. I decided to give it another try. I had the vegetarian arepa. It was well made but bland. Service very slow. It took them 20 min to serve me although the place was more than half empty. The name of the place is terrible too.

    (2)

  • Daniel P.

    I'm a Venezuelan-American originally from South Florida, and this is a place I've been dreaming about since moving to Chicago. I've been hoping to find good Venezuelan (not just Latin) food in the Chicago area for a while now, and when I heard about this place, I decided to go and it did not disappoint. For anyone looking for a very traditional Venezuelan dish, their pabellon criollo (shredded beef with black beans, white cheese, rice, platanos, and an arepa) is on point. My friend got the bistec encebollado and really liked it too. It's a little on the pricey side considering you order up front rather than at your table. I also wish they opened earlier on weekends because I grew up eating arepas for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. But overall, this is a great place I'm happy exists.

    (4)

  • Will L.

    The only freaking place in the Chicagoland area that sells Arepas. Crazy!! The empanadas are great, the drink is always fresh, the tostones are good, but the Arepas are what's the real deal. As authentic as they come (if I remember correctly). The menu is very large, so a newbie might be very intimidated by the selection. No worries, play it safe the first time with some chicken or vegetarian option. The sauce is good, not spicy but it gives it a kick. The juices are very fresh... skip the High-fructose stuff and get a fresh juice or lemonade!!! You will not be disappointed. The place is very casual. Nice decor, clean. Show up, go to the front, order and sit down and wait for your order. Great for groups or families.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    Cute clean restaurant. I've been wanting to stop here for a while but never had Venezuelan food before so I was intimidated. Don't be! It was great. Not a fan of plantains I learned but it's just a personal preference. They're a little too sweet for me. Try something new and check this place out! Also it's not as much of a "fast food" restaurant so if you're getting food to go i would call ahead of time.

    (4)

  • Aisha C.

    Great ambiance and colorful decor . In the heart of downtown oak park which means ample car parking and options for dessert afterwards. Had the la nuestra arepa which was a little underwhelming. The cornmeal took over the sweet plaintain flavor and the meat was not well seasoned. I also tried boliqueso for the first time which was creamy and perfectly fried. The best part of this meal was actually the guasacaca sauce that comes with the yucca fritas. That had all the flavor (if you like onion, this will please you) and texture the entrees were missing. Make sure you check in for 10% off your total.

    (2)

  • Megan P.

    Went in here for an early dinner one day with a friend. We'd never had Venezuelan food before and thought it would be fun to try. Cozy, quaint little place and not too crowded since it was a week day. Since we were newbies and it wasn't busy we had a lot of questions about the different dishes and the girl taking our order was really nice and patient about answering them. Great tasting food and decent size portions for a good price! Overall happy with the experience and would definitely go there again.

    (4)

  • Renita M.

    Oh yum. I'd never had Venezuelan food but I was familiar with some of the flavors, having eaten my share of Caribbean and Latin food. So I was prepared to enjoy my arepa. And I did. We met my cousin and his girlfriend here for lunch on a Saturday. It's cozy but there's a decent amount of seating. We ordered the boliquesos (cornmeal cheese balls), three nuestras and a La Catira (chicken & cheese). I also got a side of plantains which was probably totally unnecessary. We did wait a little but not too long. The cheeseballs came out first and they were perfectly crisp on the outside, toasty warm and gooey on the inside. So good. The dipping sauce is really just crema (it's called nata - but same thing, more or less) and it's a lovely cool creamy contrast. Right as we were done devouring our cheeseballs, our arepas came out. The La Nuestras were totally stuffed full of deliciousness. Prices are totally reasonable, and the atmosphere is cozy and clean. I don't get to Oak Park that often, but I'd absolutely come back here to stuff my face full of cheese and deliciousness.

    (4)

  • Jerome H.

    I've never had Venezuelan food outside of this place, but these Arepa things are pretty darned tasty. Very large menu, and fairly fast/convenient to boot.

    (4)

  • John T.

    My friend got this to go the other day, and I was really disappointed. It was only a short walk to our place from here, and it was cold and literally inedible. Will not be going back. Maybe I had a bad experience considering so many people have positive things to say, but, sadly, I don't fit the norm.

    (2)

  • Emily J.

    Let me paint you a picture. Winter is right around the corner. It's gray outside and all the leaves are gone. It's cold and the temperature's dropping by the hour - with 20 degrees as the suspected final temp tonight. YAY....kidding. I went to Aripo's for lunch with a friend. I had the La Nuestra for lunch. It's heralded as everyone's favorite on the menu - so how could I say no! I mean, everyone can't be wrong. They were not! The La Nuestra was hot and delicious. Shredded beef, cheese and plantains to boot? Perfection!! I was in absolute bliss. My whole body warmed up! I could have curled up on the floor and taken a nap after my meal. Aripo's puts most other restaurants in Oak Park to shame. Aripo's has delicious food that doesn't taste like just another version of Americana. (Not that I'm complaining about OP restaurants, but other restaurants tend to be some version of modern Americana cuisine. It doesn't really help diversify the palate). Are you wondering how I came to such a conclusion after just one dish? Try it out for yourself and you'll see!

    (4)

  • Jose B.

    Excellent Venezuelan Food is the authentic Venezuelan food... Really good Place, family ambient, reasonable price, super clean. It's a good place to go !!!

    (5)

  • Lizette Y.

    I'm glad there's such a unique little food shop like this in the neighborhood, Oak Park needed some spice! We started off with the boliqueso (cheese-stuffed corn fritters), really good. In terms of arepas we ordered la suave (cheese, sweet plantains, avocado, and sauce), la margaritena (caribbean shark), vegetariana (sauteed veggies with cheese), and conuquera (peppers, onions, plantains, black beans, and cheese). Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! Each arepa was quite large and all of the ingredients tasted super fresh. In fact, it took a while for them to bring out our food because everything is made to order. Feast on these arepas, people! You won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Vanessa M.

    I've adventured to this restaurant only 3 times in the past seven months, but the food is always fresh and decadent. My only complaint is that they are not open on Mondays and I wish they delivered. But the atmosphere is wonderful, I enjoy knowing that there is a family sharing their recipes with us to enjoy. Also, a plus is that it's BYOB of you chose to dine in

    (5)

  • M S.

    Went to Thursday Night Out Oak Park 8/6/15 and got a Pork Pepito. You order and come back about 10 minutes later- that went fine. Came back at 8pm and ordered another Pork Pepito and came back 10 minutes later and handed them the receipt they gave me which apparently was not the receipt they wanted. They refused to give me my sandwich and was surprisingly quickly accused of trying to get free food. I called over to the cashier to vouch that I just gave her a ticket 10 minutes ago and she went into the back with the rude attendant who reluctantly and with attitude said she would give me the sandwich - I told her to keep it and I would never be back. She said "good". Nice business strategy.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth W.

    Aripo's is unique--where is there another Venezuelan restaurant around here? The food is delicious--I've loved everything I've tried here, with the suave and the veggie bowl among my favorites. The mint limeade is amazing on a hot summer night. Why just three stars then? The great food, low prices, and lack of competitors means Aripo's is usually pretty busy. They can't always handle all the business. Once I waited fifteen minutes for a to-go juice, and another time half an hour for my rice bowl (if the place is empty, it takes under ten minutes). They only have one register, so on a super busy night like Thursday Night Out, there's a line out the door. I've also dealt with them running out of things--once it was plantains! Isn't that like a sushi place running out of nori or a hot dog stand running out of fries? They're in at least 3/4 of things on the menu. I wasn't told this, and I think they were too busy to talk to me about it, so they made a substitution I didn't really want. My recommendation? Order to go and call at least 15 minutes ahead to avoid some of these issues. I love the food here and will keep coming back. I really hope they iron out their issues so they can keep up with all the business their amazing arepas draw.

    (3)

  • Leang E.

    This place brought me to Oak Park for the first time! I would totally love to come back and check out the area when the weather gets warmer, but it was worth it to meet up my friend. As I was checking out this place out there isn't actually any Venezuelan restaurants in Chicago, so I'm glad I got to try one of the 2 locales near the city. It was so nice that when we sat down that the staff was so friendly and helpful with the menu even though you have to get up to place your order. I got the shredded beef and the shredded pork arepa, and both were very flavorful and delicious. Of course, I couldn't pass up the fried plaintains and that was really good, too. The two red sauces had a little bit of spicy, but the green one was kind of bitter. The staff is really friendly and helpful with suggestions. The prices were reasonable. What a nice spot to have in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Christian M.

    Stopped by after some cycling with a friend. Happy we stopped, they even let us bring our bikes inside, to keep them safe while we ate. I ordered Cafe con Leche to drink and an Arepa de Queso and a ham and white cheese empanada. Both items were different than what I have had in the past at Colombian restaurants. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

    (5)

  • Shamoon K.

    Service was a little slow but they delivered big on flavor. If you need something really quick then I'd go somewhere else but otherwise it's worth a visit to this place. Unique and flavorful

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Aripo's arepasss- piping hot and delicious corn cake sandwiches stuffed with tender shredded meats, sweet plantains, and an overflow of beans and white cheese... enough said. I never would have even seen this place on Marion street had I not heard about this wonderful little restaurant from some family friends. I've been here on multiple occasions, but I really recommend coming here for lunch- 11 bucks for two arepas and a soft drink. had the opportunity to try the pabellon dinner which included a mound of moist and dense white rice. Accompanying it were tender shredded chicken and pork with a side of black beans and the best part- plantains! The nuestra is advertised as everyone's favorite and for good reason. It has a balanced mix of the beans, shredded beef, plantains, and cheese that everyone loves. I guess I've only tried anything with the plantains in em because they're my favorite part. Also don't forget to order the sauces! My only real gripe is that the wait time for the food can be pretty intense. This is by no means fast food as I've waited on average 10-15 minutes for an order. Other than that the staff are friendly and the food super tasty!

    (4)

  • BobbieJo B.

    Would be 5 stars but they need more descriptions (in English) on the menu - It's ignorance on my part, but I do not know what I am ordering. You order at the counter rather than with a server, but the atmosphere is nice and the food is fantastic!

    (4)

  • Darren L.

    There were three reasons why I chose to eat at this place: 1)I've never had Venezuelan food, 2)it has good ratings with only one dollar sign, and 3)I was hungry as always. For me, that's almost enough to get a full 5 stars. As soon as I walked in, I was very delighted by the interior. For the entire time I was there, I was able to appreciate the environment. Beautiful paintings, and nice ethnic music playing. This isn't a sit down and wait for the server restaurant. You order up front and they bring your food to you afterwards. After I ordered, the cashier told me that the food would take me 25 minutes to be prepared. Although it can seem like a long time, that's what you sacrifice in order to get fresh food. I ordered the Pabellión Criollo, boliquesos, and chicken empanada. They were amazingggggg! The plantains, the beans, the chicken, damn it even the rice was beyond expectations.The food wasn't as hot as I wanted but that did not take away from the tasteful dishes. All of those for just $17 dollars too! I forgot to use my 10% off check-in offer but food was still worth it. My brother got the brunch special which I had the chance to try. That was also very yummy. I enjoyed the Venezuelan twist on normal American breakfast. Let's put it this way, I will definitely be returning soon lol. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Kristine P.

    Eh. The appetizers are not worth the price. Arepas are too hard. Will not be coming back

    (2)

  • S S.

    Just visited Aripos this afternoon. The quesobolis were so yummy! I ordered 2 different arepas and they were both delicious. My boyfriend ordered the V3, which is basically a steak plate. The steak was definitely over cooked and chewy. Next time we know just to stick to the arepas! The gentleman working seemed very nice and offered a sample of their Venezuelan lemonade prior to ordering which was very nice. The young lady taking our order and bringing out our food could've been much more pleasant. She seemed uninterested in doing her job and providing good service. Food came quickly, surprisingly since many other reviews commented that the service was a bit slow.

    (4)

  • Kara E.

    The first time you eat here, you will feel ashamed you ever set foot in the Lake Street Chipotle.

    (5)

  • Tracy H.

    Came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch with a girlfriend. She loved it! I've come here sporadically for the last few years. Everything is always really fresh and tasty. I personally love the arepa with pork, avocado and cheese. Yum! Place is cute, clean and friendly. Nice change of pace for Oak Park, which more and more seems very commercial. Anyway, try it! You'll love it.

    (4)

  • T M.

    I was so excited to see a Venezuelan restaurant, especially in this Oak Park. I saw all the great reviews and wanted to try it. But I was not very impressed. The portions are too small for the price they advertise. I paid almost $10 for a natural juice and pabellon de pollo and was still hungry. I expected more and I'm disappointed. Will not be returning to this eatery. I give it 2 stars because the juice was good, but not so much the food.

    (2)

  • Jordan N.

    I have to give this place my saludos! Now, the main thing that makes this place stand out in Chicagoland is that it's the only Venezuelan restaurant in this vast Midwestern metropolis. How did Oak Park end up with this ethnic gem out of all places? That, I don't know and unfortunately forgot to ask. Shocking, I know, but then again, when I spotted a bag of harina PAN used for making arepas costing $4.50, I could understand why. Profit margins are probably quite small up in the north compared to cities in the East and South where it's normally $2. Regardless of the price discrepancy of such Venezuelan commodity, I found the prices in this place to be more than fair. Especially when there is authentic and tasty Venezuelan food to be had. I had ordered light when I visited - opting for an empanada rather than an arepa (I made arepas all the time at home, and not empanadas, simply because I am averse to frying my own food at home :) ). And shock settled in when I took a bite - their empanadas (stuffed with queso Caribe, apparently a cheese similar to a Venezuelan cheese), were better than many empanadas I had in South Florida, home to majority of Venezuelans in this country. And topping it with their avocado sauce (guasacaca) was pure heaven. Perfect crunch on the outside, perfect gooey cheese, and just perfect all around! With friendly service, nice atmosphere, I can't see any reason why I would not return if I was living in Chicago. BONUS: Arepas are customizable, just call in advance to see if they could do it. I had inquired about them making me an "arepa llanera" consisting of steak, avocado, cheese, and tomato - and they said it was doable!

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    After a major miscue in not checking to see if Johnie's beef was open (it wasn't and won't be until Feb. 17th), my buddy and I wound up in downtown Oak Park to check out the world of Arepas Very clean and charming inside. We ordered the A8 (the famous "La Nuestra") a ham and white cheese empanada and some fried plantains for appetizer. The food was good, not excellent. The arepa was quite small for the $6.25 price tag. I also didn't like that everything looked and tasted authentic, except that they brought the sauces out in disposable Solo containers. I'm convinced that a small clay pot sauce bowl would have fit the theme and authenticity of the restaurant a lot better. I'm not familiar with downtown Oak Park, but I'm sure Aripo's adds some originality and uniqueness to the area. However, for me, the flavors could be a bit bolder and the portion sizes could definitely be a bit larger.

    (3)

  • Pinar M.

    I give this place 5 stars for what it is. The food has the most authentic taste that I have had in years. The restaurant had enough seating for a busy afternoon. The ambiance is especially good for a fast food place!

    (5)

  • Maggie G.

    First timers: What is an arepa, you ask? It's a venezuelan sandwich. It's a dense bread-like tortilla pocket filled with goodies. Oak Park's "foodie fest" gave us a reason to give aripo's a second chance. We weren't very impressed with the price or the bland taste the first time around. This time, however, we were blown away with the la plua?...The shredded beef was juicy, tender, and flavorful. Don't wear a brand new white shirt though, because that grease will get ya'. The plantains were good with the white sauce, (tasted like a sour cream blend) but needed more shredded cheese. All in all, the food is good but the prices are high, and the menu needs some combo options.

    (3)

  • Diana S.

    Cool little place. The food is a little on the dry side. I've tried a chicken arepa and a pork one. They each come with a little sauce on the side. The staff is really friendly. Overall a good place to try. The location is great too!

    (4)

  • Lindsey D.

    I feel really bad about giving three stars, I wish I could give five. The food is outstanding! My boyfriend and I are regulars and enjoy every dish we have at Aripo's. I give the food 5 stars. However, just about every time we are there they are out of something we want. We're big fans of the empanadas and tostones. They are ALWAYS out of multiple types of empanadas and today they were out of tostones as well. Very disappointing. There were also no paper towels in both the men's and women's bathrooms today!! We understand that it seems like the restaurant is family owned, it's great. But I think it's time to hire another employee to help out with clearing tables, keeping the bathroom stocked, etc. Also it would be wonderful if they would plan ordering food/popular items a little better! We're always disappointed when we hear "Sorry, we're out of that right now". We love you Aripo's.. but we really wish you could get it ALL together.

    (3)

  • Peter N.

    The Food here is excellent. But the past 5 times i've been here, I've either been turned away or they've been out of key ingredients such as Rice or Arepas.

    (2)

  • Sabrina C.

    For those of you who aren't familiar with what an arepa is its like a corn meal fritter that's eaten by Venezuelans and Colombians. I grew up eating them because my dad is from Venezuela. Arepas from Colombian resteraunts that I've had tend to be sweet, which I don't like. It's hard to come across a good Venezuelan arepa because most Venezuelans that live in the states live in Miami or New York. But lucky me I found aripos...they make the corn meal fritter non sweet and its used to stuff the inside with delicious things like plaintains, meat, cheese, beans or whatever else your heart desires. I love the suave which comes with avocado, plaintains, cheese, and I pay an extra dollar for them to add black beans. It's phenomenal, it's cheap, and it's filling. Not to mention their passion fruit juice accompanies my arepa well. Plus the decor is made to look like your on the patio of a Venezuelan house. If you want to try something new that you can't typically find in the Chicago land area and your near by oak park try a Venezuelan arepa it doesn't disappoint... I love them!

    (5)

  • Irina H.

    I'm downgrading my review of Aripo's because 2 out of 3 times now were disappointing. The first disappointment was on Thanksgiving weekend when there was a long wait and no soup. Tonight, there was no soup again, because "the owner is the only one who makes it and he is on vacation." Not only that, but there was one little piece of plantain on the "La Nuestra" sandwiches. Seriously? When did plantains become too pricey to add as one of the main ingredients on your little sandwich that comes with NO sides?

    (2)

  • Pete Z.

    Maybe I am just not used to Venezuelan food, but I ordered various dishes including their national dish, and found all of them to be extremely bland. Even the sauces that they use did not have very much flavor to them. I feel if they just add a little more seasoning to their dishes, then their food could be exceptional. Overall just really disappointed in the food and not what I was expecting.

    (2)

  • Meredith B.

    I don't understand the high reviews for this place.... I ordered the appetizer plate, pabellon criollo, and domio arepa. The food was not good at all. I will not be returning. However- I did enjoy their friendly atmosphere. The woman that helped us was extremely kind and accommodating. Customers sitting in the table next to us left without touching their food- what a sad disappointment.

    (1)

  • Rachel S.

    The food is wonderful (and wonderfully inexpensive)! It's BYOB and you order at the counter, so it's a great place to have a casual (ahem - cheap) night out with your friends without feeling like you're sacrificing the experience. It's in a super cute part of downtown Oak Park, so if you feel like strolling around before or after you eat, it's great for that, too! I had tons of vegetarian options from which to choose, which is another plus in my book. I had La Suave, and I can't wait to go back and try it again! (Or should I try something new next time??) This is one of many reasonably priced local treasures in Oak Park.

    (5)

  • Kim B.

    What is an arepa, you ask? The easiest way to describe it is as a Venezuelan sandwich. But definitely come to Aripo's and they'll show you how it's done right! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this adorable Oak Park neighborhood by accident one day. My handy Yelp app led us to Aripo's because it was nearby and had some great reviews. We decided to share the A8 - with shredded beef, beans, plantains, and cheese. Imagine all the delicious elements of South American food (marinated meat, fried plantains, black beans) and put them all together in a sandwich where the bread doesn't fall apart. Delicious!

    (4)

  • Juan Manuel N.

    It's difficult to find a good Pabellón Criollo, a lot of restaurants has in their menu but to honest, there are a few with a good ones, if you are in Chicago and you are missing to have a Pabellón for lunch, this is the place to find a good Pabellón. I would like to try more food but I can, so, I think I will come back here because I want to eat all the menu.

    (5)

  • Lauren D.

    I reviewed this restaurant in August 2014. I gave it five stars at that time. However, we recently went here for lunch before taking in a matinee movie at the Lake Theater. We both had the bowls. My husband had the chicken and I ordered the beef. It is a hearty meal, and it was definitely tender, flavorful and prodigious! The bowl was filled with white rice (I only wish they offered brown rice), topped off with black beans and tender shredded melt-in-your mouth meat. It was worthy of five stars and so is the price-point. I only wish they would add a little bit more meat, because the ratio to the rice and beans was not appropriate. Appetizers: We ordered the round balls of corn fritters (not sure what they are officially called), but these little suckers were very, very bland despite the fact that these were filled with white cheese. Even the cheese couldn't save them! We dipped them in a white sauce that comes with these fritters. The sauce saved this appetizer, because it was the sauce that provided the flavor. Otherwise, it was a disappointing appetizer (and it is their number one selling appetizer). Why? I have no clue. We also ordered a side of the sweet plantains (platanos dulce or platanos maduros). They were swimming in grease (oil) and we used about eight napkins to soak up the oil. Several of the sweet plantains were burned. Although they were super ripe and incredibly sweet we could not stomach the amount of oil/grease they were coated in -- you could also see the oil on the plate -- these suckers were swimming in grease/oil. I'm not sure why they did not use paper towels to soak up the extra grease/oil that these were fried in, but needless to say, these were a disaster. We will continue to go back to Aripo's whenever we are in the Oak Park area, but we will not be ordering these "sides" ever again. Stick to the bowls, their sandwiches or empanadas and don't waste your money on ordering the sweet plantains or those little round corn meal fritters. Their empanadas are truly worthy of 4 to 5 stars, but they are over priced (they are not huge empanadas for the price-point). The food is between 3 to 4 stars. I'm not sure if they have a new cook (chef) or if they were having an off-day here when we stopped in, but due to the experience we had with the two appetizers, we have downgraded Aripo's from 5-stars to 4-stars. Also, the young lady at the cash register didn't even crack a smile. She seemed to not want to be there to take care of the customer's orders. Maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed. On the other hand, our Server, who delivered our food to the table, was personable, kind and professional. She was not over the top attentive. Service receives 4-stars. The price-point and our main dishes receive 5-stars! We prefer going here for lunch as opposed to dinner. It is a small place, but charming, dark, colorful and cozy. Go directly to the cash register to place your order. You'll be given a number on a tall stick. Place the number on your table and when your food is ready, it is delivered to your table. In the summer time they have outdoor seating, but it is very, very limited and fills up quickly. This is a family-owned mom and pop restaurant. If you are ever in Oak Park and looking for a "different" place to try for lunch, hit up this joint.

    (4)

  • Rachel P.

    Wonderful! So many vegetarian options. And it's amazing how filling just one Arepa is! I really recommend this if you're looking to try something new and delicious.

    (5)

  • Jeannine K.

    All arepas are gluten-free. Some appetizers are, but anything fried is in the same oil as flour. Staff was helpful. Arepas were delicious!

    (4)

  • C L.

    Food is great but service is slow. Kitchen seems to always have problems. Maybe next time I will order to go!

    (2)

  • Aleah O.

    Firstly, I want to say that I am really disappointed that this place has been in my back yard basically for 2 years and I have never went! Always had intentions to go but never went. I studied abroad in Venezuela for the summer of 2008, so I ate arepas y pabellon y all types of Venezuelan food. This place definitely comes close to what I had there. This was my first time here and I had the pabellon arepa, it was FRESH, DELICIOUS, AUTHENTIC and FILLING. What more can you ask for?? I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    This place is great, I get the La Nuestra each time. I'm going to have to diversify a little, but it's hard because you can never get tired of the La Nuestra.

    (4)

  • Brie S.

    Aripo's food is delicious. We have had: arepitas fitas, tostones, empanadas, arepas de queso. All were served quicky, perfect temperature, and delicious. Unfortunately, none of the 3 times ew have been in did they have tequenos. Apparently only specific chefs make them--otherwise this would easily be 5 starts!

    (4)

  • Nessa N.

    OMG!! how much I love this place! The arepas are delicious! I always get La Nuestra and La Suave..my kids n fiancé love this place too. Too bad they are closed on Mondays, that's why they are not getting 5 stars from me plus they close on Sunday too early, other than that this is a great Venezuelan restaurant!!

    (4)

  • Aimee M.

    Ever walk into a restaurant and just cant make up your mind what to order because everything looks/sounds so good? Yeah, that was me at Aripo's. So, I just asked the woman at the counter for the most popular item and she said either the Nuestra or the Choriarepa. I wasn't in the mood for chorizo so I went with the Nuestra instead and added a cheese empanada for the sidekick. Even though you order at the counter before you take your seat, this is not fast food nosh at all. It's flavorful, it's well-made and the surroundings are warm and inviting. Their sidewalk patio seating is open, but we took our food further down Marion to a park bench so there was more room for the sidekick to stretch out on the bench and walk around and say hi to the numerous dogs that were being walked in downtown OP. The Nuestra is a mouthful. There's so much going on--shredded beef, fried plantains, black beans and white cheese--all inside a cornmeal pocket. Even though there is much flavor to the jam packed Arepa, don't let that dissaude you from trying an empanada. Our white cheese empanada was crispy on the outside and melty goodness on the inside. We called it "crispy cheese" and my son loved it. I thought about taking more to bring home for later, but we were in a hurry...so we'll have to stop in again! Those housemade juices sound wonderful and worth a trip to try as well!

    (4)

  • RE A.

    This was an accidental find and what a find it turned out to be! We found ourselves in Oak Park last week apartment hunting when we wandered into Marion Street's village atmosphere, hungry for lunch. The menu was attractive, the options ample, but most of all, the food itself did not disappoint. The only other time I've eaten arepas was from a food truck so at least I had an idea of what I had ordered. Of course the quality, taste, and the available fillings were leaps and bounds better. I'd certainly go back the next I find myself in their neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Kathy R.

    I've been here twice now and I have to say that it is truly wonderful. Both times I had lunch with friends and ordered the "bowl" lunches. Once, with roasted pork and veggies over lettuce and once with veggies over rice. I also tried the fried cheese (awesome!) and some sort of layered pumpkin dessert (also awesome). The service is very friendly and the place is clean. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Eric G.

    I've always been open to trying different types of cuisine so when a friend of mine suggested meeting her at Aripo's for lunch I was game. There's ample areas to sit as you wait for your food to be served. We ordered the boliqueso which is basically fried cornmeal balls with a side sauce. I don't recall the boliqueso being particularly flavorful and I didn't get to try the sauce much cause my friend was double and triple dipping on it and while I'm not a germaphobe (hello think of all the germs we get when swapping spit), I didn't feel inclined to partake in it so I ate the boliqueso plain. Much tastier was my shredded beef empanada. The food along with the perfect location for people watching is enough to make me come back for more.

    (4)

  • Whitney D.

    I love Aripo's! The food can sometimes take longer than one would expect to wait for a sandwich as I've had to wait as long as 45 minutes before, but it is completely worth it. The sandwiches are really filling but I would still suggest anyone get 2. My favorite is the La Catira with a side of grilled white cheese. I asked one of the women working there which white cheese it was exactly and I was told it was Carribean Frying Cheese in case anyone wants to know. I'm very impressed with the quality and the portion size especially for the cost. I got a glimpse of a woman making the arepas by hand and you're really eating a piece of art. (Sidenote: Your arepa would be ugly as shit if I worked here; she put A LOT of work into one piece of cornmeal. Kudos to her.) They have cornmeal empanadas I highly recommend. A very nicely decorated and adequately heated inside makes it a nice place to sit and enjoy your food and admire the artwork too.

    (5)

  • Maggie S.

    I have been coming here for years- can't believe I've never written a review. Friendly staff, great food! La nuestra arepa and the pabellón empanada are my go to. Honestly try everything- it's all amazing

    (5)

  • Diana S.

    The arepas were amazing! They may be the best ones I've had. This area of Oak Park is super cute and quaint. I would definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Simon C.

    While on a business trip to Chicago, I decided to check out this establishment. Being born and raised in Maracaibo Venezuela, I was thrilled to enjoy some of my favorite dishes that remind me of my beautiful country. The Arepas were amazing just like mother makes them. I know lots of people say that, but when I peaked to the back where they were cooking the food, it reminded me of my grandmother and my mother cooking together and realizing what I missed all of this years. I highly recommend this place, not because I'm Venezuelan, but because the food, and service was great! The place was beautiful and very clean and that's a huge plus.

    (5)

  • C K.

    4.5 Rating: Authentic Venezuelan Street Food HIGHLY RECOMMEND: For when you feel like spending $6-$7 for a flavorful meal! Try the La Suave. Today was my second visit in 5 days. Yes, my first visit was that satisfying. Chicago is a city of delicious food but it is seriously lacking in the Arepa category. I was quite sad to find that only authentic place in Chicago was located in Oak Park. While the food here does not quite compare to what I am use to, it was awful close. The Arepa bread was the right flavor and texture (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The fillings were flavorful and tender. The sauces (recommend trying all three at once) while tasty were the one component that was not quite as good as my favorite place in Brooklyn (hence the 4.5 instead of 5 stars). If I lived nearer to Oak Park then Aripo's Venezuelan Arepa House would become one of my regular dinning spots. Please open another location in Chicago (preferably on the Northside). THANKS for a wonderful meal!

    (4)

  • 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?

    (5)

  • C C.

    First time here and everything was fresh and delicious. Our picky eater tried everything and enjoyed it! Will definitely be coming back :-D.

    (5)

  • Thomas C.

    wife likes this place better than I do. Great concept, sandwiches are good, but unremarkable to me, good location on Marion Street, very clean and efficient inside, but was not blown away by the sandwich.

    (3)

  • Kristina R.

    The food is so delicious!! However they were out of beef, in a restaurant it's key to have what you have on the menu. They also need to speed the turn around time up!! Then it could be 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Noomi J.

    Fun to try out. I had the La Nuestra Arepa ($6.25) and the boliquesos (6 for $6.25). When I walked in at lunchtime on a weekday, it was empty. The employee at the counter was friendly and helpful, but when I had asked if they had any lunch specials, she said no. After I had ordered, two Spanish-speaking men came in and asked the same thing in Spanish, referring to the 2 arepas + drink for $10 special. She went to ask the manager and said yes, they have that lunch special. I wish that it had been posted up somewhere, but owell, it seemed like an honest mistake on her part. The arepa sandwich had plantain slices, black beans, and shredded pork (maybe more, but those are the only ingredients that stand out in my memory haha). Of the 3 ingredients, I liked the black beans the best, which I didn't expect lol. It had a slight sweetness. I didn't like the hard bread though. I ended up just eating the filling and leaving behind the bread. The boliquesos hinted at a taste of cheese, but mostly it tasted like a corn meal fritter. The sauce that came with it tasted like standard cream cheese. I did not think that those little balls were worth $6.25 considering that deep fried mushrooms cost $2-3.

    (3)

  • Andy K.

    When I started writing this review, the food hadn't arrived and I was at two stars. The food moved it up a star. While we were glad to see a new arepa place come to town, we built it up in our heads that it was going to be great. The arepas were authentic and the fillings were well prepared. The service was fair at best. The woman who took our order at the counter remained seated and did not make eye contact. We were there for lunch on a Saturday and they didn't have empanadas...a standard for the Latin table. Don't let poor service eclipse good food and lead to the demise of a great restaurant idea.

    (3)

  • Sofia D.

    I was surprised to see Aripo's located in a busy area of Oak Park. When I walked in, I was immediately impressed by the cleanliness and great decor. I ordered the Arepa con Pibil and some tostones. The tostones sauce was flavorful and I wish I had ordered a second arepa as it was delicious. The girl at the counter and the man who I believe was also a cook were friendly and helpful. I'll be returning and trying something new from their great menu!

    (4)

  • Melissah L.

    This was my first experience with Venezuelan food-- YUM! I didn't really know what to expect, but what I got was a piping hot sandwich filled with flavorful meat, beans, plantains and a little bit of cheese. The La Nuestra... drool. The sandwich is the perfect lunch size-- I wasn't overly stuffed after eating one arepa, but I was plenty full. The service was good and the restaurant is comfortable... I can't wait to come back and try more :).

    (4)

  • Emil S.

    Great dining spot! Price is very reasonable! Get a taste of Venezuelan food in Oak Park, without the trip expense! :D - Food is great - Price is great - Decor is great - Service is very slow (that is why I gave it a 4) Will come back soon though!

    (4)

  • 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.

    (5)

  • Nick S.

    This place is off the chain! Delicious food, great for vegetarians. Amazing flavor, great for ballers on a budget and a great location. I always get the veg bowl!

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    I was motivated to come here today by a favorite Yelp friend who gave it 5 stars. And she was right, it was one darn good restaurant! I liked the idea of having Venezuelan food, I never had before. We tried the La Nuestra Arepa and split an empanada. I tasted a very sweet juice (wasn't that just so nice of the darling server to let me try it?) but settled on Venezuelan Lemonade. I am now officially a fan of Arepas! Who knew? The beef, the plantain, the cheese and the beans were delicious tucked so cozily inside their cornmeal sleeping bag. It paired nicely with my lemonade, such contrasting flavors. We sat outside and watched the fun on Marion street and loved our meal. Venezuela, your food is really really good! I am super excited I got to try it. Hugo Chavez might not be my fave world leader but his country can sure provide us with terrific food. ¡Viva Venezuela!

    (5)

  • Oscar A.

    So I have to take my daughter to get her hair did for homecoming. God damn I feel old. Anyhow I stumbled upon this place next door. It doesn't get much better folks except around 730 I will be at the hawks game on the glass so maybe it does but lets focus on the food. Ordered La Nuestra arepa sandwich and an empanada. Ofcourse I ordered an empanada. Why wouldn't I? The sandwich was delicious I could have ate three of them. Arepa was a little tough but that's because it's corn. I loved the plantanos in my sandwich. Damn!!! Empanada delicious. I love corn empanadas. Ground beef naturally. It was a larger empanada, I saved some of it for my daughter the empanada queen. My only regret is that they don't serve alcohol. Whoever comes here and has Greek style sandwich is strictly a dumbass. There's no such thing on the menu. Coming back here for sure.

    (4)

  • Cher M.

    Aripo's is my go-to place when I need noms and can't think of what I want. Everything on the menu is good. Seriously. EVERYTHING. During Lent, I was here almost every Friday, as they have several vegetarian aripas, including my favorite A15, which has zucchini and eggplant. Add in a piece of extra cheese to the mix and order a side of fried plantains. This is a must-visit eatery. How often do you get to try Venezuelan food?

    (4)

  • Wes M.

    Wow. I wish I had been more hungry for lunch. I had the chicken arepa. Chicken had obviously been simmered for an eternity, as it was incredibly tender and flavorful. Messy as all get out, but the flavors and textures were wonderful. Will definitely stop here again if I'm in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Edward B.

    Stopped in here for a quick lunch a good while ago and realized that I didn't leave a review. My friend and I each had an arepa. I don't remember which ones we got, but I remember that both were delicious. I would stop here again if I was nearby.

    (4)

  • Timothy T.

    Fantastic, tasty food in a charming space. The food takes a bit to be delivered (especially if they're busy), but it's absolutely worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Lin L.

    It's great to find an authentic Venezuelan restaurant. I had an arepa and empanada. They were delicious and the price is reasonable for what you pay for. I so excited that I found this place while visiting Chicago. I would definitely come back here again the next time I'm in Chicago. 5 stars for sure!

    (5)

  • Seth G.

    Amazingly authentic, the crowd was all Spanish speaking as were the signs out front! I stopped in here during the Oktoberfest, ordered la nuestra and it was surprisingly good, but also small. So remember to order two if you want one!

    (4)

  • Kristina M.

    Love it!!! If ur sick of Chipotle or Qudoba, this takes its place! Fresh meat, very tasty, cheap prices. Well done. Icing on the cake: BYOB

    (5)

  • A D.

    Enjoyed sitting outside for lunch in front of the fountain. La Nuestra arrived steaming hot with the surprise sweetness of plantains coupled with savory beef & black beans. Filling! My friend ordered a bowl topped with fresh avocado & chicken, while my daughter had chicken & cheese aripa. Great menu choices. You won't leave hungry! Very good value.

    (4)

  • Jesus G.

    Good, fresh food. The portion sizes are small but the quality is great. Vegetarians and vegans will like this place as well as they can remove the dairy for you - food is full of flavor and close to the CTA!

    (4)

  • Andrea B.

    Had an arepa with gyro meat,red onions, tomatoes and the tzatziki sauce on Thursday night out in oak park. The cornmeal arepa was bland and it overpowered the fillings. The meat was low quality and flavorless. Not worth your money. There are way better restaurants in the area.

    (1)

  • Ann F.

    Holy cow! What a great place. I'd like to just run through the whole menu. I had the fish soup, which was an excellent chowder, and a "La Suave" arepa. Every bit of it impressed me. A thick piece of perfectly grilled cheese. Nice slices of ripe avocado, fried plantains, all stuffed in that wonderful fresh arepa. What a great neighborhood find.

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    My husband and I absolutely love this place and so do the kids. A friend of mine compared the Venezuelan "arepas" to Mexican "gorditas". I have to say they are similar because they are made of corn meal but the fillings are very different. Anyway, I LOVE, LOVE this place. My favorite arepa is number 8 on their list. I think it's called La Nuestra or The Pabellon Arepa. It's a cornbread pocket filled with shredded beef, black beans, sprinkled with crumbly cheese and topped with sweet plantains. I can only eat one arepa. They are very filling. My husband and I usually spend 20$ to 25$ for the both of us. Relatively an inexpensive meal. I have had the scrambled egg arepa, Perico (if you want a breakfast item) and it is delicious. I've also had the Reina Pepiada, chicken salad and sliced avocado. Really good! My kids usually eat a whole bowl of black beans and white rice. They love it! They also serve wine and beer. Once in a while you will get lucky and dine while you listen to a live marimba player or guitar player. This place is a hidden gem. My writing cannot do it justice. Lot's of people bring their kiddos to eat here too. I love kid friendly restaurants.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I've been here a couple of times. It seems to be kind of hit and miss. The sandwiches are really hard to eat, and always seem to sound better on the menu than they actually are. The empanadas are really good, and consistent in quality. You go up to the counter to order, get a number and seat yourself. They have self-serve soft drinks as well. The counter staff here always seems pretty clueless (and not that interested in taking your order) whenever I come in. Given, I never go at peak times. I will keep going back for the empanadas, but will pass on the sandwiches in the future.

    (3)

  • Jeff S.

    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).

    (3)

  • Eddy V.

    When I'm feeling a bit stressed out at work, I know that a nice arepa will cheer me up. Luckily, Aripo's is located at walking distance from my job. This place is awesome. Food: Recently, I had the famous "La Nuestra - The Pabellon Arepa." For those not familiar with Venezuelan, an arepa is similar to a Mexican gordita - it's made with corn dough, it's flat, round, sliced through the center and filled with an array of meats, veggies, and cheeses. With that being said, "La Nuestra" is filled with a nice portion of shredded beef (similar to Ropa Vieja) and is amazingly paired with the fried plantains, black beans in the thick, grilled arepa. As a side, I ordered the plain white rice. TO DIE FOR. Service: Each time I've walked in, I've been kindly greeted by the girl at the counter. It usually takes a few minutes for them to make the meals, which is never a big deal. To this day I've never dined in, although the atmosphere during lunch is nice and calm - there's usually soft Latin American music playing in the background. Will I keep coming back? YES. It's quick, inexpensive, and super delicious. GO!

    (5)

  • Tabitha M.

    Such great food!! One of the best restaurants in Oak Park. The food takes a little while to be served but it is worth it. We always order V1 which is a large dinner plate (I share with my husband) with shredded (juicy and tender) beef, white rice, black beans, plantains, and a corn bread type side (totally don't know what this is called). It is plenty of food and has great flavor. It is somewhat pricey compared to Chipotle (food doesn't even compare, Aripo's is MUCH better, but just wanted to give some basis for price comparison) but it is such a great treat for us when we do go there.

    (5)

  • Robyn K.

    This place is overrated. The arepa was over fried. The famous Nuestra was so bland and very small shredded beef. The only good thing was the natural guava juice. I waited for over 20 minutes for my food. Service wa so non-smiling. Will not return. Drove all the way from Evanston looking for a memorable experience. Thumbs down.

    (3)

  • Daniela A.

    This place is amazing!! I had the Pabellon Arepa and it felt as if I was eating in Venezuela. The place is very clean and the staff is very kind. Great service and food. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • A U.

    This is absolutely my favorite place to eat in Oak Park! So reasonably priced, the food is fresh and amazing I can't tell you how great it is only that it tastes just like homemade Venezuelan food that one of my best friends in grad school made for me. I'm a customer for life!

    (5)

  • Royce B.

    Deeeezaaaaamn!!!

    (5)

  • Oscar S.

    The menu is interesting.Im definetely going to try more of their extensive menu.The only thing I probably wont eat is the Arepa de Cazon(shark). Only because I love sharks.I had The Pabellon Arepa and the Boliqueso.Neither of them left me disappointed.Im going to study their menu and keep ordering different things each time I come in.Glad I found Aripo's.

    (4)

  • Alicia K.

    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.

    (4)

  • Miysha S.

    Good food and service; not outstanding. If you don't know what to order, the staff will help you out!

    (4)

  • Heather H.

    I had a good dinner here. The lunch prices are cheap so I will be back to try some lunch specials.

    (4)

  • FoodLover Z.

    I was very excited to go to Aripo's because there aren't any arepa place in Chicago. I had two of their most popular arepas, one had pulled pork and the other shredded beef with plantains. Both the arepas were average - not bad, but not great. We also tried their natural juices, which were watered down and very disappointing. Overall, I suppose this place is OK for Oak Park, but I won't be recommending it.

    (3)

  • Tzeittle C.

    Checked out this place with a girl friend and was definitely impressed. Being Puerto Rican, arepas to me are a completely different thing and I'm not a fan of corn arepas, so I went with an empanada. I had the cazon (Caribbean shark) empanada and it was delicious! I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm glad I went with it. My friend had the chicken empanada and while she says it was good, she thought she would've liked the cheese empanada better. We both had the passion fruit juice and it was just ok. It was good, but I've had better, so maybe I'd try another juice or just a fountain drink. The price is definitely reasonable and I'd check it out again.

    (4)

  • Yvonne B.

    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!

    (5)

  • Devon W.

    This place is delicious, BYOB, and cheap! What else could you want? (besides delivery at 4am... ;-) My brother and I have been here a few times, and so far have tried the vegetarian arepa, some sort of delicious meaty avocado arepa, the fried plantains, the fish soup (special) and an assortment of empanadas. I'm no expert on Venuzuelan cuisine, but I do love food and I have not been disappointed yet! Word of warning, they bring everything out as soon as it's ready... and despite the mouth-watering smells, the food is REALLY hot... so maybe wait a few minutes before nomming all the delicious arepas. Seriously, you don't want to burn off your tastebuds before you try these ;-)

    (5)

  • Valerie R.

    Aripo's makes their food with tasty, fresh ingredients and has tons of vegetarian options. The best part- it's affordable! (Ok, maybe the white cheese on my sandwich was REALLY the best part,) The girls working there were very friendly, too.

    (4)

  • Marcos P.

    All the time I tried to visit the restaurant during the weekends , the order time is between 35 to 45 min what!!! Such a bad management

    (1)

  • Brenda H.

    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.

    (4)

  • Sarah C.

    I love Aripo's. And have to admit, my side gig as #FoodieFest cheerleader has allowed me to make some excuses for eating here more frequently lately. HOW had I missed eating their Yucca fries before? I don't know - but now that I have had them - I can't resist. I also have a bias toward owners who are on site, smiling at their customers - and the owners are always here. LOVE THAT. And love them.

    (4)

  • Keith H.

    When it comes to Venezuelan arepas, it gets no better than this! I've yet to find a place that offers this cuisine at this price point. Aripo's is conveniently located within walking distance of the L and the metra and the arepas, by nature, are gluten free (they are made from corn meal, no wheat at all!) They have a lunch special where you can get two arepas and a drink for right around $10!

    (5)

  • Veronica L.

    It's nothing special. I got their aripo with avocado and sliced pork the first time around, that was a tasty bite because of the large wedges of fresh avocados. But the second time around when I got their house special on valentines with white rice, plantains, and shredded pork I was disappointed. I'm not sure if that's just how it was suppose to be, but the pork was dry, and the rice was kind of just a clump and plain. Their plantains was something I can make even better myself, and was flavorless. So all in all I wasn't impressed, especially when their special was around $14. Furthermore the portion wasn't enough for 2 meals. It was just blah in every department, and I think I would have enjoyed korean bbq more around the same price because of the way korean bbq meat is sliced thinly and the sauce involved. I'm giving two stars because this restaurant is first at which I've tried venezuelan food and after this experience, I can cross venezuelan food off the list, it's just not gonna be something I'll ever crave.

    (2)

  • Winslow W.

    I love Aripo's and their excellent Arepas. They have numbers next to all of the menu items, so you won't have to butcher the names of their fantastic dishes. I love Oak Park, and this Venezuelan restaurant is just what this area was lacking, the locals simply didn't know it at the time. The interior is clean and modern, the service was good, and the food was phenomenal. Honestly, who wouldn't want to consume Venezuelan soul food to the delightful sounds of Joropo music?? 5 out of 5.

    (5)

  • Kevin G.

    Went here for dinner last month. We were supposed to eat somewhere else, but couldn't get a table. I am glad that happened so that I was able to discover this restaurant. We went here on a Saturday night and had no trouble finding a table. The place looks cool. It is decorated to look like the inside of someone's house and was very clean. We started off with the mixed appetizer plate. All of the items were excellent and the waitress explained to us which sauces were best with which items. As my entree, I had the Pabellon Criollo, with shredded beef. The beef was very juicy and flavorful. The rice tasted pretty good, as did the black beans. The only downside was that the arepa had no flavor. Nonetheless, the food was excellent. The service was good and the prices were reasonable. It appears to be a family run restaurant (those are usually the best). I will definitely go back.

    (3)

  • Tay H.

    I love me some Arepas! But I didn't know that before I went here... Thank you, Aripo's for opening my eyes to an amazing new food.

    (5)

  • William M.

    I really wanted to like this place, but after two visits, it's just not worth it. Food is pretty pricy and the quality and service isn't very good either. The women at the counter seemed vey annoyed taking my order and was not really helpful as I am not accustomed to Venezuelan cuisine. I think it could be a better place if service was more helpful and they lowered their prices. Food is just okay, nothing to admire.

    (1)

  • Marie F.

    I spent over 10 years in Chicago looking for home-made arepas. This is it. Authentic. The best. I actually want to move to Oak Park just to be closer to them.

    (5)

  • Jeannie A.

    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.

    (4)

  • Tiffany T.

    Being a true blue New Yorker that has had the best Venezulean arepas ever back home, I can't say this place is amazing. Its cute and small, with great paintings on the wall, and the arepas are average. The arepas themselves are drier than they should be cooked, which in turn makes you very thirsty. The pabellon arepa was delicious though and I was pleasantly surprised of how well cooked and seasoned the food was. There could be more of a variety of arepas though, as I couldn't picture myself wanting to try most items on the menu. It was also annoying to try to order something about 30 minutes before closing to take to home to my boyfriend and they were out of arepas. I understand the store would be closing shortly, but if you are still open and your main food theme is arepas, you should have enough until you close. This being the only place in the Chicagoland area I could find that even sells arepas, I will go back, as they were not horrible, I've just had better.

    (3)

  • Grace N.

    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.

    (3)

  • Mgb C.

    If you are from Latin America and are home sick. This is the right place to go for food. Really authentic and tasty. Love it!

    (5)

  • 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.

    (3)

  • Dallas F.

    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.

    (2)

  • Howard L.

    Great food. I came back for a second meal today.

    (4)

  • Jessica C.

    This was the first time I've ever tried Venezuelan food, and thanks to Aripo's, it was amazing! I loved it. I didn't get much, just the De Pernil? A3. I must say, before I tried it, I was really confused as to what it was, but hey, for all you first timers, it's really nothing too dramatic that it will murder your taste buds. Give it a shot! The salsa was also not spicy at all, which makes me happy since I'm not into spicy foods. I kind of wish they portioned out the food better in these things, but I guess you get what you can get.

    (4)

  • Steve B.

    I LOVE this place. Great food, friendly staff, and supportive of the community. Favorite is the cheese, avocado and plantain.

    (5)

  • Nancy H.

    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.

    (3)

  • Ana C.

    After a play date in a local playground, my toddler and I got hungry...THANK YOU fellow yelpers for finding this place! we both loved the chicken empanadas! I also tried the steak pabellon, which was very flavorful. We (and I mean a bottle of Pinot Grigio and me) will definitely come back to try the arepas everyone's talking about. Is this a family restaurant? WeeelI, not all the way. You can find highchairs but not a Kids Menu or a changing table!

    (4)

  • Kelly R.

    I always have an enjoyable experience here. Make sure to check in so you get 10% off the order. I haven't had anything bad here. Make sure to ask for their sauces..so good! It is a long wait time but worth it because everything tastes fresh. Nothing is sitting under a heat lamp in this place!

    (5)

  • Lauren H.

    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.

    (2)

  • Peter R.

    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.

    (4)

  • Kaz L.

    This place has great Venezuelan food. The grilled cheese are addicting! Most of the food are a bit heavy and greasy but if you're hungry, very satisfying.

    (3)

  • robert a.

    Good, good, good, and after that good, Oh yeah, it is also good. I have had the cuisine before, and this is the real deal, and it is here in the village. We go there often, and always leave happy. I have taken visitors, mothers, fathers, friends, and food snobs here, happiness is always the verdict. It is cooked with love, and you should eat it. try the brunch.

    (4)

  • Emily Y.

    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.

    (4)

  • Yvonne O.

    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.

    (3)

  • Nancy C.

    This is the first time trying out Venezuelan food. Tried the shredded beef arepa and it was very tasty. Had a side of rice & beans and both were also very delicious as well. The plantains were sweet and tasty. My boyfriend had the pernil arepa and that was somewhat bland. Definitely want to go back and try the rest of the menu.

    (3)

  • Kymberly J.

    I so wanted to like this place. I got excited when I walked by an saw that an arepas place was opening in my town. We needed something other than another Italian eatery. I have been to Colombia and it was there that I was introduced to arepas. Colombia and Venezuela are next to each other so I knew there would be similarities. The decor is comforting and tropical. I ordered a fresh fruit drink and was told they do not offer them yet as they were slowly introducing menu items. The girl at the counter was totally unconcerned when I mentioned that Yelpers were talking about menu items not available. She barely knew what Yelp was! Strike One. If the items arent available, then cover up that portion of the menu! I got the ensalada mixta. The bowl was over loaded making it hard to mix in the ingredients piled on the top. The avocado in the salad mentioned on the menu was actually a few bits of mushy avocado. I was expecting (as with most Latin American restaurants) large slices of avocado. I got the conuquera arepa with veggies and plantains. It was Ok. A little bland but I wasn't expecting spicy or hot. The arepa was served in a basket three times the size of the arepa making it seem like I was not getting a good value. The should have either put it in a smaller serving piece or fill the empty two thirds with something else like a side of beans. In total, I paid over $12.00 and wasnt even full. I will try it again and get something with meat or maybe a signature Venezuelan dish.

    (3)

  • J H.

    We were in Oak Park to tour the FLW Home and Studio. Were impressed with the uniquenes of the downtown area. Instead of heading to a chain restaurant for lunch, we found Aripo's. I'd never eaten Venezuelan, but knew about empanadas, so it looked like a fun place to dine...with a nice ethnic atmosphere. We ordered at counter then seated ourselves. There was a group of 10 who had come in before us so it took about 20 minutes to get our food. I had the bowl (with rice, black beans, shredded beef and topped with plantains)...basically a burrito without the tortilla wrap-- very good. I especially loved the plantains! Hubby had the pork arepa- which he loved! I also had a guava juice- which I was a bit disapppointed in as it was kinda bland. We ordered some cheese balls, "something-queso" to go. Nibbled on a few while hot and enjoyed them. But later ate a couple when we got home and they were not as good microwaved. Would have liked to try the empenadas, but didn't want to overdo it. Environment was real nice...enjoyed our lunch and will go back if/when I'm in Oak Park again.

    (4)

  • Gayle F.

    Food was o.k. They were out of shredded pork. Shredded chicken was dry and bland. The kids loved their empanadas. Grown ups were not impressed.

    (2)

  • Ben T.

    Wasn't blown away, but perhaps I'm just not crazy about Arepas. The prices are decent, the atmosphere is fine, the food just doesn't quite do it for me. So So.

    (3)

  • Cherish S.

    Went here on a Friday evening for the first time and had a WONDERFUL experience. It was on my radar but after running into a coworker who had lunch there that afternoon, I bumped it up on the list. Between two of us, we ordered a "La Nuestra" arepa (the corn cakes filled with shredded beef, plantains, black beans and crumpled white cheese) and the V1 specialty "Pabellon Criollo", which was essentially a platter of the items listed for the arepa, with rice. We also got a small "Ensalada Mixta" salad with the house dressing. The entire meal was very tasty! For two this was a good amount of food. We aren't big eaters and actually had enough left over for a large "midnight snack". The prices were good and for me, one arepa plus a small salad would be a decent meal with room left for dessert. This place definitely goes on my list of Places I Love!

    (5)

  • Daina B.

    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.

    (4)

  • Maureen T.

    My friend and I were looking for a local place to have lunch on a Saturday afternoon when we walked past Aripo's and decided to stop in. I am not familiar with Venezuelan food so I didn't know what to expect. We each ordered a cheese empanada, which is corn meal based shell with cheese and cornmeal in the center of it and fried. It was delicious! It was served with some sort of sour cream sauce which was very good. We also ordered an arepas called La Suave, which is vegetarian with cheese, avacado, fried plantains served in a cornmeal sort of bread and served with a special spicy orange sauce. This was also delicious. Prices were pretty cheap too with the arepas being 5.45.and the empanada being 3.60. They have a nice outdoor seating area but it was hot out so we ate indoors. Our server was very nice. I'll definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Sara O.

    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.

    (5)

  • Stephanie V.

    I really enjoyed aripos!! The only down side is that its expensive for the amount of food you receive, and it took like 20 min. For them to bring me 3 arepas (cost $20), and their was only one other customer and they were already eating. We got the shark arepa, which was really good, la nuestra n la suave . They were also out of many empanada flavors. maybe i would have had a better experience if I had gone earlier in the day.

    (3)

  • Tony L.

    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.

    (3)

  • Jacqueline A.

    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.

    (5)

  • Katie C.

    Amazing food, friendly service.

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    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!

    (5)

  • Tanya S.

    A-OK for different cuisine. The food was too heavy for me- meat meat meat and bread-it was good, but too much meat for me, I need more 'stuff' in a sandwich.

    (3)

  • Janet E.

    The empanadas here are good. The arepas were not so great. At least not the chrizo (choriarepa) one I had. The dough of the bread was on the sour side and tasted like an English muffin. The filling was too spicy for me. Overall it gave me heartburn. At $5.25 each, it was not worth it. The empanada (empanada de pabellon de carne) was nice and crunchy on the outside. It was perfectly fried. But not worth the $4 I paid. Overall I've had better empanadas but this is a great option for fast Venezuelan food. Plentiful seating on the inside and street metered parking is right outside the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Lucy R.

    Delicious and reasonably priced healthy fast food. Make sure you ask for the sauce as some of the arepas can be dry without it. Love that you can also sit outside when the weather is nice. Lots of vegetarian options and the arepas are gluten-free as well.

    (5)

  • Doug G.

    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.

    (5)

  • Jonathan B.

    An OP neighborhood favorite. Great arepas and fresh juices. Order in or take out.

    (4)

  • Joe M.

    Delicious arepas. I always stop here when in Oakpark

    (4)

  • Jean S.

    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.

    (2)

  • Derek H.

    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...

    (3)

  • Jim N.

    Great food, this place never lets me down! I highly recommend the A8 (no beans) and don't forget the side of plantains! The only downside is they are not open on mondays. I really would like to start my week with an Arepa!

    (4)

  • Aisa V.

    I am an old Foodie but a new Yelper. In all my treks, it takes less than two hands to count restaurants that have succeeded in matching quality and taste with substance and heart. Fortunately for me, my boyfriend, and our humble road trip budget, Aripo's has earned one of the few spots on my culinary treasure list. Raised in a cooking culture driven by flavor and freshness presented in big, potluck-happy gatherings, I know I've arrived at a special place when every dish tastes like Family. Days after our Oak Park getaway, I can effortlessly recall Aripo's warmth and flavor -- a homemade happiness not unlike some of my favorite childhood kitchen memories. Aripo's owner Jose Rodriguez did not think twice in choosing tradition over trend, and for this, my palate rejoiced. No pretentious sandwiches overcompensating with complicated or cheeky names here! Instead, Aripo's menu provides a rich assortment of Venezuelan mainstays that lets food, not advertising, do the talking. Our meal came within minutes of ordering, delivered with a smile and extra sauces to boot. I paired a chilled glass of papaya juice with Tostones, mashed plantains perfectly crisped and complemented by a tangy original sauce and a side of fresh black beans. As we swooned over our appetizers, the main course arrived to whisk us away: For me, the Conuquera Arepa, brimming with fried plantains wrapped in light sweetness, grilled Venezuelan cheese, and zingy red peppers; For him, the Choriarepa, a harmonious (Read: TASTY) blend of sauteéed chorizo and potato. Quesillo, a delicately caramelized Venezuelan flan, concluded our evening on an airy, sweet endnote. Taking final sips of papaya juice while listening to the soft splash of Aripo's outdoor fountain, we let the sun set and the joy of our meal linger. Unforgettable entrées at affordable prices, sweetened by cozy ambiance and a welcoming staff, had left me speechless. Not a problem: Our meal sang.

    (5)

  • Mike N.

    I thought this place was awesome. The Venezuelan lemonade was incredible, and the food was great. The arepas are almost perfect, some of the best I've ever had. This place just adds to a solid Oak Park downtown.

    (4)

  • mei s.

    maybe i've developed too much of a taste for spicy foods. i swear my mouth was watering the other night watching andrew zimmern in chengdu eating/slurping meats drenched in hot chili oil. anyways, i guess that's where i'm at right now. i thought the food here was interesting but not as flavorful as i would have liked. the service was definitely great though. we ordered tostones, a ground beef empanada, for arepas, we ordered: la nuestra, reina pepiada, and la margaritena. la nuestra was probably the best of them all. the chicken salad one was a dud. i think einsteins bagels makes tastier chicken salad. the shark was a little fishy. for drinks, we had the papaya juice which was fine. but the venezuelan style lemonade got thumbs down from the family. a little too bitter.

    (2)

  • Janna L.

    We are from Ontario, Canada. I am a caucasian female, my husband is from Caracas, Venezuela. I have been there once, with him and since that trip and my first arepa, he has not stopped talking about them with me. Arepas, Arepas, Arepas! Coming to the Chicago area was exciting and I figured the big City would have authentic Venezuelan food. We found Aripo's on several review sites, in Oak Park. This appeared to be the only one in the whole area! We drove in Chicago rush hour traffic, about an hour to arrive at this lovely, clean, almost festive restaurant. I was pleased when I walked in. I had heard good things about the husband/wife owners and they were there tonight!!! I figured my husband and he would chat it up but - the owner was not that talkative? It was dead when we arrived but later picked up with more patrons. The washroom was 100% clean and stocked - Important to me. Food... We ordered: The Cazon empanada - YUMMY! (shark) La Reina Pepiada (chicken/potato/carrot/mayo salad and avacado) La Nuestra (shredded beef, black beans and fried plantain with white cheese) Flan for dessert My husband felt the food was very authentic, like he was back home. The empanada was delicious, the fish nicely seasoned. The corn bread shell on the outside was crispy and fresh. The Arepas were also good. I do not like mayo so I mainly stuck to my own. The chicken one had nice slices of avocado, big chunks of chicken. The beef one - had SO many beans that when you got halfway down the arepa that was all there was. The beef was juicy, the cheese, not much of it, was good. Venezuelan white cheese is salty and has good texture. Not many plantains to speak of and I was so looking forward to these! We should have ordered them as an app. but we would have been stuffed! To all the reviewers who stated that the fillings were dry, I have no idea about that. Ours were great in that aspect. The arepa shell - perfectly grilled and nicely sized. The flan was homemade and deelish and we are not even dessert people. Overall, $30 for 2 people inlcluding 2 Venezulan Lattes and 1 bottle of water and a Venezuelan lemonade (a hit), great value!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You order at the front counter and the food is brought to your table, by number with a smile. We had to clean our own table, but, minor detail! Thanks Aripo's for putting a big smile on my hubby's face!!!! We would return!

    (4)

  • Robert S.

    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

    (4)

  • Aurore L.

    I am a nerd and a TV addict. But I (almost) only have a couple of channels on rotation: HGTV and Food Network. (I actually can't wait for the launching of the Cooking Channel at the end of the month....it will be hard to get me out of the house at this point. Except for dinner, of course. I have priorities. Eating food wins over watching food being eaten by others, hands down.) So when I saw months ago Bobby Flay in an "arapas throwdown" (I know, be lenient and don't judge), I knew that I had to put my teeth on/in/all over one of these little wonders. That only happened today, in Oak Park of all places. And man, they are as good as they look on screen.... So - if you are not Venezuelian, Columbian, fellow FN afficionados or if your Spanish classes were lacking in the culinary department, here are a few words on arepas (with a nice rolling 'r' - it sounds so much more exotic and delicious): The arepas are little pouches of bread made of corn meal, water and salt and grilled, baked or fried. They are then either filled or topped with cheese, meat, shrimp, vegetables,......the possibilities are endless. Here, they are rellenas. Stuffed. We arrived five minutes before closing time, and quickly placed an order of tostones that came with an amazing home-made sauce, and two arapas: La Sifrina (ham and cheddar) and La Conuquera (sauteed red peppers and onions, plantains, black bean and grilled white cheese - like a dense queso fresco slighly charred....so yum). Wow. Just. WOW. It's incredibly satisfying. The masa is super fresh and crunchy, but moist inside and is a killer on its own. Basic or more elaborate, you have 19 options to choose from. Plus empanadas, tequenos, yuca fries, and natural fruit juices......... Caracas on a plate. To top it off, the place is super cute and everyone is really friendly. I just want to hop on a plane and move down there and try to make friends with Hugo. Last tip: Any two arepas are only $7.50 during the week between 11am and 3pm. Do it. Careful, they close at 3pm on Monday!

    (5)

  • david m.

    It may be easy to read some of the comments and dismiss this restaurant, but the owner clearly read them and responded, and some are a result of folks not being familiar with Venezuelan Cusine. Great Food, Great Service, Great Atmosphere! Venezuelan food is typically smaller portions, so that you can taste a variety and enjoy. Everything here is hand made, and it is authentic! The flavors, are amazing! The service very courteous - don't miss Arepas, Tostones! personal Faves and they are VERY authentic and delicious. You only need to order 2 or 3 items, and you will be VERY satisified! Try it, if you like Latin American Cusine - I plan on returning SEVERAL times. Note - some say the prices are high, that is not true, if you were to go to Miami you would pay equal - the reason is behind the shipping of some of the foods directly from Venezuela which always will drive up some costs - but those who complain about cost, should not expect a dollar menu - go to Mcdonalds - then you will be happy.

    (5)

  • Brian P.

    I've now been back to Aripos two times since my initial review and it has definitely become one of my favorite local places. I found some of the other comments here regarding portion size surprising, as my wife and I shared the fried plantains, had an empanada and an arepa each on our latest visit and thought it was just the right amount of food, all for about $20. That's a good value in my book. I had a chance to meet both Jose (chef and owner) and his wife Laura (who is usually working at the register) and they are both great people. Just from our brief conversation, I could tell how much they care about their business and their customers. If you haven't been yet, check them out! If you have and weren't sure, give them another shot! You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Josclyn W.

    They don't have set hours.... We have stalked this place for the last three days, Saturday the sign said 12:30 and we waited for 20min for them to open then we finally left. Sunday, we drove into town to find out they are closed, finally on Monday we waited till 12:50 and they finally opened the doors to tell us thet didn't have any epmanadas or juice. Number one biggest pet peve!!! If it it on your menu it must be available. I had the shark and it was really greazy, orange oil all and very bland the sauce they provided smelled like ketchup and mayo but that is what saved it. I also tried the chicken with avacado and that one was better but was cold. Mr. tried the ground beef which he said was bland and the shredded beef which was greazy. The decor was also very lame. So, I don't think we will be going back... or at least give them time to work out the kinks.

    (1)

  • Amelia D.

    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.

    (2)

  • Dennis L.

    I was really excited when I saw Aripo's was going to open in Oak Park. Unfortunately, my wife and I were disappointed with our experience. The decor, location, and menu variety was good. The actual food was so-so. My wife had a chicken arepa, and I had a steak arepa. The flavors were decent, but the arepas were shockingly small for the price. Even with an appetizer, our meal seemed more like a snack. To be successful, the restaurant will either have to add a side dish to each arepa, increase the size, or lower its prices. Unfortunately, the poor value and mediocre food will certainly have us frequenting other dining establishments.

    (2)

  • Carla M.

    I am originally from Venezuela and the food here is awesome, its nice to have a little piece of home here. The arepas are amazing, they even have the authentic venezuelan cheeses that are really hard to find in the US. The service was great and the staff was super friendly, the chef even came out to the table to check on us and get feedback. I can't wait to go back, this is definitely a Venezuelan Heaven! P.S. for the people commenting on the chicken salad and size of the meals. The arepas are the everyday meal in Venezuela, you usually have 2 or more with different filings, these are actually a very good size. About the reina pepiada, that is a very traditional Arepa and its served COLD and with MAYO, don't take the translation of the menu too literal and ask about what you will be ordering, some of these dishes are hard to explain in other languages.

    (5)

  • Angela M.

    I went with my family and we tried different dishes and the food here is really GOOD and tasty. If you go with kids, order: Tequeños, ham and cheese arepas or empanadas, and passion fruit juice...mmmm..... you won't go wrong, the little ones will love it. The colonial decoration is lovely, I am from Caracas and it's like being in "El Hatillo" ( venezuelatuya.com/caraca… ) If you've never eaten something like this before, and you are not sure what to order, I'd suggest you to start with something simple as ham and cheese.... then, open your mind and go wild with the fillings. Definitely a MUST TRY!!!

    (5)

  • Denise M.

    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.

    (5)

  • Becky H.

    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.

    (4)

  • Megan S.

    We were excited to check this place out, but were disappointed that you order your food at the counter -- like a Venezuelan Chipotle. The woman working behind the counter seemed annoyed to be taking our order. Once we placed our order and were going to sit down, every table was dirty. We stood there looking around and picked the least dirty table. I had to ask someone to clear it off for us, which she did and did apologize that it wasn't cleaned prior. The arepa that I had was turkey & cheese. The only thing that made it different from a plain turkey cheddar sandwich that I could make at home was the arepa bread itself. My finace asked to have cheddar cheese added to his ground beef arepa, and they charged him $1 for some shredded cheese. In this country, my friends, cheese is a right and not a priviledge. 50 cents, I get. But a buck for about an ounce of cheese...not so much. What should have been a $20 meal cost us $32. We're glad we gave it a go, but won't be back.

    (1)

  • b k.

    Mouth watering, complex flavors await you here. My favorite is the Conuquera arepas - black beans, cheese, grilled plantains and grilled vegetables served piping hot and fresh. My only complaint is that if you don't know to ask, you won't be offered sauces to go on the arepas and the sauces are not only delicious but really vital to the whole flavor and texture of the meal. I love being able to eat outside on Marion street and enjoy the street life. It would be nice to have the meals served on a plate rather than in a wax paper lined basket since they are so messy. We're lucky to have this place here in Oak Park! If you're visiting from out of town and have never had arepas, come try it, it'll be a great memory.

    (5)

  • Alexander C.

    The owner wrote me and explained the difference between Colombian and Venezuelan arepas. I think I might like the Venezuelan style arepas better with the topping on top of the bread. The bread they are using here is simply made with cornmeal, water, and salt. No grease or fat. ;) Anyways... The owner of this business is humping to please and trying to make a genuine Venezuelan product. Give this small business a shot. The chef is passionate about what he is doing and it should come across in the food.

    (3)

  • Eric C.

    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!

    (4)

  • Steph F.

    With my mouth watering as I recalled the Anthony Bourdain segment where he stuffed his mouth with arepas, I scanned the menu and thought I couldn't go wrong with any of the scrumdelish choices. I stand corrected. We ordered the arepa de carne molida and la nuestra (recommended by the staff). Both were dry (took many gulps of cerveza to wash it down) and lacked spice. Anticlimactic. On the other hand, the ham and cheese empanada and tequenos were feakin' awesome! Should've ordered more of the deep fried grub. Pretty much can't go wrong with that!

    (3)

  • Carmen A.

    True Venezuelan stuff, well made and healthy. I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Cisdevry C.

    Too expensive. Service too slow. This place wont survive like this. The food is good but you need to eat at least 2 arepas = $12 to be OK plus tax plus drink...you are looking at a $15.00 simple meal. You can get something better for that price.

    (2)

  • Christine M.

    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?

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    Went to this place with a group of friends this past weekend. Only one of us had ever had venezuelan food before, so we were very curious to see what it tasted like. I ordered one of the bowls meals that had shredded beef and it was very good, the beef was very tender and it had a really good flavor. It came with fried plantains, which I had never tried before, and although I found them a little strange, it's probably a food that could grow on me after a few more tastings. It was a good portion size for the price. I would definitely come back next time I'm in the area

    (4)

  • Esther P.

    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.

    (5)

  • Suzen R.

    The food was delicious. Beautiful restaurant. helpful waitress. Very economical. Wheelchair accessible. And very knowledgeable about food allergies.

    (5)

  • Alona B.

    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.

    (5)

  • Thomas L.

    Not feeling like waiting in line for an over priced torta? Give the Venezuelan cousin a try. The arepas simply fan'spanking'tastic. The bread is not too firm and not too fluff and grilled to perfection. The shredded beef and black beans work harmoniously well together. I only wish they had something on the side in the basket, it looks lonely. I am not a huge plantain fan and these were a tad too sweet. Can't beat the prices though.

    (4)

  • M R.

    I went to Aripo's for lunch, I ordered a few dishes to try and they were delicious. The Arepa's are wonderful and the passion fruit mousse was refreshing at the end of the meal. The restaurant is very nicely decorated, clean, and the staff was helpful when asked about the menu.

    (5)

  • Allison R.

    My boyfriend and I randomly stumbled across Aripo's a year or so ago when they were sampling some of their Yuca Frita's, which kind of tasted like a healthier French fry. We decided to give it a try and have been back at least once a month since then. My personal favorites are the Boliqueso appetizer with that yummy sauce - so good. For a long time I was stuck on getting the same arepa. The Perico arepa (A13) which has scrambled eggs and veggies, but I have since ventured off into getting the La Suave (A2) which has fried plantains, white cheese, avocado, and comes with this delicious dipping sauce. A few boliquesos and one arepa is definitely plenty for lunch or dinner. I've tried the veggie bowl, but found the onions to be way too much and a little slimy, plus just way too much food. If you're like me and have never had Venezuelan food, I think Aripo's is a great place to try it.

    (4)

  • Tristan C.

    I have been here a few times and I love it. I think the beef empanada is my favorite, but who can really say, there's a lot to choose from. My husband and I enjoy their beverage selection. I have been there several times and they accompany some of their menu items with sauces, but the sauce accompaniment has been inconsistent. They were happy to give us some when we asked for it, though. I like the decor inside, and the staff is really friendly.

    (4)

  • T W.

    Yummy Venezuelan areas!

    (4)

  • Cyn P.

    This was a first trip and I was very excited to try this place. Overall experience = ok 3.5 stars. Overall ambiance - 5 stars. Cleanliness - 5 stars. Helpfulness and Friendliness - 4 stars. Food - 3 stars. I had TOSTONES. And, they left something to be desired. They were to flat, too overcooked, and lacking flavor. However, the dipping sauce was very good - although the portion was small. I had the A-8 - La NUESTRA - PABELLON Aripa. It was good -- contained shredded beef, white crumbled cheese, black beans, and fried plantains. The beans had no flavor, or sauce for that matter. The friend plantains were almost invisible - hardly tasted them and they were gone in the first bite. The beef was very tender and good but a little dry. The bread was very good. It was hot and well put together. But for my taste it needed a sauce or more natural juice from the beef. Here is the thing... At the counter, I asked which aripas came with a sauce or gravy because I like my food "wet". For example, if I get an Italian beef, I want it dripping with juice. The counter person, although nice, was confused and could not help. She explained they had three different sauces, although 1 was not really a sauce, it was a cheese. So I got my food, ate, and then she asked me how it was. I said "it was OK". Just ok?, she said. I repeated, "yeah - just ok". I explained that I needed a sauce, like a tomatillo - green sauce. She seemed a little offended and said, we don't have tomaillo sauce. I will try it again but will forego the tostones. I make better ones at home.

    (3)

  • Angela B.

    Enjoyed the plantains very much. Just wish the serving size was larger.

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    The food in this place is great. The price is very reasonable.

    (4)

  • CJ Q.

    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.

    (5)

  • John F.

    We weren't really sure what to expect from this place, having never had an arepa before (or even heard of them before Aripo's opened up a few months ago). The menu is pretty big, with a number of options-- both arepas and empanadas, including a number of meatless options. One of us got beef and the other chicken, both with shredded cheese. The beef was well-seasoned and flavorful, mixed with peppers. The chicken was pretty bland, even though it had what looked like the same kind of sauce. So it seems that not all the varieties are created equal. One arepa is also not a lot of food. It was fine for us at this meal because we weren't super hungry, but if you're looking for a big dinner you will definitely have to order two, or get an appetizer. The lunch special is quite a good deal, with that in mind. We will definitely try Aripo's again, since there was such a difference in the two we tried and so many other things on the menu. It didn't blow us away, but it was good enough to make it worth finding the right choices.

    (3)

  • Wendy K.

    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.

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    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.

    (4)

  • Luis G.

    Excellent place to enjoy Venezuelan goodies in Chicago area. Nice and friendly staff. Thanks Claudio for helping us.

    (5)

  • Liz W.

    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!

    (4)

  • Ann S.

    More spice, please.

    (2)

  • Becky E.

    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.

    (4)

  • Foster R.

    This is my first time trying venezuelian food, and it was very delicious. The arepas was fresh and hot, and the place itself is very nice, I love the color scheme, and also the location. Aripo's have a lot of different type of arepas to choose from, I had one ground beef and one chicken and a drink for $8.75 and they were well worth it. Great place for lunch I love everything about Aripos and I plan on checking in again in the near future.

    (4)

  • Sam D.

    I went there to get a take-out late lunch/early dinner. The service was fast without any of the kinds of snags others have reported. While reasonably priced, I will say the portions are slightly small considering they don't include any sides. Throw in a side salad or some such and this would be a great value. Then again, considering they use fairly exotic ingredients of a high quality perhaps it's not really fair to complain about the price point which is still under $6 for all but one item on the sandwich menu. All in all, I was extremely impressed by the food and will absolutely be going back for more.

    (4)

  • Kristie n scott V.

    The Arepas were delicious. They were smaller than I thought - I probably could have eaten two. The Tostones appetizer was great and the sauce was good too. My daughter ate the ham and cheese arepa. I liked that she had a chance to try the cuisine, but it was mundane enough with just ham and cheese for her to not be intimidated. Restaurant doesn't have atmosphere, really. It is just a takeout restaurant with tables. That being said, it is clean and attractive.

    (4)

  • Efrain R.

    It really upsets me that a menu item is not available, this has happened twice with natural juices and empanadas. As far as prices, they are about 30% too high, but being the only Venezuelan eatery in the Chicago area, they can get away with it. My wife surely prepares better arepas, but going into a place and ordering a couple of em, is convenient. Tips for owners: stock the damn place and serve what's on the menu.

    (1)

  • April P.

    I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!!! I wish it was a chain. I want to eat there every day! I'm thinking about moving, and usually when a person thinks about moving, they are sad to leave their friends and/or family. I'm sad about that, but I also can't stop thinking about how much I wish there were more Aripos in the world!

    (5)

  • Vicky B.

    I can't say enough good things about Aripos. It was one of the most delicious and interesting meals I've had in a while, and definitely a great addition to Oak Park. You order at the counter and then they bring the food to your table (appetizer and entree at the same time). To start, my fiance and I split an order of tostones. These were good but not needed as the rest of our meal was heavy on the starches. The dipping sauce that came with was amazing though. In the future, I am going to just ask for a side of that sauce (it tasted like a roasted red pepper aioli-light on the oil). For my entree I got the vegetarian Conuquera arepa. It had black beans, roasted red peppers, onions, cheese and a plantain. It was well seasoned and very well balanced. For those who have never had an arepa, the best comparison I can come up with is a Mexican sope. It will be hard to not order this every time I go (who are we kidding, I am definitely going to order that every time PLUS the dozens of other things I want to try on their huge menu). My fiance ordered two empanadas: the pabellion (with shredded beef, black beans, plantains and cheese) and the shredded chicken. These were verrry good as well. The empanada dough was flaky and very flavorful - nothing was too greasy and all the of meat stayed moist. For the best experience, I definitely recommend trying an empanada and an arepa. We felt like we got a really good deal for all of the food we had. Our bill came to about $20 (we also ordered a Mexican Coca Cola - try this!). We contemplated ordering another empanada but I'm glad we didn't - we were stuffed. One last note, I know the tendency is to order the shredded cheddar cheese because it's familiar, but I definitely recommend seeking out an arepa with the traditional white cheese-it was sooooo good!

    (5)

  • Tina K.

    I've been to this place a few times now and really like the food. The arepa sandwiches are tasty and very filling (despite looking small). Ditto for the empanadas. Service has been friendly every time. Can't wait to go back and try some other items on the menu.

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    I grew up in Venezuela and Aripo's is a taste of home, everything I have tried is very authentic. I had two different arepas, one with just cheese and one with deviled ham, or 'diablito' as it's called there. They were both very good. Crispy on the outside with a nice tender inside, and a good portion. The pabellon was also good, and was available in a smaller bowl portion that evening. The chicken empanada came with a spicy salsa. Their quesillo, or flan, is very smooth and rich, a perfect finish for the meal. They also have some good juices with Venezuelan fruits like guava and mango. The decor is nice and very clean. The ordering is similar to a Noodles and Company or Corner Bakery where you get a number and they bring the food out. It's also BYOB.

    (5)

  • David K.

    Love the Arepas and other traditional Venezuela dishes. If you've never had an Arepa I'd recommend you start with something simple like ham and cheese and work your way up to the more complicated fillings.

    (5)

  • Rosemary D.

    Casually ran into Aripo's today and went in. My niece and I each had an empanada (Chicken and beef). They were delicious. I will definitely be going back for an arepa!!!

    (4)

  • Julie T.

    Charming decor, exceedingly nice staff and pretty good food. Service is gracious but a little slow, so plan on enjoying a leisurely meal. The hours have seemed to vary day to day (they write it on a chalkboard in the front window) which is problematic, but I've enjoyed the food here. I see a few reviews complaining about the Reina Pepiada being cold and having mayo in it. In my hand is the menu that I picked up the second day they were open, and the description for it says, "Shredded chicken and avocado salad". To me, a chicken salad is almost certainly going to be served cold and have mayo in it. I'm not a mayo fan myself, but do see the purpose of using (not overusing) in a chicken salad. Personally, I enjoyed this sandwich; avocados were very fresh and the salad was also comprised of small chunks of boiled potatoes and other veggies. I've also had the La Nuestra - the Pabellon Arepa that's comprised of shredded beef, black beans, fried plaintains, and crumbled white cheese. Have even tried their arepa burger, La Musiua and was pleasantly surprised. My burger still had a tiny bit of pink in the center, was seasoned well, and served with fresh tomato, lettuce, red onion, and a side of the "special dipping sauce" (description in a minute). Is $4.25-$6 perhaps a lot to pay for a "street food" sammie? Yes, a bit. But everything really tastes fresh and made with care. The "bread" of the arepas has a very nice toasty corn masa flavor, and I think the size is fine. Arepas are served with a pat of butter on the side which has seemingly confused everyone so I had to ask the staff. Apparently in Venezuela, arepos traditionally have a pat of butter put into the sandwich to melt right before you eat it. Aripos is leaving it on the side for the health-conscious to decide if they want to partake. Considerate, no? Plan to order side dishes with your arepa. What I've had thus far has been good: The ham and white cheese, as well as shredded beef empanadas were definitely enjoyable. Nice and warm, good flavors. Black beans are clearly not from a can! Still have a little bite and substance to them and great cuminy flavor. Tostones were crispy and tasty, and while I didn't get excited about the Arepitas Fritas, they're a great delivery vehicle for the sauces provided. Their "special dipping sauce" is a mild but flavorful and creamy chili sauce of sorts, and guasacaca is a creamy avocado sauce. Also tried the passion fruit mousse. The texture was, unfortunately, quite rubbery, but the flavor and aroma...wow! Passion fruit paradise. So yes, Aripos is new and still working out some kinks. Give them a try! I've had their food thrice now and am very happy they're here.

    (3)

  • Steph C.

    Never had Venezuelan food before so cannot comment on authenticity. However, for a self-service place, their price is much higher than expected with relatively small portion.

    (2)

  • C. N.

    I stumbled across this on a rare free afternoon in Oak Park. I have had Arepas in the logan square area before, but they were dry and boring. I had the A8. It's shredded beef, plantains and white cheese. It was so tasty. Some people are saying bland, but I didn't find it to be at all. The meet was perfection! The owner (?) was really friendly and checked in to see how I liked it. I loved it! I can't wait to go back! Also, I thought the price-under 8.00 for the Arepa and a drink- was very reasonable. The portion was perfect for me, but if you are a big burly person, you should do the lunch special and get two.

    (5)

  • Cody Y.

    This was exactly what I was looking for. My wife and I happened upon arepas while we were visiting California and I set off to find them when I returned home. Turns out, we have a great place for arepas right here in Oak Park. I had the the Carne de Mechada (shredded beef) with cheese and it was everything I was hoping to get. The beef was incredibly tasty. The corn bread of the arepa was terrific. My wife had an arepa off the Sunday brunch menu with egg, cheese, shredded beef and an avacado. She really seemed to enjoy it as well. When we finished up our arepas, we had their quesillo (flan) which we also really enjoyed. I would highly recommend getting over to Aripo's to enjoy their terrific food.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    had the veggie arepa. It was delicious. The prices were a little more than I was expecting though (to be fair, I'm a fairly cheap person). I wanted lunch, and one arepa was about $6. They're good, but one is definitely not enough food for a meal. You would need at least 2 arepas -- possibly more. Dropping $12-$18 for an arepa lunch is a bit more than I'm usually willing to spend.

    (3)

  • Krista M.

    Seriously YUM!! Got one of the "bowls" this time: absolutely fantastic!! Fresh, delicious, NEVER boring!!! Perfect when you can't figure out what you want for lunch! (or dinner... or breakfast... or a snack...)

    (5)

  • Dan P.

    Never had Venezuelan food before. Really enjoyed my sandwich with pork, black beans, plantains and cheese. Quaint place on a quaint street for a unique dining experience. Coke in a glass bottle is always refreshing, too. I've been back a couple times since.

    (4)

  • StanLee T.

    I first saw the sign on the window that this place was coming about a week ago and got very excited. Growing in S. Florida arepas & empanadas became a staple in my late night diet. This place lived up to the hype. It is way nicer inside then the places I grew up going too but the food was equally authentic and delicious. We ordered an array of food and the owner came out to tell us there will be a small wait on the empanadas because they were changing the oil. Day 1 and they are changing the oil! That shows a commitment to making fresh food. I am excited to go back and try some more.

    (4)

  • Amanda U.

    The food is awesome and at a great price. Everything is always fresh! My favorites are the chicken or steak empanadas and the aripas with chicken and avocado. The rice is also very good!!

    (5)

  • Andy S.

    Well I gotta give it up for Aripo's. They do listen to reviews. I did notice a lunch special and they are participating on Thursday nights in the OP. The service was better and the food was good. But man what's up with the plantains? I'm gonna have my mama go there and show them how it's done. Overall I'm pleased and I do think they were working out the kinks. I wish them well. But work on those plantains, seriously.

    (4)

  • Eric B.

    Aripo's is officially my favorite restaurant in Oak Park. My girlfriend and I have visited several times now and our fondness grows with each trip. I find myself planning the next menu item to try and recommending the restaurant to friends and co-workers. First, the food is excellent! I am slowing working my way through the menu and now I find myself conflicted about which is my favorite dish. Aripo's serves traditional Venezuelan fare, and the restaurant appears to have been teleported in from Caracas. The art on the walls, commissioned by the owner, was painted by a Venezuelan artist. The paintings are striking and I offered to buy one as I would love to hang it in my house but the owner politely refused. Indeed much of the décor was imported from Venezuela with the result of a pleasant colonial feel with fidelity to the roots of the restaurant. Latin music plays softly in the background rounding out the wonderful feel of the place. The owner's wife greets customers at the counter with a charming smile and excellent taste in music. On my third trip the owner recognized me and my girlfriend and send over a flan, to thank us for our business. Overall the staff is very friendly. Most importantly, the food is delicious. I leave full and pleased without feeling like a disgusting glutton. There are several menu items currently competing for status as my favorite dish and all are strong contenders. I should not neglect to note that there are multiple options for vegetarians. This immediately won my girlfriend's heart as most places a vegetarian option seems only an afterthought while Aripo's seems to embrace it. Some of my fellow reviewers opine that the price is slightly too high. I will disagree for a couple of reasons. First, it is easy for two people to walk away full for under $20. The ingredients taste fresh and are obviously high quality. With that combination I feel like I'm getting value for my money. It is easy to stay in stock when everything is frozen, Aripo's uses fresh everything. I will be patient with them if they occasionally run out of something so long as the ingredients are as fresh and tasty as they are now. Next, they do offer a lunch special of two aripas for around $7. I doubt I could finish two, as they are very filling, but this will allow you to sample multiple items and still have a snack later. For brevities sake I will describe my two favorite aripas so far and offer and unqualified recommendation of both. I love a good chicken salad sandwich, which is a standard offering on most lunch menus. A chicken salad sandwich is common but sadly more often mediocre than inspiring; easy to do difficult to do well. Aripo's offers the best chicken salad I have ever had, called a reinapepiada. They combine tender chicken with chunks of potato and peas and stuff it into a warm fresh aripa (a cornmeal based flatbread) and top it with large slices of avocado. The result of the cool filling hugged by a warm aripa left me in rapture. I added a side of fried plantains and I can't stop thinking about this dish. The other contender for my favorite dish is the choriarepa, a spicy Mexican sausage with diced potatoes. This aripa has an amazing flavor that was rich and stimulating without overwhelming. I added a side of black beans to this aripa and left with a huge smile on my face. I took a passion fruit mousse to go and shared it with by girlfriend who, after the first bite, told me I should have brought two home instead of one. All in all, I am a huge fan of this place and I have no doubt that they will quickly develop a loyal following in the area. They have been getting some good press recently which is great for them, but I hope I can still get a table anytime I want! Cheers.

    (5)

  • Paige T.

    so good! we stopped in for dinner after i had heard great things and we are definitely going to become regulars. we both had the featured arepa with beef, cheese, plaintains and beans. plenty of food for the cost. delicious! everything on the menu looked great, too.

    (5)

  • Crz C.

    Tooooo expensive $ 35.00 for only 4 arepas wow !!! I ordered 4 arepas and they keep coming one at the time, every 10 min each one, I can't imagine if I order ten arepas, the services to bad, it would be easier go to a Mexican restaurant and order some gorditas, which is pretty much the same, and does the beans are fresh or canned?, and they forgot to bring my drink and when i ask them where my drink was ,they told me if i was sure they didn't bring it already, and there were only 3 tables, not to busy to lost my drink.

    (1)

  • LaShelle N.

    My husband and I visited here a few years ago when they first opened. I admit we had never had an Arepa before. I tried Reina Pepiada, Queso Amarillo, Husband had some empanadas and bistec encebollado, and Tequenos and Boliqueso (which we really liked).The food was decent, I would have to try it again to make sure that I am a fan. It has been a while so maybe it is time to try again.

    (3)

  • Marlene S.

    Nitce place for a quick bite to eat. I got salad #1 which is potato salad w/big pieces of chicken and peas. The small size was plenty for me. I also tried the flan and a Venezuelan red pop. Both were great. I think the bill was under $10. Such a deal. Will be back to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • c m.

    I work in the area and this is by far my favorite lunch spot in OP. You might have to wait a bit for you food, but its made fresh and you can taste the difference!! The A8 is where its at, but even their salads are great, and reasonably priced. The staff is always friendly and the place is quite clean. There is something for everyone on the menu, go!

    (5)

  • Jenny Z.

    Went to Aripo's for the first time today. I got a beef arepa and my husband got one with beef, black beans, plantain and white cheese. His was much better....my beef arepa was dry but the flavor was very good....just needed a little something more. The corn bread was grilled nicely and tasted very fresh. I can't wait to go back and try one of their platters....Oak Park is lucky to have a new restaurant like this!

    (4)

  • Bernie D.

    This place is great if you're looking a sandwich, but not looking for the same old lunch meat on bun. The Venezuelan arepa was great, I had the shredded chicken and cheddar. There was a great selection sandwiches, the place is clean, the staff is friendly, and best of all it was cheap. I recommend anyone looking for something different and quick to give this place a shot.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    Unfortunately, not as good as the first time. It lacked flavor this time so I ended up just adding tabasco sauce. And the chicken was dry. Tequenos were still good though. And the food came out faster this time.

    (2)

  • Brenda V.

    Really good food, great service and pleasant surroundings. You must try it..

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    I went back to Aripo's since my initial review and had a really tasty chorizo/potato arepa...yummy!!!

    (4)

  • Mary M.

    holy cow. must go must try now!! i drive from hoffman estates for this place!!! every single thing me or my boyfriend have shared is amazing.... great portions, great flavors , great variety...this deserves 10 stars. keep it up guys, keep it original.

    (5)

  • nikki s.

    Yeah so i found an excuse to go back on sunday afternoon...I had to eat somewhere since I was in the area, right? This time I had the passionfruit juice (a blast of tropical yum in my mouth) and the shredded beef aropa with black beans, cheese and plaintains. We also tried the deep fried cheese balls which were pretty good too. Once again, my tummy was pleased!

    (5)

  • Laura B.

    I had walked by Aripo's a few times, but could never convince my companions to stop in with me... The bf was out of town, so I decided to stop in on my own. It was my first time with an arepa an I really liked it! I got the A8 (shredded beef, black beans, and fried plantain); everything was really flavorful and the "bread" part was warm, crispy, and delicious. One was plenty for me, but I can see how some people may want more. They had a lot of tasty sounding menu items and I'm excited to try more. My bill was about $7.50 for the arepa and a fountain pop. It may be the cheap part in me, but I thought it was a little much for a sandwich.

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    Outstanding deal for lunch, 2 Arepas with a drink for $8.25. My favorites are the La Nuestra and the Choriarepa.

    (4)

  • Daniel N.

    Very authentic Venezuelan restaurant (I'm Venezuelan). Food was great and you can try everything we'd typically get in Venezuela. The cheese wasn't as good as it is back home but that's just a limitation of being in the US. Took friends there and they loved it.

    (5)

  • Pablo E.

    The food was very good. I had La Nuestra, which I was told is the typical arepa, and the Domino empanada. I like very spicy food so the arepa and empanada were a bit bland for my taste, but very good for what they are. I normally stay away from any deep fried foods because they don't agree with me but I was in the neighborhood so I gave it a chance. I'm happy I did, there's a nice fountain to look at if you dine outside. I wouldn't eat here on a regular basis (trying to watch my weight) but I definitely will come back.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    First time having an arepa today and it was overall a good experience. I had a chicken and cheese arepa and it was mighty tasty. Not really filling, which was kinda nice. The food took a little long for carryout, but when I got home it was worth it. I will be going back and exploring the other arepas on the menu. It's something out of the ordinary in a good way.

    (4)

  • Simon B.

    My experience was not bad but good. The prices are not connected with the service. I would said it is a little over price for a combo between a restaurant in which you have a table and a fast service restaurant were you going to pick up your food. The food is good but not excellent. The menu is overwhelming specially for people who are not familiar with the product, too many choices, besides you have to make a fast choice right away in front of a person with attitude (a young girl in my case). Sometimes people don't realize that their body talk for them even if they don't use a word. When I tried to talk in Spanish, which is our language and I wanted to feel a warm welcome, my idea was rejected! I don't feel ashamed because I speak Spanish. It is a place to visit to try to make your American and other Latino friends to know about your native food, if you don't have the time to do it better by yourself at home. I would think twice to come back.

    (2)

  • Standard Y.

    Decent arepas, good service, definitely worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Stephanie P.

    I work not too far from Aripo's and one of my clients who lives in the neighborhood recommended that I try it out because she felt it was a nice change from your regular lunch. So, I went online read through the menu and placed my order for a pabellon empanada and the pabellon arepa. I just happend to love, love, love plantains and black beans with anything! I have had empanadas from different countries and love them but I never had an arepa. I'll start with the empanada, it was good, a tad bit oily but very flavorful. But then I bit into the overflowing arepa which had seasoned beef (like my mom's slow cooked roast beef) black beans, plantains, and a white cheese all stuffed (and I mean stuffed) into a something that reminds me of cornbread but different .... OMG!!! It was FANTASTIC! It was like I had just bitten into central and south america! Delicious! So I have informed the staff that they will all be getting arepas tomorrow for lunch so that I can spread a little bit of this love around! KUDOS! My client was right, a delightful change from your typical lunch. The ambiance is also nice. Love, love, love the salsa music, it's clean and contemporary. A must try!

    (5)

  • Cynthia W.

    I love ethnic foods and will travel. The place has a nice flavor, and staff were courteous. We had several different arepa's, the chicken was fresh and tasty. The chicken salad arepa looked better than it tasted. This reminded me of hot water corn bread (which I love) opened and stuffed with potato salad, chicken, mayo and the avocado fell off first. I have to go back and try the empanada's and other things on the menu. Was not impressed, kinda common and expensive.

    (3)

  • c d.

    Really enjoyed the arepas, the bread is really great and the shredded meats were tender and delicious. A great dinner alternative and very inexpensive. With all the options on the menu it is sure to please just about every taste. Friendly and helpful service. The wait was a bit due to the crowd, but I was given forewarning which was much appreciated. Love that they serve Coke in the bottle too.

    (4)

  • Andrew J.

    Aripas are definitely I haven't seen anywhere else. Of the few that I've had, the taste ranges from kinda bland (black bean) to really good (barbacoa). Though my wife liked the black bean better. I like the place itself, the atmosphere is nice and casual and the service has always been pretty friendly.

    (4)

  • Zeldin Q.

    4 stars for taste, 2 stars for price. Arepas were very tasty. Fresh, flavorful, garlicky, grilly. Good! Tostones were fine; freshly fried and crunchy, but the quantitly is not remotely worth the price. Two arepas which are small, plus one order of tostones, and one bottle of coke = $20. Too much for what is supposed to be street food. Would have liked to have tried empanadas but were out already. It's ok, they deserve some time to work out the kinks, but hopefully they'll realize that the prices need to be brought down by 20% if they are going to keep customers.

    (4)

  • Victor V.

    AREPAS ROCK! These little pita pockets are delicious. I had the one filled with Caribbean shark - it was perfect.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Aripo’s Venezuelan Arepa House

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