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| - Rica, deliciosa, sabrosa... just a few fitting words to describe the arepas at Rika Arepa Express! I tracked down this Venezuelan food truck at the Downtown 3rd Farmers Market on Friday and I was instantly impressed by the prompt, friendly service and flavors of the food that I tried. Thank you to my good friend Christie O. for spotting this truck at another local farmers market and mentioning it in a quick tip!
The picture menu featuring 9 filled arepas is easy to navigate. Each one costs $4.00 or $4.50. I ordered the Domino for myself and Reina Pepiada (creamy chicken and avocado salad) to bring home to my husband, and a passion fruit juice to drink. The addition of perfect, creamy avocado slices for $1 made the Domino even better, named after the contrast of the white mozzarella cheese and savory black beans. I could eat a whole bowl of the black beans; they are seasoned just the way I like them, with lots of cumin, and not overwhelmed by any other flavor. After my first bite, I remembered the red and green sauce included with my order and poured them over my following bites. I especially enjoyed the creamy cilantro sauce with its fresh herb flavor. The parchita (passion fruit juice) was great, though my cup contained more ice than I would have liked. I really enjoyed my meal on the patio outside the former bus terminal that now houses the DT3 Farmers Market.
I can't comment on the meats here, as you couldn't even pay me to eat a steak cooked by Gordon Ramsay himself. However, my husband approved of his Reina Pepiada. Look for Rika Arepa Express at First Friday and StrEATs this month-- I think it will be love at first bite when you taste their ¡sazón! (Just not in the Lorena Garcia for Taco Bell way.)
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