Sometimes it can be difficult to find a delicious, inexpensive, quick meal on Queen West these days, but stumbling upon Arepa Cafe just west of Spadina provides just that.
The décor is inviting, with exposed brick walls and soft lighting, less a restaurant than a café, per its name.
The menu is simple, featuring a number of Latin American starters, salads, breakfast options, and of course dessert, but let's be clear: you're coming here for an arepa!
With nearly 15 varieties of this traditional Venezuelan street food from which to choose, there's something for everyone, and only one prices above $10. The best of the bunch is surely the reina pepiada (curvy queen), a mouth-watering mixture of roast-chicken, avocado, coriander and red onion, stuffed into a cornmeal sandwich. The cornmeal arepas seem to always be freshly made; they typically have a just-out-of-the-oven feel. The adobo roasted pork is not to be missed, though "la llanera" beef tenderloin has a slightly overdone taste to it, and is not worthy of the $10.50 price point.
All arepas are served with condiments: a mayo, a green pepper sauce, and if you can stomach it, an intimidating scotch bonnet hot sauce (word of warning: not to be taken lightly, one dab will leave a fiery hot trail from your mouth to your stomach). A small ramekin of fresh coleslaw is also provided. It should be mentioned that although this coleslaw can be downed in one spoonful, it should not be overlooked as a mere garnish. It is a refreshing complement to one's arepa. Even coleslaw-haters will appreciate the freshly shredded cabbage and robust dressing.
A few alfajoles can be a good finisher, but unlike the fresh arepas served, the desserts are not freshly made. The dulce de leche and shortbread can be a bit hard, near stale, and the same can be said for the Venezuelan tres leches cake. Still, after a dollop of scotch bonnet hot sauce on one's arepa, the cool and ultra-sweet dessert might just be what the doctor ordered.
The relaxed nature of the cafe combined with outstanding Latin American fare at a wholly reasonable price means multiple return trips. Everyone who frequents this area must stop by and try an arepa...you'll never want to eat that gordita at Taco Bell again.