![]() There is also a Venezuelan version of a hamburger on the menu with indulgent and abundant toppings that include a fried egg and ham. Pabellon criollo is a platter that includes all the now familiar components from the rest of the menu – shredded beef, beans, rice, plantains, and plain arepa – in a deconstructed format. The pepito is a maximalist sandwich with beef, chicken, and pork served on top of an open faced baguette with parmesan. The filing is a mix of beef and chicken with some cheese, lettuce, and sauce enriching the overflowing sandwich. Another interestingly structured sandwich is the patacon, which is made not with bread, but instead with two planks of flattened and fried plantains providing the underlying structure. ![]() With the addition of beef, chicken, or ham, a cachapa almost resembles a Vietnamese bahn xeo in terms of appearing like a stuffed crepe. The cachapa is an alternative form of corn cake with a layer of thick, stringy white cheese inside, some char from the griddle on the outside, and a format that seems halfway between a pancake and an omelet. Nevertheless, there is another half of the menu devoted to other dishes. All of the arepas resemble stuffed pita pockets but with a base of corn rather than wheat flour. patacon with friesĪll the arepas come with a standard side of plantains chips however, both French fries and sweet plantains are available as upgrades. For those who prefer meatless choices, the arepa domino is stuffed with black beans and cheese while the arepa vegan replaces dairy with avocado. The arepa reina pepiada combines poultry with avocado slices and cilantro sauce, and the arepa pabellon incorporates shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, and white cheese. Arepas with shredded beef or chicken are the most straightforward options, each with the possibility of upgrading with cheese or avocado. cachapa with shredded beefįull-size arepas, about the size of a burger or sandwich, are about half the entree menu. These two can be combined into a sampler suitable for an entire table to share as an introduction to the menu. Other appetizers include cheesy breadsticks known as tequeños and small empanadas stuffed with beef, chicken, or cheese. As a starter, Que Chevere offers mini-arepas with guasacaca, a salsa made with avocado and cilantro as two of the primary ingredients. Also popular in neighboring Colombia, these are thick corn cakes suitable for stuffing with cheese and meats. If there is one food that Venezuela is best known for, it’s arepas. Festive music from the home country comes in over the speakers, and two unobtrusive screens display sports for whomever is interested. Around the small bar, posters celebrate Venezuelan boxers, and a mural across the room asserts national pride. The interior of the restaurant is simple with basic wooden tables, concrete floors, and a big sign proclaiming “Venezuela” superimposed over the yellow, blue, and red colors of the nation’s flag. appetizer sampler platterĪn enclosed and shaded patio provides an outdoor dining option with a view of passing trains on Main Street. As with most businesses on this block, the front entrance is shaded by an awning, but outside of Que Chevere, the color of the columns changes from the usual beige to a more vibrant orange. The name Que Chevere comes from a phrase in Spanish that roughly translates to interjections like “cool” or “awesome,” and the restaurant has a festive feel, beginning with its decor. Que Chevere is on Main Street, halfway between the light rail stations at Center and Country Club, on a block dominated by vintage stores. ![]() Locally, a taste of what Venezuela has to offer is found at Que Chevere, a restaurant in downtown Mesa. Unsurprisingly, the wealth that Venezuela offers also extends to the nation’s food traditions, which blend staples such as corn, rice, and legumes with the tropical bounty of a nearly equatorial latitude. Those tragic circumstances belie a nation rich in heritage, culture, and resources. Headlines remind the outside world of political turmoil, economic crisis, and a diaspora that extends to the United States. The news from Venezuela hasn’t been good for a long time. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |