Viva Mi Arepa

LITERALLY TEARED UP AS A BIT INTO CACHAPA DE CARNE.
The only Venezuelan food place I had ever eaten at was in Santa Ana, CA and I haven’t had a cachapa or arepa in years. So when I found this place on Unilocal,I ran out the door and drove as fast as I could to Viva Mi Arepa. My first bite into the cachapa brought back sweet memories and I teared up a bit from happiness.
Things I would recommend highly: cachapa (pollo, carne, queso– all three are delicious!), arepa (carne, pollo, queso), empanada (carne, pollo, queso), and the jugo de pina (pineapple juice — and make sure to ask for it with milk).
You get big portions for the prices. The cachapa is like 8 $, the empanadas are 3 $, and the arepas are 4 $ (I think — don’t quote me on that). The place in Santa Ana didn’t even give portions this big.
I’m so grateful I’ve found this place and I’ve literally eaten here every week for two months straight and brought everyone I knew. Also, the people working here are wonderful.
The only thing is, it takes a bit to make the food especially if you order cachapas, but the wait is sooooooo worth it.

I never make reviews but I have to do it this time. I am from Venezuela, only one year living here and I have to admit that this place really surprised me, I didn’t expect it since normally your typical food is never the same out of your country, but in this place it really was, the real Venezuelan flavor, congratulations. The «Hallacas» were amazing, almost like my grandma’s ;-)!

I had some business to attend to nearby but came here for lunch beforehand. I’ve had no prior experience with Venezuelan food so it took time to decide what to get. But the man at the counter was friendly and informative.
The cachapa with queso and carne was a nice example of comfort food. The cornmeal pancake was nicely grilled, warm, a little crispy outside, and generously sized. It was slightly sweet, which balances the filling inside. I’m not necessarily yearning for that «balance» but it worked here. As for the filling, there was a lot of both cheese and flavorful shredded beef.
Even though this is a casual joint and could be construed as fast food, you do have to wait here for your food. The wait was worth it, however.

So good! So good… Food is very well priced, and extremely tasty. Their condiments, hot sauce, pickled spicy onions (I think) are also superb. Can get busy and have to wait a long time for food, but it’s worth it. They don’t even ask you to pay at the counter like typical places where you order at the counter. Friendly people. Just wish I speak Spanish.

I do not recommend ordering food for delivery from this establishment. I don’t think its appropriate to cancel my delivery order AFTER waiting for an hour because they got busy at the restaurant.

I’m from Venezuela and I have eaten in Viva Mi Arepa a few times. I just can say: they have the real Venezuelan flavor. Actually, the first time I went there I ordered CACHAPA (corn tortilla) and I have to confess that I cried, It was the exactly flavor from my homeland. Beside that, the chef is not from Venezuela, so it’s amazing how he got the exactly way how we cook in Venezuela. BTW he is so friendly. If you’re not from Venezuela or even if you’re Venezuelan you must go there, I’m pretty sure you’re going to enjoy ours Venezuelan’s flavor.
I love you my Venezuela, I love u from the bottom of my heart, I pray God to see you live in FREEDOM soon!

Greeted in Spanish by a nice man. Took our order and gave us our food right away. He asked us to pay after we were done. The food was hot and fresh! I highly recommend the beef and chicken empanadas! The bread has a nice golden color with a slight but yummy crunch. And they don’t skimp on the meat inside. Mmmmm mmm good! We’ll definitely be back!

Wow, this is possibly the best take out food I have tasted. Its cheap and they give you so much. I had the yellow rice with veggies, stewed chicken with sweet plaintains. The only thing is you will wait in line because they are so busy. Home made delicious.

A solid place for cheap good food, though not quite helpful for the diet…
The empanadas are fantastic! The ones I’m used to (Argentinian style) are made with flour while these are corn instead. Think tamales but empanadas shape. I had the shredded chicken inside which was flavorful and tender.
Arepas were also good but I liked the empanadas better. And just a warning they take a long time. A good 10min for the fried ones and 20min for grilled. So if you’re in a hurry, forgo the arepas. The pork filling was decent but was the least favorite of the 3 meats I tried.
And finally the beef dinner. The meat definitely seems slow cooked, nice flavor, very tender. Reminds me a lot of pot roast. The large comes with a whopping portion of rice, a little excessive even…

Highest possible recommendation. (Five stars plus, if possible!) Succulent food at a GREAT price. The beef and chicken empanadas (fried) are mouth watering, as are the pork arepas. Matched with a side of perfectly sliced fried sweet plantains and I was in food nirvana.
Truly one of my favorite places to eat.

The people here are so super friendly!
The food is great & the prices are reasonable.
I love their empanadas but be sure that if you want them, they are on a first come first serve bases. Also try the passion fruit juice! So refreshing!

Great home style Venezuelan Food the Chef owner is a Haitian Nationalized Venezuelan who is well versed in his adopted countries culture and cuisine and has a gift for conversation. The Cachapas are really good but I must be honest I have no point of reference as this the only Venezuelan restaurant I have ever tried the menu is pan american specializing in Venezuela which is common the pan american part to be more apealing to the wider hispanic populace you see that alotin east Boston where all the latin restaurants serve the famous colombian dish montañero and the peruvian lomo saltiado

Delicious! We got beef empanadas as an appetizer (awesome), a shredded beef dinner, and a stewed chicken dinner. Both dinners were fantastic and come with SO much food (rice, beans, fried plantains, salad, and great arepas). The beef was a little spicy so I would get the chicken if you’re looking for something a little mild. Both were tender and very flavorful.
They’ve only got a few tables, so this is more of a takeout place. The restaurant has a very cool Venezuelan feel to it. If you like or have never tried Venezuelan food, this is an awesome place to try. You will definitely be hooked!

Love the restaurant. Is a piece of Venezuela. The chef have100% the (seasoning) sazon of the South American country.

Had their food twice and EVERYTHING I’ve tried was excellent! The owner was super nice. It’s not one of those fancy romantic places, but if you like good food — that’s the place to go!
Their corn pancake with pork and cheese is the best thing on this planet! $ 8, but it’s a pretty big portion.
I am a huge fan and will definitely be back!!!

This is a place I’ve visited a few times in the last couple months and will be back many more times to come. In my opinion this is the only arepa spot worth visiting in the Boston area. I’ve been to Orinoco, and the food was good, but they put a modern flare on it. The service was pretty much nonexistent, and the décor was alright. At Vivia Mi Arepa though, it makes me feel like I’m back in my abuelita’s kitchen as a kid. Between the little Venezuelan houses as décor on the walls, the smell, feel, and music I was in heaven. They offer deep fried, and grilled arepas, both of which are awesome. The empanadas are hot, crispy, and loaded with fillings. If you’re looking for a joint with an authentic Venezuelan feel, taste, smell and with a nice price, you’ve got to give this place a go!

I saw Viva Mi Arpea reviews on Unilocal and was around the area so I decided to try it out. The outside is a little unappealing and the inside looks like a bodega so I was a little suspicious at first.
The owner politely gave me suggestions and I went with them.
I have to say the food is AMAZING! I had rice, Yucca, plantains and pollo (chicken).
He ordered me sauce at first which I asked for a tid bit of.
After sitting I was expecting a decent meal, but was blown away by the flavors, and as embarrassed as I was I had to request additional sauce as it was SOOO good.
IF you are looking for ambiance this place is not for you, but if you are looking for amazing food. I highly recommend trying the chicken, yucca and vegetable rice.
The plantains were decent but could have been better which is the only complaint I have.

I’m an immediate fan.
This is one of my favorite kind of restaurants. It is exactly what it says– a place to get great arepas, nothing more or less. Not exactly romantic atmosphere, but if that’s what you’re looking for you’re in the wrong place.

YES. Plantains are super delicious. Pork Arepas were fantastic — no veggies inside if you were wondering. As I was paying I saw a giant pan of roasted chicken come out of the oven that looked and smelled incredible. Will have to try that next time.
The food is best eaten immediately. TASTY.

Love the bright, whimsical dining room. Feels like I’m eating inside a Venezuelan Skittle!
The smells hit your ol’ olfactory factory the moment you walk in the door. Better pray they’ve got a full stock of highly addictive, stuffed to the gills empanadas in the glass case, because you’re going to want them whether or not you think you do. We anticipated a wait on the grilled to order pernil arepas, so the urge to cut the porkless lapse with a hot pocket of shredded beef overwhelmed us. Tender cow, succulent and wonderfully spiced, in a cornmeal fold-​over — I AM IN LOVE! Especially with a dunk in the spicy garlic and herb aioli that’s served by the paper ramekin or the squeeze bottle, hoooooo doggy.
The abundant shreds of pork, deep orange with rendered fat and aromatic seasonings, are a bit unevenly cooked, but who can tell when they’re tearing through that thing like an overboard case of beef jerky washing up on Tom Hank’s island in Cast Away? Wilson, that’s who. Wilson can tell. Oh, and the corn cakes are pillowy and gritty, like JWoww’s northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. Or so I’ve heard.
The cons? Not many, but we did wait almost an hour for our two arepas and fried plantains. Speaking of, I do prefer the tostones mashed, double-​fried and bit more savory — there was very little separating the maduros from their less-​ripe kin. And finally, the friendliest dude from whom I’ve ever ordered Venezuelan food failed to read my mind and give me a hug. Asking too much? Never.

La propia taguarita, con su bandera de Venezuela bien grande, tres decenas de casitas de barro en la pared, sus afiches turísticos de Pico Espejo y Salto Angel y tres mesitas. Los dueños, son una pareja haitiana muy simpática, que vivió por un tiempo en Venezuela. El menú es sencillo y consta de platos calientes ya preparados (estilo bufet), arepas, empanadas y cachapas. Que no quede duda, con la excepción de lo que está en el bufet, aquí todo es «made to order». Eso significa, que uno tiene que esperar 20 minutos por una arepa o cachapa. Hay que tomar en cuenta, que no estamos en la principal de Las Mercedes en Caracas, y no hay un rio de comensales a toda hora que permita tener producción continua de arepas (y nadie quiere una arepa vieja o recalentada). Tampoco se va a encontrar queso guayanes o de mano. Estamos después de todo, en West Roxbury… Pero las arepas están muy bien, y aunque llevo años que no voy a Venezuela, las empanadas y cachapas llenaron las expectativas. Solo una cosa: la reina pepiada (que yo sepa) no lleva mostaza… Abren a las 11:00 am y cierran los domingos.