When I had my first arepas in Greenwich Village around 20 years ago, the kids watching and rewatching Encanto weren’t even a gleam in someone’s eye yet. I’m old. But that doesn’t mean I’m not sensitive to the needs of the young’uns. I’ve been hearing about a lot of kids eager to try the Latin-American corn cakes featured in the film. Though NoVA has lots of Salvadoran pupuserias (a close cousin to the arepas con queso in Encanto), arepas themselves are hard to find.
I’m a fan of the overstuffed Venezuelan arepas at Arepas Capitol in Woodbridge. But I’ve located only one other source for filled arepas in the region. That’s Maizal Latin American Street Food, a counter service spot in Ballston Quarter. (Another location will open this spring in at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.)
Most diners ahead of me at Maizal were filling customizable bowls, Chipotle-style. But there are six chef-created arepas, as well as the option to make your own. I ordered La Cerda and the Caraqueña and found that two are a reasonably filling lunch for less than $10.
The fillings are sandwiched between layers of the arepa that are thrown in the deep fryer to warm and crisp up before assembling the sandwich. Of the two, I preferred the Caraqueña, in large part due to its presence of scrumptiously garlicky black beans that are enhanced with a wash of piquant aioli. There’s shredded beef for a meaty bite, and sweet, lightly crisped plantains for contrast with the profusion of garlic. It’s all held together with a layer of melted cheese.
The truth is, I may never see Encanto. But even folks with no interest in Disney’s latest should make time for an arepa or two.
Inside Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 114, Arlington
Feature image by Alice Levitt
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