La Arepa Picante

- 4060 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH 43228

For those in Ohio seeking to explore the rich and vibrant culinary traditions of Latin America, La Arepa Picante in Columbus offers an enticing and authentic experience. While many associate "Latin food" with Mexican cuisine, La Arepa Picante broadens that horizon by focusing on Venezuelan and Colombian specialties, particularly the beloved arepa. This versatile cornmeal patty, a staple in these South American countries, serves as a delicious canvas for a multitude of savory fillings, offering a unique textural and flavor profile that sets it apart.

La Arepa Picante prides itself on delivering genuine flavors, prepared with care and an extensive menu that caters to diverse palates. From the crisp exterior and soft interior of a perfectly cooked arepa, generously stuffed with meats, cheeses, and vegetables, to other Latin American favorites like empanadas and savory bowls, the restaurant aims to transport diners straight to the bustling streets of Caracas or Bogotá. For locals in Columbus eager to venture beyond the familiar and discover truly authentic and delicious Latin American fare, La Arepa Picante stands as a compelling and highly recommended destination.

La Arepa Picante is conveniently located at 4060 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH 43228, USA. This address places it in a accessible part of Columbus, making it a viable dining option for residents across various neighborhoods and those traveling through the western side of the city. Sullivant Avenue is a well-known thoroughfare, which contributes to the restaurant's visibility and ease of access.

The accessibility of La Arepa Picante is a significant benefit for its customers. The restaurant typically offers parking facilities that make it convenient for patrons to visit. Its location on a main road also ensures straightforward access for both dine-in guests and those opting for takeout. Furthermore, reviews indicate its popularity for third-party delivery services, reinforcing its ease of access for customers preferring to enjoy their meals at home. This strategic positioning contributes to its role as a go-to spot for authentic Latin American cuisine in the Columbus area.

• Dine-In Service: La Arepa Picante provides a welcoming atmosphere for customers to enjoy their meals on-site, allowing them to experience the vibrant flavors fresh from the kitchen.
• Takeout Service: For those on the go or preferring to eat at home, the restaurant offers efficient takeout services. You can call ahead to place your order for quick pickup.
• Delivery Service: La Arepa Picante partners with various third-party delivery platforms (such as Uber Eats and DoorDash), making it incredibly convenient for customers to have authentic Latin American dishes delivered right to their doorstep. A customer review mentioned delivering "many food orders from this place through ubereats."
• Extensive Menu: The restaurant boasts a very large menu with numerous options, ensuring there's something for every preference, from traditional arepas to bowls, tacos, and more.
• Vegetarian and Vegan Options: La Arepa Picante offers several vegetarian and vegan choices, including a "Vegetarian Arepa" with black beans, cheese, and fried plantains, and a "Caribbean Vegan" bowl with marinated tofu, black beans, sweet plantains, and avocado.

• Authentic Arepas: The star of the show, arepas are flat, round cornmeal patties, naturally gluten-free, and generously stuffed with various fillings. Options include:
  • Steak & Cheese Arepa: "Steak fajita bowl. It was awesome. Perfectly seasoned and cooked excellent. I highly recommend and will be a regular customer from now on." While this mentions a bowl, it highlights the quality of their steak. Their menu also features a "Steak & Cheese Arepa."
  • Chicken & Cheese Arepa: Shredded chicken and cheese.
  • The Great Arepa! (Arepona): A loaded option with steak, chicken, chorizo, black beans, cheese, and fried plantains.
  • Vegetarian Arepa: With black beans, cheese, and fried plantains.
  • Reina Pepiada: Shredded chicken mixed with avocado salad.
  • Pabellón: Shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, and shredded cheese.
  • Dominó: Black beans and shredded cheese.
  Customers consistently praise the taste and the generous stuffing of these corn shell creations. One reviewer noted, "Good food best corn shell I have ever had on authentic Mexican food." While the review refers to "Mexican food," the context of "corn shell" likely points to arepas, which are similar to gorditas or pupusas in preparation.
• Diverse Latin American Offerings: Beyond arepas, the menu spans various Latin American delights:
  • Empanadas: Available with fillings such as ground beef, chicken, cheese, or potato and eggplant.
  • Tacos: Including Tacos Asada (grilled steak), Tacos Pollo Asado (grilled chicken), and Tacos Barbacoa, often served on homemade tortillas. One customer "spent 70 on tacos" and declared them "definitely Best tacos 🌮💯👍❤."
  • Bowls: Customizable bowls with choices like shredded beef, shredded chicken, or fajita-style meats, served with cilantro rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. The "steak fajita bowl" was specifically highlighted as "awesome, perfectly seasoned and cooked excellent."
  • Burritos & Quesadillas: Traditional burritos and quesadillas with various protein fillings and fresh ingredients.
  • Patacones: Often a sandwich made with flattened, twice-fried plantains as the "bread."
  • Cachapas: Venezuelan sweet corn pancakes, typically served with cheese and other fillings.
  • Pabellón Criollo: The national dish of Venezuela, featuring shredded beef, white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains.
• Generous Portions & Flavorful Seasoning: Customers frequently comment on the satisfying portion sizes and the excellent seasoning of the dishes, indicating a commitment to rich and authentic flavors.
• Fresh Ingredients: The quality of ingredients is often noted in reviews, contributing to the overall deliciousness of the food.

• Address: 4060 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH 43228, USA
• Phone: (614) 500-0369

For the diverse and adventurous palates of Ohioans, particularly those residing in and around Columbus, La Arepa Picante at 4060 Sullivant Ave is an exceptionally suitable and compelling restaurant choice. It offers a much-welcomed authentic taste of Venezuelan and Colombian cuisine, providing a distinct and rich alternative to the more common Mexican or broader "Latin American" establishments. Its specialization in arepas, those perfectly crafted cornmeal patties bursting with flavorful fillings, truly sets it apart and introduces a unique culinary experience to the local dining scene.

The restaurant's commitment to a "very large menu" with "so many options" ensures that every visit can be a new discovery, catering to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences, including robust vegetarian and vegan selections. The strong positive feedback on specific dishes, such as the "awesome" steak fajita bowl and the "Best tacos," underscores the consistent quality and deliciousness of their offerings. Coupled with convenient services like takeout and widespread delivery availability, La Arepa Picante makes it easy for locals to enjoy these authentic flavors whether dining in or at home. For any Ohioan looking to expand their culinary horizons and indulge in genuinely delicious and flavorful Latin American food, La Arepa Picante stands as a local gem, promising a satisfying and memorable meal every time.

La Arepa Picante

4060 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH 43228, USA