Arepittas Brings Authentic Venezuelan Street Food to Cherry Way
By Olivia Miller:
According to the National Society for Environmental Information, Pittsburgh is one of the cloudiest cities in the nation. Among the gloomy haze, the cheery yellow facade of Arepittas has been brightening up Cherry Way and the Downtown Pittsburgh food scene since 2019 with their traditional Venezuelan street food offerings.
Brought to the United States by political unrest in Venezuela, Danielle Figueroa says that she and her husband Carlos transformed into “culinary ambassadors” who “dreamed of having a Venezuelan food restaurant to share our culture and as a means of supporting our family.”
After initially opening a restaurant with their friends, they decided to start their own venture. The day after receiving the property, Figueroa recalls teaming up with her brother Daniel, Jonathan, her nephew, and her son Iker and “worked without sleeping” through the night to open Arepittas the next day on January 16th, 2019.
Just as the restaurant was gaining momentum, expanding their menu and hours, the pandemic hit causing them to be closed for 12 weeks. However, despite uncertainty, they have been able to bounce back and thrive, continuing to add onto their vegetarian offering, desserts, and selection of traditional Venezuelan drinks. Figueroa likes to say Arepittas has been open for “one year and one pandemic.”
Figueroa owes the success of the restaurant to the synergy between her family. She says they act as “little ants” meaning they act as “a team, where each one contributes their experience with a common objective.” With Danielle being a lawyer, Carlos being a business administrator, Daniel being a professor and Jonathan being a college student, each member of the Arepittas family brings their own unique talent to the business.
Pair this synergy with great food that is “mostly gluten free, homemade, authentic and healthy” and it is plain to see why Pittsburghers have been flocking to try Arepittas’ arepas, bowls and empanadas.
Arepittas’s menu is based off of Figueroa family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Danielle’s grandparents raised their 7 children on “arepas and bread” as her grandfather was a baker and her grandmother sold arepas from their home, often enlisting the help of her oldest daughter, Danielle’s mother. Carlos’ family has been in the restaurant business for over 35 years which gave him the opportunity to inherit “culinary techniques and secrets” from his grandparents.
The establishment’s traditional dish is The Pabellon Criollo, which Figueroa explains is “is the national dish of our country” and is composed of “an arepa or an empanada in a bowl, and all its ingredients, such as: shredded meat, caraotas (black beans), melted white cheese and the sweet flavor of tajadas (sweet plantain).” She calls it a “combination of unique flavors.”
Unique to Arepittas, they offer an extensive menu for those that are vegan or vegetarian. Named after a late, dear friend of theirs, Susana Meyer, they offer the Susana dish, which is “ a mix of onion, red peppers, green peppers, yellow peppers, poblano, pineapple [which is] grilled and seasoned with house dressing.” They also offer soy chorizo, eggplant with vegetables, and black beans with white cheese and sweet plantains, among others, which all can be dressed in their delightfully tangy cilantro sauce.
Their name suggests that arepas are a core part of their menu, but, while this is true, the meaning runs far deeper than that. Figueroa says “We chose the name as a sign of our gratitude to the city that welcomed us as immigrants.”
While the traditional meaning and spelling of “little arepa” is “arepitas”, they have decided to add a second “t” to the name. She says “We proudly pay tribute to the city, which is why we have chosen the diminutive name of our popular Arepa, combining it with the diminutive name of the city of Pittsburgh, hence “ArePittas” is our way of saying ‘thank you Pittsburgh.’ which is why it is written with two TTs.”
It is for this same reason that the duo are so dedicated to sharing their culture with every arepa they sell. Danielle says “Pittsburgh has become our second home. It is the place where we are reinventing ourselves and where we have nurtured Arepittas with passion and dedication. Our success and growth are inextricably linked to the love and support we have received from the people who live or visit this incredible city. Therefore, it is our honor to serve this community and contribute to its vibrant tapestry, sharing our rich culture and culinary heritage.”
While they offer great food, dining at Arepittas is all about the experience that stimulates all of your senses. While chowing down on your meal, you can see the chefs preparing food in their open kitchen concept, you can smell the unique blend of spices used in their dishes and you can hear music intermixed with the bustling noises of the city. Most importantly, after your meal, you can feel energized and ready to conquer the rest of your day.
When patrons visit the restaurant, above all, Figueroa wants them to “ feel confident and know that they are in an inclusive space where everyone is valued and where food and family tradition come together in harmony.”
Overall, Danielle and Carlos’ goal with Arepittas is one of impact and community. Danielle says, “Our goal is to continue conquering the hearts of food lovers who come to this city, ensuring that each dish is a true taste of Venezuelan tradition”
She continues, “we want to continue generating a positive impact on the community we serve, and consolidate ourselves as a center of cultural exchange, where we celebrate the vibrant traditions and flavors of Venezuela, embrace diversity, encourage dialogue, and connect people from different backgrounds through the shared experience of authentic Venezuelan cuisine.”
Danielle and Carlos have one question to pose to Pittsburghers: “Are you ready to embark on a delicious culinary adventure?”
If you answered “yes” to the above, you can find them on 412 Cherry Way on Monday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 08:00 PM. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact them at 412-281-1213 or visit www.arepittas.com or email them at arepittas@gmail.com.
You can also keep up with their journey at:
IG: @arepittas
Facebook: Arepittas
