One of the most interesting places to eat an arepa close to West Campus is Amaize. Located at 3887 N.W. 107 Ave., Amaize is open Sunday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Arepas are made from a ground-corn dough and originate from Venezuela. They are mainly found in Colombian and Venezuelan cuisine, but they’re also found in Panamanian, Puerto Rican and Dominican dishes. It’s similar to the Mexican gordita and the Salvadoran pupusa.
Arepas are a common dish for Venezuelans. They represent the “daily bread” and can be eaten in many different ways. However, the most common ingredient to fill it with is cheese. There is a saying in Venezuelan culture that says, “Life is an arepa, it’s taste depends on how each one’s fill.”
Amaize is known for its arepas. They are easy to prepare and guests only have to follow four simple steps: select open face an arepa or cachapa, a type of cheese, a type of protein and veggies. My recommendation is the “Beauty Queen” or “Reina Pepiada” arepa, made with chicken and avocado. According to the restaurant’s website, this particular arepa was made in honor of a beauty contest winner.
Yet,, this friendly restaurant offers a wide variety of meals besides the typical arepa, making it a wonderful option either for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
You can also choose from an array of desserts, if you have enough room. Desserts include chocolate, Nutella, dulce de leche, banana, strawberry as well as tres leches and quesillo.
The price for a meal is around $10, with a combo that includes an arepa, soup, salad, baked plantains or black beans for only $7.69.
Due to the turbulent political landscape that has plagued Venezuela for the past 15 years, many have migrated to South Florida, especially to the Doral area.
The arrival of a large community of Venezuelans has brought not only their dreams, but also their culture and gastronomy. And of course, they brought arepas, enriching the wide variety of Latin flavors in the city.
Amaize is a fast and casual restaurant with a clean environment. The food is easy to order and service is outstanding. You won’t wait too long to get your arepa here. If you’ve got the chance to swing by, I definitely recommend it.
