Toasty Arepas — Restaurant in Ottawa

Well--Toasty Arepas got moved from "want to go" to "favourites"! My husband and I split a meal that was essentially a sampler platter--1 cheese arepa, 2 empanadas, some fried plantain, fried yuca, and chicharrón with pickled onion and lime. We added an additional cheese arepa and an order of black beans. We also had some fresh juice--one of each. Everything was excellent, although the empanadas were a bit darker than expected. The salsas that accompany the food were excellent, and most pallets wouldn't find them too spicy. There was a crema with cilantro and perhaps a bit of lime as well as a salsa rojo.

After we had finished, the chef came out, introduced himself, and said that he was giving us more empanadas to go as he ended up changing the oil and wanted us to see the difference--mind you, there was nothing we had complained about. He also gave us a few buisness cards and explained what days there are specials on. Unfortunately, we are not local and this is not an area of Ottawa we make it to very often. We will definitely remember this place if we make it back.

Anyways, our bill came in at $50 with tax, pre-tip. For a lovely sampler of Columbia, it was definitely worth it!

Excellent service, staff is reasonably proficient in English, although Spanish is obviously preferred. We did not use the washroom. The dining area was modest--would seat about 22 people, but all the tables were very clean, although we arrived 5 minutes before opening. Street-side parking is what's available. Dining facilities did not seem overly inaccessible, other than that it is a bit cramped, but tables could easily be moved. Very cute and somewhat Instagramable.

Apologies for the photo, only remembered to take one after we had already started to eat, it...

I usually go to the other Colombian restaurant but it was Saturday after 5 and the other place closed early. Anywho, I decided to try this one with my family and was left dissapointed. This does not represent authentic Colombian food in fact my husband asked if it was Venezuelan food and I had to double check where we were. The empanadas masa idk what they use but it’s definitely not the actual one used for Colombian empanadas it was crunchy outside but inside the masa was not even cooked! It was still raw. I don’t know how you manage to have an empanada crunchy outside but soft inside still. And they lacked meat inside it was more carbs than protein. The “ají” sauce for the empanada was not at all what I’m used to tasting, it tastes rancid idk maybe get a better fridge and keep the ají inside so it doesn’t go bad? The guacamole is disgusting it tasted old rancid. The bandeja paisa was subpar the beans lacked “guiso” the soupy sauce with cumin and onions. It’s like they wanted to cut corners and I understand food is expensive right now so it might be hard to even get real p.a.n arepa flour but I’m sorry if you’re going to charge a hefty price please put more effort in the way you season your food from “Colombia” it really tasted more Venezuelan it lacks the seasoning. And to top it off my stomach hurts bad idk if it’s because of so much grease. I only had 3 empanadas but it was quite an unpleasant experience. At the end the waitress asked if I wanted a box to take home.. we immediately said no. I left the rest on the plate and I hate wasting food I usually take my food home and eat later but it was really...

My wife and I had dinner at Toasty Arepas in Vanier in January 2024 and this was our first visit (but certainly not the last).

We had arepas with shredded beef as well as the Bandeja Paisa (the national dish of Colombia) -- an assortment of several items all on one large plate.

The first comment that I have is that the food tasted like something made by your Grandmother --- it was super tasty and clearly made with love. It is clear that this is a family-run business and that they take pride in what they serve.

There really is only positive things to mention. Although the venue is small and feels like a diner, the staff were attentive and eager to share their food. And on the side, the TV was showing a soccer match --- this added to the atmosphere.

The food was really delicious and the spicy-sauce is given to you on the side. The food by itself has lots of flavour, but it is not spicy. You choose whether to add this sauce on top at the table by yourself --- and that sauce is tasty if added in small amounts.

The meat is grilled/roasted nicely; and I highly recommend trying the chicharron (fried pork belly bacon) -- this is a common food of Colombia and comes in the Bandeja Paisa. The yuca fries are also interesting and tasty.

And the best is at the end: the tres-leches cake. You will be able to divide your life into the before tres-leches cake and afer tres-leches cake eras. It is just divine --- and all the portions here are generous. Do not hesitate to take your leftovers home.

I am very happy that this family chose to open this restaurant --- and I will go back there soon. I highly...