Arepa Mia — Restaurant in Avondale Estates

Wow!!!!! I’ve been here once before and yet again this place did not disappoint. The service is phenomenal, the atmosphere is phenomenal (and queer friendly with all-gender restrooms), on the base level it seems fairly accessible as well. But when I tell you… THIS FOOD IS HEAVENLY!!! And everything is gluten free!!!!!!!!! And they have various drinks, alcoholic and regular. Seriously one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The sauces are also amazing and if you want REAL spice, they have one that really kicks!!! If you can’t handle the heat, they also have others that are tasty and mild. I have been a pescatarian for a couple of years and have missed the way a seriously good fried chicken sandwich tastes with dynamic flavors and textures- this salmon arepa brought back those same feelings (except this tastes better and is healthier) of running around in the summer and then getting treated to a chicken sandwich from some small business that knows what they are doing. I have MISSED the dynamic sandwich. This lifted my spirits 😭 and for what other Decatur places charge for food that is half the quality with half the service, I seriously don’t have any complaints. I feel blessed to live in a city that has the restaurant. 🙏🏻

Accessibility: parking might be a consideration as there is limited parking but does have designated parking not on the street * This place has flat floors and a decent amount of space to move around. Granted, the door to enter was propped open (I don’t think there is a button) and the restrooms have a door knob (not a sphere, but a horizontal handle). The counter to order is a bit high and the line could also be a consideration, as people stand...

I write this review with a heavy heart, as Arepa Mia has been a favorite dining spot for my family and me for quite some time. However, our most recent visit was a stark departure from the warm, welcoming experiences we've come to expect.

On this occasion, I visited with my wife, two young children, and my mother-in-law. After a 45-minute drive, the children were understandably irritable, and my mother-in-law, being a senior citizen, needed to rest. We seated them while I joined the queue to place our order.

To my surprise, the owner insisted that we could not seat our family until we had placed an order and received a number. This policy was not only unexpected but also seemed to lack the understanding and empathy we needed in that moment, especially considering the age and state of our children.

Reluctantly, to avoid causing a scene, I asked my mother-in-law to vacate her seat and proceeded to move my children, who, distressed by the situation, began to cry. This was a deeply uncomfortable and, frankly, humiliating experience.

While I understand the need for order and rules within a restaurant, I believe there should be room for flexibility and compassion, especially when dealing with young children and the elderly. Unfortunately, this incident has left a sour taste, and I feel compelled to say that this was our last visit to Arepa Mia.

I genuinely wish the team at Arepa Mia all the best and hope that they might consider a more empathetic approach to customer service...

DO NOT EAT HERE. It used to amazing...it's not anymore.

2019 Google Review: One of the best restaurants in Atlanta. Affordable, delicious, and always fast. There's a ton of parking and it's in a great location.

2021 Google Review: This place has gone to hell. I tried to give them a chance. I supported them all through covid in 2020.

I was told I couldn't eat inside a near empty restaurant (see photos) after ordering an online pickup (which the restaurant encourages) before you eat inside. I just ate here (inside) two weeks ago with no mask and no issues.

I was told due to it being an online order, I had to leave and eventually was gifted the option of eating outside after spending $ 50 on lunch.

I had my vaccine card and was told they wouldn't cancel the order on a 95 degree day after I had just had back surgery and was invited to eat outside.

Then the owner's sister came outside and lectured me about the cdc regulations and keeping people safe, but while this happened other people who didn't order online and weren't handicapped were aloud to eat in the air conditioning.

I showed her my vaccine card, mask and my cane. She would only speak to my male guest. I will NEVER come here again.

She also, refused to speak to me even though I placed the order and spoke only to my friend, the man I was with. Terrible customer service.

I posted photos of the empty restaurant...