El Arepazo Vzla LLC — Restaurant in Carrollton

Oh man, this review is difficult to write. My wife and I have been coming to El Arepazo together for 5 years. We’ve considered it “our spot”. We loved the small, simple atmosphere. We loved the quirkiness of it: despite ordering the same meal each time we go, it was always presented in a different way. We’d arrive and always giggle as we tried guessing what type of plate or cup we’d be served with or whether or not we’d get ice in our barchita jugo. It was just so perfectly consistently inconsistent. We always sat in our same little corner, pulling our paper towels off the roll while we anxiously waited for our empanadas.

It’s been months since we were able to visit, so we were dressed all comfy and ready for our weekend brunch date. We walked in to see that our “spot” isn’t a spot anymore. Their open sign is designed as an American flag, and that was our first little sadness; it felt like a piece of the authenticity of our spot was gone. The remodel definitely made it beautiful and aesthetic, but our favorite little humble Venezuelan spot turned into a restaurant. A restaurant you’d find in Deep Ellum; ya know, the kind that you’re willing to pay too much money for your food if it means you get a good Instagram photo? Not only did it feel like the authenticity of an environment that felt like we were getting to sit in a little bar off a road in Venezuela, but now the menu has Tex-Mex. The prices have gone way up, which we would be so willing to pay if we still got our little experience, but it just made us sad. We’ve paid to go to fancy Tex-Mex restaurants; they’re on every corner in every state.

Their food is still delicious. I imagine that reviews from a younger crowd will start coming in, and they’ll complain about the service, but here’s the thing: we’ve ignored all of the bad reviews about bad service because, for us, the slower service was part of that comforting inconsistency for us. We didn’t feel like we had to be the center of focus because we knew how much work was being put into making sure we enjoyed our meal. Today, however, felt like we were sitting in an American Tex-Mex restaurant, and if that’s what the end goal is for the owners, please accept the constructive criticism on the service I believe people will start expecting: ice water upon arrival is pretty standard. If you know the food is going to take a long time, check in on your customers and ask if there’s anything they need in the meantime.

Thank you for the years of perfect dates. We are really sad to say we won’t...

Unprofessional and rude staff.

I was just going to leave it like that a 1 star google review with no commentary. But this business owner decided to reply a sarcastic "God bless you" to my blank one star review. If that doesn't show you how unprofessional and rude the staff and owner of the restaurant are keep reading so I can tell you.

I walked in and ordered something they didn't have on their menu but is Venezuelan. The cook, cashier, and waiter were all in the front talking and barely acknowledged me when I walked in. When they heard me order they laughed and repeated what I said in a mocking voice. I said "Yes, do you not have that?" The cashier told them to be quiet while snickering and said they don't. Then I ordered something else and they again mocked what I said at this point I should have left but I wanted to try the food. They took a long time to bring out the food and it was ok.

These people have no idea how to be decent human beings and its clear its the entire restaurant if thats how the business owner is aswell. Just go look at his other replies on Google reviews especially the one where he blames the reviewer for the rude staff...

I was really excited about this place, but was less than impressed. Before you enter the restaurant, right at the entrance is full of trash. I came in the morning so you would think that the restaurant entrance would be cleaned up before the restaurant opens. When we sat to eat inside, there were flies that we kept having to swat away. The customer service was terrible. We literally had to ask for everything. The waiter brought appetizer but did not think to bring us plates so he brought us (table of 4) 1 extra plate. Then i had to ask him for silverware Because he didn't bring it with the plates or appetizers. He brought 2 for a table of 4. The food was okay. The server neve came back to offer coffee refill or to ask of we needed anything else. To top it off the tip of 18% is already included on the tab. Which would not be an issue, but at least give some basic service or do not have a waiter. And just let people order at the counter. The food was mediocre. I really wanted to like this place but really...