Brasas Arepas & Grill — Restaurant in Charlotte

I contemplated leaving a review because let’s be honest, nothing is actually going to be done to address my concerns. But I figure other folks looking to eat here should know my experience.

My husband and I were visiting Charlotte this weekend from a town two hours away. He found this place and as people who enjoy Latin food of all kinds, we thought we’d stop in for lunch.

Upon entering, the server who greeted us was very nice and told us to seat ourselves. Once we were at our table, a different server came to take our orders. She spoke Spanish to me (I look Latina but am Arab, and my husband is white) and I clearly didn’t really understand what she was saying. My husband answered since he understands and speaks a little Spanish, and she continued to look at me and speak to me in Spanish. This continued for the duration of our meal until she simply decided to ignore our table and not come back. We waited 20-25 minutes after finishing our meal before I finally got up and went to the counter to pay, since she never brought the check. At the counter, she STILL continued to speak Spanish to me (and had clearly been ignoring our table) and was just being so rude. That’s when I finally told her I don’t speak Spanish and she gave me such an attitude.

I understand in hindsight that I should’ve immediately told her that I don’t speak Spanish the first time she spoke to me. Maybe she thought I was truly Latina and didn’t want to speak Spanish for some reason. I am all for respecting other cultures and languages but if you realize that I don’t speak the language you’re speaking to me, you should respect that and either speak to me in English or get a different server who is able to do so. I cannot help the fact that I look Latina but am not and therefore do not speak Spanish.

Having employees like this only deters people outside of that culture from wanting to try the food, learn more about the culture, and respect the people from that culture. And that, above all, is such a disservice to the world.

We will not be back despite the food being delicious. We hope further training will be done for this server so as not to make future customers feel...

The food was alright it was not delicious as seen in Instagram they didn't cook the pork ribs with enough salt neither was crunchy. The 3 level beans could be better. Let say as we arrived my youngest daughter and her father we not even greeted and no one sat us where not told either you welcome to seat anywhere you wished then we waited over 10 minutes to be knowledge and asked what to drink .But An anglo couple walked in they where greeted and serve menus and asked what they want to drink. I am Puerto Rican I have been in so many states and in different restaurants I been greeted and serve with a smile and pleasant experience. I really must said the staff is very rude also construction workers came in and the five gentlemens where coming from their jobs wanting a dinner plate then they asked to eat to go they must felt uncomfortable 😣. The staff didn't take their order either I was very observant of their attitudes. I came out my office work too and drove 35 minutes when I live in Harrisburg work off UNCC AREA for poor customer service. I rather eat other Colombian restaurants or Other Nationality in my side town where they friendly and respectful indeed. Not People friendly they act as you have no money it doesn't matter if you have a dress suite or construction clothing Customer Paid their bills. Definitely telling my co workers...

My hubby and I went there for the very 1st time this afternoon to try their food: a Venezuelan and Colombia Restaurant. I've tried Colombian food many times before but I never tried Venezuelan food before and I really wanted to try an Arepa. I ordered two Colombian meat empanadas and a Carne Mechada Arepa. My hubby ordered 2 Colombian meat empanadas, a Venezuelan empanada and a sampler of 3 mini Arepas of various flavors. We were served the Colombian & Venezuelan Empanadas first and got the Arepas afterwards. I was disappointed of how greasy all the empanadas were and quite bland. However the empanada sauces were delicious. We really enjoyed the Arepas the most. My only complaint was that the Carne Mechada was a bit dry and chewy. This restaurant should definitely just serve Arepas but at least fry the empanadas at a higher oil temperature to avoid them from getting too greasy. If I ever decide to return, it will only be for the Arepas. I'll get my Colombian food...