TequeArepa — Restaurant in Eden Prairie

I'm a review consumer, not a review contributor, unless, of course, I visit a place and feel compelled to share details I discover during my visit that I couldn't find online that I would have deeply appreciated and used to make a much more informed decision. That said, I won't be back to Teque Arepa.

The food was actually quite good. If you haven't had arepas before, they're the same general shape and size as a buttermilk biscuit or english muffin. The similarities end there as they're white corn based. They are delicious and the core of this unique little Eden Prairie spot. The bulk of the menu is just different fillings in an arepas "sandwich" to use a relatable term. I don't doubt the authenticity of Teque's cuisine. It tastes just as amazing as the best street food I've had while in Mexico (Teque is Venezuelan based, so it's similar).

The bad? Value. It feels like Teque was a food truck at one point and made the jump to storefront. $7 for a sandwich the size of a McDouble at McDonald's is sad, even if it does taste this good. And when I say "$7 for a sandwich" I do mean just the sandwich. There are no sides, and no beverages included. Those are available, but at a premium cost. Two small sandwiches, an order of fried cheese stick things (five, four inch sticks wrapped in dough and fried; mediocre at best), and 2 cans of Coke Zero came to a staggering $25. For that, head to Hunan Chinese restaurant in Bloomington (well worth the 10-15 min drive), or Rey Azteca in Chanhassen (well worth the 10 minutes also). To be fair, we didn't order the lunch specials on the menu. But to continue in that same fair spirit, they were out of ALL of them along with about a third of the menu. If you like good food, this is a fun experience, but it doesn't make this foodie's frequents. What needs to change? Fair prices, better lunch combo offerings,...

If you haven’t had Venezuelan Arepas Here is a couple things you should know. They are different from other countries, because these are usually served stuffed. They are made to be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Venezuelan food uses a lot of corn yams, plantains and beans, as well as several types of slow cooked meat. In thier sandwiches you can expect a plantain mixed with a black bean, slow cooked meet in sauce that soak into the internal layer of the pancake Arepa, then the crispy outer dough to give it structure to hold onto.

Inside soft-outside crisp.

It is humble food that is created to nourish and sustain

The portions on the menu are very easy to share, and the size of the us sandwich order is enough to share so don’t be shy about splitting some thing and then ordering a dessert or other side item. This is a good menu to experiment with.

The food style is so that you can pick it up and eat it with your hands. Don’t let the simplicity of hand held deceive you- you get multiple flavors and texture in EVERY bite.

From my own comfort food background, and as a mother, who didn’t have a great means we have a mindset you don’t have a lot to eat, you definitely want every bite to be packed with as much flavor as possible because you will feel full on the flavor too.

Be open...

Considering I arrived before the dinner rush, the yuca fritas, bean empanada and #106 arepa were very well made. Everything was apparently made fresh, was served hot and the first two crisp. The component ingredients were not spicy but have the expected flavors, with no added sauce. If you are used to these foods with stronger added flavors you will want the hot sauce. There is an optional garlic sauce, but no green sauce (such as chimichurri or salsa verdi) or other option, nor are there any pickled garnishes. If you get more than one item I'd recommend both sauces to vary things up. I had my meal takeout, and added two sauces at home. The food is very filling and satisfying, and I imagine is authentic to that region -- although I have never been. If you are not a heavy eater you'll either have leftovers or should order less than I did if on the go, as the arepa is packed full. Just an arepa or perhaps three empanadas are equally filling. The items came paper wrapped, the arepa did not leak any juices and was doubly wrapped in a foil, so these items are convenient for an on the go meal, too. If you find yourself near Eden Prairie stop in and...