I have had Venezuelan food a few times before, and found it to be a little dry. Zulia’s is anything but dry. They are a powerhouse of Venezuelan flavor in an unassuming storefront, tucked away in a shopping center off of 281. The staff is very friendly and helpful, answering all of our questions. They have a fantastic variety of offerings, and a small Venezuelan market inside as well. We went with the House Burger, the Arepa Llanera, and the Tequeños to start. The Tequeños are large cheese sticks that are delicious, packed full of cheese and served with a delicious Mayo Garlic Cilantro sauce, spicy or regular. They are different from any cheese sticks I’ve ever had, and they are an awesome starter. I ordered the Arepa Llanera, a hefty mix of asada beef and chicken breast with cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, and the Mayo Garlic Cilantro, stuffed into a perfectly cooked cornmeal pocket. It was big enough to satisfy anyone, and the furthest thing from dry. The proteins were perfectly cooked and were complimented nicely by the avocado, sauce, cheese, and pico. This arepa is legit! The House Burger is a monster burger with layers of flavor. A half pound of angus beef patty, lettuce, tomato, bacon, grilled cheese, potato sticks, ketchup, mustard, and the Mayo Garlic Cilantro sauce, all on a brioche bun. It’s a big burger with a massive amount of flavor, worth every penny. I will definitely be coming back to Zulia’s, as there are so many delicious options I did not get to try. From Venezuelan Hot Dogs, to empanadas, to Venezuelan soup (Sundays only), to plantains and loaded fries, to the Venezuelan National Plate, Pabellón! Looking forward to...
Read moreZulia's Kitchen: An Unforgettable Venezuelan Adventure
Tucked away in a San Pedro strip center, Zulia's Kitchen offers an authentic taste of Venezuelan cuisine. My recent visit was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to the warm hospitality and expert recommendations of Frank.
As a newcomer to Venezuelan food, I explained my culinary curiosity to Frank. He enthusiastically suggested a set of two fried arepas, generously filled with grilled beef and chicken, ham, white cheese, coleslaw, ketchup, mustard, and their homemade garlic-cilantro mayo.
The arepas were a perfect introduction to this unique cuisine. The crispy outer shell yielded to a soft and flavorful interior, perfectly complemented by the savory fillings. The garlic-cilantro mayo added a tantalizing twist, balancing the richness with a refreshing herbaceousness.
To quench my thirst, Frank recommended their passion fruit juice. The tart and tangy flavor perfectly complemented the sweetness of the arepas.
But what truly set my experience apart was Frank's unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. He patiently explained each dish, ensuring I understood the ingredients and flavors. His passion for his cuisine was evident in his every word.
Thanks to Frank's guidance, my first foray into Venezuelan food transformed into a culinary adventure I will never forget. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious novice, I highly recommend a visit to Zulia's Kitchen. The authentic flavors, friendly atmosphere, and impeccable service will leave you craving...
Read moreFor dinner tonight, we weren’t wanting to venture too far from home. When I was searching on US281, I saw @zuliaskitchen 15 minutes away. It turns out that Zulia’s opened this brick and mortar location 5 months ago. I had had good experience at The Block SA location, when they started out as a food truck.
You order and pay at the counter, get a buzzer, and pick up your food. Milan took our order and took care of our drinks. We ordered the following to share: Empanada with beef brisket, Pastelito (mashed potato and cheese), Sweet Plantains, and Quesillo (Venezuelan flan). Dad and I shared the Arepa Pelua, which was with shredded brisket and cheese. We both had the Passion Fruit Juice, which was a mix of sweetness and sour. Hubby had the Arepa Pabellon and unsweet tea. Everything was delicious. I was loving the garlic cilantro sauce. The sweet plantains were similar to Filipino ones except for the shredded cheese and mayo. Dad really enjoyed these. I was curious how this flan would be similar or different from the Filipino flan. This one was more firm, but the sauce tasted fairly similar.
One thing I learned reading up about arepa is that it’s in both Venezuelan and Columbian cuisine. Now I’m curious to taste the Columbian version to see the difference.
There’s a mini mart full of goodies and 2 refrigerated cases of products to buy. There is covered outdoor seating as it warms up. Come check it out!
Another location is at The Block SA, 14530...
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