La Caraqueña

Address: 300 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA

Phone: 703-533-0076

Neighborhood: Falls Church

Cuisines: South American

Opening Hours: Open Monday and Wednesday through Friday noon to 10, Saturday 11 to 10, Sunday 11 to 9.

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

Nearby Metro Stops: East Falls Church

Price Range: Inexpensive

Dress: Informal

Noise Level: Intimate

Reservations: Not Needed

Website: Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes Fried arepas with egg, carne mechada, or served plain; salteñas; corn salad; black-bean soup; sopa de mani (peanut soup); black beans and rice; diputado, (steak sandwich); cuatro leches cake.

Price Details: Starters $2.49 to $8.99, entrées $10.99 to $16.99.

Special Features:
Kid Friendly

The culinary traditions of Venezuela, Bolivia, and Chile dominate this down-to-earth restaurant next to a divey motel. The popular arepas are made with English-muffin-size rounds of cornmeal bread, fried or grilled and piled high with meats and veggies. We love the Reina stuffed with chicken salad and avocado and the Sifrina, topped with shredded cheese.

A light meal can be made of black-bean soup and a tropical salad with mango, papaya, and grilled chicken; bigger appetites call for sandwiches such as the Diputado, with sirloin and a fried egg.

Also good: “JP’s favorite” arepa, with sirloin, onion, and cilantro; corn salad; avocado salad with grilled chicken.