La Caraqueña
300 W. Broad St.
Falls Church, VA
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
Nearby Metro Stops: East Falls Church
Price Range: Inexpensive
Dress: Informal
Noise Level: Intimate
Reservations: Not Needed
Website: http://www.lacaraquena.com/
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: Wheelchair Accessible, 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.