These arepas are literally one of my recent obsessions. Like I find myself thinking about all the time. The Reina is delicious, one of my favorite things when I want something lighter. The beef and cheese arepa is so freaking good. And for some reason the arepitas keep calling me back. They're little unfilled deep fried arepas and they come out piping hot with some crema and I LOVE them. The staff speaks very little English and my Spanish is so bad on a good day, but they're so nice and we can still get the job done . I've never walked out of there without being stuffed and happy. They also have an event space...I'm like hell yeah if anyone wants to invite me to an event catered by Ricas...I will be your plus one! read more

This quaint and very relaxed place was just what we needed. The arepas were filled very well with the contents. The Rika Chicha was like if horchata and rice pudding had a delicious baby and was a perfect way to cut through the savory meal. The plantains were perfect on the side. Of the two, I preferred the Surena as it boasted more overall flavor for me. The meat in both cases was cooked well. I did find the arepa itself a bit greasy but the flavors were there. Service was friendly but when we needed to pay it took a bit to realize we had to go to the counter. However, I also appreciated that they let us take time to digest. read more

Rika Arepa Express - Carne y Queso à la Plancha - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Yummmm!! These arepas were so delicious! I got the Reina-chicken/avocado. Yummm it was made fresh. Arepa was perfect. I also got the beef empanada which was so good as well! Everything was worth the wait! Service was nice. I had to wait a bit since they were cooking it fresh. Casual ambiance. Everyone needs to check this place out! read more

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Delicious arepas! La Reina - super creamy, fresh, and they don't skimp on the filling. It's the perfect "refreshing" arepa. Pabellón- the shredded beef is tender, and the sweet plantains mixed with the salty cheese and beans is incredible! The guasacaca is a must - this creamy green sauce brought each bite to the next level! Both arepas were hefty- super filling. We also got a beef empanada, which was pretty good but the arepas were definitely superior! read more

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This place is nestled in a lot with ample parking. Inside there are tons of tables and the food came out quick. The food here was fine and the arepa dough tasted fresh and seasoned. The reason for the low review is because the cost of the food and the amount you get was unjustifiable. One arepa came out to approximately $18 after tax. I got the carne y queso a la plancha which did not come out looking like the picture unfortunately. The steak was a bit gray and looked almost boiled as opposed to the seared and medium rare steak in the photo. The arepa also did not come with a lot of meat (I counted maybe 5-6 pieces in there). At Viva Las Arepas (located closer to Downtown) the $18 would have bought 2 arepas with more steak. I love trying new mom and pop shops but I can't justify coming to this place again, paying that price for one item, and still leaving hungry. read more

I indulged and spent $40 on a wonderful selection of different items because I simply couldn't narrow it down to just one. I savored the Cachapas, enjoyed the Vegetariana Arepa, relished the crispy goodness of Mandocas, and devoured the flaky Pastelitos. Every bite was a fantastic experience, and I loved every single one of them! read more

Yelp Review 2024 #53: I started following Rika Arepa when they only had a food truck about 10 years ago. A few years ago, they found a small home on Flamingo Road with a few tables and a counter that has Venezuelan/ Latin treats like Pirucream (my favorite and I would always buy at least 3 cans of them even though they're like $7 each), Nucita (basically Nutella in a toothpaste tube), Latin Nestea (less sweet than what you'll get from the local grocery store), PAN (maize flour to make arepas, etc), and chocolates. Arepas are commonly eaten in Colombia, Venezuela, Panama and a few other neighboring countries. They're like corn pancakes married tortillas - slightly sweet soft dough but can hold meat or plantains in the middle. My hotel in Colombia would have them nice and warm for the breakfast buffet and you can slice it and put cheese in the middle to go with your coffee - simple but satisfying. Reina Arepa: Cold shredded chicken breast, mayo, green peas, avocado, and celery. Think chicken salad but in a corn-based bread. Now, I don't like chicken salad because I don't like mayo but I love this. 5/5 Pabellon Arepa: Beans, fried plantains, cheese and shredded beef. Think Carne Guisada arepa with fried plantains so you get sweet, caramelly, and savory. 5/5 Empanadas: Nice crispy golden brown exterior and the inside is stuffed and loaded with juicy meat. Just by looking at the nice color of their empanadas you'll know it's going to be good. 4/5 My Venezuelan friend made me try other things on their menu I would have never tried. And I'm glad I got to try tequeños and cachapa. Tequeños: Bread dough stuffed with cheese then fried. Almost like cheese sticks. They pair well with their red sauce and the green sauce. 4/5 Cachapa with Pork: Think corn pancake with ooey gooey melted cheese and folded in half with a side of chicharron. It comes with a small container of cream (some places put margarine). This is like bacon and pancakes but Venezuelan. 4/5 Passion Fruit Juice: Passion fruit, maracuya in most Spanish-speaking countries, pachita in Venezuelan Spanish. Tart, mildly sweetened, and refreshing drink. 4/5 Green Sauce: Their green sauce deserves recognition. If I could drink this sauce, I would! It pairs well with anything and everything on their menu may it be arepas or tequeños - this garlicky cilantro sauce takes them to the next level of flavor! 5/5 The service has always been good. I guess it depends on what vibe you give - it will also be the vibe you get back. You don't need to be Spanish-speaking but if you know some Spanish then, even better. If you're planning on taking a group of 10 people with you, I suggest that you don't and just get food to-go since their space is small. read more

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Service must improve, too much of a wait time; they made the place bigger but not enough personnel to take care of customers. Waited too long for our food my wife and myself. Will definitely not come back to this place. read more

The prices went up and it seemed like the quality went down. Their chicken is good but their shredded beef was bland. Sauces lost flavor. Their passion fruit drink needed more sweetness. My wife liked her vegan options which is good. read more

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Food here is always delicious. Go somewhere else if you're in a rush, or don't have a lot of extra time. Your order will not be ready quickly. It will be the best meal you've had all week though... read more

Authentic and delicious Arepas!! You have to try it for yourself, you can thank me later ;-)

Great tasting food and the service is excellent. First time trying this place out since I'm came for the SEMA SHOW. read more

Rika Arepa Express - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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delicious food, excellent service, and really good chicha. didn't take to long to make food and good prices

Amazing food and they helped me choose good food choices. Beautiful! I would recommend the pabellon, it was amazing, great coffee and empanadas as well! Give it a try and be hungry read more

I REALLY try to not have to write a bad review for a mom and pop place, but sadly I have to do it for this Ricka Arepa. The place is small and we were a group of 10. No biggie that we weren't able to sit together. We just broke into 3 groups and took whatever seats were available. You order at the counter, provide your name and they bring the food to you. Every time they brought food out from the kitchen, it seemed like they end up delivering it to the wrong table. They don't call out the name to see where people are sitting. They seem to prefer to guess who has the order. The first item for our order took 45 minutes and we inquired about our drinks...coffee and chicha. The second item came after another 5 minutes and once again, we inquired about our drinks. The last item finally came with the chicha but still no coffee. One of the persons from our group sitting at another table came over and told us to forget about the coffee because it tasted like brown water so we didn't make anymore effort to get the coffee that was already paid for. The people were nice but just SOOOO disorganized. The food was good but, for us, it was definitely not worth the wait and frustration in getting our food and drinks. read more

We love Rika! Come here about every 6 weeks for the delicious food and always feel welcomed by the sweet family who owns it. We've tried several of the menu items and have been pleased with them all. I absolutely recommend starting with tequenos and mandocas. Then try a couple different arepas! The Patacon and cachapas are also favorites. We always get a ton of food and end up taking some home for leftovers. My Venezuelan man approves of Rika, so I feel confident in recommending it to my friends! read more

Rika Arepa Express - Patacon - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Overall: Rika Arepa Express is a tiny shop in a quiet plaza that is easily overlooked, but it serves up some tasty food. It does seem a little overpriced, but a $10-11 meal isn't that bad considering we pay almost as much for a fast food burger meal. Food: 5 Pabellon: This arepa has shredded beef, plantains, black beans, and mozzarella. This was pretty goo and had a good blend of salty and sweet flavors. The mozzarella added a nice fattiness to it. Super Rika: Instead of a sandwich, this is open faced. Shredded beef, ham, veggies (like a slaw), eggs, mozzarella, and deep fried cheese are piled high on top of the arepa and drizzled with their green cilantro sauce. It was flavorful, but the flavors actually worked together very well. It does seem a little pricey at ~ $11 but it is rather filling. Pastelito: This little empanada-like pastry is filled with ground beef and potatoes. It was definitely freshly fried because it was piping hot when we received it. It was super crunchy and the filling was juicy. My only gripe is that it is a little pricey at $3.50 for one pastry about the palm of my hand. Service: 5 The lady who took my order was really friendly. She was patient while we decided what to order, and she did her best to answer our questions even though her English wasn't perfect. When we received our to go order, she was very careful with our order and she actually reminded me to be careful with our boxes as the Super Rika could easily topple over if the box wasn't held straight. read more

We love this local neighborhood gem. Their food is always fresh and we order from here frequently. I recently ordered the Cachapas, their delicious. Nice and fluffy like a pancake, other places fry theirs and make them greasy. Thanks, read more

It's my second time coming here and the food is so delicious. The areas are so tasty. My favorite is the Pabellon area. I have tried their empanadas also. So yummy. I highly recommend this place. read more

Ok folks! Let's talk Venezuelan food! I have now ordered from this place twice now and have tried almost everything on the menu! Can I just say this place is FREAKING AWESOME!!! Everything seems so fresh and like some wonderful mom or dad took there recipes from their ancestors and took it up 8 billion notches. I've never been to Venezuela and haven't really eaten a lot of Venezuelan food but this place is ridiculous and if this is the food that they make sign me up when this stupid virus is over. How does it look like healthy food but taste better than the unhealthy foods we love so much. I'm blown away and have decided to learn how to make Venezuelan food. I'm hooked and the rumors are true this place ROCKS! Arepa, plantain sandwiches, empanadas, that crazy fried cheese thing and some potatoes cheese pastry....omg....I'm salivating and the food is HUGE!!! I hate this place for getting me addicted. I don't need therapy I just need their food. . They get my "Over The Moon Better than your Mommas cooking award" GREAT JOB!!! read more

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The food is incredible, the service is amazing! Such a lovely spot to grab lunch :) I tried it a few months ago and now I cannot stay away! read more

Rika Arepa Express - Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

Let me start by saying that I am born and raised in Venezuela. So i know a thing or two about the authenticity of the food and the quality we expect. This spot was recommended to me by another Venezuelan friend who now lives in LV. He told me that if i did come, i should do so early afternoon since the area isn't so friendly. I came for lunch and did not feel unsafe but the parking lot was a little empty. 1) Cachapa con queso $7.95 - this is a large, corn pancake overstuffed with cheese. It was good! I think it might've had a little too much cheese (man our people be so generous!) but I enjoyed the sweet corn flavor that marries the saltiness. This should be a must order and shared. 2) Arepa de Pabellon $8.95 - Great arepa (fear not, the dough wasn't thick so you won't be stuffed with masa) with excellent shredded beef, sweet plantains and black beans. It was all delicious and so filling. Unfortunately the shredded cheese on top wasn't up my alley but if you let it melt, you almost don't even notice it. I would skip the cheese in this case. Think sweet thick plantains, then creamy and whole beans, then meaty and juicy beef, each bite is just a trip to heaven. *Might I add, arepas are made of corn, they are NOT to be called BREAD* 3) Pastelito de carne $2.50 - This cute little wheat flour round that was *also* overstuffed with ground beef. It was a little burnt on the outside and it wasn't my favorite of all the dishes. Used to eat these as breakfast, they are more like an appetizer kind of thing, it is small (size of the palm of your hand) 4) Papelon con limon $3 - YAS! I haven't had this in forever since we cannot find papelon anywhere. It is an unrefined cane sugar block that is made into a drink with lemon. It is tart/sweet/refreshing/icy awesome! Goes great with all the above dishes. 5) Chicha $4 - this very thick rice drink was good but not quite the same we used to have at home. Of course, they got the flavor so close to it though. It is almost a meal in itself in how thick this drink is, I would save this as dessert. Wish they added some pieces of rice to give it more texture. I'm ecstatic Venezuelan food is spreading like cold margarine over hot arepas, slowly but surely. The food here was great and the feel of the little restaurant was warm and as they were playing gaitas (music) it made it feel really homey. Good food, a must visit. If you are sick of the same ol' latino foods, this is the place to check out. read more

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We loved it. The food is freshly cooked and nothing like we've ever had before. If you're bored of Mexican food and want to try something new, this place is awesome. Venezuelans have a fantastic cuisine and this place does a good job showing it. We really enjoyed the Pabellon and that one food item with all the stuff (the #24) read more

Rika Arepa Express - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Just picked up some arepas and they are delicious. They have many options and are made fresh on the spot. Portions are bigger than we expected. They are very clean and that is very important to us. Definitely coming back. read more

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This is a small place with tables and chairs for indoor dining. The chicken arepa was ok but it mostly tasted like cheese. The chicken wasn't particularly flavorful. I wish there was a spicy option. The arepa itself was kinda tough. Both the chipotle sauce and the green sauce seemed to be mayo based and not spicy at all. I'm not not a fan of mayo on everything. Service was great! read more

The food was amazing and the service was great as well. The lady who took our order and served us also cooked the incredible food. I don't know if she's the owner, but she was a rockstar! read more

Rika Arepa Express - #2 Arepa with grilled chicken and sausage - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

One of the best venezuela food in the city... there a Argentino cashier named Juan Pablo that very professional...

Yes finally a good Venezuelan place!! I tried viva las arepas and was so disappointed it makes me gag how gross the food was and luckily this is the only other place is Vegas and I'm so impressed! I had the pabellon arepa and it's so delicious the cilantro sauce and the spicy chipotle sauce compliments it so well I will definitely be back to try more! This is a small arepa but stuffed so it will get you full. I love how they're chipotle sauce is actually spicy being Mexican we love our hot sauce. The plantains were cooked to perfection and the cheese melted with the beef just tied in so well. I just went to heaven on the first bite. I would really recommend this place! read more

Rika Arepa Express has upgraded from a food truck to a brick and mortar location on the East side! Arepa lovers everywhere should be rejoicing, because RAE's eats are delicious. Go traditional with the Pabellon or riff on chicken salad with the Reina, or stick to your specialized diet with vegetarian and vegan options! For my first visit to this new location, I tried the chicken and sausage combo of the La Surena and it didn't disappoint: a hot packed pocket with creamy avocado slices, spicy sausage, and shredded chicken, which I smothered in their cilantro and spicy sauces. But because I'm a total glutton, I had to add on a beef empanada, which was also damn delicious. Location has a few tables to dine-in and service is friendly. They have an $11 lunch combo that includes an arepa, plantains, and drink, as well as some breakfast options for early visitors. I am hoping they do well here in their new home! read more

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It's a truck... it's a tent... it's a brick-and-mortar! Yep, Rika Arepa Express has now settled into a stationary home. They're in a very nondescript plaza on Flamingo near Sandhill. This is great! Not only have I always longed for more Venezuelan food options ever since trying out the original Rika Arepa Express truck, but this side of town (especially this section of Flamingo) has been sorely lacking for non-chain food in general ever since I've been here. Prices are a bit higher than I recall, but the Pabellón ($8.50) is still as enjoyable as it was when I last tried their tent (in other words, still not the same as the old truck). It came out quickly and was piping hot. The arepa dough is almost sturdy enough to hold all the fillings to the end, and the combo of shredded beef, black beans, plantains, and mozzarella is a classic. The cilantro sauce and mild chipotle sauce aren't show-stealing but should be used generously to maximize satisfaction. I would've been satiated with the arepa alone, but I had to add on a couple of sides for scientific purposes. The Tequeño ($1 each) is a dough-wrapped stick of non-stringy, semi-crumbly-yet-soft cheese, and it's the superior choice. The Empanada ($3.50) comes with beef, chicken (my choice), or cheese filling, but none of that is too relevant because the dough is too thick, too gummy inside, and not flavorful on its own or even with the aforementioned sauces. It's far worse than my favorite local Venezuelan empanada, which comes from a food truck that's still in operation. I'm glad that Rika Arepa Express is now regularly available in this particular neighborhood, even if it's not quite as good as the original. The arepa is a fast, hearty meal, and this place is the only option that comes to mind if I don't feel like visiting one of my favorite Thai restaurants. I'll either try the La Sureña arepa (chicken, smoked sausage) or perhaps a plate next time. read more

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These arepas ROCK! Delicious shredded beef, cheese, sauce in a packet of food-joy. Friendly service, lots of smiles. My one wish...faster, faster...get the food out to me quicker. Appreciate the quality and taste, just hating waiting so long for order to arrive at table. read more

Small place with big flavors! I'd never had Venezuelan food before, and now I want it every week. Highly recommend! read more

Rika Arepa Express - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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This place is CRAZY GOOD!!! The food was all fresh and so tasty! The salsas were so full of flavor and so creamy. We got the vegan arepa, the traditional arepa, the empanadas and the cheese sticks (forgot their actual name) everything was phenomenal! The service was also great the lady behind the counter was super helpful and kind! The restaurant was very clean and organized! Highly recommend! read more

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What an amazing experience at this place! So nice to us when we walked in to when we left! They wanted to share their culture and gave us a sample of the Rika Chicka and OMG was it delicious! It's a traditional drink of Venezuela and we appreciated getting to experience that. The food was amazing too! Arepa was delicious and the Cachapa was fireeeee! Thank you so much for the experience today, what a great lunch! The music was fun and was dancing the whole meal! read more

Rika Arepa Express - Cachapa with pork. Tostones in the back. - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

Doesn't look like much from the outside and there's not much walk-by traffic but this little place must have a strong following. Brought here by my family, as it's their go-to spot. I ordered the Pasteltio de papa = crispy, hot, not spicy, hand pocket of potato in a crisp shell; The Empanada de carne = same but shaped like a moon; and the plantains which were super delicious and adequately generous for a side dish. All the sauces come on the side which is perfect for me. Sadly, no pics. Kids ordered various "plates" which looked and smelled great! Definitely a go-back kinda place. read more

Great arepa options. Love the Reina arepa... with their cilantro lime dressing. Bit pricey but still delicious.

Nothing againstthe food, the Arepas were very good, however, their customer service was not the best and they are too pricey. One arepa is like around 10$ bucks, got the combo as well that included a drink and never got it (we forgot to ask for it too). The guy at the front wasn't friendly, or helpful as we kinda struggle with the menu. On the other hand, we order to go, and got our food right away. read more

Best arepas in town!!!! SOOO GOOD! If you are in Vegas YOU NEED TO TRY!!! Food was delicious!! Place is clean and nice, staff is super awesome and helpful! read more

Rika Arepa Express - La Sureña Arepa #2 Grilled Chicken, Avocado, Smoked Sausage - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas provides for so many unique dining experiences and this place was perfect for me! I have never had Venezuelan food - but I have had good food and this food is good. If you are bored and want something new, or you want Venezuelan food - - come here, Tell them Chef Uber sent you. Follow me for more reviews and pics. read more

I had the pleasure of enjoying one of these amazing arepas at the Inspirada Farmer's Market. What a truly tasty treat! Their stand was nicely set up with two clear menu boards on each side of the front table. All of the arepa options were listed with all of the included ingredients to help make your choice. Most of the arepas are $8.50. There is also an option to turn it into a combo that would include sweet plantains and passion fruit juice for about $12. Pricing seems reasonable for the quality and portions. The #1 arepa was calling my name. The arepa itself was tender and delicious. The inside was stuffed with black beans, plantains, shredded beef, and mozzarella. The rika sauce was also delicious and the icing on the cake. Each individual ingredient was very tasty and the flavors were great together as well. I tried the passion fruit juice and that was very refreshing. It had the perfect amount of sweetness. I ordered twice, once for myself to enjoy on the spot and later to take one home to my husband. Both times the wait was just over five minutes. The woman taking orders advised me of this before I paid so it wasn't a big deal. read more

Rika Arepa Express - #1- black beans, shredded beef, sweet plantains, and mozzarella cheese - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada