I've gotten empanadas from here several times before, usually to go. The empanadas are so good! We've also tried their chicken with rice which is shredded chicken meat in a yellow rice. Their green sauce is very tasty and goes well with everything! read more

My first time trying Columbia food. I ordered three empanadas: 2 chicken and 1 beef, served with shredded chicken, beef sausage mixed with yellow rice, creole sauce, peas, and carrots, plus house-made hot sauce on the side. A generous amount of filling in the empanadas, and the rice had plenty of rice and meat. The service was friendly and helped me out with the menu items. They have two other locations on the Northside. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are about six tables along with Columbia posters and art.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

ArePA George - Empanadas with shredded chicken and beef sausage mixed with yellow rice, creole sauce, peas, and carrots. - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first time here. Food was good and prices seemed reasonable. Staff was friendly. But [[HIGHLIGHT]]the woman taking our order was cleaning the table with this disinfectant spray that made the whole place smell like it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Almost ruined a good meal. I know this is a small place and they are working hard, but that would prevent me from eating there again. I would probably grab takeout though. The Arepa was tasty. read more

ArePA George - Carne Asada Arepa - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were in need of a quick lunch and this place checked all the boxes! We were seated right away and the menu had lots of vegetarian options. I enjoyed my vegetarian arepa and my husband enjoyed his chicken empanadas. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The music inside was lively and fun and there were lots of seating available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely a spot to check out again! read more

ArePA George - Vegetarian Arepa - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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4/5 Sunday afternoon, I was looking for a spot with good food and vegan options, and we decided to try ArePA George, located at 1552 N Kedzie. The Yelp photos really helped with the decision, kudos to all the reviewers before me! [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place is a bit of a hidden gem blink and you might miss it, but once you step inside, the warm and cozy atmosphere makes you feel right at home.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I've been to this same storefront before when another great restaurant was there, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that this Colombian-style spot is carrying on that tradition of good food in the space. We were greeted by one of the most charismatic and intentional hosts I've ever met. His enthusiasm and genuine passion for his business stood out right away. We even learned that he's a former flight attendant, and he really knows how to make people feel welcome. It happened to be someone's birthday while we were there, and our host sang to them so beautifully that we all wondered, is there anything he can't do? We started with a mix of empanadas, the vegan spinach and potato, plus the chicken and beef. If you've never had a Colombian empanada, they're a bit different, crisp on the outside, with a touch of potato around the protein. These weren't the juiciest empanadas I've ever had, but they were packed with flavor and paired perfectly with the variety of sauces offered. The vegan option was especially delicious. For the main course, my friend ordered the vegan plate, two plantains, black beans, rice, and salad, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the sirloin steak with rice and sweet plantains, and we shared her black beans, which complemented my meal perfectly. I washed everything down with water and my own decaf coffee (the restaurant is BYOB, which is a nice bonus!). I learned this Kedzie location is the smaller of two, the other, on Armitage, opens after 4 PM and has a full bar. If you want a livelier experience, that might be the spot, but I really loved the intimate, neighborhood feel of this one. Overall, the food was very good, but what truly won me over was the amazing service. Spaces like this deserve to thrive. If you're in the area and craving flavorful Colombian food in a cozy, welcoming environment, ArePA George is definitely worth a visit. read more

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Food is high quality and cooked well without overly salty items. The beef is shredded and low fat... just the way I like it. Healthy Columbian food! I can't wait to try the arepas! Logan Square and Humboldt Park locations. read more

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Wow. The arepa and empanada were so yummy, with the green and red sauce. Even though I got it at the taste of Chicago, I would definitely go to the restaurant to try more from here. So delicious read more

ArePA George - Empanada Choice Beef Arepa - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food is good. It's delicious but sometimes you have to wait 45 minutes to an hour to get served because the waitresses like to talk a lot in the kitchen, especially one called Julia she can sometimes be rude, but other than that, the food was high-quality. The service was slow, but well worth the way to taste the food. read more

Try the delicious arepa tacos! They kindly made their avocado pico without onions as I can't eat them. Great service and [[HIGHLIGHT]]nice sidewalk patio with umbrellas.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Some really excellent Colombian food -- the drinks (They had great Lulo juice!!), the appetizers (Papas Rillenas) and the main entrees were all delicious. The service was friendly and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the environment was casual[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

This was our first time here and overall good experience. We were seated and provided menus- although there are no prices on the actual menu- you have to use a QR scanner to go online to view prices. We ordered the sampler which had 4 different things to try- everything was good except one of the items was cold in the middle... We also ordered 2 Arepa's- one chicken and one beef. The beef one was tasty, but dripping oil which was not something I was expecting. It's wrapped in paper but the paper was wet too and leaking out. The chicken one came out with a spicy sauce which was really nice and the beef came out with a mayo based sauce. We also ordered a drink which was really good. Nice staff and good food- a bit steep for what we ordered. Before tip it was $65 which I'm not sure if the appetizer was worth the $22. read more

As a vegetarian, I don't expect to be spoiled for choice but this adorable Colombian cafe managed to do just that! Some meals are so filling not just for your tummy but are truly hearty - my vegetarian arepa and cheese empanada were such a treat. Our server was a sweetheart - making sure we were enjoying our food and checking in on us just the right number of times, always pleasantly and patiently. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor is inviting and cultural without overdoing it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They also had a large patio area built out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Paid street parking was easy to find on North Ave. read more

Quaint Columbian restaurant located in Humboldt park interested in serving the community for years now. They're small in business but mighty in heart as the family works together to tun the business. My friend and I came here for dinner on a Tuesday night to indulge and see what their cuisine was like as well as the vegan options they have. We ordered six empanadas - two chicken, two cheese and two veggies. The options listed aren't all they offer so be sure to inquire of all the flavors they have! The cheese were super cheesy (stretch test approved) and not dry but after one you're done. The chicken is good but top it with the hot salsa and it's bomb. The veggie one is alright. I recommend mincing the spinach for better bites. Super crunchy thick crust on the empanada and worth the price to size ratio. For dinner, I ordered the vegan chimichurri rice dish. Disclaimer: while it says only for lunch, they do make it for dinner as well. Just let the server know that. My friend ordered the Arepa mix (pork and chorizo as the meats) as well as the montanero dish. The chimichurri rice just tasted like broccoli and white buttered rice to me. The beans to accompany was cute but I felt a fried plantain should've been added to elevate the dish. It was too plain and the flavors just sat there. My friend stated his dishes were top tier. A lot of meat for the price but could've used more spicy sauce. The meat was tender and juicy. I will say the real true entrees, will leave you full and satisfied but then again it's mostly meat base so you have to account for that as well. I'd be interested in returning to try their patacones or arepas. read more

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I'm reviewing the pop-up at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. I ordered the arepa with beef and avocado and I think it's one of the yummiest things I've ever eaten. "Sweet plantains" "Well, I love all plantains so--" "I will put them in. You will love them." I love them. I'm excited to learn that there is a stable location to visit! read more

I stopped by here on a walk because I wanted some fuel since I planned to walk several miles, and I've had this place bookmarked. I ordered a beef empanada and mango juice (with a water base, not a milk base) to go, although the inside seems very cute and a lovely place to have a dine-in meal. I loved the mango juice (and I'm snobby about mango flavored things and mangoes lol) and absolutely would come back for both the juice, beef empanada, and to try more things. Highly recommend this delicious Colombian place. read more

ArePA George - Beef empanada - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The updated vegetarian arepa leaves alot to be desired from when I first tried it years ago here. The restaurant has been updated to accommodate more seating, but the prices have increased and the quality/ presentation was very disappointing. There was no complexity in texture and flavors anymore. What is pictures on yelp is not accurate anymore -I received large chunks of California/Mediterranean mixed veggies stuffed inside with a side of sauce. What happened to the bitable pieces of vegetables, plus the crispy broccoli carrots slaw like veggies on top? Sooo disappointed I probably will never return. They do finely offer a vegan empanada with spinach and mushroom which were tasty but a bit over priced. read more

ArePA George - New vegetarian arepa - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I did a quick one item takeout so will need to come back for a full experience! But the host/waitress was very willing to give suggestions on the menu. I ended up with the grilled chicken taco arepas and was pleased with the portion size and pleasantly surprised with the salsa and pico/avocado salad that came with it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A small inside but the people who were there seemed to be having a nice time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Located right next to Humboldt Park, there's plenty of parking nearby. They have a 'patio' which is basically outdoor seating along the road with a lot of ongong traffic. That being said, you come here for the food, not the ambient. ordering is through a site after scanning the code they provide. The process was quick and convenient. You can add items anytime without talking to a server. We tried their empanadas with 3 different flavors - beef and cheese & plantain were bomb. Papa rellena was too potatoey for my taste. Their chicken and mushroom arepa was juicy and meaty which was exactly i was looking for. The highlight was flan - we tried coco and Nutella flavors which were both eggy without being overly sweet. Only complaint was yuca - the portion was tiny for $5. Overall, would definitely return to try many more on their menu. read more

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We live within walking distance from ArePa and decided to give it a try. We tried the empanadas, the mixed grill plate and a cheese arepa. All were very tasty and filling and full of flavor. I loved the arepa though it was full of cheese and so gooey. Ambiance was small but inviting and the service was attentive. Definitely will be visiting for an arepa again. read more

ArePA George - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My best friend brought her Colombian son to Chicago from Baltimore. I looked for the most authentic food I could find and I found ArePA George! Her son missed Colombian food so much and was so happy to have a taste of home. The staff was very kind and helpful! Give this spot a try! read more

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Fui hace un par de años pero no me decepcionó el sazón de la comida [[HIGHLIGHT]]Muy buen servicio y fue muy acogedor el restaurante[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

ALWAYS have to support my fellow Colombian people, and I'm so happy I came here on my way back from the Garfield Conservatory. The empanadas were good, and the staff was super friendly. The girl working behind the counter was so sweet, and as I had a trip to Colombia the following weekend, she was excited to hear about m plans. I'd totally come back to try everything else no doubt. If it was a little bit closer to me, I'd be there all the time! Do not pass the opportunity to eat here. Will be back! read more

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Hole in the wall Colombian restaurant in Humboldt park, featuring an intimate interior and very friendly staff accommodating of dietary restrictions. The arepas here were delicious, but my favorite dish was the ajiaco- a hearty soup featuring three different types of potatoes and shredded chicken. This is quite literally the perfect dish for a cold Chicago winter day. Must try this place! read more

ArePA George - Ajiaco - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There is free parking along Humbolt Park which is convenient. The place is a small family restaurant with about a dozen 2 people tables, so don't expect a lot of ambience. The servers were quick and efficient with requests, but I didn't see any above and beyond services. It is a small establishment so quick service for turnarounds are totally understandable. It is our first time dining there, so I ordered a variety of dishes to try. I had high expectations of the Arepas that the restaurant is named for, but found it to be hard and tough on texture. We had the steak, chicken and mushroom, and pork belly arepas. The empandas came out hot and tasty. We tried the beef, chicken, cheese & plantain, and cheese and guava. Whether the dish was described as pork belly, roast port, or just pork, it was chicharron that was in the dish. The chicharron seems to have been refried so it was dry and the pork skin was chewy instead of crunchy which was a disappointment. The 3 papa rellenas came out cold as if it was barely microwaved warm or frozen and not thawed enough before frying. The Bandeja Paisa was an interesting combination and very flavorful. Portion is big enough for 2 people. The Tamal reminded me of a large version of the tamale except wrapped in plantain leave instead of corn leaves. The Arroz con Pollo has a lot of flavor, but the shredded chicken is too dry. It is the same chicken used in the Arepas, but there was cheese in the chicken mushroom Arepas, so was not as obvious. I will probably pass on trying the Pico (too salty) and Tostones (too dry, but not cruchy) and the Chicharron with fried cassava (no flavor) and no dip to make it more palatable. I will pass on the El Parce as well. The fried chicken was too dry. 5 people and above, they treat it as a large party and automatically add 18% gratuity. Considering inflation and tip inflation in particular, I thought it was a smart move for a small business to stay viable. read more

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The service here is really good. They are kind and courteous and provide recommendations. I was not a fan of their arepas as the meat in it was really dry. However the empanadas and potato croquettes were really, really good. Definitely recommend the cheese and plantain empanadas. read more

Host was super nice and place was vey busy, food was good and it wasn't too hot for the patio seating. You scan the QR code and pay for your meal ahead of time and they will be out to bring your order. It was a nice experience. read more

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Nice spot! Easy street parking. Kind staff. The dining area was very clean. Small dining room, but it feels comfy. The spicy sauce could have stood to have had more kick. The arepas were tasty although some were a bit over priced. The mango lemonade was amazing. read more

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Ive had their food twice through Fooda and both dishes I've had are very delicious. Today I was able to get the Paisa bowl with the shredded chicken. So very tasty and very filling. The chicken has a great flavor to it and when combined with the flavors of the rice, sweet plantain, red beans, salad, and their mild green sauce, my tongue is doing a happy dance inside my mouth. And my belly is dancing right along with it. Also had a taste of my friend's chicken empanada. It wasnt as tasty as the Filipino empanadas that Im used to, but nonetheless, it was still pretty good. I think I am used to empanadas being on the sweeter side. I grabbed a menu for their actual restaurant location and I cant wait to take my husband so that we can sample their whole menu. I cant wait to taste their actual arepas and I am really looking forward to dining there. read more

ArePA George - Paisa Bowl with shredded chicken - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

ArePA George sets a new standard for Colombian food for me. Chicago is lucky to have it. A gem frequented by savvy locals & Colombians. I was Airbnbing nearby for a wknd Chicago trip with a group of friends and we were lucky to stumble upon this place. It's small yet spacious enough for 2 to 3 groups, with TV playing latest soccer matchups. We were starving with a 2-yr old in the mix so we first ordered 4 empanadas (App, $6.25) the server guy proudly recommended, and it set a new bar for what empanadas are supposed to taste like. I had been duped with those fake town fair empanadas all these years. Beef empanada was full of juicy goodness while amazingly crispy and light. And the Plantain & Cheese empanada was equally amazing, with more fragrance yet surprisingly not skimpy compared to the beef. Chicken was not too dry but probably my least favorite as the other two were too good. Los Socios (Entree, $19) - GET IT IF YOU WANT TO BE THE POPULAR GUY IN THE GROUP. I was very hungry so ordered this which the waitress said is quite popular & filling. It had mouthwatering steak & juicy chicken breast paired with chimchurri, chorizo that was slightly too salty, sweet plantain, small baked potato, cabbage slaw, and a block of cassava. Everything tasted so good and though on the heavy side the chimchurri & slaw really helped cut down the grease. Funny thing is, while I was enjoying my dish, the 2-yr old who was done with his empanadas and beans kept pointing to my chicken and after the first bite, his eyes were overcome by his primal instincts and he devoured the rest (1/2 of chicken breast!) all by himself. His mom was like, this is amazing. Tip: Get the fruit smoothie to help this go down even smoother Lulo & Manga Fruit Smoothie w/ milk base ($4.85 ea.) - Lulo was interesting but I much preferred my friend's mango which was SO refreshing and not overly sweet. Vegetarian Arepa (Entree, $8.75) - My friend got this and while it was interesting it kinda lacked a central body, not to mention it's quite light. Coconut & Regular Flan (Dessert, $4?) - Not on menu but the only items the server had for desserts were flans. This seems to be a recurring pattern in many Central/Latin Am restaurants. Homemade and sweet, this was a great finish to the meal, providing that coolness down my esophagus. Coconut was interesting though I preferred regular so I can savor the main custard flavor more. All this and 4 of us were STUFT and bill wasn't much. Turns out it's run by a brother and sister dynamic duo taking over after their father George. They've got a good thing going here. I loved it so much that I came back the next day for 4 empanadas lunch which I ate all by myself, hiding in the corner of the large house. Hehe. If you're ever in the area, you OWE it to yourself to dine here! Thanks for a great meal(s), ArePA George! read more

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Great arepas! I got the Carne Asada special but I ordered salad and avocado to add to it (I like my greens). Tried the plátano, really great! read more

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Solid arepa! Large portion stuffed generously. The beans and fresh mango juice rounded out the meal. The restaurant itself is small, clean and inviting. A great spot for lunch. read more

ArePA George - Chicken and Mushrooms Arepa Mango Juice Colombian Beans - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've only had delivery twice from here, but based on how frickin delicious the food was even after traveling for 50+ minutes over 11 miles, I've no doubt that dining in would be just as, if not more amazing! The arepas are quality and stuffed to the brim. My favorite that I've tried was the arepa con todo, but a simple arepa con queso is just as delicious if you don't want to fill up too much before your mains. For the mains, there are 2 that I must highlight: the mondongo and the bandeja paisa. The mondongo is so flavorful and the perfect cold/rainy/snowy/etc. weather soup to just warm the soul. I've had mondongo in Medellin and Bogota and ArePA George's is probably up there if not better than those. I highly recommend not to skip on this one! The bandeja paisa is probably my favorite Colombian dish and George's does not disappoint. Every single aspect of the dish was delicious, from the seasoning and flavor of the beans, to the fluffiness of the rice, the crispiness of the pork belly. I'm drooling just typing this up. My one and only nitpick would be that it could use more rice! read more

ArePA George - Bandeja Paisa - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a great place to try arepas and other Colombian dishes, I've really enjoyed all the food I've had here. They provide great sauce on the side, good portions for the food, and lots of options. I strongly recommend this place, and would definitely come again. read more

ArePA George - Super Patacon - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Coming in from Iowa, where Colombian food is rare, and having lived in Miami where it was everywhere, it was great to enjoy fantastic and legitimate arepas and empanadas to go! Lovely woman took care of our "Care Package" order for our to go order. Wish we had days in Chicago to try the dishes on their extensive menu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Oh, to have had a sit down experience in order to enjoy a bandeja paisa![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Feeling in an adventurous foodie mood after my run at Humboldt Park, I sought out restaurants I had bookmarked that were near, and low and behold, ArePA George was the closest to the park. I have had it bookmarked for sometime now, but parking is what has kept me from visiting sooner. I do frequent the area often, but it just never gave me that kosher feeling to visit. I took a chance with this visit, and I lucked out, finding a parking spot within a few feet from the door. Options for parking include either street parking along Kedzie Ave or neighborhood parking which neighborhood parking can be a hit-or-miss depending on what time of the day you visit. You can also just park at Humboldt Park near the National Guard Recruiting Office and walk over to the restaurant if you cannot find anything closer because local residents do park along Kedzie Ave. Nothing eye catching about its logo; you can easily miss it while driving down Kedzie Ave, and confuse it as just another apartment building being that it is so plain. And for the most part, the dining area is small! I would say that it is the perfect spot for lunch! It consists of decorations specifically related to Columbia which is intriguing to someone like myself who has never been to Colombia, let alone anywhere in South America. As for my order, Yelp had a check-in offer for four empanadas for $4.55 w/ a natural juice that caught my eye and eventually was what I ordered. Being that I have never been to a Columbian restaurant, I wanted to keep my order simple as possible with something I knew about and the empanadas were it. I ordered takeout because it, as well as delivery were the only options available due to coronavirus (COVID 19) quarantine. While driving my vehicle I kept smelling the empanadas which smelt very good! And it took every amount of discipline I had to not stop and just rip that damn bag open and finish them off completely, hehe. Giving you an idea of the smell, I compare it to the smell of chicken egg rolls just taking up the air in my vehicle. And they tasted fantastic! After eating the four that came with my order my only regret was that I didn't purchase more. Two options that do look very good are their lunch specials Humboldt Park, and Arroz Con Pollo which I saw pictures of on Yelp while searching their menu days after my visit. Other than returning for their empanadas I will be looking to try either of those lunch specials at some point. To conclude! From my initial call to the restaurant inquiring if they were open to me walking in presenting Yelps check-in offer and ordering I had a pleasant experience which is all I can ask for with any restaurant visit. Once I am able to dine-in again, ArePA George will definitely be one restaurant I will visit because takeout is just not the same as dining in. But until coronavirus (COVID 19) quarantine is over with, takeout it shall be. ~Blessings~ Thomas G read more

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One of my favorite spots in Humboldt Park. Arepas are tasty and filling, paisa bowl is very flavorful, plantains are fresh and never stale. And the empanadas are the best you will ever have, they are the reason to eat here alone. The interior is very cozy and welcoming, plenty of seating to eat in if you prefer. Staff is amazing, very prompt and courteous, always very pleasant and understanding of questions about the menu. Overall this is a must visit, you will not be disappointed, prices very reasonably and the quality of the food is great. read more

Some of the freshest, tastiest foods of this region I've eaten in Chicago. Arepas were large and delicious as were the other dishes we ordered. Not a large indoor dining space, ( outdoor seasonal space) . Friendly staff! read more

ArePA George - Lots of delicious Arepas! (BTW Gluten free!). - Colombian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food was so delicious and the staff were kind and helpful. It's a small place and service could be a little slow but not terribly. I brought 2 crazy toddlers with me and they were so helpful and accommodating. I'm vegetarian and they had so many delicious vegetarian options. Highly recommend!! read more

We are a regular of this restaurant for many years but we had an interruption of our visits for a while. We recently dined here and discovered a lot of changes. There are more tables outside which is really good during the summer. We do not see the kitchen anymore but I guess it added more space for tables. We ordered the Lengua which was really good. The chicken of the Socios dinner plate was tough and dry though. We were also surprised to see MP or no prices listed for most of the dishes. It was annoying to be asking the prices of the dishes you desire specially when you are on a budget. We really do not understand reason behind. But overall, food is great and the service is good. read more

Arroz connected is a joke, 7$ for a soda, deceptive menus, and insane pricing. 14$ for basically a flour tortilla with cheese. Some stuff was ok but nothing was worth the Michelin star pricing. Not going back read more