Given the semi-corporate chains options in most mall food courts, I was pleasantly surprised to find Arepas by Perla, a Venezuelan eatery with legit arepas, tequeños, and even maracuya. Their only other location is a stand alone location in Katy, one of the largest Venezuelan communities in the area. (#1) There are 5 arepas to choose from and they range from $10-12 each. The pabellon with pulled beef, beans, platanos, and cheese is a nice blend of flavors, but I still think the la pelua (pulled beef with gouda) and reina pepiada (shredded chicken with avocado) still reign supreme. I don' tthink anyone can go wrong with la rumbera, which is roasted pork with gouda cheese. They're also leaning really hard into the pollos a la brasa (rotisserie chicken), which is best ordered as a family meal. A whole chicken with 3-5 sides is $14-20. I'd consider this a pretty good deal, especially in 2024. The only caveat is that it's quite average in the pollos a la brasa space and the accompanying dipping sauces are a tad bland. One of the highlights of my times here is getting their maracuya (passion fruit) juice. It makes for a perfect pairing for anything Arepas by Perla offers. The service is kind and quick. Bonus points for anyone who can order en español. Takeout is usually the way to go for folks, but I would also suggest having it fresh on the spot while people watching at Katy Mills Mall. __________ (#1) aka "Katyzuela." read more

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I really recommend this place. The Venezuelan food is delicious, seasoned and not expensive like other places! Vanessa gave us excellent service!! It is a food store to visit and try the food of our city!! read more

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La presentation de la comida muy desagradable, el hotdog no se parecia en NADA a la foto, super demorada la comida y estaba fría.

You know what every mall excision needs? Family owned Arepas! Or ceviche? Or pho? Idk why but Memorial City Mall has all three! While I can't say I've eaten a lot of arepas in my day, I can say I've enjoyed every one I've indulged in. Arepas by Perla was no exception. I'm sure when freshly prepared these babies are FIRE. Mine (not so fresh) was still good. I could tell the meat had been sitting, and the bread was on the grill for a bit too long, but my arepa came piping hot, hot enough to melt the Gouda cheese and heat the chicken releasing the flavor. Although my arepa was filling, and was presented in beautiful packaging - $10.99 for one arepa, nothing else...I may stick to the food trucks for this treat. read more

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Quite possibly one of the tastiest things I've ever had. I've had arepas and gorditas before -- this was different. Restaurant is EXTREMELY clean. This is a family-owned business. Talked with one of the sons who worked the counter -- a delightful guy. The family only recently moved from Venezuela due to COVID. The president had shut down the university. The United States is still the land of opportunity for so many. The arepa #4 with double fried cheese and plantain add-ins was filling. It is also among the best Latin food in the city. I was surprised and delighted by this find, a rare gem, be sure to check these guys out and grab a cold strawberry soda (Fress Kolita). read more

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The absolute worst place I ever ate at I paid eight dollars for a hotdog that he pulled out of the freezer stuck it in water for five seconds and put it on my bun ask for mustard and relish had no idea even what relish was did not speak. One word of English and now there is absolutely no one at the counter and the mall is packed. read more

Ordered the arepa with shredded chicken and Gouda cheese with sweet plantains and the lighter of the green sauces on the side. I could eat this every day, it's so good. If the stand alone restaurant was closer, I'd be there all the time. read more

I paid $20 just for a small drink and a cheese arepa. The cheese was cold and just placed in the arepa. The passion fruit drink didn't even taste right. The arepa itself was full of oil. I had to vomit after eating this disgusting food, save your money and don't get sick eating here. It wasn't even worth spending half that for this food. read more

Arepas by Perla - A mixed cheese only Arepa and small passion fruit drink for $20. Total rip off, plus I got sick after eating it. - Venezuelan Near Me - Houston, Texas

I met up with a friend in the Memorial City Mall food court for lunch and we decided to try this newly opened place. They had a $10.99 lunch special with 1 meat and 3 sides as well as a bun and coke. I went with the shredded beef, boiled yuca, sweet plantains, and French fries. I wanted to try the mini tamales, but they didn't have any. The beef and plantains were nice and flavorful. The yuca was rather bland. The French fries were super fresh, but also lacked any flavor. Perhaps this will appeal to those with milder palettes than myself. I can only assume they have some sauces that perhaps the person working didn't offer to me and I didn't know to ask for. Pretty good sized meal for the price, just a little bland for me. read more

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I went for lunch and tried the Cachapa and I experienced the worst food poisoning of my life. I've been to several Venezuelan restaurants around Houston and this has never happened to me. I almost ended up at an urgent care. I'm still recovering. read more

Arepas by perla I have been here before so maybe i am misremembering as I don't eat at the mall often but pretty sure I got the lunch special last time and was able to get the arepa. Didn't know the passionfruit fountain drink did not qualify as a soda that comes with the combo until the price was announced at the end. I have no idea what this bun is. I went back when I didn't see an arepa in my box. I asked about the missing bun. "Oh, we don't have the bun. Do you want anything else?" Me: "The arepa isn't the bun?" "Can I get the arepa?" "The arepa is extra." Why did they not tell me they didn't have the bun when PUTTING TOGETHER my order and why didn't they explain the differences in pricing between a soda and a soda that comes from the fountain? Why wasn't the bun explicitly told to me as not in stock when it is clearly a part of the picture explaining the lunch special? Also what is this mystery bun? I see pictures of arepas and empanadas. I see both arepas and empanadas in plain view. I have never seen any other form of starchy bread like anything here. Why wasn't that option not explained? Also, they gave me a box set without saying that something is not in stock, knowing it was not in stock. You knew you didn't have something, didn't mention it, packed my box, charged me and only replied oh we didn't have that AFTER PROCESSING THE WHOLE ORDER. I WAS THE ONLY CUSTOMER. So this has nothing to do with being swamped. There are no pictures of a bun. I thought the arepa was the bun this whole time. read more

Me gustó mucho la comida, tenía tiempo sin comerme una empanada tan buena. El servicio también me gustó mucho, son muy amables y tienen buena atención al client. 100% recomendad. read more

Delicious food! Mall location so you can see them making your order. This is Venezuelan food, which I've had no experience with before. The arepas are in a pocket made with just masa, and there are lots of fillings. Including plantains is apparently the authentic way to serve them. Plenty of food in just one, and very enjoyable. read more

Simply delicious and they make great suggestions on how to enjoy their arepas!areas!! A must try

The empanadas are so good. The cheese, chicken and shredded beef are great choices. Two will fill me up. The Arepas are hand made and fresh. Give them a try. read more

We had the cachapa with cheese and it was so good. We ordered chicken and pork meats on the side to add to them and they were very good as well. Not too salty and flavorful. I'm so glad to have found this place. read more

So good! Packed full of meat.. the shells are nice and crispy! Great atmosphere great service friendly staff and above all best food!!

Super good food , great sauces , amazing customer service! 10/10 . Food is very fresh and drinks are great. Very authentic food

Very unpleasant and horrible experience !! If I could give 0 stars, I definitely would. My mother decided to order an Arepa to go and at first it was good and nothing was occurring. About hour later, my mom started to feel nauseous and vomited for almost an hour and many times. I was extremely upset as this has never occurred with other restaurants that we have been to all throughout Houston. Therefore, my mother has to go to the hospital and get urgent care. Please take in consideration to avoid this place and never eat here at all. read more

I was very surprised at how delicious it was considering it was in a mall food court. I had the chicken arepa, an order of tequenos and the cachapa. Very flavorful and filling. Service was great as well! read more

Arepas by Perla - Venezuelan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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A few friends suggested we try this place. We finally went by there today. We ordered the Pabellon arepa, the arepa with queso de mano and the tequeños. The arepas were amazing and the fresh cheese was delicious. The tequeños were very good. We had the guava and passion fruit drinks, they were very tasty. We also tried the fried cheese and the cachapas, those are the best we have had here in the US. We had the guava and passion fruit drinks, they were very tasty. The service was excellent, we are definitely going back for more. Thanks so much Leonardo for the great hospitality! read more

Best arepas in houston!! Employees are always so friendly and the food is AMAZING!! Try the plantains when you go!

BE CAREFUL! I ordered Arepa #4 and got severe food poisoning for hours, which doesn't seem uncommon from reviews on multiple platforms

This was my first empanada experience and I was very satisfied! I ordered the carne mechada empanada which is like a pulled beef empanada in a corn meal pocket. They gave me a little dipping sauce to go on the side which was like a cilantro mayo dip, which I really enjoyed as well. The staff was very friendly and even let me know how to make my own empanadas. They have a little "store" inside with Venezuelan groceries you can purchase too, I thought that was a nice touch! They have a lot of different drinks to try too that they make fresh at the restaurant as well. Everything here is fresh and can be made to order, I really like that there is an open kitchen and you can watch them make your food. You can tell they make their food with love read more

I love this place! I'm a Colombian so seeing this place in a mall means so much to me and hits close to home. Prices are fair and the food is so good. I highly suggest the shredded beef with some white rice, with choice of sides. An arepa is a great addition, too! read more

Arepas by Perla - Shredded meat, black beans, white rice, maduros (fried plantain), fries - Venezuelan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I was pleasantly surprised by this place. The arepas were a nice size and the food really tasted homemade. I hope I can come back!

Overpriced and not good quality. Better Venezuelan food from several food trucks in town. On top of that we felt like we were an inconvenience to the person serving. Had empanadas and tequeños, none of which were special. Will not go back. read more

Great food and I love the cheeses and cream sauce. Loved the empanadas. Will come back for more next time I'm at mall.