I liked Bienmesabe years ago when I first went here and have been here a few times since, although there's been a gap between my most recent visit and the one before that. I'm happy to report that when I went recently, we still really enjoyed it. It was my boyfriend's first time and he is now a fan and we both recommended it to our friend who lives in the area. You can also make reservations if you'd like although the times I've been, walking in is also fine. Last time we got the Bienmesabe Sampler, which is enough appetizers to share with four people lol. Our ranking of the items in the sampler were the tostones (soooo good), tequeño (my boyfriend loved), mandioca, and then the empanadas. The empanadas are my least favorite - I'd prob see if I could sub it out for something else in the future. I do like that they provide an assortment of empanadas. Then we got a cachapa with chicken - the cachapa itself was so good although next time we would try a different protein. Lots of delicious cheeses to be found - lactose-intolerant people should prepare accordingly. read more

Bienmesabe - Bienmesabe sampler and cachapa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this restaurant! Their patio is big and since they built the walls up, you can't even tell the road is right there. They have a huge menu include many gluten free and vegan dishes. It was so nice to have so many options! The servers were very nice and although we had a reservation, we probably didn't need one. I tried the passion fruit drink - yummm! It was very refreshing on a hot day. I also got the vegan patacones, which here is almost like a sandwich (like a jibarito) and it was SO good. The portion sizes are huge and all the food came out fairly quick. I'll definitely be coming here more often! read more

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They have lunch specials!!! Need I say more. And outside seating. Came with a friend we each had the lunch special! I had chicken arepa with Gouda cheese and friend had same with pork. Comes with empanilos and drinks. Excellent food. read more

Amazing authentic Venezuelan food. The food was high-quality and not salty and not oily either. Every dish was high-quality and tasted amazing. The drinks were good as well. Staff was very attentive and nice. read more

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Came here on Memorial Day in the afternoon. I told my husband that the food is great since the company I work for caters and it's always been on point. I was exited for him to try their arepas and appetizers. We sat outside. There was about 4 tables with guests outside as well. I started off with the chicha and we asked the waitress if the lunch special was offered. She said because of it being Memorial Day, there was no lunch special. Ok so that was fine. She came back with the drink in about 5 min. At that time all the tables outside had cleared out. We asked if we can have a few more minutes so my husband can decide on what he wanted. She left and we figured she would be back in 5 min to get our order. 15 minutes passed by and she did not come back. There were no other tables being serviced. Why would she take that long? My husband was so disappointed that he suggested we just leave. We went inside to pay for the drink and saw that there was hardly any customers inside. Our waitress was chatting with the cooks. Such a disappointment. She didn't even look back to acknowledge us. I just found the next waitress to pay for my drink. My husband never wants to come back. Sorry Bienmesabe. read more

For arepas, I do think the menu is a tad overpriced, but at least mine was packed with tons of shredded beef. Though I have to highlight their lunch special and their Wednesday special, both are major deals in comparison to dinner. My food was fine, however I don't see myself returning in the future. My beef I think was cooked longer than needed and was lacking in favor. read more

I been there many times whit family and friends my son favorite arepas last week he order doordash............. I think over price food i order sampler plater i request 1 hot sauce never came i sure they charge extra its ok Tamarindo sauce for tequeños never came $106 dollars 1 sampler plater 1 order tequeños 1 order empanadas 1 smotihie And food all mess up read more

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Amazing, amazing, amazing! I love their arepas and they have great meal deals some nights too (I believe Wednesdays). Our server was so nice and helped us make an informed decision, because there are so many incredible options. I suggest sitting outside in the warm months because the patio is so cute and such a vibe. read more

The ultimate question in evaluating a restaurant: "can I make something better myself at home?" Regrettably, with Biennesabe, the answer is "yes." The Tostones weren't too bad. The plantain itself was cooked to an appropriately firm texture, and the combination of cheese and sauces were a little savory, funky, and had a whisper of heat. To be fair, this isn't necessarily something I'd order again, but at the same time I don't regret my decision. Then there was the Churrasco Arepa. Folks, did this meat just sit in an under or non-heated hotel pan for an hour? The meat was tough, cold, and bland. Veggies were a little bit better, but perhaps this is only in contrast to the meat. The guasacaca and cheese within and white sauce on the side helped a little, but alas were not enough. The favorite of the night was (somewhat out of left field) the Papelón Venezuelan Lemonade. It was surprisingly savory and had some bitter and sour notes instead of being lemony sugar water. Curiously, the second glass was sweeter than the first. Where it comes to the service, there is room for improvement. Out server did check in once, otherwise, an empty lemonade glass sat for a while, And even then wasn't removed until the end of the meal. While I am open to trying their satellite location in the loop, I doubt I will be making a return trip here. read more

Bienmesabe - Chicha - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Friendly service, delicious food, byob, what else can I ask for? I'll be back soon! Food is really fresh and healthy, so delicious read more

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Really nice space! Came on a saturday night with friends, we had a big group but still not too long of a wait. Good sized menu with lots of options for arepas. I ordered the pabellon arepa, it was around $16 or so but the portions were huge. Definitely filled me up and the flavor was delicious. Ordered the chicha rice smoothie and enjoyed that as well. Definitely would come again! read more

Bienmesabe - Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bienmesabe is always a great choice! I typically get the Pabellòn arepa! It's burying with flavor, especially with that sweet-and-savory twist from the sweet plantains-it's absolutely delicious! To top it off they are a byob! This is a must try! read more

Although we live about 14 miles away, we do try to go about every 2 months! If we have an establishment as such closer, I'd be there every week!! All they have to say is PLANTAINS!!! Plus, it's uncanny that the outer shell of the arepas is always sssooo crispy & moist at the same time! The beef is so flavorful, I can never get enough! While I habitually have arepas, my hubby prefers the burger & fries!! He says it tastes like an explosion of the Caribbean in his mouth! Service is great, although the staff's spoken English is really a hit or miss. Their accents may be a bit difficult to understand at times. They have an enclosed patio dining. The women's restroom is awfully small. Don't even think about going with a girlfriend! My personal preference to park is on Montrose closer to the school... no meter & a walk to digest dinner!! read more

Bienmesabe - Venezuelan Burger (Non-Toasted bun) - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Honestly everyone raves about bienmesabe but there are a lot of other good arepa options in the city. I really like the plantains and their sauces. We've ordered in from here but have never dined in. read more

Kinda pricey Venezuela food but it's worth it First you just have to try the Bienmesabe. They name it after the restaurant for a reason. Such a fluffy, airy, coconuty treat. I love coconut so it's absolutely my favorite. Not too sweet with a mouthful of coconut chunks Bochinche arepa has lots of flavorful juicy sausage with crispy wrap. Great match After party arepa is ok. Lots of beef. Not as crispy as the Bochinche Patacon is huge. Lots of shredded meat as well. Fried plantain wrap makes a unique Venezuela sandwich. Gotta eat it fresh otherwise it'll get soggy read more

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I dropped by here on a Wednesday to meet a friend of mine for dinner and felt that overall this place deserves a 3.5/5. I round up to a 4 out of generosity but I think as a whole, there is a lack of hospitality and enthusiasm from the staff. Didn't get much personality or warm energy from the servers nor the guy who would refill or bring out drinks. Venezuelan culture is generally very warm and inviting, but I don't get that vibe here. I will say though that the arepas were decent. Not the best I've ever had, but considering it was "Arepa Wednesday" which is their weekly special that discounts their classic arepa choices to $9.99 per each arepa, I walked out of there satisfied. Would I return? Ehhh maybe. They are BYOB which is a nice add. read more

This fabulous Arepa Bar, located just down the street from the Art Institute of Chicago, was a great place for a quick lunch before heading to the museum. We both had Pabellon Arepas, which were quite delicious and very filling. There were lots of patrons, primarily local office workers and take-away orders, which is always a good sign, but nonetheless only a short wait for our food. Highly recommended. read more

I've been wanting to try this place out for quite some time now. But perhaps I've waited too long to the point where their prices spiked up extremely high. I was shell shocked when I went online to place my order and noticed that arepas were $15-$17 each. That's honestly an outrageous price for such a dish. I even called the restaurant to see if it was cheaper to order in the store, to avoid online fees or whatever they want to charge extra for, but it's the exact same price. I bit the bullet anyways, but still regret it. We ordered their Tropical Arepa, Pabellon Arepa and their Pelua Arepa. $52 for 3 arepas just honestly seems like highway robbery in my opinion. They do however have a special on Wednesdays, where all their arepas are $10. Definitely a better deal, but I still don't see myself returning anytime soon. The arepas were good, but not $16 good. The best one being the Pabellon, which came with shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, and Caribbean cheese. The tropical came with shredded chicken, beans and cheese with no plantains and the Pelicans came with shrewd beef and Gouda cheese. It would have been 2 stars, but the food was at least decent. Sorry to sound like a cheap ass, but some places are hiking up prices like crazy and just using the pandemic as an excuse. There's other places that have increased their prices by a $1 or 2 over the course of a couple of years, but not by $5-6. Definitely don't see myself returning. read more

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The pabellón arepa was delicious and full of flavor. The cream-colored sauce added depth to the arepa. Overall, I enjoyed the food and the restaurant is nicely decorated. read more

Bienmesabe - Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went to Biemmesabe on Saturday July 5. Food was very good, as always. We had the arepitas and chicha, and both were excellent. The service, on the other hand, was lacking. The servers were not very friendly. We always said gracias when they came to bring the drinks and food to the table, and no one acknowledged. Never a "de nada" or "you are welcome". The place is clean, but the ambiance gets damaged by the poor service. They need to do better when it comes to service. Great costumer service is crucial for any business. As a Venezuelan, that disappoints me. I hope they get it better. read more

The food is always fantastic, authentic, and fresh. Service is usually quick and friendly and the neighborhood can't be beat. We once had plans totally derailed following a reservation issue that still leaves a bad taste in our mouth, but as far as the quality of food and service go, it's really a great little spot in a neighborhood that's only getting more trendy by the year. read more

This place is amazing. The caramelized beef arepa is worth coming back for over and over. Everything is amazing and fresh.

Drove by and saw the lunch special sign. Decided to give it a try. Must wait to be seated even though there is no sign that states that. Ordered the special which you select choice of 2 empanadas, 1 arepa and 1 drink. Got the beef empanadas, tropical arepa and the blueberry vitamin water. The empanadas were good but small. The tropical arepa consisted of shredded chicken. black beans and plantains. Chicken was very dry. The drink was good. read more

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Went here twice in less than 2 weeks. Best arepas in Chicago. Every single one is good. PLUS it's BYOB! You could fill up on the appetizer platter alone. read more

I pass by this place so many time, i just didn't know what i was missing out on. Food was excellent! I had the Pabellon Arepa: Shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, and Caribbean cheese all wrapped up in their traditional Venezuelan gluten-free corn flour bread. I added sautéed mushrooms and paired it with their house sauce which i forget the name. It was delicious! I ate all of it because i couldn't help myself although i should have stopped halfway. I also had the Cocada: Venezuelan coconut smoothie. A bit too sweet but still very tasty and refreshing. I came in after work with a coworker to catch up. We were there by ourselves inside but eventually another couple sat at another table. I took a star away because we had to flag down a camarero for anything (extra napkins, salt, extra sauce, more water) which half the things we asked for when we ordered. The place itself is beautiful. A whole wall covered in art. Very neat, modern and clean. Will definitely return since half their menu is GF! read more

Bienmesabe - Pabellon Arepa with mushrooms - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yummy arepas! They serve such a wide spread of delicious arepas! They all have such creative ingredients and flair. I ordered an original that has beef, plantains, beans and cheese. It is so delicious and huge! You will for sure have leftovers. It's one of my favorite spots to go in ravenswood to eat. I do think it's a bit pricey and they should include more with the dishes for the price point. However, it's so delicious and such a treat you forget about this and just indulge. There's a special they run where the arepas are discounted. It's kinda like an arepa happy hour! I would go back during those times for a discounted cost. :0) read more

LONG STORY SHORT I don't always eat Venezuelan food, but when I do, it's most certainly at BienMeSabé. There is definitely something here for everybody (and I mean everybody). SHORT STORY LONG I visited BienMeSabé on a weekday of a cold, wintery night. The vibes were good, the staff was attentive, greeted us within seconds and seated us. Given that we were new to the concept of Arepas and Venezuelan food, the server was accommodating and got us in contact with the best person on the job to help us - I have to say, this restaurant is a Chicago gem. Food is great and it's nice to switch it up from the rinse and repeat of weekly Italian, french, Mexican and other cuisines. Arepas are great, but if you really want a treat.. try their Tres Leches, it's the best one I've ever had!!! Pro tip: they are BYOB!!! read more

Bienmesabe - They allow BYOB! - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Oh my god!!! How did I live around the corner from this place for years and never once stopped!?! I'm kicking myself!! Anyway the shrimp tostones are fire! Juicy, flavorful, tender! Highly recommend! The Mochima Arepa was another hit! I of course had to have more shrimp! To finish off we ordered some flan, mouthwatering! Their mango batido was great! read more

Bienmesabe - Flan - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We had the loveliest dining experience at BienMeSabe, we are already planning a trip back! We arrived around 1pm and we're greeted by a cheery employee who seated us right away. ALL the servers we interacted with were extremely personable, friendly, and just so dang sweet. It really rounded out the perfect dining experience. Since it was afternoon, we went the lunch route, though they do have a delicious looking brunch menu. My husband ordered the Venezuelan lemonade to sip on and I went with a coconut smoothie. Oh my goodness, I can't decide which one was better, but I think it was mine. The lemonade was refreshing without being overly sweet. But the coconut smoothie was so creamy and made me feel like I was on a beach somewhere. We started with the shrimp tostones. The fried green plantains had the perfect crunch and all the flavors blended together perfectly. This got us SUPER excited for our arepas...and they did not let us down! I ordered the Llanera arepa which was complete with grilled steak, handmade cheese, pico de gallo, & avocado. This thing was STUFFED with flavor! The garlic sauce it was served with made it even better. Cannot wait to come back and try more items on the menu. Such a fantastic not so hidden gem! read more

This place was good. We started with the crab appetizer and cheese sticks. The crab was my favorite part of the entire meal. It was really flavorful and well seasoned. I would honestly come here just to eat these. The cheese sticks had a unique coating on them that was almost pastry like. They were ok. When I bit into my second one a stream of oil poured out and onto my clothes. The dipping sauces they came with were solid. I was kind of bummed that they messed my sandwich order up considerably. After waiting so long I didn't have it in me to send it back. It was supposed to be a dos queso with a side of the chicken and avocado salad. Instead they made me a chicken avocado sandwich with no salad on the side. The avocado slices on my plate were actually the avocado that was supposed to be on my nieces sandwich. The cheese they gave on the sandwich was also incorrect. Another highlight was the side of black beans. They had a great flavor and the serving size was generous. read more

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I loved this place. I forgot to take pictures, but we had the after party arepa which was so juicy and delicious. The flavor was amazing. Also had the bochinche arepa which wasn't as good as the after party, but it was still good. The traditional patacon was a lot of flavorful meat. The plantain wasn't super crispy anymore, but I think that had more to do with the drive home than the cooking. We ended with the bienmesabe dessert which was a moist, silky coconut cake. It was so good I could have eaten 5 of them. I really want to go back and try some of the other arepas. As for the location, parking is a bit awkward in the area, but we did takeout so it was fine. They gave us an estimate of 20 minutes, and they were stapling the bag together as I walked in the door 18 minutes later. read more

This spot was A-OK! We were staying at our friend's place near by, and decided to walk over here for a quick dinner. Very cute and welcoming exterior and front patio. It's a parklet with a pergola wrapped in lovely flowers and plants, holding maybe 10 tables. The inside of the restaurant isn't as inviting, so we were happy to have been seated outdoors. Bienmesabe doesn't serve alcohol, as it's instead BYOB. Totally new concept to us out-of-towners, but I like it! Once we learned this, the server let us know there was a liquor store a few doors down and we could go grab and bring back anything we'd like. A shared bottle of wine was perfect. Lucky for us, it was Arepa Wednesday, meaning there was a discount on all of their signature arepas from 4pm-10pm. Since that's their specialty, we figured we had to go with it. I opted for the tropical arepa, which was stuffed with shredded chicken, sweet plantains and black beans. Overall I thought it was pretty good, and definitely plenty of food! Honestly I love most anything with plantains. My husband's arepa on the other hand, wasn't the greatest unfortunately. It was off-putting enough that he couldn't really eat it. He went with the bochinche, which is chorizo, handmade cheese, sweet plantains and avocado. The chorizo was pretty fatty and in massive sausage form, the cheese was one huge slab, and the avocado was also one big piece. Overall he just thought it was tough to eat and really lacked flavor. Instead, he feasted on the huge plate of fries we ordered on the side, that were paired with a few tasty dipping sauces. Can't say I'd rush back here for another arepa, but hey there's plenty more menu items to try! read more

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Words to describe: casual, delicious, fun, unique, creative, can't make at home, flavorful, veggie friendly. Highly recommend coming here- especially for arepa Wednesday! I got the tropical vegan which was really good especially when I added guasacaca sauce. read more

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Fantastic food and service! We ordered the seafood ceviche, tostones and burratta. Great appetizers to share with friends! My shrimp arepa was to excellent - so flavorful and filling. Everyone were very happy with their food choices. Service was excellent! Our server was friendly and attentive. read more

I've been to this place a couple of times and it was great both times. I tried a few different dishes and they were all excellent. I had the appetizer sampler the first time and came back for the empanadas - they are a must order! As for entrees, they are big enough to share so if you have a curious family or group, definitely plan on sharing your plate. The service is friendly and the music gives a great vibe along with the artwork. Standout entrees were the parilla and the pastillo de pescal (forgot to take a photo but it was my favorite.) Will definitely be back for another visit! read more

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Such an unassuming spot with bomb food! We came at an odd time in the day, it was 4pm and we needed an afternoon pick me up to hold us over to a wedding. We shared the caramelized beef arepa and coconut smoothie(!) - I don't know what they put in that smoothie, but it was the most refreshing, delicious drink I've had in awhile! The arepa contents were also notable - thick gooey cheese, perfectly grilled plantains and moist beef . Even for being an odd time, they were playing fun music and there were still a couple other people around. I wouldn't say you come for the scenery, you come for the food and it won't disappoint. read more

Although the arepas are the most popular item here, you can't dine without getting the ceviche. The ceviche here was one of the best I've ever had. Amazing flavor, very refreshing. I got the pabellon arepa as well. Honestly, I was expecting more flavor. The meat tasted like it wasn't seasoned at all. I will say that you get a ton of stuffing in the arepa though. Service was good enough. The ambiance is very casual. read more

Bienmesabe - Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love this place so much. I'm usually good about taking pictures of my food before I eat it but this is one of the few places where I'm like...f*ck it! I'm not waiting! And just dig in. Their food is that glorious. Ive eaten inside and ordered from them and I always fall in love with their food again and again, every time I eat it. I love their arepas. I especially love their vegetarian options. Their marinated tofu is glorious, beans are delicious, and the plantains are spectacular. I highly recommend trying their Caribbean cheese and nata if dairy agrees with you. I would also like to note that Im a picky b*tch and I love how they have create your own arepas so I can make sure it has exactly what I want. They're also ridiculously consistent - which is rare for a restaurant during Covid. Highly, highly recommend giving them a try if you haven't yet. If you haven't, you're definitely missing out... read more

One of the best, most underrated brunches in Chicago. Thinking about their Venezuelan breakfast legit makes my mouth water.

We had a large party for a late lunch today. We made a request of the staff and they were so very accommodating. Thank you so much for helping us out - our meal put an easy and tasty end to a very eventful weekend with friends. The accommodation was much appreciated by all. read more