Got a tropical arepa and it was great! Expensive (yes) but a lot of food! Will be back!

I didn't see any White Sox players (that I know of) but I did see a messy, filling, and quite tasty lunch. We ordered the Pabellon and the Tropical arepas. I balked slightly at the prices but stopped complaining as soon as I saw the size of the arepas. Both were stuffed to exploding and were very, very good. I'm full enough that I may not need dinner. The restaurant is small with limited seating and no public restrooms. It's reasonably clean and nicely decorated. It's quick serve - order at the counter and your meal is brought to you fairly quickly. Since this is the Loop they're not open late but there is a $9.99 Arepa Night promotion on Wednesdays. Get extra napkins. read more

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

A true Venezuelan gem in the heart of Chicago's Loop! As a Venezuelan, finding a place like Bien Me Sabe right in the middle of Chicago's financial district honestly blew my mind. Surrounded by office buildings and big companies, this spot brings a real taste of Venezuela to the Loop and people know it. I saw so many non-Venezuelans coming in for lunch, which says a lot about how good this place is. They serve arepas with huge, flavorful fillings, cachapas, and Venezuelan bowls that look and taste amazing. Everything was fresh, and the service was super fast and friendly. The empanaditas come in orders of three, same with the tequeños, and they're perfectly stuffed, small enough to try different flavors, which I loved. They also have natural juices. I had a passion fruit one and it was delicious, perfectly sweet, super cold, and really refreshing. They even sell Frescolita, Malta, and all those drinks that make Venezuelans instantly nostalgic. There's plenty of space to sit, and the location couldn't be more convenient. Honestly, this place is a 10 out of 10. Whether you're grabbing something quick or sitting down for lunch, it's perfect. The portions are generous, the food is complete, protein, carbs, flavor, everything you need in one plate. It's not the cheapest spot in town, but that's just how Venezuelan food is, and trust me, it's absolutely worth every dollar. If you're in Chicago, especially around the Loop, and want something truly Venezuelan, Bien Me Sabe is the place to go. read more

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My colleague kept saying to me about trying arepas. We both made a plan on a day off to drive to BienMeSabe and try out different things. We got seated in a corner table with nice sunlight. My colleague helped me to order items - we ordered a sampler of apps and I got guava juice which was so refreshing. Our server was also very sweet. I ate a lot and I started experiencing food coma a couple of hours later. read more

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We were on our way to the art museum and hadn't decided if we wanted to eat beforehand, in the museum, or try to hold out until after. It was a toss-up. There was a block of food spots in the area: Dunkin, Starbucks, this Arepa place, a pizza spot, a fish spot, and a taco place. We walked past this place the first time, and then I brought up food again to see if we were hungry enough to devour an arepa. We quickly turned around and headed back. I ordered a shredded beef arepa(shredded beef, cheese). My wife ordered something similar but the bowl edition(it had black beans and plantains). We also had an order of plantains. When I tell you that I would eat this every single day if I lived in the area.. this place was delicious! The dough was tasty, and the shredded beef tasted like it was slow-cooked to perfection(not sure how they prep the beef, but it was delicious). The plantains also satisfied. The food came out fast. The staff was incredible. And we took our seat up front next to the window to people watch. We noticed people checking us out as they walked by, so I have an assumption that people don't understand what the place serves or what an arepa is. I'll make it a point to stop in this place every single time I visit Chicago. read more

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I got the PABELLÓN bowl with beef and it was so so yum!!!! The portion was generous. Very nice people working and the food was great!! Would definitely come again. I also loved the decor. read more

Bienmesabe - Wall inside - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

LOVE this place for lunch. Small place but everything I have tried has been delicious. Have ben here and ordered from here multiple times.

Delicious food amazing. Tasty one of the best from another country in the world. Very tasty.

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

Recommended by a colleague, so we took an adventure to visit this place. It is a cozy restaurant. Seatings are limited, but most people were picking up their order. I had the traditional patacone with chicken (you can pick the protein), and my colleague ordered an arepa. The portion was generous. I only finished half of my patacone. While it's a "sandwich", I would recommend using fork and knife. Definitely will come back to again. read more

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Tasty food, I tried the cachapa this time but usually get arepas. The meat is juicy and flavorful. It's a little overpriced but I also understand for the Loop. FYI they don't have a restroom. read more

Bienmesabe - Cachapa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall Thoughts: This was a cute space in the Loop close to tourist highlights like the Bean, Art Institute, etc., with stools lined around a long center table and restaurant sides for indoor seating. However, the food felt overpriced for the small-ish size and mediocre taste. The veggie seta bowl I ordered was ~$16 and was just okay. The flavors were a lot milder than I would've hoped; everything tasted kind of watered down. Maybe their meat / cheese options are better since this was an entirely vegan bowl and maybe their non-bowl menu items are better too. However, based on the veggie seta bowl alone, I'd give the spot 3 stars, but will update later if I try anything else I like more from here! -- Price (relative to peers): 3.5/5 Food: 3.4/5 Ambience: 4.5/5 Service: 4.8/5 Overall Value: 3.5/5 read more

Bienmesabe - 5. Veggie Seta bowl (V) - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've had a few arepas and this one is huge! You walk right up to order and it's quick. You can see them make it, with your own ingredients , kind of like a chipotle right there or you can order off their menu. The ambience was chill, but I did find it weird that they were playing English pop music as opposed to Latin bass music. Everything was super flavorful and I ended up needing a fork to help take some stuff out so that I could actually bite into this massive arepa. It was delicious and so close to Michigan Ave that it's a great stop while shopping. read more

Bienmesabe - 5. Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Latin American food, especially Venezuelan, is some of my favorite cuisine, so I had high hopes for BienMeSabe. Sadly, the experience was a disappointment. The arepas were just okay, but the prices were outrageous--two arepas loaded with several fillings came to $60! That's something I could make at home, tastier and healthier, for $10. When it comes to comfort food, I much prefer hole-in-the-wall spots where the flavors are authentic, the portions generous, and the prices reasonable. BienMeSabe doesn't come close. Great concept, but seriously overpriced for what you get. read more

Staff is friendly and excited to introduce you to their menu. Food is excellent and I always enjoy what I order.

One of the tastiest porks I've ever had on a bowl. I wanted to try something new for lunch and my coworkers highly suggested this spot. The grilled plantains are amazing. Very high up there with another place I love to go. A group of around 15 people was in the restaurant and I still got my food relatively fast! I was impressed and also happy they weren't too overwhelmed. They also have a lot of dishes inspired by the culture, which I thought was amazing. Quick meal for lunch, and you'll get your order quickly. read more

Bienmesabe - 1. Pabellon Bowl - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Their Arepas slap. One is enough to fill you up because they really really pile on the meat, no complain here. Very flavorful and fresh. The Tequenos are a must as well!! Crispy outside and filled with stretchy cheese; the best. They got a wide variety of combinations you can choose from too. This would be a great quick lunch spot on weekdays. read more

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I am a fairly picky eater. Blending that many flavors and textures did not sit well with me. The place is pretty cool when you walk in and the menu displays over top of people working. The arepa is just not my flavor / texture profile. I am sure those who love arepas will find it wonderful, but for me, I will pass. Food was hot. Service was fast. I tried the after party and the pabellon arepas. The pabellon had flavor, but the plantains threw off the texture and flavor for me. The after party was just a flavor issue with me all around. read more

Bienmesabe - Walk-up counter - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A huge variety of arepas all prepared to perfection. Chicken salad and Gouda had a hint of lemon that brightened it up and the fried plantains were amazing! Easy lunch that will leave you wanting more! read more

I never had an arepa before last week, but when I passed Bienmesabe I was curious. I live in Ravenswood and I've passed the restaurant in the neighborhood, but I don't eat out much so hadn't gotten there. I'm definitely a fan. I got the catira arepa, as well as the lemonade. It was so, so good. The flavor was outstanding. I love cheese and they put a ton of it on this. My coworker and her husband plan to visit here soon, because he grew up on them and wanted to test how good they are. I will definitely recommend Bienmesabe to folks visiting the Loop, and I'm hoping to bring my family here when they visit since I know they've never had one before. read more

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The arepas were fantastic. Juicy and flavorful meats with delicious plantains. We really appreciated the vegetarian options as well!

Wow, this place was delicious! We stopped by here for lunch, and we were greeted by their friendly staff. I ordered their Pabellon Arepa, which seems to be their special, and I also ordered some Tequenos for a side. The Tequenos were so freaking good! They're fried cheese served with a cream dipping sauce, and it was rich and cheesy and delicious. The arepa was also amazing. They were stuffed to the brim, so I had trouble using my hands- but what a good problem to have. The beef was tender and seasoned well, and one arepa was more than enough for me. I would definitely come here again, but one important thing to note is that this location does not have many tables, so be wary with bigger parties. read more

Bienmesabe - pabellon arepa & tequenos // ig: @sandyeatslocal - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It could be 4 stars but the service made me downgrade the review to 3 stars. I was happy to find this place while looking for some vegan options for dinner. This is not a vegan place but they have few items that are vegan. We had the Caribbean and Tropical Vegan arepas with added Guasacaca, plus a side of Fried Yucca. Tropical Vegan was good, tofu had a nice flavor, beans were delicious, Guasacaca is very similar to guac, just more tangy. Both arepas were served with a side of sauce that smelled like a mayo based so it wasn't vegan and I don't know what the flavor was. Arepas were huge, I have a healthy appetite and I ate it all but I definitely reached my limit. I wish they would serve it with a spicy sauce cause with tofu, beans and plantains the flavor was very heavy and it was lacking something fresh or spicy. Caribbean Arepa was smaller but filling too. Yucca went home with me as I couldn't finish it but it was very good. We went around 6:10pm and I'm not sure if the staff was already tired as they were almost at the closing hour but they acted slightly annoyed that we were there. Hence one star less. read more

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Delicious food, arepas, bowls...we ordered 5 separate meals all hit the mark. Convenient location to art institute. Quick and friendly service. read more

Bienmesabe is a small place in The Loop that serves Venezuelan cuisine. It seriously is cramped inside. So small there's not even enough interior to put in a bathroom, so go before you go if you know what I mean. Has quite a few authentic tasting items including arepas. There's good choices whether you want protein or whether it's something with beans and tofu. I came in recently for lunch and while it wasn't busy there's few seats anyway. It's a very tiny place and not at all good for groups so being by yourself is a very good thing when you dine in. They also have many customers who order takeout. Arepas are the main thing here. These are kind of like burritos but also kind of like pitas. I had a Tropical Vegan arepa. It's about $10 but it's pretty big. This is stuffed with black beans, plantains, and tofu. Good spice and lots of flavor. This is a pretty simple item but it was good for a fast lunch. Arepas are the best thing here and there's lots of these to choose from. In addition they also have bowls filled with rice and protein choices so if you would rather get the fillings without the bread these are an option. They also have arepa specials on Wednesdays. read more

Bienmesabe - Tropical Vegan - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in here on a whim, and had some of the best arepas and yucca fries I've ever tasted. Although the store is small, that doesn't keep it from making some truly fantastic food. The service is good as well; my only complaint is that the restaurant does not have a restroom. I will absolutely be back, and if you like arepas or yucca, you have to give Bienmesabe a try. You won't be disappointed! read more

Bienmesabe - 5. Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I stopped in for lunch with my mom and the inside of the restaurant was tastefully decorated and very clean. We ordered the pabellón arepa, reina pepiada arepa, and split an order of the tostones. The owner was very friendly and our food was brought out promptly! I don't have a photo of the tostones because they looked and tasted so delicious that we had to dig into them right away! The tostones were fried to perfection and covered in a mountain of cheese with a dash of hot sauce to cut the fattiness of the cheese. The pabellón arepa had slow cooked beef, beans, plátano dulce, and cheese in an amazing corn arepa that was crispy and delicious. The reina pepiada arepa had chicken salad that was green from the avocado and (you guessed it) a ton of cheese. If you are visiting the Art Institute then you need to stop by Bienmesabe! read more

Bienmesabe - 5. Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Staff was very nice when taking my order. I went with the #5 Pabellon Arepa. It contained shredded beef, black beans, plantains topped with cheese. If you're familiar with sopas, it shares similarities. Delicious beef and the plantains created a nice contrast of flavor. One arepa was more than enough for me. Didn't finish the dish because the portion was pretty big. I ordered the tres leches dessert and was not disappointed. Similar to the arepa, the portion for dessert was huge. Definitely recommend for dessert (if you still have space after). read more

Bienmesabe - 5. Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's like a make your own stuffed arepa. I took my meal to go and ate it in the millennium park. I ordered an arepa with mushrooms, cheese and gucasaca (basically like a very lemony guac). I think it was good but it was missing some spice. We were given a sour cream like sauce on the side but I would've much more preferred a spicy sauce that would originally go with a traditional arepa. My partner and my friend ordered a pulled pork one and they said it was super yummy (5/5). I think they enjoyed it more than me because their meat was seasoned unlike my mushrooms. I think it was a super fancy of eating an arepa but I think I would've a traditional arepa with cheese and sauce alone more :) read more

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I was excited to try Venezuelan food at Bienmesabe. I had heard a lot about their arepas and decided to give them a try. I tried the Caribbean arepa with sweet plantains and cheese. Honestly, not a fan of the sweet plantains and the arepas were a bit grainy too. I then tried the Domino arepa which tasted better as it was savory but the arepa corn bun was still a little grainy to me. I do love cornbreads, don't get me wrong so I expected arepas to kinda taste the same. The service is fast and ambience is nice and casual. Overall, a good restaurant to try if you do like Venezuelan food. For me personally though, the food was a miss. read more

Not a ton of seating, decent food...anything with their cheese was delicious Enjoyed the flan and passion fruit juice read more

Ordered the pabellon arepa for dinner takeout and it was veryy filling. Plenty of shredded beef, which paired well with the sweet plantain and cheese. Would gladly order arepas from here again. read more

Bienmesabe - 5. Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came for takeout and it was solid, but not nearly as spectacular as I remembered. Caribbean Arepa - 3.5/5. Heaping avocado, cheese, and plantains but overall the dishes doesn't fully come together. Cachapas (traditional) - 3.5/5. Corn and cheese do make for a reasonably nice combination. read more

Loved the pabellon arepa which was sufficient to put 2 of us in a food coma. The beef was very tender and tasty topped with cool cheese and plantain. Had the yuca fries with guasacaca (I guess it's guacamole) and finally the tres leches were delicious. read more

Great food on the go! I was walking around the area and wanted a quick snack. I saw this place on my way back to my hotel so I decided to stop over. I got the arepa and some empanadas. The arepa was very flavorful and full of delicious meat. The empanadas were snack size but perfectly flavored. They are worth the visit. read more

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3.5/5 The first few bites were really good. The pulled pork was delicious, plantains were very interesting, and the beans and rice made it a very filling meal. However, since there were no vegetables to balance it out, it got way too heavy toward the end. Overall, it was still good though! read more

Bienmesabe - 4. Tropical Vegan Arepa, 11. Pabellon, 13. After Party - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went here for brunch. Food was alright - I'm not too big on fried foods so perhaps that's where it wasn't my favorite. We ordered the sampler plate of appetizers and it all felt like variations of fried mozzarella sticks. For vegetarians, there are usually more limited selections, so I went with the cheese / mushroom arepa. The flavors were good and I liked the arepa but they put a giant chunk of straight up mozzarella in my arepa, which wasn't really melted or flavored in any way, so i ended up having to take most of the cheese out just to be able to eat it. What I really liked was the price point - I found them to be pretty reasonable!! read more

Bienmesabe - Iced tea, hot chocolate, Tropical Juices - Venezuelan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We decided grab lunch #1 here because we heard a lot of good reviews about this place. Our group of 3 decided to grab 2 arepas, the after party one and the most popular one (I forgot the name). Both arepas looked a little small when it came out but it was heavy in weight. The fillings were generous as they stuffed everything they can into a tiny bread. I like the subtle crisp of the bread and that it was able to hold so much stuff inside. However, I wish they mixed around the fillings because you're basically eating individual components how they set it up. The first layer is all cheese, and then you get to the meat and then the other fillings that was at the bottom so you don't get to experience how they all work together I feel like price is on the higher end for these as well. read more

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I was looking for a new lunch spot to try a couple weeks ago and stumbled across this place on help. Having never had Venezuelan cuisine before I was intrigued. They have two locations- one in Ravenswood and one in the Loop. Ravenswood is more of a sit-down classic restaurant experience, while the Loop location is an order-to-go lunch spot. Admittedly intimidated by the arepa photos I saw on Yelp I ended up ordering the Pabellon Bowl. It had really good flavor! Loved the way the meat was prepared and really enjoyed the sweet plantains on the side. Wasn't so much a fan of their side sauce, which I also read in their reviews. Was a bit too spicy for me when the bowl was more savory/sweet. They have a great Arepa deal on Wednesdays (4pm-10pm) where if you dine-in they are only $7.99. Definitely going to have to check that out. read more

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

My parents and I had a great quick lunch here! We arrived on one of those freezing February Chicago days, and the staff greeted us with samples of their tomato soup (may have been the soup of the day). They checked our vaccine cards immediately. Our food was really tasty! I had one of the veggie arepas with plantains and black beans, which was amazing. My parents had the chicken arepa and really enjoyed the flavor. The shop is pretty small with semi-limited seating. There is one big shared table and then 2-3 high stools by the front window. All in all it was an inexpensive, quick, and delicious lunch! We are excited to return. read more