I was so excited to find an arepas place. I ordered the Arepas de Pabellon to go. When I got there the front person was surly when I asked to look at it while picking it up. Once I got in the car -- the horror, so nasty --It was a big greasy-looking mess that tasted of nothing but rancid oil. The 2 tostones were cardboard hard, and I got a TABLESPOON of coleslaw. No lie. The 2 sauces were yummy and I saved those. The rest went into the dumpster next store. AND she over charged me by $3. $13.00 wasted. Don't recommend. read more

I came here for the first time a couple weeks ago. We got the arepa plate for $15 that allows you to choose 3 very filling arepas, and comes with Cole slaw and fried plantains. My favorite was the beef with black beans. We also got the papelon, a different spin on lemonade, and it was very tasty. The waitress was very helpful since it was our first time and explained the whole menu to us. The owner also cooks in the back, and he is very friendly. We will definitely be back to try more. read more

Very slow service every time. We have eaten at cafe unique three times. Good authentic food but poor service. One lady running the entire front of the restaurant. We walked out last Friday during lunch hour after sitting for 30 minutes without someone taking our order. read more

I've never had Venezuelan cuisine before but if this is an accurate representation then I'm defiantly a fan. I had the Tradicional plate and my wife had the Carne plate. Both were excellent. Food came out quick and was so hot you could barely eat it at first. We can't wait to try what else this place has to offer. read more

I have been wanting to try this place for a long time. It is a small place with a unique atmosphere. The food was great, service was adequate and price was a touch too high but not crazy. I did not like the menus, they looked like they were printed off a home computer. There were many items marked in pen as "coming soon". The menu was also a little confusing as the categories seemed out of place. Other than that, please support this place so we don't lose a gem in Midland. read more

I try to eat Cafe Unique every time I come into town. My favorite menu item is the chicken and avocado. I love that it's gluten free too!

Outstanding food in a nice setting. Great juices and a wonderful change of pace from the same old crap around here. I love their national dish, as well as the guava and cheese dessert sticks. Get the sugarcane and lime drink! Plentiful portions and good prices. Our new fav for lunch! read more

Amazing food! Takes me back to my vacation in Puerto Rico. The arepas with green sauce were great, so were the tequenos. If you want the taste of the carribean go here. read more

I've never had Venezuelan before but this was an awesome introduction to Venezuelan fare! My husband and I both ordered Arepas since they're the restaurant's specialty. I ordered a De pabellon and my husband had a La Jardinera +chicken, both were excellent . The plantains that came with were also really good. Ask for the hot sauce, it was really good and not overly spicy. I enjoyed the cilantro sauce on the plantains. Can't wait to try the churros with chocolate next time! This restaurant has definitely moved up to into my top three favorite restaurants in Midland. read more

Really great, fresh, tasty food. Had the vegetarian, chicken/chorizo and avocado and the pork shoulder . Also had the cheese stick things... Mmmm the 3 sauces they bring to the table are a good addition. We'll be back. read more

I went to Cafe Unique for the first time today and was absolutely blown away! Both the food and hospitality were phenomenal; I felt like I left the city of Midland and traveled to South America. I will absolutely be back. read more

What a wonderful addition to Midland! The first time I went the owner came out of the kitchen and walked to every table to see how the customers food was. The times after that, the chef was usually out shaking hands and socializing. It's so important to value your product but even more important to value your customers. On top of that, the food was delicious and beautifully prepared. I only wish they were open later, more people need the chance to experience Cafe Unique! read more

Great food. So few people know about Venezuelan food, but it is delicious. I just wish they had better hours since I work 6 to 6. I definitely recommend this food to others. Unfortunately half the time they are out of menu items. The guasacaca isn't as good as in Venezuela. read more

Tried for the first time. Both plates we had were delicious. I had the cachapa with chicken. My husband the favorite plate of Venezuela (name slips my mind). I will be going back! Just wish they opened for dinner :) i will definitely recommend. I will add that I loved that it was so tasty without being spicy fire. read more

Great little restraunt opened from 10 am to 3 pm Monday thru Saturday it's great tasting food and a new experience in cuisine but the staff aren't always great help if you are new to Venezuelan cuisine so maybe do some research on it before coming the guacamole is a must and the chips that come with it are great and different the arepas are out of this world good give it a try read more

See all

La Palua was excellent! Fried Yucca was pretty okay, definitely good, but not great. The lady who sat me and took my order was overwhelmingly rude. I found myself looking around to see how she was treating other patrons. She had a snarl on her face when I walked in. It never left her. I've wanted to try this place for at least 6 months, but the hours never aligned with mine. I'm kind of saddened by the service I really wanted to like this place, as I'm always seeking different types of food and enjoy exposing my family to different foods they would only try because I force them. Lol I was so off put by the woman up front, I will not return which is very unfortunate. Front staff is the face of your restaurant. It's always best to ensure that they're kind and smiling, willing to greet customers, and answer menu questions. This woman was none of the above. When she placed my food on the table, it was placed on the corner, not in front of me. ‍ I have no idea. Go elsewhere for respect, that's all I can say. Ps. She had a Smiling Moose Deli shirt under her Cafe Unique apron. Hopefully, this signifies the employee, as I couldn't get her name. Intolerable rudeness. read more

Sooooo gooood!!! Toda la comida es rica y muy tipica de Venezuela... 1000% recommended

This is basically the only place in Midland where you can get food that is sort of out of the ordinary. That being said, it's pretty delicious! read more

If you like greasy, bland food, you would like this place. The food was flavorless and the arepa was dripping grease. We won't be back.

THIS PLACE IS EXCELLENT! Finally, a truly unique (get it? HA!) restaurant with genuinely delicious food in Midland! My friend and I stumbled upon Cafe Unique one afternoon and tried it on a whim. I'm so glad we did! The restaurant was completely empty when we got there, which made us nervous, but it soon gathered some more people. The atmosphere is cozy, deep red walls with white tables. Since no one else was there, we were able to grab the table with the long couch by the window - perfect! We ordered the guacamole, which was FANTASTIC! The avocados they used were absolute magic and their chips were puffy and interesting. We split the veggie arepas sampler and it was ample food for two and completely delicious! Lots of well-developed flavors and the fried plantains are to die for. I will definitely be revisiting this place! read more

I will keep it short and sweet. GO HERE. Best place I have been in west texas and that includes the upscale bistros and Italian places. They take pride in their food. The chef usually comes out just to look at your face when you take your first bite. read more

This place is a gem! The service was fantastic and the food delicious. I enjoyed the La Sureña with plantains. I'll definitely be back!

Great home cooking in midland! Will definitely return. Service was a bit slow but because there was only one woman during busy lunch hour.

On our drive to Ft. Davis we chose this based on Yelp reviews and were NOT disappointed. What a taste delight! Menu was explained well to us newbies, and it was all fabulous. We tried several appetizers and 3 entrees - Do not miss this jewel! Wish we had this in Abilene! read more

The service was great. Fresh food every day and the cook really knows what hes doing. Definitely going back.

This was our third time here and each time the lady who runs the front proves not to be a people person. A customer had to help other customers with salsa plates she had been asking for for quite awhile.The food is pretty good but the service makes you not want to come back. The first time we ordered to go, we ordered no meat on anything and when we got home everything had meat on it! By the time we got home and realized it the restaurant was closed so we had no options-SO annoying. The third and last time we went we waited over an hour for 4 little arepas! And the arepas are mainly fried cornbread. The food tastes great but that's probably from the MSG. I would love for this place to succeed but when waiting for an hour on a to go order it sucks. read more

This place has the best empanadas I've ever had. A really unique place in Midland with good quality food and great service. I just wish they were open for dinner. We eat lunch here almost every week. The Venezuelan green sauce is awesome. read more

I was pleasantly surprised to find a Venezuelan restaurant in Midland & can't wait to go back! Seriously, I can't stop thinking about the food there, it was delicious. They're only open for lunch, so plan accordingly. Service was great & fast. And every single order is a LOT of food for the price. Ingredients were all very fresh & well seasoned. I really, really hope this place stays in business for a long time! Go try it, you won't regret it. read more

Wow! Great food and a nice atmosphere. The carne mechada is tender and delicious. All the sauces were tasty as well.

Wow. Who knew Midland would offer some awesome Venezuelan food! If I lived here, this would be a weekly visit. Shoot, it would be a weekly visit if they were home in Austin! The Pabellon De Criollo was what I got. The meet was tender and flavored well. Definitely get it with an egg on top. Stuff the arepa with meat, rice, egg, the avocado and maybe a small dab of one of their sauces. Can't go wrong!! The fried cheese app, Tequenos, was also good! read more

I didn't really know what to expect but this place was really really good! I've been twice and I've had the same thing twice. It is their sandwich with chorizo and jalapeños. It is delicious and they give you three different sauces and fried plantains. Considering it really is Unique we don't want to lose a good place like this so please give it a try! read more

The portions are HUGE!! I went for a late lunch, so there were no crowds or wait. The plantains and cheese are delicious. I split the traditional/popular arepa combo, and the pabellon was my favorite. It had the most complex flavors and I'm a sucker for fried plantains. I was just passing through, but if I lived in Midland I would return and try more dishes. read more

Have only eaten at two places with Venezuelan food, Cafe Unique and one in Round Rock. The food both places is wonderful. Makes you want to go Venezuela read more

The food was really good. It was authentic Venezuelan food. The establishment was also very nice. The food was ready in minutes. However, the waitress, some old lady with black hair, was beyond rude. It almost ruined the lunch. When we were ready to pay, we wanted to split the check and she just limited to saying "I can't do it, you should have told me earlier". She was just rude throughout the whole time. read more

I can see how other people might enjoy this place. For me, it did not suit my flavour palette. I'm not a fan sweet foods in general. Since their signature dish is a sweet corn bread type pancake hybrid thing - you can guess why it wasn't up my alley. read more

I normally don't write review but since This is our second time coming and nothing has changed I decided to write this review ,we won't come back for sure , the first time we were so excited to find Venezuelan food we came in and the lady immediately told us that they were closed when the sign and the doors were open she told us that they didn't have any food ready in a really mean and rude way I asked her what time she would have the food ready and she said that maybe in an hour so we came back an hour later and she stopped us at the door and said that they didn't have anything ready yet in a really mean way again. I said thank you we might be back later. After a few weeks we decided to try it again maybe she was just in a bad mood that day so my husband ,my kids and I came back again we were really excited we came in and the same lady stoped us at the entrance she didn't even welcomed us or say hello the first thing she said was "we don't have empanadas " I said we don't want empanadas we would like to try the arepas said we don't have arepas either. At this point I was getting mad that she was being really mean for no reason I asked what do you have then? She said let me go check she came back and said actually we still have cheese empanadas so I said can I have 8 please she said oh we only have six I said then I will take them ,so I paid and we left really disappointed. I have to say I understand sometimes they run out of food because you need to cook everything from scratch but what I don't get why she is so rude and it looks like she never wants to deal with customers she looked really stressed out and she mentioned that she ran that place by herself I told her that she should get more people to help her and she said in a really obnoxious voice I don't like other people making my empanadas and my tequeños. The cheese empanadas were really good but the service was a nightmare. read more

The food is great, so is the atmosphere. Unlike most places around here the meat is actually not dried & tough. I understand a lot of people are confused on their hours...we recommend following them on Facebook because it is updated on the days they will be there. I will definitely come back to try more dishes. The only thing I wish they had were small plates so that we could eat our appetizers from. Besides that food is delicious! read more

I ordered the Pabellon Criollo (rice, black beans, fried ripe plantains topped with a large arepa) and *everything on the plate was cold*. It cost $12 and was maybe $1.00 worth of food. The waitress, who was a nice Asian lady, couldn't pronounce the dishes and was absolutely scatter-brained. She had a habit of asking people what they wanted (beverages and food) and walking off while the person was talking. You should call before going, if you are planning on ordering anything specific, as they didn't have any of the yuca (fried or cheese balls) appetizers, taquenos or sancocho. Do not expect any Yelp photos, from the business owner, to look the same in real life. read more

I think it's a very bland cuisine as a whole. Thought that my cook was Ellie May from the Beverley hillbillies. . IE. felt like I had eaten a rock afterwards. I was even given an appetizer and billed for it even though I didn't ask for it .I paid the bill and did the best I could to bite my tongue I personally think I was robbed I certainly won't be back as the bill for the bland food was $20 .For lunch??? If this is real Venezuelan cuisine then I will never want to visit the country as I would not enjoy having to search for decent food given the introduction to the country's cuisine I had today. read more

Went to this restaurant today hoping to have a quick lunch. Unfortunately the food took one hour to arrive due to the place being severely understaffed. There were only 3-4 tables for lunchtime and she told us that the table we initially wanted was "reserved" despite the restaurant being quite empty. To top it off, not only did we wait for one hour, we waited for one hour for the wrong order. Ordered a simple grilled chorizo and got something entirely different. The manager then quickly mentioned that it wasn't her fault. She should have taken responsibility for the long wait and the fact that the cook misread the order. Finally she said that we could have the lunch for free, however the valuable time we wasted here could not be compensated for. Unacceptable level of service. read more