Update Nov 2025: Stopped in on Friday after work, before dinner. A hidden gem for good quality food relatively quickly.....took me some time to decide glad I looked online before entering. I opted for 1/2 and 1/2 and satisfied, mission accomplished. The cilantro sauce was delicious to accompany. I don't think I would be able to finish 2 arepas but the side salad was an excellent choice for me. I will be back, 5 stars read more

You can't go wrong at Guasaca! I've been multiple times and the food is always delicious with great service. I can always get a good amount of food for a great price. Outdoor seating is great for coming with dogs. The staff even helped get water bowls for the dogs, read more

Love Guasaca! Food is always consistently good, service is fast, and the food always tastes fresh. My go to is usually a bowl with their beef or chicken -- you really can't go wrong with the bowl options. I got the avocado chicken arepa this time. The arepa was so soft on the inside but slightly crispy on the outside, buttery, and flavorful. The avocado chicken filling was a refreshing contrast to the warm arepas. Can't wait to come back and try more of their arepas! read more

Guasaca - Chicken Avocado Chicken Signature Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

We have only had takeouts from here so far. The arepas taste amazing and the sweet potatoes are delicious. Definitely will try again. The service is pretty quick. read more

Very clean minimalist interior in a strip mall. Friendly staff but don't be a sucker and tip. No more service than at a McDonalds. Both of the arepas were tasty but nothing special and a bit messy. Should have gone for a bowl. I will probably be back to try something else. read more

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So the food tasted great.. but there was a bone in my chicken arepa. Did not enjoy biting into that lol

Local arepa fast casual chain. If you want Latin America flavor without the tortilla, this chain is a good alternative. The thick corn "tortilla" aka arepa is nice and bready. It's more solid than the corn tortillas you get with Mexican Tacos. And the griddle adds a nice crust. The location is on a strip with plenty of parking in the front, though you may need to walk around the block. The insides has plenty of seating. When I worked on Weston we used to come like 8 at a time and didn't have problems seating during lunch time. You can customized your Arepas, but I usually get one of their designated toppings. Mechada similar to barbacoa, being a spiced shredded beef. It's accompanied by pico, black beans, cheese and the red sauce. The red sauce has a nice kick. I usually pick this one or the steak pending on my mood. read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Usually excellent and tasty. I do wish they had another salsa option that didn't have a sweet taste

I'm never disappointed in Guasaca, even at a different location. A filling lunch that is greasy and healthy. Build your own rice bowl, salad or arepa (sandwich). I tried the salmon for the first time. I recommend! The line was short and moved quickly. Employees are friendly, efficient and generous with their smiles. They seem tkk on like working here. Dining room was clean and naturally lit with 2 full walls of windows. Dedicated parking or order from Uber Eats or DoorDash. A 98 rating. read more

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I love this place! The food is delicious. Today. I ordered the salad with crispy chicken, guacamole, black beans, sour cream and cheese. The bowl was filled high with lettuce and all the fix-ins. I usually order the arepa but opted for carb free today. I appreciated how clean and friendly the staff is too. They really make an exceptional Guacamole here. . read more

Guasaca - Salad - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Ordered to go. Clean area upon entering. Arepas and chips for all four of us. Out the door in less than 15 minutes. Food was delicious and well seasoned. Must go again. read more

Came here for the first time with a friend at an "off" time, so was not crowded at all. I got a salad bowl and was surprised at how small it was. It had shredded chicken, some lettuce, black beans, cooked onions and cheese. I did not purchase a drink, too expensive. The small salad was ok, nothing special. They have several different sauces you can have. I tried the garlic one, but after one bite decided to go back and ask for the cilantro one. I used the whole little cup of the cilantro one, it was good. The service was good, place was clean, but I can get a bigger salad for the same or less money elsewhere. read more

Second time visiting, taste did not disappoint. Chicken was fresh and delicious, as everything else! Great! read more

Guasaca - Vegetarian Arepa, Grilled Chicken Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Food is absolutely amazing but staff at this location are very slow and act like you are inconveniencing them by asking they add some extra salsa or standard topping. I'm all about the grub but would love to miss the attitude of staff when asking for a bit more of a topic, who then speak to each other in Spanish erupting in laughter...it's rude and comes off very disrespectful! Hopefully this review will help management/ownership connect with the service staff on the line to make necessary adjustments and elevate the customer experience. read more

Guasaca was recommended to us by our friend who lives in Cary and, wow, her recommendation was spot-on. The arepas we had from this restaurant were simply outstanding and the best we've had anywhere, without a doubt. That's really all I need to say about this place, but if you want to learn more details about our experience and Guasaca, read on. Currently, Guasaca has four locations in the Triangle: two in Raleigh, one in Durham, and this one in Cary/Morrisville. This location opened in February 2017. You can find it in the Shoppes at Weston Corners. You can't miss it. It's a nice little development, looks relatively new, and parking is plentiful. Bike-friendly too. You can think of Guasaca as like a Chipotle that specializes in arepas. The restaurant is essentially set up just like a Chipotle with an ordering line (pay then pick up), self-serve fountain drinks and napkins, and you bus your own table if dining in. It's a fast-casual place. What I like about this location in particular is it has a fairly spacious wraparound patio with umbrella-covered tables. If you've never had an arepa before or don't know what one is, you can sort of think of it as a South American version of the Mexican chalupa or gordita or a pita pocket / sandwich. Arepas are mainly associated with Colombia and Venezuela. The exterior of arepas consists of grilled corn cakes and here, they're absolutely delicious. Guasaca offers 10 kinds of "signature" arepas with preset fillings and sauces. During our visit, each ranged in price from $4.75 to $6.45 each. Affordable. Most people eat two arepas per person. Guasaca also gives you the option to customize your own arepa. You have complete control over every ingredient. Pricing for the custom arepas was similar to the signature arepas. Along with arepas, Guasaca sells bowls and salads (again, like Chipotle). My wife and I ordered five of Guasaca's 10 signature arepas, so we got a good sampling of what this business has to offer. Here are the arepas we got: * Crispy Chicken ($4.95) - fried chicken and coleslaw * Shredded Beef ($5.15) - black beans, pico de gallo, white cheese, and red sauce (spicy) * Grilled Steak ($5.15) - black-eyed peas, caramelized onions, white cheese, and cilantro sauce * Shredded Pork ($5.15) - black-eyed peas, pico de gallo, white cheese, and mustard sauce * Avocado Chicken ($5.25) - oven-roasted chicken and avocado mixed together in a house sauce All of the arepas were outstanding. The Crispy Chicken was my favorite followed by the Grilled Steak and Avocado Chicken next, with the Shredded Beef and Shredded Pork rounding it out. I recommend them all, so it's really up to what kinds of meats you like or what you're in the mood for. They are served like sandwiches, wrapped in paper, so you don't really need eating utensils to eat them. In the South, everyone's familiar with fried chicken and coleslaw, so the Crispy Chicken arepa is very approachable and works incredibly well. In general, all of our arepas were cooked and assembled fresh to order. The fried chicken was hot and crispy and the slaw was fresh and flavorful. I actually tried the Crispy Chicken arepa with a couple different sauces. All the sauces were served on the side. By default, the Crispy Chicken arepa came with garlic sauce (strong flavor), but I also tried it with the green cilantro sauce (herbaceous, refreshing) that came with the Grilled Steak arepa. Both sauces were delectable. I love both garlic and cilantro and I was a fan of both of these sauces. The Grilled Steak arepa was filled with thick, tender, appetizing chunks of steak. The meat quality was very good. The caramelized onions and white cheese were yummy too and everything melded together seamlessly. The Avocado Chicken arepa, mmm... Like garlic and cilantro, I love avocado. Guasaca seems to have figured out the optimal mix of avocado and chicken. They mix the two together into what is basically an avocado-based chicken salad. It was incredibly tasty. As for the Shredded Beef and Shredded Pork arepas, they were similar to me in that they were filled with hearty, marinated meats. These were substantial, filling arepas. The Shredded Beef was perhaps the heaviest of the five we tried. I will say the soupy sauce that accompanied the black beans made the Shredded Beef arepa soggy and messy to eat; it dripped and fell apart easily. Unlike the other arepas, which we could cleanly eat with our hands, we had to use a fork to finish off the Shredded Beef arepa. Something to keep in mind. As for the arepas themselves, they were cooked to perfection. They were nicely charred and slightly crispy on the outside and pillowy soft (excellent consistency) on the inside. They were fresh, flavorful, and super satisfying. I considered them quintessential arepas. Service was great. The staff was polite and efficient. We had no issues. My wife has had these catered at the hospital. We look forward to eating more Guasaca in the future. read more

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I'm sorry to do this but the guys at this location are not cooking the food properly, of all the locations i've been to, this one doesn't meet the high standard of the others. rice is tough as hell and they serve a little something almost like they feeding babies, and it's not once or twice i've been there 3 times just to be sure. management need to do something about that and i'll come back and remove my review because i really love guasaca but this location ain't it bruh! read more

this was my first time eating venezuelan food and i never noticed this place before as i've been in the area a couple times! i had no clue what to expect but my boyfriend loves this place and was shocked when i said i haven't been here before haha. once we walked in, it had a very comfy and homely vibe with a decent amount of customers coming in and out. i was told and saw how big the arepas are and decided on two, the crispy chicken and grilled steak. while my boyfriend chose three, the same two and an avocado chicken. after ordering we went to sit down, i went to the bathroom and when i came out half of our order was ready. i started with the grilled steak arepa and it was so flavorful! we got the hot sauce too and it wasn't too spicy (as someone who's trying to build her tolerance). a few minutes after, our two crispy chicken arepas came and the workers were really friendly! the crispy chicken's texture was different from the grilled steak but the chicken was very tender. both were so delicious and was even more tasteful dipped in the sauce. overall, it was a very pleasant experience for my first time trying venezuelan food! there was a lot of seating indoor and outdoor, good for families and friend hang outs! i can't wait to come back and try the other items on the menu as i really vibes with the arepa concept! read more

Guasaca - Crispy Chicken Arepa Grilled Steak Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Great arepas. I love the taste of the bread. You can put your own together or follow any of their suggestions. Crispy chicken is my favorite with their honey bbq sauce. One arepa is good for a meal and 2 for a meal would be the last meal I have in a day! Service is always quick and the meal is excellent to takeout. read more

Delicious arepas, and the fillings are even better. Friendly and quick service, clean and comfortable dining area.

A nice surprise along Chapel Hill Road. Good quality for a fast food place and really friendly staff. I had the steak and bbq chicken Arepas (the chicken was better) and my daughter had a bowl with steak. Good toppings options including an avocado salad we both highly recommend! read more

Absolutely loved this best arepa in the area, so inexpensive and their salsa is to die for, you must try

Fire , fire , fire every time I come to any of their locations the food is so good ! I get the chicken arepa with the cilantro sauce ! The customer service is great as well read more

This is my go to lunch spot when I'm at work. For me it comes down to 2 things: Peruvian sauce and plantains, which no other fast casual bowl style place has. The guasaca sauce is extra but I would never go here and not order it!!! Don't be afraid to get crazy with your combinations here.. the flavors are fool proof!! Also, there is a rewards program so you can get free food if your a frequent diner like me (just enter your phone number when you check out, I have never gotten spam from them). Be forewarned the parking situation at lunchtime can get hairy since there are multiple lunch spots in one tiny plaza. read more

Pretty good seasoned food, only thing is they skimp big time on their proteins and sometimes they don't include it in your arepas at all even if you pay for it. Also when ordering grilled chicken they try to guilt you into ordering another protein because they have to make it fresh. Otherwise the food tastes pretty good read more

Absolutely DELICIOUS vegan arepas!! Everyone in my family enjoyed it even the non vegans. Get the chips and guacasa as well! Next time I might try a bowl. I will definitely be back! Friendly staff and very clean restaurant. Outdoor seating has umbrellas. read more

Guasaca - 1 Vegan-Friendly Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

There is no reason this doesn't deserve five stars. I've went to every location and this is my favorite (I love Venezuelan food, okay?) I tried the shredded beef and avocado chicken today. The shredded beef had some spiciness to it and the beef was tender and juicy. It tasted great with the red sauce. The avocado chicken was tender and had a lot of flavor, as well. I really liked it with the green sauce. I really like the signature arepas because they do the pairings for you of what goes well together, but you also have the chance to build your own. They also offer bowls, as well. Their arepas are clearly homemade and are so great. I'm not sure what the name of the man is who works the line and puts together the bowls/arepas but he has such a great aura and just puts you in a good mood due to his infectiously bubbly personality. Everything was socially distanced and sectioned off thus so. Very clean. It also has a cute outdoorsy section where you can dine. Very cheap for the authenticity and ingredients in these creations. So good. read more

Guasaca - 1 Avocado Chicken Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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It is the build as you go model- similar to Chipotle. We got a bowl and arepa and total was $16. You can pick an arepa with specialty toppings or build your own or pick a bowl. Fillings include meat (chicken , steak etc) , rice , beans, vegetables and cheese. The arepa is good and unique and I have been to the Lake Boone location when they first opened years again. We liked the flavor of the arepa and added chicken, cheese and plantains. read more

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This place is good when you want to have a quick lunch or dinner. I tried the avocado chicken special arepa. It was really good. My husband tried crispy chicken bowl. Overall, we liked the food read more

Guasaca - 1st Arepa AVOCADO CHICKEN - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Morrisville location has the same great food as the Raleigh restaurant. Still love the cilantro sauce, I get extra to use later. Staff is friendly. read more

Fresh flavors, my first time trying arepas and it did not disappoint! I had a hard time deciding whether to get one of their "signature arepas" which comes with pre-determined fillings or "build my own". I decided to just order the signature tilapia and steak arepas, add guasaca to one (+$1-2 I think?). Total for two was like ~$11. I wish I took pictures but unlike what I've seen on Yelp and Google reviews, the arepas were not filled to the brim with fillings and honestly not enough to satisfy as a belly-filling meal but more of a slightly heavy snack. They weren't generous with the toppings (sort of felt skimpy on the meat and fish). The baked plantains tasted great and the guasaca was fresh! I think the bowls make more sense to have if you're really hungry, and it would be nice if the bowls came with an arepa on the side like how Chipotle will give you a warm flour tortilla on the side if you ask for it. The arepa itself was unique: soft/fluffy inside and slight crisp on the exterior. A very mellow sort of nuttiness and sweetness made for a pleasant experience. I also really enjoyed their cilantro sauce and honey mustard sauce which come in a cup on the side! read more

I made the mistake of ordering three arepas. I stuffed myself and then had to go back to work. The arepas are very delicious. You will not be disappointed. read more

Arepas are on of my favorite foods so I had to try this place. It is like a chipotle for arepas. You can also make a bowl or salad. I ordered the Avocado chicken and vegetarian arepas. I was a little disappointed when I saw them make the avocado chicken arepa and all they did was scoop the pre-made avocado and chicken mix into the shell. It was tasty to eat, but had a little too much avocado (coming from someone who loves avocado). I preferred the veggie arepa. It was a good mix of flavors. The person I was with ordered the Vegan arepa and this was delicious! Next time I go back I will order this one. It is a wonderful mix of flavors and the plantains provide the perfect kick of sweetness. Yum! Overall, was not the best arepa I've ever had, but still tasty! read more

Staff is rude . Walked in I greeted them no one greeted me back . I come in here faithfully and was charged for extra rice which has never happened . There is one young girl who is very sweet . Other than that I will not be back . read more

The style reminds me of chipotle but it's so much better. Arepas is apparently a Venezuelan cuisine though it reminds me a lot of Mexican gorditas. Basically is a corn tortilla pocket filled with yummy goodness. The ordering was a little confusing at first. I didn't know whether to order at the cash register or to start toward the end by the wall. A little direction would've been nice but luckily the man behind the counter noticed the confused looks on our faces and helped us out by explaining the menu and the process to us. So, having never been to the place before I had to try their guasaca. I figured if the place was named after it, it must be good. Yes, it was very good. It was a lot like guacamole but instead of mashed avocado they use avocado chunks and mix it with all the fixings of good guacamole. It was delicious. Definitely a good starter with chips. For my main course I ordered two arepas. I got their signature avocado chicken arepa and a steak arepa. Honestly I wasn't a big fan of the avocado chicken, I had to pour a lot of salsa on it to get the flavor I liked. Just a little bland for my liking. I did like the steak arepa though. The steak was tender and perfectly seasoned and with the guasaca added in, it was simply perfect. After having tried the arepa I must say it's better than a typical flour tortilla or gordita pocket. It just has so much more flavor and a better texture. Yes, we'll be back. It's clean, the service is good, the food comes out fast and fresh and it just tastes good. Better than going to some beat up taco joint with questionable sanitation standards that's for sure. read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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This place has made to order arepas in an efficient Chipotle-style assembly line. I ordered two shredded beef arepas, which tasted delicious but came out a bit soggy due to the shredded beef and pico de gallo I selected. I think I'll try a different meat and other toppings next time, but I'll definitely be back. read more

Been to their Raleigh location before and liked the food, so now checking out their newest location along Chapel Hill Rd., near Park West Village. Went there on a Friday night and they were doing decent business. Had the signature steak and signature tilapia arepas, plus chips and salsas. The arepas don't look very big, but they have some heft to them, and are actually pretty filling once you eat them. Between the two, I liked the tilapia better as the meat had a bit more seasoning/flavor. The chips were pretty standard, and the salsa was very chunky, such that it is pretty much all diced tomatoes and not a lot of liquid. All together was $12 and change. With the $5 for $10 Groupon that they run, total is down to $7 which is pretty decent. Too bad you can only purchase the Groupon once per location... ever. I was pretty full after the meal and didn't finish the chips. read more

Guasaca - Signature tilapia arepa on the left. Signature steak arepa on the right. Chips in the back. - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Delicious food at reasonable prices. We ordered delivery from Guasaca via Grubhub. Our food arrived on time and was accurate. The prices are very affordable but note that the portions are small (appropriate for the price). Luckily we ordered multiple sides and arepas since we were unsure of their size. It was our first time trying arepas and we really liked their flavor and texture. We tried the steak arepa, chicken arepa, vegetarian arepa, chips, Guasaca, and plantains. Overall, we enjoyed the food and the prices match the portion size. We would order from them again! read more

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I got the signature vegetarian arepa and my boyfriend got the signature chicken arepa. Positives: clean environment, quick service, variety on menu Negatives: food and sauce were not memorable and staff was not very helpful when it came to confusion about the menu read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Their chips are really good!!!!! But also so is the rest of their food. Easy to order online and go in and pick it up which is nice!!

Delicioso! Great location and space, providing both indoor and outdoor seating. The arepas were perfection and the flavors of the chicken and pork were as authentic as I remember from living in Miami. The cilantro sauce was my favorite, while my husband enjoyed the "red sauce." The guasaca and homemade chips were a great treat. Great little gem, worth the drive, and definitely coming back! read more

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