Food is a solid 4 star, especially when considering the price. Service was 2 star but I chose to still aware 4 star for the food. This is located in a hospital cafeteria after all. I ordered the SHREDDED BEEF AREPA which also comes with plantains, cheese and beans inside. I chose garlic sauce and it was superb on the arepa! Very delicious and I suspect the arepa samdwiches are gluten free for those intolerant, but I didn't ask. The TORTILLA CHIPS that come with the meal are good, and suspect they make them in-house. The SERVICE was horrible. Guy behind counter told me the soda machine only had diet soda, which was what I wanted anyway. Out of curiosity I asked if it was hospital policy to exclude sugar soda or if the machine was just out of sugar syrups. He responded "don't know" in a "don't care" attitude. I went to fill my cup and the machine didn't serve ice either! This place could really help people in the hospital by smiling and showing they care about the customer. Most eating here in the hospital cafeteria are carrying the weight of poor health on their shoulders, whether their own or a loved one. It's a hospital cafeteria so its a place to sit down, and could be a good break from sitting in a loved ones patient room. It's not a restaurant that one would come to if not in the hospital. read more

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It's harder to find arepas than it should be. There's just something about grilling corn that makes it irresistable. What's notable about this local chain is its extensive options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners. The default arepa apparently has some dairy and gluten in it, but options for getting one to suit a vegan or gluten-free diet are there. The filling options for an arepa are customizable and numerous, with a range of flavors and nutritional profiles. My takeout order was ready speedily. Oddly, they gave me an extra arepa, which was unlabeled except for saying that it was a gift. It didn't seem to be vegetarian, so I didn't eat it. I appreciate the sentiment, but they might want to think about at least making it clearer what's going on. read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Great little build your own with either a bowl or arepa option. We opted for the bowl and although it looked sparse when they were filling it, this bowl not only fed both me and my gf but also was a whole extra meal for lunch the next day. We got the salmon protein which was pretty good honestly, would recommend. Their Guasaca sauce is their version of guac which is tasty but is also an extra charge. We wanted to try it but I think the bowl could be fine without it too. We also got two plain arepas but don't be fooled by the 'plain' name. They were the perfect addition to the meal - soft, cheesy and corn. We even stopped by on a separate occasion to get extra arepas as a travel snack! Overall, quite a good meal, a little pricy but it will definitely fill you up. Especially if you want something filling, I'd opt for the bowl because you can fit more and also get more toppings (only 3 if you get arepa) for that fun mixture of flavors. But I'd also recommend getting an arepa or two on the side for the whole experience. read more

Guasaca - Build Your Own Bowl, Plain Arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The vegetable arepas here are absolute fire! Perfect amount of crunch from the cabbage slaw filling with the softness of the avocado and pillowy texture of the arepa. It feels so comforting and delicious and honestly I've enjoyed their vegetarian options more than the chicken ones (the avocado chicken one is solid, but idk the vegetarian one just hits different). I also really like the green sauce (not sure what's in it) with the vegetable arepa; they pair super well together. read more

One of my go-to's when I want something affordable, delicious and doesn't make me feel gross after. The service is always quick since they make your food on the spot. My favorite combo is steak, cheese, plantains and caramelized onions. Good quality every time I've gone. The ambiance is causal since it's technically fast food... it's got Chipotle vibes. Recommend for a quick and yummy bite! read more

Ordered two bowls and felt like there wasn't much food in the bowls. I'm a small eater so I was fine but my husband is a bigger eater and he was still hungry. The shredded chicken has a tomato-y taste and although I like tomatoes I wasn't a fan of it. The grilled chicken was good and I'd choose that next time. Since it was our first time there were would've liked to see the options labeled as we weren't sure what some were. I'm not sure if we came on an off day but it was lacking in flavor. We'd try it again in the future. read more

As a Chipotle refugee, I can say with confidence that Guasaca is 10x better. The variety of options they offer is amazing and I regularly switch between a bowl or an arepa. One of my absolute favorites is the yellow corn crispy chicken arepa. The arepa is pillowy soft, slightly sweet and the crispy chicken is so good. As a sauce girlie, Guasaca holds a special place in my heart. Their sauces are incredibly flavorful and the garlic and cilantro sauces are my top picks. I could literally drown everything in their sauces, I seriously wish they sold them by the bottle! They're also pretty affordable so if you're looking for a fresh, delicious alternative to the usual fast-casual spots, Guasaca is 100% worth it. read more

The food always hits at this spot. I will not take that away from them. With that being said I decided to come here on a night I was not feeling my best and did not feel like cooking. I placed an online order and it said it would be ready by 7:41. I get there by 8 pm and it's still not ready. Food is good but service needs improvement. The whole point of online ordering is to prevent waiting read more

Our food was fresh fast and priced right! The staff was helpful and friendly. This was at Duke hospital clinic. read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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My friend and I ordered the Crispy Chicken Signature Arepa, the Grilled Steak Arepa, and the Natilla. This place is Chipotle style where you can build your own or order off the menu. Everything tasted good although I would say Crispy Chicken Signature Arepa was the best. Note that if your arepa has beans in it, then it can get a little messy to eat since it makes the dough too moist. The Natilla was a little disappointing since I was hoping for something unique but ended up with something that reminded me of vanilla pudding...especially for the price of such a little cup. Service was quick and the facility was clean. There was plenty of seating as well. read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

What a wonderful spot. If your needing allergy I formation a simple google search will bring up a chart. This is important as the ladies behind the counter were not sure what would be gluten free. I ordered a "bowl" and it was wonderful! Very flavorful and filling. Thank you to the Duke student who referred this spot! read more

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I've heard that Guasaca is like chipotle-style arepas and have always wanted to try it! We went in the late afternoon on a Saturday and there wasn't a line at all and we got our food pretty quickly. There was plenty of seating as well We ended up getting their signature grilled chicken arepa and steak arepa instead of making our own since we're all indecisive lol. I almost never choose chicken for my meat because i think it's boring but my friends wanted to try it and it was actually very flavorful! I surprisingly enjoyed it more than the steak arepa even. The steak itself was really good, but I felt like the black eyed peas mellowed out the flavor whereas the black beans in the chicken arepa did not. Next time, I would like to try their salmon! read more

Guasaca - Chicken Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Guasaca has been my go to for arepas in the triangle. The food is affordable and I like the combinations you can make. My favorite is their chicken arepa with plantains, beans, and cheese. The service is typically quick so I would recommend visiting Guasaca for a quick, nourishing, and flavorful meal. They have plenty of seating and the restaurant is never too busy. read more

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Super disappointed with my food although I was so excited to go there! My fried chicken one did not have anything except for the fried chicken in jt. I think they messed up that order. The fried chicken itself wasn't crispy at all. It was not worth $6-7 dollars. It was quick service and I did take out. Overall food was okay, some of them were good but nothing was amazing or impressed me. Spacious environment. Quick service. Great location. Not sure if I will come back but glad I tried it out read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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If you're ever in the Triangle area, do yourself a favor! This was our sixth visit (at least). We've usually gone for lunch, but this time we went on a Thursday evening. It was way calmer than it is during the lunchtime rush. The presentation of the arepas isn't the prettiest, but don't let the pictures fool you. They are very tasty and filling. The accompanying sauces are very good as well. The place, ingredients and service all have a Chipotle vibe, but it is a good concept. I wish we had at least one location in Charlotte! read more

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Have eaten here many times. Set up Chipotle-Subway style, either standard options or creating your own arepas and bowls. Flavors are fantastic, plenty of veggie choices for a fast food joint. read more

Tried this authentic Venezuelan spot and the arepas (cornmeal dough stuffed with savory fillings) are here so GOOD!! Very casual and affordable spot! We ordered: Grilled chicken arepa ($4) - filled with chicken, black beans, pico de gallo, cheese - highly recommend! Avocado chicken arepa ($4) Will definitely come back for more! The food looks good but tastes even better. Arepas taste kind of sweet, and the texture & thickness is between a tortilla/tamale. read more

Guasaca - Avocado chicken arepa IG: michellelieats - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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First time having arepas and left me wanting more! Their vegan and vegetarian options are so delicious and filling as well! Fast in and out derive and great dining in experience as well. I like that there's options to eat outside if the weather is nice. It's been my go to quick food since coming to Durham and cannot be thankful enough that I found it! read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I ordered on Door Dash and was pleasantly surprised as how fresh it was. I can't wait to try it again. read more

Guasaca - Pulled chicken bowl with cilantro sauce - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

My friends and I just wanted a quick bite and these arepas could not have hit the spot any harder. The steak arepa was good but I was surprised by the chicken arepa. It has a lot more in it so it was more flavorful. Honestly can't go wrong here with any of the arepas. read more

Guasaca - 1 Shredded Chicken Signature Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Best arepas in the area and east coast great service staff are gtrat also thanks for asking me.

This arepa left me thinking about it when we're apart. I've had arepas before and always liked them, but this one was spectacular. The corn arepas taste so fresh and delicious. I tried the steak and shredded chicken, but the shredded chicken one stood out. Don't make the mistake and only get 1, you'll want to get at least 2. read more

Guasaca - Shredded Chicken Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

La atencion de este lugar es muy mala y tratan a los Clientes de una forma muy descortes y con mala educacion y como a sido en varias ocaciones he descidido no regresar más a pesar de que la comida me gusta. Si no mejoran esa parte creo que no duraran mucho más en el mercado, la cantidad de Clientes habla por si sola. read more

Guasaca - Area del lugar, sin gente a pesar de ser la hora de almuerzo - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

My love for arepas has begun! Super affordable too - about $4 to $5 for one The chicken is super delicious with its pico de gallo and cilantro sauce The steak was a bit lackluster but next time I'll add pico onto this item and review the item again Bff enjoyed their fried chicken arepas too Can't wait to be back! read more

Guasaca - Signature Chicken Arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Sooo sooo good wow!!!! Everytime, it hits da spot :::::::::::::::::::::: Bbbbbbb

Arepas are amazing! Perfect for a quick lunch. If you like salmon and plantains then get the salmon arepa. It's really tasty and the perfect balance between sweet and savory! read more

Guasaca is like Chipotle, but with Venezuelan food. They have arepas, bowls, or salads that you can easily customize to your liking. It's great if you're looking for a healthy, fast-casual meal. On the other hand, I feel like if you're coming in every day for lunch or dinner, you'll very easily get tired of the food here. My first time coming to Guasaca, I made my own salad bowl with plantains (YUM), shredded pork, pico de gallo, and guasaca (which is similar to guacamole, except I tasted a lot more lime and cilantro in the mix). The pico de gallo made my salad super watery. But overall, the meal tasted very well-balanced. Just the right amount of flavor in my pork, too, without it tasting super salty. I have yet to come back again to try their arepas. But the salad left me feeling very satisfied! read more

Guasaca - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Guasaca is my favorite casual dining spot. The arepas are easy to transport and carryout for a picnic which is nice, but they also have a dine-in space. Their dining space is what you would expect from upscale fast food - order at the counter, eat inside or outside, and get your own drinks/napkins/utensils. I came here a lot in college, and now I make it a point to stop whenever I'm in the Triangle (multiple times in the same trip). Prices have gone up (as expected), you can get two arepas for ~$12-$13 now. The arepas are all around delicious - I have tried the BYO and a couple of signature ones, and I keep coming back to the Avocado Chicken Arepa with the white garlic sauce. The BYO option is great for those who want to customize or try to eat on the lighter side. read more

Food was tasty and the service was fast. There were gluten free options which I liked. Ambiance was modern casual.

Went here for a total of 2 times. The first time, it was great. I got to make your own bowl, and I picked it up. The second time, it was very lackluster. Didn't give me much lettuce and other things. Hopefully, the next time I go back, it's better. The service was good because I ordered online, so it was quick and straight to the point. read more

Pro hack: order a bowl with a side plain arepa and fill it yourself with the yummy bowl contents for the best of both worlds. Highly recommend the avocado chicken bowl and definitely get the plantains! The bowl was immensely flavorful and filled me up without leaving me feeling gross. The cilantro sauce was light and fresh. The yellow arepa was authentic and cannot be beat. I received my ubereats order very fast with quality packaging. The food was a bit cold but nothing that 30 seconds in the microwave couldn't fix. read more

This is so much better than chipotle!! * the bowls have toppings that just don't get old - sweet caramelized onions, black eyed peas, sweet plantains * the sauces are saucey. I really like the red spicy one. Its tanginess balances out the heat well. * the grilled chicken - yum. (I liked this a lot more than the shredded chicken, which was a little soggy for me) * the arepas. The yellow arepas are so yummy, and the tilapia does not miss. Light but so filling Every now and then I get this delivered / to-go. I know a lot of fast casual places don't hold up well in a container because the food gets soggy, but that has not been the case here. Negatives that are actually positives * when I've tried to come here on federal holidays, they've been closed. While this is a negative experience for me, I'm glad they care about their employees. read more

Guasaca - 1 Crispy Chicken Signature Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Highly recommend this delicious spot! Outdoor and indoor seating are both options. They have vegan and vegetarian options. You can do a mix and match for only 20 cents more than getting the same kind of arepa so highly recommend. I had one vegan and one vegetarian and both were delicious!! And the ingredients for the Guasaca are the same as traditional guac but they do it well! So yummy!! plus, the employees are nice and quick. read more

Chicken avocado was amazing!! Definitely my favorite arepa there. It was cold and refreshing, the taste and texture thick and satisfying. I also tried tilapia, pork, and shredded chicken. Tilapia was good and tasty, and I really liked the accompanying plantains. Pork was good too, very moist and succulent. Shredded chicken was all right but tasted just like any Mexican chicken dish, so I wasn't impressed with that one. The arepas actually taste better without cheese (we scraped the cheese off the arepas), but then we're also not crazy big cheese fans, so. I did think the cheese was really too much though. This is another reason why you must try chicken avocado arepa, as it does not come with cheese and is way better off without it :) Get yellow arepa--it's so much better and held up more than white arepa. All the sauces were good, especially honey BBQ (with pork) and honey mustard. read more

This fast casual Chipotle-style place was bustling with customers on this weekday night. Most customers including myself ordered two arepas, which is just enough food for dinner. My shredded chicken arepas were delicious, and I had a bite of my wife's avocado chicken arepas which were even better. Definitely good for a quick dinner, and I'll be back again. read more

I was at Duke for a conference and was so excited to see a gluten-free arepa joint not too far away. I used to have a college roommate from Venezuela and she got me hooked on arepas. I kept it basic and ordered a large cheese arepa and an arepa with black beans and cheese with a side of two sauces (garlic and cilantro). They were so delicious that I almost went back the next day for more! The garlic sauce wasn't my favorite... it was delicious but just wasn't the flavor I was looking for. The cilantro sauce hit the spot though. Definitely check this place out if you are ever in the area. read more

Guasaca - Black bean and cheese arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Yum yum yum. Such a creative idea. They are pretty fast, and they always get my order right. The seating is great I usually sit outside.

My husband and I visited this place last weekend. We immediately noticed how busy they were - so we were thinking "food must be good". It was! Looking forward to coming back!! read more

Guasaca - a bowl of food on a table - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This is the third time I've ordered from this place and today I wasn't the least it satisfied. The food was not placed in the bag properly, causing the food to be shifted all over the place. So for starters the presentation was bad. Secondly, I ordered my food to be spicy and there was no spicy on my bowl. I've never thought the portion sizes were sufficient for what you pay for but I tried to bypass that because the food is well seasoned. I'm not sure if I'm going to order from here again because after spending over $70 on 4 bowls, this just doesn't seem worth the money. read more

Guasaca - Salmon Bowl after I tried had to readjust the bowl! - Venezuelan Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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At Guasaca, they have a simple offering of delicious, quickly prepared South American food based on serving Arepas, about a four inch round sandwich made of crispy fried patties. The fillings can be chicken, steak, salmon, or vegetarian. They seem to specialize in chicken fillings, offering crispy chicken, chicken avocado, and grilled chicken. There are several other ingredients to add like onions, beans, plantains, salsa, etc. You can choose from pre-set signature arepas or "build-your-own" custom arepa. If you don't want the bread, they offer bowls that cost a little more but also serve more food. When you walk in there's an overhead menu board like McDs and you stand in line in front of a glass covered service counter to order from servers who assemble your meal. (The servers and cashier seemed checked out and just waiting for their paychecks.) They have plenty of seating in a large high-ceiling space. The acoustics are fairly loud, even when there are only a few people there. That's the only drawback to eating inside. There's no signs to let you know if you're supposed to bus your own table but we did. Outside there are a few tables to enjoy. I loved the chicken avocado and the salmon arepas we ordered. The arepas crispy bread patties are great and I'd like to come back to try different fillings. The price for one arepa is $7-9 and they're filling enough for lunch or a light dinner. I imagine they get a big lunch crowd from the area businesses. read more