Spring - Klein Edition | April 2023

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DINING FEATURE

BY EMILY LINCKE

3 DISHES TO TRY

Pabellon Criollo ($13.50): Beans, rice, fried plantains and shredded beef comprise this dish.

COURTESY AREPA XPRESS

El Zuliano ($13.50): A fried plantain sandwich, called Patacon, is stu ed with avocado, tomato, cheese and shredded beef. The meal includes fries and a drink.

COURTESY AREPA XPRESS

La Rumbera Arepa ($5.70): A maize- dough bread is toasted and stu ed with cheddar cheese and roasted pork.

Arepa Xpress Mother-daughter duo serve homemade Venezuelan cuisine out of Spring-area eatery M aking fresh and authen- tic food with healthy ingredients is a big priority for Arepa Xpress, according to co-owner Maria Ordonez. are always looking for ways to keep improving the food, Ordonez said. “We try to cook our meat with

COURTESY AREPA XPRESS

“WE HAVE A LOT OF CUSTOMERS THAT REALLY LOVE OUR FOOD, BUT STILL, I THINK WE CAN GET MORE SUPPORT.” MARIA ORDONEZ, AREPA XPRESS COOWNER

a lot of vegetables,” Ordonez said. “Even if people don’t see the vegetables, they have a lot of vegetables. … We try to make it healthy.” The mother-daughter duo had never owned a restaurant before, but Ordonez said she always wanted to, and her mother loves to cook. Multiple family members work at the restaurant with them. Back when they rst bought the restaurant, Venezuelan cuisine was not very common in Spring, Ordonez said. Now, there is a larger Venezuelan community in the area who frequent Arepa Xpress. One challenge for the restaurant has been attracting customers who may not be familiar with Venezuelan food. “Sometimes they don’t want to try it just because they think, ‘Oh, no, that’s gonna be bad’ or ‘I don’t know what they sell,’” she said. Going forward, Ordonez said she hopes more locals will give their restaurant a chance. “We have a lot of customers that really love our food, but still, I think we can get more support,” Ordonez said.

“If you order a shredded beef empanada, it’s from scratch,” Ordonez said. “It’s not like we take it out of the freezer and we go and fry it. No. We just make it there. So, usually there’s a wait time. … When you actually eat an empanada made from scratch, it’s something dierent.” Arepa Xpress serves Venezuelan cuisine including its namesake, arepas, which are corn-dough patties stued with cheese, veggies or meat. Also on the menu are empanadas—fried stued corn patties—and patacon, which is a sandwich made with fried plantains. A top seller is the shredded beef empanada, Ordonez said. “Our shredded beef is queen here,” she said. “Everybody loves it. It’s a must-have.” Ordonez and her mother, Josefa Scott, purchased the location from its previous owners in September 2015. They revamped the restaurant’s branding and menu with the help of Scott’s sister. Arepa Xpress’ menu features family recipes, but they

EMILY LINCKECOMMUNITY IMPACT

COURTESY AREPA XPRESS

Maria Ordonez, left, bought Arepa Xpress in September 2015 with her mother, and co-owner, Josefa Scott, right.

Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español!

Arepa Xpress 4334 FM 2920, Ste. 170, Spring 713-389-5930 www.arepaxpress.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Españo

Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español! Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_63331212 Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español! apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_633312129 Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español! See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español! apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image 1999- 2022. 2022 GEICO. 21_633312129 more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_633312129 more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_633312129

Jerry Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español! Coker 713-224-3426 ¡Hablamos Español!

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SPRING KLEIN EDITION • APRIL 2023