Dining
BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
The original Katy location opened in 2021 followed by another in Houston’s West University area in mid-2025.
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1420 S. Mason Road, Ste. 110, Katy www.dukes-tx.com
The original Papebowl , with plantains, meat, black beans and cheese are o ered for $11.99.
PHOTOS COURTESY DUKES VENEZUELAN FOOD
Dukes Venezuelan Food serves national avors, family history With the goal of owning a national franchise, co-owner Fabian Duque said the opening of Dukes Venezuelan Food was not only a business decision but also a way to share his culture. “For me, this isn’t just a business; it’s a way to share who we are,” he said. “I want people to experience Venezuelan cuisine the way we
experienced it at home.” The backstory
adjusting certain elements to t the expectations and pace of the Houston food market. The menu options include: • Arepas with 15 di erent meat and plantain options mixed with Gouda cheese • Cachapas, or traditional corn pancakes • Pabebowls, which are deconstructed arepas • Burgers • Pepitos, or street-style sandwiches Duque said the restaurant has received support from customers of various cultural backgrounds, including Mexican, Central American and Ameri- can diners.
The journey to founding Dukes can be traced back 50 years when Duque’s family, who were Colombian immigrants in Venezuela, began selling arepas, which became very popular, he said. Duque said food has always been part of his family’s livelihood in Venezuela, which in uenced his decision to continue that tradition in the United States. What’s on the menu Duque said creating the menu involved nding ways to represent Venezuelan cuisine, while
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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION
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