Arepa de Queso Is Having Its Moment in Colombian Restaurants Across the U.S.
Orders for the cheese-filled arepa are up 30 percent since early July at Colombian eateries in Miami, New York and Los Angeles, food critics report.
The arepa de queso has become the dish of the summer at Colombian restaurants across the United States. Food critics tracking orders in Miami, New York and Los Angeles report a 30 percent jump in demand for the cheese-filled staple since the start of July, with many spots serving it alongside spicy ají and fresh avocado.
The trend reflects a broader appetite for authentic Colombian comfort food among both the diaspora and curious diners from outside the community. The arepa de queso, long a fixture of Colombian home kitchens and street stalls, is now finding its place on menus that are drawing wider attention.
The timing aligns with heightened visibility for Colombian culture in the United States, driven in part by the national team's run at the World Cup and the release of Karol G's new album. Restaurants in neighborhoods with large Colombian populations are reporting some of their busiest weeks of the year.
For many in the diaspora, the arepa de queso carries deep nostalgic weight. Seeing it trend in American food media is a point of pride, a sign that Colombian culinary identity is earning the recognition it has long deserved.
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Reportado por El Paisa, nuestro corresponsal colombiano.
