The Rise of Venezuelan Food in Austin

comida del coRazon

The Rise of Venezuelan Food in Austin

by Isa Matamoros

The Arepa Rey is one of the many arepas sold at the food truck, Reina Pepiada. Opened in 2018, the food truck aims to spread the Venezuelan cuisine in South Austin. Photo by Isa Matamoros

as many people may know, food trucks in Austin offer a variety of different cuisines. However, one South American cuisine has been on the rise lately, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Coming from the humble country of Venezuela, a number of people are opening business and sharing their delicious food with the Austin community. Venezuelan food was unheard of in Austin before the early 2010s. One would have to drive three hours to Houston, take a flight to Miami or travel across the Gulf of Mexico to reach it. That is, until Carmen Rojas decided to open Budare’s on Rainey St. Rojas immigrated from a country that had always had its fair share of emigrants looking for better opportunities in the United States. Many Venezuelans find themselves studying abroad in the US and staying after their graduation to join the workforce. Rojas is no stranger to this concept, for she studied a bachelor’s degree in art in Philadelphia. However, she realized that food was her passion, so she decided to open her food truck. At Budare’s, Rojas focuses on serving authentic meals to her customers. With recipes that are over 50 years old, tradition is a priority at Budare’s. “One of the things that has most set us apart from the other food trucks is keeping the same recipe,” Rojas said. “That’s the reason we have so many people coming back all the time. I have clients from 2011 who still come to Budare’s. I have people from Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio that call asking, ‘Are you going to be open, because we will be in the area?’ That says something.” With her recipes, she makes popular Venezuelan meals, one of those being tequeños. Tequeños are cheese sticks made from a melty Venezuelan cheese that is wrapped in dough and fried. Once cooked, it’s often served with a green, garlicky sauce. “One of the dishes that made us more known was the tequeños, the cheese sticks,” Rojas said. “In Venezuela, there is no party if there are no tequeños.” There also happens to be no party if there are no cachapas. Cachapas are crispy corn pancakes that are pan fried and often served with cheese. They are another popular dish in Venezuela, and Rojas is happy to serve them. “The most popular plate right now in Budares is the

cachapa and you know why? Because it’s unique in Austin,” Rojas said. “There aren’t any cachapas in other places in Austin, in those Venezuelan food trucks. For that reason, it’s popular.” Another typically popular dish is the arepas. An arepa is a type of bread made from cornmeal based flour and water. Once the dough is made, it is grilled or fried to perfection and then served or filled with meats, cheeses and vegetables. “My favorite plate from Budare’s is the arepa,” “In venezuela, Rojas said. “The arepa is theRe is very nutritious, gluten free, and that’s why I love it. It’s no PaRty iF very delicious.” The arepa also happens theRe aRe no to be the inspiration for tequeños.” the name of her food truck, Budare’s, because ‘budare’ -caRmen RoJas is the type of pan typically used to cook the arepa. “The indigenous people of Venezuela would use pieces of rock that they’d heat up to make arepas and cachapas, and those pieces of rock were called budares,” Rojas said. “Over time, they started to be made with clay and then metal in the end. It’s very similar to the comal from Mexico where they make tortillas.” Rojas is not the only food truck owner in Austin who enjoys making arepas. Maury Pacheco, owner of Reina Pepiada on West Oltorf St, also shares an affinity for the dish. She spends almost every day frying up arepas and serving them to her hungry customers. “Arepas are iconic,”

This sign is found on the side of the Aurora Venezuelan Food truck. It calls customers attention and shows that they sell a popular Venezuelan meal. Photo by Isa Matamoros

Pacheco said. “I try to differentiate my arepas though because almost nobody makes them fried, only grilled. So I add that different touch. Of course, I also give the client the grilled option, and if they want it, I make it grilled.” Pacheco has been operating Reina Pepiada for almost three years, and she shows no sign of stopping. With 21 traditional items on her menu, her goal is to serve the community of South Austin, an area that doesn’t have many Venezuelan food trucks. “I feel like I’m helping Americans learn about it more,” Pacheco said. “Everyone is learning about Venezuelan food.” One factor as to why there are so many

Americans learning about

Venezuelan food is the influx of Venezuelan immigrants coming to the United States.

Austin is no stranger to this immigration, as many Venezuelans find themselves moving to the capital of Texas. “It’s because it’s a city that has a lot of job opportunities, and the pay is good compared to Miami and other cities,” Pacheco said.

“I think it’s a very pretty city. I like Austin a lot.” The increase of the

Venezuelan population in Austin also provides business opportunities for these food truck owners because they have more people who know about their food and therefore, more customers. “It’s a good opportunity for us to keep growing. A lot of people coming here have been opening their own businesses in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, everywhere. It’s something beautiful that we’re growing in the Austin community,” Rojas said. While a large number of people coming to eat at these food trucks are Venezuelan, the food truck owners have also noticed there are people from outside that group coming to try their food, and they are grateful for it. “Austin’s population is very open to food trucks, trying new things and trying new foods,” Gabriela Davlla, owner of Aurora Venezuelan food, said. “They always like to innovate when it comes to the topic of food, so people adventure themselves to try new things when they see a Venezuelan food truck.” Davila opened her food truck and started serving Venezuelan food to the hungry shoppers at a popular Austin mall, The Domain. While serving delicious food will

always be a priority, Davila also values customer service, and she always tries to give her clients a good experience. “We try to give the client special treatment so that they feel like they are at home. We are not cold to people; we try to be friendly,” Davila said. Davila is also grateful for the advantages that come with having a food truck rather than a restaurant. “It doesn’t have as much complexity as a restaurant because obviously it’s a lot smaller,” Davila said. “You don’t have to manage employees or

“austin’s PoPulation is veRy oPen to Food tRucks, tRying new things and tRying new Foods” -gabRiela davila

waiters. You have to be very meticulous on the part of the rotation of the food, the costs, and the details of the kitchen but not as meticulous as a big restaurant. We’re not closed to the possibility of opening a restaurant, but that’s something that implicates a lot, so we’re still thinking.” Opening a restaurant is a big prize many of these owners have their eye on. It would be a big milestone for Venezuelans

in the Austin community since there is no brick and mortar that sells their food. However, the owners are still thankful for the opportunity they have to share their food with their new home. “Hopefully, in a future not too far away, we’ll be able to open a restaurant since we have grown so much from 2011 to 2021. It’s a very beautiful thing The Budare’s food truck sits on the 5000 Burnet Food truck lot on a sunny that people desire to afternoon. The truck is one of the many eat our food.” Rojas options of where to eat the increasingly popular Venezuelan cuisine. Photo by said. Isa Matamoros If you ever find yourself craving Venezuelan food from any of these food trucks, you can find Budare’s at 5000 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756, Reina Pepiada at 510 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704 and Aurora Venezuelan Food at 10901 Domain Dr, Austin, TX.

This graphic portrays the Austin skyline and with the Venezuelan flag in the background. It symbolizes how Venezuelan culture is becoming more known in Austin and how many Venzuelans are making Austin their new home. Graphic by Isa Matamoros