Photo credit: Josie Le Blanc

Sitting on a wooden table at Café Bolívar is a delicious meal consisting of three arepas, a “tropical cocktail” fruit juice and a bag of spicy plantain chips. After an exhausting day of school, this meal is sure to cheer me up.

Since I was little, Café Bolívar  has been a go-to lunch spot for my family and me. This café, on the corner of Ocean Park Boulevard and 18th Street, offers a myriad of snacks, sandwiches, coffees, pastries, juices and their specialty: arepas. An arepa is a traditionally Colombian and Venezuelan dish made of maize flatbread, stuffed with delicious combinations.

According to their website, the name Bolívar “pays homage to Simón Bolívar, who dreamed of the American continent as one nation through cultural integration.” This cafe uses this belief as its mission statement to promote inclusion and cultural diversity.

As a main course, the choice is clear: You have to order an arepa. After trying multiple different ones, I’ve found my two favorites. Firstly, black beans and white cheese. It’s a rich, but not overpowering, comforting combination. Secondly, the tuna arepa, to which I chose to add some avocado.

Although I understand why it is a beloved arepa, the Pacifico is not my favorite. A blend of the freshest, ripest mango I’ve had, creamy avocado and fluffy white cheese combines for a beautiful, acquired taste. I don’t love to mix sweet and savory together, so this one is not for me. The café offers other arepas, such as pulled pork, which is a great choice if you love meat and want protein.

If you thought these arepas couldn’t get any better, you haven’t tried their cilantro sauce. It’s a delicious, sour sauce which contributes juiciness to meats and adds extra flavor to beans and cheese. They also sell containers of sauce to go, which is incredible. I would marry this sauce if I could.

Not enough can be said about their homemade juices made from fresh fruit. They offer flavors such as passion fruit, orange, papaya and more. I have tried the tropical cocktail, in which I tasted a hint of carrot and orange, but my favorite juice is passion fruit due to the tangy sweetness. They also plan to offer homegrown energy drinks, which will be on the menu soon.

Each time I stop at Bolívar, I can’t help but buy some plantain chips. Although there are sweet and savory flavors, I highly recommend the spicy ones — a classic plantain chip with touches of chili and lemon.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Bolívar offered a helping hand in the kitchen at home with fresh meal prep, such as soups, taco-style meats and juices. Bolívar also offers gift cards as an easy way to share the cuisine with friends.

Bolívar is committed to their effect on the environment, customers and their workers. For example, they accommodate food to dietary needs, allow people to taste coffee, all arepas are made organically and their coffee is all fair trade and environmentally cultivated.

Although not a large well known franchise, if you’re craving some fresh-squeezed juice or are an arepa lover, then I recommend stopping by Café Bolívar.