Quiero Arepas arrive on South Pearl Street this weekend | Eater Denver

"I'm reporting that a Venezuelan sandwich shop run by Igor and Beckie Panasewicz is opening a new location at 1859 S. Pearl St., taking over the former Makanspace, with a grand-opening celebration from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. The menu centers on arepas — cornmeal sandwiches made from ground maize dough — along with sides, salads, desserts, and a full liquor license. The reina arepa features zesty chicken salad with avocado mayonnaise and is named in honor of Susana Duijm, Miss World 1955; the arepa pabellón includes shredded beef, sweet plantains, black beans, and crumbled cheese, mirroring Venezuela’s national dish, pabellón criollo. El Caribe features salmon, while separate arepas highlight queso and plantains. All dishes are gluten-free. The opening coincides with the shop’s ninth year in business; the food truck will return to the streets this summer and the couple have signed on for a third year at Avanti. Igor Panasewicz was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, which inspired the food." - Susan Stapleton