BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant

Venezuelan restaurant · South East Ravenswood

BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant

Venezuelan restaurant · South East Ravenswood

5

1637 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

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BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by Kim Kovacik
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by @TheInfatuation
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by @TheInfatuation
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant by null

Highlights

Venezuelan eatery featuring authentic arepas, empanadas, & plantains  

Featured in The Infatuation
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1637 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613 Get directions

bienmesabechicago.com
@bienmesabechicago

$$$$$$ · Menu

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1637 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613 Get directions

+1 773 549 5538
bienmesabechicago.com
@bienmesabechicago

$$$$$$ · Menu

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dine in
takeout
wifi
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reservations

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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@infatuation

The Best Restaurants To BYOB In Chicago

"Bienmesabe is a casual BYOB Venezuelan restaurant in Ravenswood specializing in arepas. The value move here is to order arepas as your entree—we prefer the After Party (roasted pork, gouda cheese, and avocado slices). The pabellon (shredded flank steak over sweet plantains and rice) is also a standout, and the Bienmesabe Sampler is a heavy but tasty appetizer to share. Head to this spot if you’re already in the area with a bottle of wine and a gluten-free friend." - josh barnett, adrian kane, john ringor

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/byob-chicago-restaurants
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@infatuation

The Best Ravenswood Restaurants

"When a place is “good for everyone,” that can be code for “boring”. But that’s not the case with Bienmesabe, a Venezuelan restaurant with a long menu that pretty much guarantees everyone will find something they’ll like. This upbeat BYOB specializes in arepas (like roasted pork with gouda, or sweet plantains with avocado), along with steak and seafood dishes. Plus the patio lets you enjoy a tree-lined street without having to move out to the suburbs." - josh barnett, sam faye, adrian kane

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/ravenswood-restaurant-chicago
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@infatuation

The Best Takeout I Ate This Month, When I Could Only Eat Takeout

"Tropical Arepa I have a special relationship with arepas. The first time I ever had one was while working on a Venezuelan food truck after deciding to quit my marketing internship post-college graduation. During that time I made (and ate) hundreds, if not thousands, of arepas - so I know a good one when I bite into it. And the huge arepas at Bienmesabe are good ones. They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and stuffed with meat, handmade white cheese, and a variety of other delicious fillings. My favorite is the tropical arepa, which has shredded chicken, black beans, and plantains." - courtney sprewer

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/the-best-takeout-i-ate-this-month
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@infatuation

Bienmesabe - Review - Ravenswood - Chicago - The Infatuation

"Bienmesabe is a casual BYOB Venezuelan restaurant in Ravenswood specializing in arepas. The value move here is to order arepas as your entree—we prefer the After Party (roasted pork, gouda cheese, and avocado slices). The pabellon (shredded flank steak over sweet plantains and rice) is also a standout, and the Bienmesabe Sampler is a heavy but tasty appetizer to share. Head to this spot if you’re already in the area with a bottle of wine and a gluten-free friend." - Josh Barnett

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/reviews/bienmesabe
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@conniequest

Arepas! Do i need to say more?

Chicago
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Alex “Alekos S” Sanchez

Google
On this night, we decided to venture out to Ravenswood for some of the best Arepas know to man. I mean it! First, I want to say that I love this place. It’s simple yet elegant, cozy yet sophisticated, local yet worldly. You get it. You can dress up or show up casual, either way you’ll fit in. The staff is always friendly and welcoming and treat you as if you are their favorite customer. The place is small, but very well appointed and if you go to the back of the restaurant, there are lots of names of Venezuelans that you will recognize on the wall. But, let’s face it. We are here for the food. And what a delight it is!!!! We traveled all across the city to get here if that says anything. Well, let’s get this culinary party started! For appetizer we ordered the Rompe Colchon, it is a Venezuelan aphrodisiac ceviche served with plantain chips. SUPER fave! Fresh ingredients form a fresh and complex seafood experience that excites all of your senses! It is beautiful to look at and smells as incredible as it tastes! I could seriously order it as an appetizer and as an Arepa for a dish. But I didn’t because I had to try the rest of the lineup! We then deliberated long and hard and decided, we ate here for the Arepas, so Arepas it will be! We ordered the Tropical Arepa. It’s has Shredded chicken, sweet plantains, and black beans. It was simply delicious. We also ordered the 3 empanadas and they too were very delicious. Then there was the After Party Arepa, with its Roasted pork, Gouda cheese, and guasacaca. It was to DIE FOR! I mean it! We were sharing our Arepas and I thought she might die if she takes the other half! She was saved by the waitress bringing us the Chicha and my Mango Batido or blood would have been spilled! (JK! 😉) Oh… that Chicha was FIRE!!! Don’t even know what level or sorcery was used to create it but WOW! Plus I just think the name slaps. Chicha. Hehe. All in all, this place will continue to be one of our go to places due to the high quality of ingredients and food they present. Keep it up! And tell the Alex sent ya!

L Salgado

Google
12/15/2024 It’s a very good restaurant and I like it. The empanadas were delicious but one thing about them. I ordered the traditional empanadas and all the items came separately (one empanada was all cheese one was all chicken, and whatnot). I also like the mural on the wall because it’s very detailed and beautiful. Also the service was good since the guy was patient and it was fast (the service was very fast). Anyways five stars very good restaurant. Would definitely recommend.

Jessica McCloud

Google
The food was gobbled up too quick for me to get a proper photo so this is all I got but, if you like ribs—> GET THE RIB DINNER NOW!! I ordered to go and full Disclosure it has been since 2018 that I dined/ordered here because we moved away for a few years and I didn’t know they were still in business. Service was prompt and warm to help me ordering while they were in their busy dinner time with diners inside and outside. I tried to order quick (even though I wanted everything on the menu) stay out of the way because I know how busy that dinner time is. Ordered a cappuccino too- which was great and perfect for my Monday nightcap. My daughter and I shared this meal and it was more than enough for the two of us. The ribs were tender and fall off the bone so good. The sauce is on the sweeter side but that good Venezuelan vinegar addition balances out that sweet. Seriously so good. Just go try them. Excited to come back in and dine again now that we will be in the neighborhood once a week.

Yefer Corro

Google
BienMeSabe was exceptional during our visit to Chicago. As a group of friends; we have been traveling around the states and around the world together, and we always agreed or disagreed with our restaurant experiences primarily, and we all agreed with a positive vibe about this place. We showed up without notice or reservation, and our waitress Gaby was very friendly and resourceful about giving us travel suggestions in Chicago. The food was tasty and well seasoned, and all dishes were as expected and not complained at all. The price was reasonable, the area looks safe and there are plenty parking spots around the restaurant. They also have an outdoor area for dinning. We highly recommend this place, and if we will back to Chicago, we potentially will back again to BienMeSabe.

Tatiana Velandia

Google
I visited in search of familiar flavors and was delighted by my choice. The food, promptly prepared, was delicious, offering excellent value for the portion sizes. A highlight was their exceptional avocado sauce, which perfectly accentuated the South American tastes. While I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, the diverse menu options have piqued my curiosity for future visits. This place is definitely on my list for a fantastic Sunday outing!

Luke T

Google
Delicious authentic foods, friendly genuine service, and updated upbeat environment! I wish they open one in Vancouver! There is zero Venezuelan restaurants.

Patrick Cameron

Google
I really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was delicious and well presented. I just happened to stop in but I'm glad I did. I'll have to go back. It's a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. My waitress was patient and answered my questions as I decided which dish to order. Oh, let me not forget my coconut smoothie. Sweet with tiny pieces of coconut. I had to do it twice (ordered two). It was soooooo good. This restaurant is a treasure I think you'll enjoy.

Travis Truong

Google
The pabellón arepa was delicious and full of flavor. The cream-colored sauce added depth to the arepa. Overall, I enjoyed the food and the restaurant is nicely decorated.
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Sam L.

Yelp
Really nice space! Came on a saturday night with friends, we had a big group but still not too long of a wait. Good sized menu with lots of options for arepas. I ordered the pabellon arepa, it was around $16 or so but the portions were huge. Definitely filled me up and the flavor was delicious. Ordered the chicha rice smoothie and enjoyed that as well. Definitely would come again!
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Garrett M.

Yelp
The food is always fantastic, authentic, and fresh. Service is usually quick and friendly and the neighborhood can't be beat. We once had plans totally derailed following a reservation issue that still leaves a bad taste in our mouth, but as far as the quality of food and service go, it's really a great little spot in a neighborhood that's only getting more trendy by the year.
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Jordan F.

Yelp
I loved this place. I forgot to take pictures, but we had the after party arepa which was so juicy and delicious. The flavor was amazing. Also had the bochinche arepa which wasn't as good as the after party, but it was still good. The traditional patacon was a lot of flavorful meat. The plantain wasn't super crispy anymore, but I think that had more to do with the drive home than the cooking. We ended with the bienmesabe dessert which was a moist, silky coconut cake. It was so good I could have eaten 5 of them. I really want to go back and try some of the other arepas. As for the location, parking is a bit awkward in the area, but we did takeout so it was fine. They gave us an estimate of 20 minutes, and they were stapling the bag together as I walked in the door 18 minutes later.
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Margie T.

Yelp
Although we live about 14 miles away, we do try to go about every 2 months! If we have an establishment as such closer, I'd be there every week!! All they have to say is PLANTAINS!!! Plus, it's uncanny that the outer shell of the arepas is always sssooo crispy & moist at the same time! The beef is so flavorful, I can never get enough! While I habitually have arepas, my hubby prefers the burger & fries!! He says it tastes like an explosion of the Caribbean in his mouth! Service is great, although the staff's spoken English is really a hit or miss. Their accents may be a bit difficult to understand at times. They have an enclosed patio dining. The women's restroom is awfully small. Don't even think about going with a girlfriend! My personal preference to park is on Montrose closer to the school... no meter & a walk to digest dinner!!
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Wayne D.

Yelp
Kinda pricey Venezuela food but it's worth it First you just have to try the Bienmesabe. They name it after the restaurant for a reason. Such a fluffy, airy, coconuty treat. I love coconut so it's absolutely my favorite. Not too sweet with a mouthful of coconut chunks Bochinche arepa has lots of flavorful juicy sausage with crispy wrap. Great match After party arepa is ok. Lots of beef. Not as crispy as the Bochinche Patacon is huge. Lots of shredded meat as well. Fried plantain wrap makes a unique Venezuela sandwich. Gotta eat it fresh otherwise it'll get soggy
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Travis T.

Yelp
The pabellón arepa was delicious and full of flavor. The cream-colored sauce added depth to the arepa. Overall, I enjoyed the food and the restaurant is nicely decorated.
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Jose C.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try this place out for quite some time now. But perhaps I've waited too long to the point where their prices spiked up extremely high. I was shell shocked when I went online to place my order and noticed that arepas were $15-$17 each. That's honestly an outrageous price for such a dish. I even called the restaurant to see if it was cheaper to order in the store, to avoid online fees or whatever they want to charge extra for, but it's the exact same price. I bit the bullet anyways, but still regret it. We ordered their Tropical Arepa, Pabellon Arepa and their Pelua Arepa. $52 for 3 arepas just honestly seems like highway robbery in my opinion. They do however have a special on Wednesdays, where all their arepas are $10. Definitely a better deal, but I still don't see myself returning anytime soon. The arepas were good, but not $16 good. The best one being the Pabellon, which came with shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, and Caribbean cheese. The tropical came with shredded chicken, beans and cheese with no plantains and the Pelicans came with shrewd beef and Gouda cheese. It would have been 2 stars, but the food was at least decent. Sorry to sound like a cheap ass, but some places are hiking up prices like crazy and just using the pandemic as an excuse. There's other places that have increased their prices by a $1 or 2 over the course of a couple of years, but not by $5-6. Definitely don't see myself returning.
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Olivia R.

Yelp
I pass by this place so many time, i just didn't know what i was missing out on. Food was excellent! I had the Pabellon Arepa: Shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains, and Caribbean cheese all wrapped up in their traditional Venezuelan gluten-free corn flour bread. I added sautéed mushrooms and paired it with their house sauce which i forget the name. It was delicious! I ate all of it because i couldn't help myself although i should have stopped halfway. I also had the Cocada: Venezuelan coconut smoothie. A bit too sweet but still very tasty and refreshing. I came in after work with a coworker to catch up. We were there by ourselves inside but eventually another couple sat at another table. I took a star away because we had to flag down a camarero for anything (extra napkins, salt, extra sauce, more water) which half the things we asked for when we ordered. The place itself is beautiful. A whole wall covered in art. Very neat, modern and clean. Will definitely return since half their menu is GF!
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Hailey C.

Yelp
Words to describe: casual, delicious, fun, unique, creative, can't make at home, flavorful, veggie friendly. Highly recommend coming here- especially for arepa Wednesday! I got the tropical vegan which was really good especially when I added guasacaca sauce.
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Hilda S.

Yelp
Fantastic food and service! We ordered the seafood ceviche, tostones and burratta. Great appetizers to share with friends! My shrimp arepa was to excellent - so flavorful and filling. Everyone were very happy with their food choices. Service was excellent! Our server was friendly and attentive.
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Danielle P.

Yelp
Such an unassuming spot with bomb food! We came at an odd time in the day, it was 4pm and we needed an afternoon pick me up to hold us over to a wedding. We shared the caramelized beef arepa and coconut smoothie(!) - I don't know what they put in that smoothie, but it was the most refreshing, delicious drink I've had in awhile! The arepa contents were also notable - thick gooey cheese, perfectly grilled plantains and moist beef . Even for being an odd time, they were playing fun music and there were still a couple other people around. I wouldn't say you come for the scenery, you come for the food and it won't disappoint.
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Kate M.

Yelp
We had the loveliest dining experience at BienMeSabe, we are already planning a trip back! We arrived around 1pm and we're greeted by a cheery employee who seated us right away. ALL the servers we interacted with were extremely personable, friendly, and just so dang sweet. It really rounded out the perfect dining experience. Since it was afternoon, we went the lunch route, though they do have a delicious looking brunch menu. My husband ordered the Venezuelan lemonade to sip on and I went with a coconut smoothie. Oh my goodness, I can't decide which one was better, but I think it was mine. The lemonade was refreshing without being overly sweet. But the coconut smoothie was so creamy and made me feel like I was on a beach somewhere. We started with the shrimp tostones. The fried green plantains had the perfect crunch and all the flavors blended together perfectly. This got us SUPER excited for our arepas...and they did not let us down! I ordered the Llanera arepa which was complete with grilled steak, handmade cheese, pico de gallo, & avocado. This thing was STUFFED with flavor! The garlic sauce it was served with made it even better. Cannot wait to come back and try more items on the menu. Such a fantastic not so hidden gem!
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Khalil M.

Yelp
Truly delicious! The food was great! Just seasoned right and very generous portions! The fires with house made sauces was a great side! Service is so friendly, attentive, kind and quick
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Denisha B.

Yelp
Yummy arepas! They serve such a wide spread of delicious arepas! They all have such creative ingredients and flair. I ordered an original that has beef, plantains, beans and cheese. It is so delicious and huge! You will for sure have leftovers. It's one of my favorite spots to go in ravenswood to eat. I do think it's a bit pricey and they should include more with the dishes for the price point. However, it's so delicious and such a treat you forget about this and just indulge. There's a special they run where the arepas are discounted. It's kinda like an arepa happy hour! I would go back during those times for a discounted cost. :0)
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Laura C.

Yelp
I came here a couple of years ago, and even though the food was delicious, the service was horrible, so I never returned until yesterday. Our server, Nicolas, was amazing. He gave us the best recommendations. He was funny and caring. We had the papelon, which I consider quite a small drink for the price. The sample platter was delicious. I had the seafood soup (I forgot the name) 10/10. My family ordered arepas, and they loved them. Finally, Nicolas convinced us to get the almond cake for dessert, which did not disappoint. Very nice experience!

MJ M.

Yelp
My first Venezuelan food experience, and it was out of this WORLD!!! Outdoor seating, excellent service, and the most delicious food at this price point you could ever imagine. As an appetizer, we had the ROMPE COLCHÓN (Venezuelan aphrodisiac ceviche) and now we know why it's termed "aphrodisiac"... it was absolutely amazing. Shrimp, mussels, calamari ceviche with plantain chips...YES PLEASE. We both had signature Arepas, which were stuffed sandwiches in a tender cornbread pocket with an impossibly crispy, buttery top crust. Nothing like it I've ever had! And the cheese? A generous slab of their homemade cheese, similar to fresh mozzarella in taste and texture. MMM! This is a gluten-free diner's wonderland, as an aside. Many wheat-free options indicated by a symbol on the menu. We'll be back!
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Rahul S.

Yelp
LONG STORY SHORT I don't always eat Venezuelan food, but when I do, it's most certainly at BienMeSabé. There is definitely something here for everybody (and I mean everybody). SHORT STORY LONG I visited BienMeSabé on a weekday of a cold, wintery night. The vibes were good, the staff was attentive, greeted us within seconds and seated us. Given that we were new to the concept of Arepas and Venezuelan food, the server was accommodating and got us in contact with the best person on the job to help us - I have to say, this restaurant is a Chicago gem. Food is great and it's nice to switch it up from the rinse and repeat of weekly Italian, french, Mexican and other cuisines. Arepas are great, but if you really want a treat.. try their Tres Leches, it's the best one I've ever had!!! Pro tip: they are BYOB!!!
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Bianca R.

Yelp
Oh my god!!! How did I live around the corner from this place for years and never once stopped!?! I'm kicking myself!! Anyway the shrimp tostones are fire! Juicy, flavorful, tender! Highly recommend! The Mochima Arepa was another hit! I of course had to have more shrimp! To finish off we ordered some flan, mouthwatering! Their mango batido was great!
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Jessica J.

Yelp
This spot was A-OK! We were staying at our friend's place near by, and decided to walk over here for a quick dinner. Very cute and welcoming exterior and front patio. It's a parklet with a pergola wrapped in lovely flowers and plants, holding maybe 10 tables. The inside of the restaurant isn't as inviting, so we were happy to have been seated outdoors. Bienmesabe doesn't serve alcohol, as it's instead BYOB. Totally new concept to us out-of-towners, but I like it! Once we learned this, the server let us know there was a liquor store a few doors down and we could go grab and bring back anything we'd like. A shared bottle of wine was perfect. Lucky for us, it was Arepa Wednesday, meaning there was a discount on all of their signature arepas from 4pm-10pm. Since that's their specialty, we figured we had to go with it. I opted for the tropical arepa, which was stuffed with shredded chicken, sweet plantains and black beans. Overall I thought it was pretty good, and definitely plenty of food! Honestly I love most anything with plantains. My husband's arepa on the other hand, wasn't the greatest unfortunately. It was off-putting enough that he couldn't really eat it. He went with the bochinche, which is chorizo, handmade cheese, sweet plantains and avocado. The chorizo was pretty fatty and in massive sausage form, the cheese was one huge slab, and the avocado was also one big piece. Overall he just thought it was tough to eat and really lacked flavor. Instead, he feasted on the huge plate of fries we ordered on the side, that were paired with a few tasty dipping sauces. Can't say I'd rush back here for another arepa, but hey there's plenty more menu items to try!
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Keith F.

Yelp
This place was good. We started with the crab appetizer and cheese sticks. The crab was my favorite part of the entire meal. It was really flavorful and well seasoned. I would honestly come here just to eat these. The cheese sticks had a unique coating on them that was almost pastry like. They were ok. When I bit into my second one a stream of oil poured out and onto my clothes. The dipping sauces they came with were solid. I was kind of bummed that they messed my sandwich order up considerably. After waiting so long I didn't have it in me to send it back. It was supposed to be a dos queso with a side of the chicken and avocado salad. Instead they made me a chicken avocado sandwich with no salad on the side. The avocado slices on my plate were actually the avocado that was supposed to be on my nieces sandwich. The cheese they gave on the sandwich was also incorrect. Another highlight was the side of black beans. They had a great flavor and the serving size was generous.
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Julia D.

Yelp
The Pabellón was amazing!!! The perfect balance of sweet and savory between the meat and maduros.
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Kevin C.

Yelp
I've been to this place a couple of times and it was great both times. I tried a few different dishes and they were all excellent. I had the appetizer sampler the first time and came back for the empanadas - they are a must order! As for entrees, they are big enough to share so if you have a curious family or group, definitely plan on sharing your plate. The service is friendly and the music gives a great vibe along with the artwork. Standout entrees were the parilla and the pastillo de pescal (forgot to take a photo but it was my favorite.) Will definitely be back for another visit!
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Tina L.

Yelp
Although the arepas are the most popular item here, you can't dine without getting the ceviche. The ceviche here was one of the best I've ever had. Amazing flavor, very refreshing. I got the pabellon arepa as well. Honestly, I was expecting more flavor. The meat tasted like it wasn't seasoned at all. I will say that you get a ton of stuffing in the arepa though. Service was good enough. The ambiance is very casual.

Richard C.

Yelp
Deliciousness and Big Servings. Great service, Nicolas was supper friendly, and helped us with a great recommendation, the Llenera Arepa!!! Definitely give it a try. Great Patio too.
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Lisa C.

Yelp
I love this place so much. I'm usually good about taking pictures of my food before I eat it but this is one of the few places where I'm like...f*ck it! I'm not waiting! And just dig in. Their food is that glorious. Ive eaten inside and ordered from them and I always fall in love with their food again and again, every time I eat it. I love their arepas. I especially love their vegetarian options. Their marinated tofu is glorious, beans are delicious, and the plantains are spectacular. I highly recommend trying their Caribbean cheese and nata if dairy agrees with you. I would also like to note that Im a picky b*tch and I love how they have create your own arepas so I can make sure it has exactly what I want. They're also ridiculously consistent - which is rare for a restaurant during Covid. Highly, highly recommend giving them a try if you haven't yet. If you haven't, you're definitely missing out...
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Bessy T.

Yelp
. I can't believe we haven't been here before - got the arepa, caramelized asada negro, ceviche (not really raw seafood), tres leches cake, and chicha If you have a sweet tooth and LOVE all things horchata-like you HAVE TO get the chicha and tres leches cake. It's so good I wanna cry. It's like horchata on CRACK. So freaking good The meat was overall super tender . I wouldn't say it's the best meat I've had in my life but it's really good based on the same cuisine we had
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Abby F.

Yelp
This place is fire. Must try. Food is great. They have another location in the loop that is also great.
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Carly S.

Yelp
I love this spot! I haven't had Venezuelan food in so long and it was amazing. We stopped in for a quick lunch and it was so great. I got an arepa with beef, cheese and plantains and it was the most delicious thing. My mom got empanadas and there was a beef, a cheese, and a chicken - she loved them! The staff were super friendly and helpful. Can't wait to come back!
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Gyamfua G.

Yelp
My goal when I visit Gylani is to try out different neighborhood restaurants in walking distance. So today we tried Bien Me Sabe Venezuelan restaurant. Gylani started off with a Venezuelan hot chocolate..Soo good . Then for an appetizer we tried Tequenos which is a cheese wrapped in a croissant type dough and it came with two sauces...the white sauce was my favorite. For our main meal Gylani tried the Oriental Brunch which was a Cachapa stuffed with cheese topped with a sunny-side egg and avocado with a side of well seasoned shredded beef I ordered a gluten free churrasco arepa with steak and peppers cheese and a side of avocado Both were amazing and we were soo full!! The outdoor seating was beautiful and the service was attentive! I'm ready to come back and try more dishes!!

Frankie L.

Yelp
WOW - what an incredible meal. I went with a friend and we got the beef, chicken, and cheese empanadas, a shredded pork arepa, and the chicken patacon all to share. It was all incredible and we can't wait to go back and try everything on the menu! Our server's name was Pierina - so kind and sweet and great with recommendations and describing the food. She made our experience a 10/10!
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Yayo T.

Yelp
Bienmesabe, me sabe bien! The food is made fresh at the order. Their menu is Venezuelan, and the authenticity comes thru in every bite. The Arepas are delicious, and come out filled to the brim. The Pabellon is a traditional dish that has a beautiful presentation. They are BYOB, so this is a great place to fight inflation on the booze.
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Liza B.

Yelp
Fantastic Venezuelan food. Homemade arepas. Great coffee drinks. Good selection. Friendly staff. Street parking is usually easy but can be hard depending on time of day. Nice area to walk around. Close to shops. Not too far from the el.
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Ritti T.

Yelp
I've been ordering tres leches on Uber eats and I'm obsessed! It's just so flavorful. Whenever I get a dessert craving but don't want to leave the house this is the place I order from!
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Jeanne D.

Yelp
What a gem! We really enjoyed our dinner here. We started with the tostones - expected chips with dipping sauce and instead got beautiful plantain rounds topped with cheese and sauce. My husband ordered the pabellon arepa. I ordered the pabellon dinner. Ample portions and absolutely delicious! Lots of gluten-free menu options. Pleasant outdoor seating on the sidewalk with stringed lights. This would be a fun place for a casual date. Pleasant, attentive service. We'll be back to try more food.
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Alex C.

Yelp
The steak arepa was excellent and perfectly sized! Great and friendly table service. My first time at a Venezuelan place and it did not disappoint.
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June F.

Yelp
Came here on Weds. To meet someone for the first time. At first I was thinking... this place has zero atmosphere, why did they choose it. Then we saw the food being served. The empanadas were delicious And so was the chicken tostones ( hope I'm saying that correctly?) . Service was excellent Nd the place is super clean. It's a bit out of the way but I will definitely come back here. The prices were super cheap for what you get. It's off the beaten path but worth a trip!

Tony M.

Yelp
The portions got smaller and the prices are insane !! I had to get up 2 times to ask for a new drink since they take forever to come back to your table. They need to get new tables too, every single one is wobbly and uncomfortable to sit in.
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Kate O.

Yelp
This restaurant deserves 5 stars from the great food and friendly staff!! Must try the shrimp and steak dishes! Honestly, best shrimp and steak I've ever had. Bienmesabe you'll see me again! Oh and it's BYOB. Don't forget the boozes
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Tori Jill N.

Yelp
Really cute place! I went in with 0 expectations, and the food was great. The arepitas (tiny fried arepas) were fresh, hot, crunchy, and absolutely stuffed with fillings. I had the crab arepitas as well - OMG! I didn't expect to like them as much as I did, but the sweet crab and the hot crunchy arepa were heavenly together. The patacones were huge! I couldn't finish mine. The traditional reminded me a lot of a jibarito, and the maduros was soft and flavorful. The pabellon was tasty too, and presented really well. Overall, a lot of bang for your buck, and the menu is really helpful if you've got food allergies of any kind.
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C J.

Yelp
The food here is aweful. Spent nearly $80 for 2 Arepas, sampler platter, and dessert. The arepas had no flavor (no seasoning not even salt) so it was extremely disappointing to have ordered from here. The best thing was the sampler platter. I called the following day to speak to a manager and was advised the manager wasn't in however was offered to leave a message. When I agreed to do so I was hung up on. I would never order from here again. If you want amazing arepas please do yourself a favor and try "Rica Arepa".
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Jhoa L.

Yelp
This is my favorite Venezuelan Restaurant in Chicago. Being a Venezuelan myself I miss my Venezuelan food. This place is so authentic and the food is amazing. Every time I go I literally want to order everything I've had Cachapa, Arepas, Tostones and my favorite dessert (Torta Tres Leches). Definitely recommend this place!! I can't pick a favorite plate because I literally LOVE everything
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Amy K.

Yelp
Get something with homemade cheese. To die for!!! Byob so the bill doesn't scare you. Great place to take out of towners. They'll be impressed with you being in the know!
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Adriana R.

Yelp
It is always a pleasant experience to visit Bienmesabe . From the moment you enter the restaurant you feel at home. The staff is very friendly and the food is out of this world! . I can definitely recommend this restaurant without any hesitation!!!!
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Corissa F.

Yelp
Bienmesabe is easily one of my top five favorite restaurants in Chicago. The meals were so wholesome and I felt appropriately full and non lethargic. The sangria is best I've had. Not too sweet. Each meal was made with love and their dishes so well made. The steak was flavorful and juicy but still had a chew to it that made it the perfect texture. Already ate the leftovers as soon as we got home lol Can't wait to go back but stop at liquor store down the road for their BYOB
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Simran P.

Yelp
We had a reservation at 5:30 and were a party of 8. We ordered our food around 6 and didn't get our food until 7:30. We didn't understand why the food was taking so long since when we arrived at the place when it wasn't busy and only got busier closer to 7. The two dishes I tried were the Asado Negro and the Churrasco Arepa. The meat for both were over cooked and chewy. The Churrasco Arepa didn't really have any flavor. The wine sauce that came with the Asado Negro was amazing! This place does have amazing juices. These juices did not taste like processed fake fruit but very natural and tasty. Another thing to note is this place is byob so we brought rum and mixed it with their mango juice which turned to be a very delicious drink.
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Joy F.

Yelp
THIS is the place to go for a dine-in Venezuelan treat. I highly recommend that you try the 3 cheese version of the arepas if you are a cheese lover. We also got the appetizer sampler. I am a huge fan of the tres Leche dessert - save room! We will be back for sure. The server couldn't have been sweeter and was very helpful.
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Michael B.

Yelp
Excellent and popular spot for tasty delicious food and fun times. Great vibes, outdoor seating and friendly staff. Arepas are great and I'm told the chicken board is outstanding
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Lauren K.

Yelp
I could eat the tropical arepa every day for the rest of my life and it still wouldn't be enough! The plantains are perfectly soft yet have a crunch, the chicken is tender and seasoned perfectly, the black beans top it off perfectly. Also.. that aioli sauce is everything!! The fries were amazing and perfect to split with another person. The staff was friendly and the inside is casual modern. Love having lunch here!
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Oscar C.

Yelp
Delicious food and my favorite vegan arepa is offered here! The workers are a little aloof and not very friendly, but I've noticed this service at most Venezuelan restaurants. Go for the food! Not for the service! Whenever I order for pickup they seem bothered that I ordered online. Very strange place, but indeed the best Venezuelan food in the city!