El Rey de las Arepas
Venezuelan restaurant · Michigan-Martin
7701 McGraw Ave, Detroit, MI 48210
Highlights
Hearty Venezuelan sandwiches, savory arepas, and flavorful plantains.
Hearty Venezuelan sandwiches, savory arepas, and flavorful plantains.
"This family-owned Venezuelan restaurant has gained a following among locals and even a few Major League Baseball players for its arepas, wonderfully deep-fried maize cakes filled with everything from cheese to shredded beef to avocado. El Rey’s dishes including cilantro aioli and salsa rosa-slathered french fries are served in a casual atmosphere. Carryout and dine-in options are available." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Visit this Venezuelan restaurant in Southwest for arepas — corn dough patties that are split in half and filled with meats, cheese, and other toppings. A basic arepa goes for $6.99 and can be stuffed with shredded beef, pork, steak, or sausage." - Danny Palumbo
"Venezuelans also have their unique version of the tamal, known as the hallaca and for those ambitious folks hoping for a taste of them in Detroit, they can place a special order at El Rey de las Arepas during the holiday season. The hallacas here are available in beef, pork, or chicken that are combined with olives, raisins, capers, and onions, and wrapped in banana leaves that are tied neatly with string. A tray of hallacas, along with the spot’s signature arepas make for a holiday feast fit for any sized party. Fun fact: El Rey de las Arepas is also a favorite destination for the many Major League Baseball players who hail from Venezuela, including Miguel “Miggy” Cabrera, the Tigers’ legendary first baseman and designated hitter." - Serena Maria Daniels
"I enjoyed El Rey de las Arepas' arepas at the park—Venezuelan-style pockets filled with your choice of chicken or beef and served with garlic sauce—bringing a hometown favorite (noted as Miguel Cabrera’s favorite) to the ballgame." - Serena Maria Daniels
"A family-owned, casual Venezuelan eatery founded in 2014 by Jose and Ray Gutierrez that grew from the founders’ homemade arepas shared with teammates into a beloved destination for Venezuelans and MLB players. The restaurant has become a particular favorite of Miguel Cabrera and has partnered with him for a pop-up just outside Comerica Park during home games through October 1; the short-term space displays a timeline of Cabrera’s career and offers mini arepas stuffed with beef or chicken, sweet corn cachapas, fried plantains, and a passionfruit drink for $15. A portion of pop-up sales benefits the Miguel Cabrera Foundation to support youth sports facilities and education, and the business’s rise is credited to persistent self-promotion, word-of-mouth among baseball players, and strong ties to the Venezuelan community in southwest Detroit." - Serena Maria Daniels
