Juana's Venezuelan Cuisine

Why isn’t this place open later than 3pm? It’s amazing. The food is perfect - we had a bowl, a criollo, and tried two of the pastelitos. All delicious. I am so full I need a nap.

Service is always friendly and patient, food always hits, portions are great, and has a nice cozy vibe inside. I got the Reina Pepiada veggie plate (Chicken salad with avocado), Arepas, & Tamarindo drink, all really nice and refreshing on a warmer day. Everything is good though, I love that their dishes are fresh and flavorful without being greasy. Highly recommend!!

Beautiful and cozy place, the women were very welcoming & made me feel at home. The food was delicious, I definitely recommend this spot.

Stopped in for lunch on Saturday between We Are weekend events. Have always wanted to try but hours are a bit inconvenient for us. The arepas are delicious. They’re way bigger than we’ve had at other restaurants before. Wife and I split two Pabellon arepas, one pork and one chicken (they didn’t have the beef today). The combo of the stewed meat, queso fresco, and black beans was fantastic, and I loved finding the sweet plantain chunks in it. Like I said, HUGE. They also came out piping hot and almost impossible to try to pick up as a sandwich. Probably why there’s a knife and fork provided with each. One daughter inhaled the Catira arepa, which is their chicken and cheddar cheese. Other daughter similarly inhaled the Cachapa with chicken, which is kinda like a chicken and cheese quesadilla. They thoroughly enjoyed them! Definitely recommend. It is a small place, only a couple tables. We were the only customers while we were there, but it’s also the offseason. I presume they do a strong takeout business.

What a gem of a place!!! Love the atmosphere and the food. The lady at the counter was patient and friendly and helped me selecting my food. It was my first time having Venezuelan food and enjoyed it. Will be back again.

One of the best restaurants in State College - and I tried almost all of them while I was a student! Pabellón arepas are obviously amazing and the tequeños are delicious with the garlic sauce. I make a point to stop here every time I’m back in town!

Top notch on everything - Food, Service, and Atmosphere are all incredible at Juana's. Thank you to the family for a wonderful pabellón arepa and an experience I won't forget. Don't skip Juana's while you're in town. Truly a special place.

Juana's is a lovely small restaurant that serves great, filling comfort food. The beans are cooked and seasoned perfectly and the setting is cozy with a warm and friendly staff.

Juana's is Venezuelan cuisine made locally in State College, PA. The Owner's promote the food as being made with locally sourced and fresh ingredients. I don't have any experience with Venezuelan cuisine but I do love good food. The place is in a small room near the MLK Plaza and Fraser Street. There's several tables inside that seat anywhere from 2 to 6 people. There's a parking garage nearby or it's within walking distance of the PSU campus. I ordered a papellon with pork stew. It came wrapped in aluminum and had a corn based shell (arepa). The stew had pork, beans, veggies, potato, etc. I was given a side of white sauce in a cup. I added it all together and mixed it up. Everything was fresh and delicious. Pricing is around $12-$15 per dish which is in-line with most similar places in the area. Overall - it was a great visit and I hope to visit again in the future!

Good food, I'm Venezuelan and this is the only authentic place in state college. The service is good and it's got a nice ambiance. Could have more variety, empanadas for example would be a nice addition. The menu is limited, but they're good at what they do.

Absolutely delicious, great atmosphere and even better smiles from staff. You have got to try this place if you're in the area. Beautiful music that was just load enough to keep conversations more private but without having to raise your voice to hear one another. Thank you for a great lunch experience!

Tl;dr good restaurant but two stars removed for cost and small restaurant size. I've been to Juana's 2-3 times and think I have a pretty good feel for it now. All of my visits have been take out of some kind, either to bring home and eat or to just eat in the MLK square just outside the restaurant. The actual indoor vibe is ok but it's TINY and better suited for a solo lunch than with a group of friends (as in, there is truly not enough space). The food itself is good but IMO overpriced. I've only had the arepas and they're good, I enjoy them and they're fair sized but the $12-$13 per arepa is kind of a lot for the amount anyway when I could get a plain deli sandwich for half the price and twice the size. But of course that's a different meal experience. I have gone a few times now to support their small business and because it's a convenient little location especially for a quick outdoor meal in the square. The service has always been very nice too. They have lots of menu options but I haven't tried more than arepas because of the cost and my grad student budget discouraged me being too wild with sides or risking it with things I may not like. But if you're in town and looking for a tasty bite to eat and are ok spending a little more for lunch (though still average cost for state college), Juana's is a great place to go!

Juana's has amazing food, including the gluten-free and dairy-free options. Staff is super friendly, and if you get your order to go, it reheats well. Indoor and outdoor seating are nice, the TV is always showing amazing music videos, and there's a bathroom, if needed. When I'm visiting State College I literally get food at Juana's 2-3 times per day. Highly recommended!

Tiny Venezuelan restaurant with 5 or so tables. Order food from friendly staff. Hubby had a beef arepa and I had the Rumbera Arepa (bbq pork) with Cocadd (coconut milk beverage) that they call a milkshake. $40 (includes tip) seemed a bit overpriced for lunch. We were quite filled from the lunch.

OUTSTANDING arepas! Did an advanced order on line -- super easy process. Everything was ready for pickup -- with plenty of utensils and napkins -- order was perfection! Love that they label everything so clearly. Very friendly vibe inside too! The pork was killer! Black beans delightful! Cannot wait to come back!

I just saw the article and send best wishes to you folks. Will be in soon. My concern is the multiple Styrofoam containers. I am guessing you don't have room to wash dishes. My hearty suggestion: stop using Styrofoam (can't be recycled, goes to landfill) and replace with white plastic containers (recyclable, but black are NOT recyclable containers). It is so important. And you'll probably gain customers who feel the same.

I loved my visit at Juana's. The staff were all super friendly and very personable. I stopped in for a quick bite and decided to get the pastelitos and cheese arepa. I can say that I'm usually a hard critic when it comes to Latinx food as I am a Latina myself and usually feel like my food is the best lol but I can honestly say Juana's pastelitos are literally THE BEST I've had in a while. I had the chicken pastelitos and the chicken was nice and juicy. The dough was nice and crisp and had a good bite to it. Yum this was my first time trying an arepa so I started basic; however, it was nice and tasty! I only wished that the cheese was a little more melted. Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Juana's. I will definitely be stopping by next time I'm in town visiting Penn State!

Solid water. There is a clear water dispenser in the restaurant for unlimited water. The only downside is the cups are small.

I can confidently say this is a 5 star establishment. Today I went around downtown, and I happened to go past Juana's. I decided to go in, not really knowing what to expect. When I went in I had no idea what to get, not too many options about honestly the perfect amount. I asked an employee what should I get and she explained everything. Everything I ate was amazing, but the best thing was the rice drink with cinnamon. The BEST thing I have ever drank. The place is inexpensive, very tasty, and an overall great experience. Very nice people, make sure to leave them a big tip. Would definitely recommend!

I came here during a visit to penn state & I was blown away! Delicious place with vibrant decor. It's a little hard to find but it's there. The owners are so friendly and welcoming. I had the arepa "Syrina" and the arepa "Perico". Arepa perico was delicious, the scrambled eggs were great and for those cheesy lovers, it's cheesy! The "syrina" was great too. It had avocado, meat, and cheese. Everything was so delicious and the meat was fresh and deliciously seasoned. I also had a coconut milkshake and WOW. It was fantastic. It was soft and creamy. Not so sweet but sweet enough. 5/5 to this place.. I will be back again!

Their canosa arepas are the best ever! Venezuelan cuisine is some of my favorite and this place does not disappoint. They pack the arepas with filling and it's seriously so delicious. Limited hours which is hard to get sometimes but it's totally worth it!

Delicious but a touch hard to find. Another review had a picture with arrows in it, so we did find it. It's between the garage on the right and the little string of stores on the right. Delicious food! Lots of good choices. Their coconut drink, it will keep you coming back!! Creamy, almost a coconut smoothie. Yummy!!

This is a unique little spot amongst the bustle of downtown SC. This was my first (and only) time I have had Venezuelan food, so I don't have a ton of experience but I thought the food here was great. It is always fun to try something new and different than what is in the area, this is a great place to do so. Well worth a try, would come again.

Everything was made rather quickly and was absolutely delicious. I expect this location to either eventually relocate to a larger establishment or start having a waiting list, it's that good. Very friendly staff. Will definitely return

Juana's is an absolute gem!! I had their carita tacucho with sun dried tomato basil and garlic sauce along with tequeños. Easy to order, easy pick up, and tasting it simply brought a smile to my face. The flavors were perfect and the warm tequeños felt heavenly. Juana's is one of my absolute favorite spots and I would highly recommend. I've been there before and have yet to not be blown away.

This is place has been consistently lives up to my family's expectations with the high quality of food and customer service. The arepas are filling and I was pleasantly surprised to see they added new menu items despite the pandemic. Super satisfying and the customer service is just exceptional. Will be coming back again and again.

Friendly staff. Small indoor seating options, but also plenty of tables to eat outside in the courtyard. Excellent empanadas. We shared a pork and a seafood salad. Both sauces on the side were tasty. We had a hot sauce and a garlic. Highly recommended.

Amazing food amazing service. I went with a party of 5 and some had diet restrictions. They were very knowledgeable about our food restrictions flexible and accommodating. Everyone was warm polite and very pleasant. The food was incredible the restaurant is a cozy hidden gem. Thank you for the amazing experience service and food.

This place is definitely worth a try! I wanted something different and actually fresh, compared to a lot of the crap we get at State College. I ordered the beef Pabellon and it was very tasty. Keep in mind that the bread she uses is very sweet so it's a lot sweeter than salty. I will definitely go back and try some of her more savory options. Getting to this place is a little tough. I suggest going to Duck Donuts and then continuing to walk through the alley on your right and you'll see her place.

I absolutely adore Juana's. I found this place on a whim when looking for a restaurant for my friend and I to stop at on a day trip to SC. The menu spoke for itself so we decided to try, and we're so glad we did. We both went in not knowing what we wanted, my friend has never had arepas before so she really went in blind, and we both loved everything. I ordered a side of the sweet plantains because I wasn't sure how filling the single arepa order would be - I was wrong! We were so stuffed in the best way. I had sauce running down my arm by the end of it, and that's a good sign to me :) Can't wait to return.

Our meal at Juana's was excellent! I wasn't sure about seating but there are a few inside tables available. The inside dining was very nice. Our meals were available quickly and the staff was very friendly! Thank you!

Went to grab dinner quickly tonight from Juana's. Adi, the owner was so helpful and welcoming. We enjoyed the Pabellón. Just one is enough to fill your stomach, however when you combine the flavors from the beef, the plantains and queso fresco, you're going to want a second!!!! Delicious cuisine, friendly, kind people and clean, newly renovated atmosphere. Oh, and try the cocada. If you've never had cocada, it's a tropical coconut drink, sure to make your tastebuds dance and sing!

This place is awesome! Family owned, authentic Venezuelan food. We had a delicious lunch... highly recommend!!

Juana's is a welcome addition to the State College food ecosystem. I tried the arepas in December at a catered event and finally made my way to their location tucked away at the back of MLK across from the Target (and next to the big parking garage). It was icy out and I almost gave up but followed the Google maps pin drop and there I was. My eyes were bigger than my stomach: I ordered the pata pata (Arepa stuffed with cheese, black beans, avocado and platano maduro) and a glass of the Tres en Uno (Beet, carrot and orange) which was delicious. The arepa was super delicious and filling. I saved the cachapa for later and reheated it in the oven on a skillet. It was delectable. I look forward to my next trip to try out something else on the menu (another arepa and drink). I'm a fishatarian (mostly vegetarian) but there are options for everyone.

Most of the menu is gluten free and everything we had was delicious. Another commenter recommended the plantains with queso, so I got them and I'm so glad I did - they are delicious!

Tried Juana's for the first time and they definitely exceeded my expectations. I ordered the pastelitos (one pork, one beef) and while there were pricey the flavor was unreal. Every bite was a experience. I will 100% be returning to try their arepas and other authentic Venezuelan dishes.

Love love love this place - probably my favorite restaurant in State College. I always get the Campesina (plantains, avocado, and black beans) and typically spend half the time licking my fingers - it's messy but oh so good. These folks are really nice and make wonderful food.

Wow! Unique but kind of feels familiar, delicious, very very filling. Very generous servings! This place was hard to find, so I'll post pics of area. The first time we went, they were closed even though normal hours. I met the owner as we were leaving and she said they were so busy that day, they closed up; probably ran out of something? We went back today and i was glad we did! I got #6 which was a thick, almost taffy like cheese, plantains which gave mine a dessert flavor, avocado. Hubby got #2 and while salty, it was beefy and melty cheddar, yum! The place is around from Duck Donuts, in a small area between buildings. The owner is so pleasant. I think her business would increase a lot with a few simple things. Put a sign on Fraiser St just like Duck Donuts has..called a sandwich board I think...and one right outside your door. Also, consider a stand up counter along your wall to let people stand and eat. Also, I would probably put some music on that people hear outside - if you could funnel that sound outdoors that would be fantastic and draw people in.

I've walked past this place for months and finally decided to give them a try. Wish I gave them a shot sooner, the food was fantastic!

Food is awesome, but it took over an hour to get what is supposed to be fast food. The proprietors put love into their food but they may be in over their heads when it comes to running an efficient dining establishment. If they could professionalize their operation (I.e., give up the post it note system of taking orders, modernize the kitchen, and hire more employees) they'd rake in the money hand over fist. Until then, this will only be a late lunch fix for me, when the crowds are more manageable. Even then expect to wait 15-30 minutes.

I got the arepa #1 "Pabellon" which features; sweet plantains, beans, cheese and shredded beef. So flavorful! I've had the chance to visit South America (Cartagena and Bogota) and eat their arepas, and I must say I prefer these Venezuelan arepas because the thickness of the corn meal here is less filling and the contents are more apparent and enjoyable. It's not a sit down restaurant for the time being, so expect to take it to go. The owners were very personable and the service was quick. I'll be back to try the shark! I'd say the only negative is the location is a little side alley near duck donuts which is already in a weird place. But when you find it, you will be happy.

Delicious and friendly service with big servings. A hidden gem! We ordered out, but looks cute inside.

This is my favorite lunch place in State College, particularly when I'm craving more complex flavors than the burgers and fries that dominate this town. I'd recommend the #1 El Pabelon with shredded beef, a squirt of the spicy sauce, and a limonada. The sweet and savory combination of the plantains and corn with the meat and cheese is to die for. I dream of this food and it's hard to limit myself to one visit a week! Don't worry if it's your first time with Latin American food -- the Mom/Daughter team that runs the store will gladly guide you. The ambiance is also really cute with great music!

Back at Juanas after a month or so. I missed the flavors. This is a great spot for comfort food.

Got the #2 Pelua which was truly amazing! I loved that the chef makes sure to use fresh ingredients for every meal. Also, make sure you get an order of Tequeños, a fried-sweet cheese stick! If you're looking for a taste of genuine Venezuelan cuisine this is the place to go!

I had a chance to try this for the first time, had the pork stew number 15 or 16 in the menu, while I like the arepas and I am very supportive of the business since we need more of this in town, I have to say that the I have trouble with the meat, it was too salty. His is easily fixed and I hope the owner take this note in a good way.

I am in the area for a conference and stopped over for an early dinner (they do seem to close early). The staff was friendly and my order was waiting and ready by the time I got there. The arepa was delicious and loved the garlic sauce! Will come again if I'm back in the area!

Staff is warm and welcoming, location is cute and quiet, food is great at a fair price. Perfect local-owned spot for a quick bite!!! Something State College has been missing

Food was fantastic! Definitely different from anything you'll find in State College. I highly recommend the papelón con limón. And the service is friendly and welcoming. There is at least one other post written from 4/4/2019 (the same night I was there) about the slow service and I think it's worth mentioning that that night was a special fundraising event. There was a very large volume of people and they did everything they could to serve customers in a timely fashion. Ordinarily the food is fresh, made-to-order, and served very quickly. But, I would go back even with the longer wait.

Tasty arepas and tequeños, the staff is very friendly. If anything I'd like Jen to be open later and have a bigger space!

My family ordered a number of different arepas here for take out. They were absolutely delicious! I had the Caribeña Arepa and loved it! They were extremely filling, and could even get a second meal out of mine. They will also be my new go to for beet juice! Their customer service was also fantastic! Juana's is a great addition to the State College food scene!

WOW. What an amazing combination of flavors. Authentic food. Such a hidden gem in state College. Definitely will order again

I love these arepas. The beef stew was delicious and not heavy. It seemed really like s quick trip to Latin America. Highly recommended!

The food is so unique and delicious - I had never had Venezuelan cuisine before. I got the delicious, fresh arepas with beef stew, beans, cheese and plantains. The proprietors are super friendly and helpful with explaining the menu. Everything is made to order. Be aware that plantains make the food very sweet (and delicious)... but if you're not into sweet, just skip the plantains. Two thumbs up!!

Finally some Latino food in State College. Arepas come out boiling hot and fresh to death. Their shakes are amazing, especially la Cocada, a coconut milkshake that tastes like straight up condensed milk. It's amazing.

Excellent food and service. Definitely vegetarian friendly with lots of really cool options that you can't find anywhere else in the area. The shop is small and quaint and is the perfect place to sit down and share a meal with a couple of friends. Looking forward to my next visit.

This is a definite rare find and well worth the trip. We were here on our last day in state college, PA. And were looking for something new, and this hit the spot. We got there late and they had already been closed, but they opened up for us and sold us some arepas. This was my first time eating venezuelan food, and I have to say "Oh my god" it was decently priced, filling, fresh, hot. The food is properly seasoned and did not need any sauce at all, but they do have a garlic sauce that you can try which was also good. It was a little difficult to find since it was in the middle of a small outdoor suite of buildings. But no matter it was awesome.. I had a number 1, which was an arepa stuffed with lots of shredded pork, black beans, fresh crumble cheese, sweet plaintains.. It was salty, sweet, savory.. The flavors just kept hitting me.. You should go.. The owners are also very nice, and pleasant to speak with. Hispanic charm and love from the heart...