Little Chango

Ate here a few years ago and still think about it often. Best arepas I’ve ever had and it’s not even close. Specifically had the Chorizo Arepa, Ropa Vieja Arepa, and Pork Shoulder Adobo Style Arepa. Chorizo was good but the Ropa Vieja and Adobo Pork Shoulder Arepas were insane. Place is super small but has a nice little patio. Can’t wait to eat here again the next time I’m in town!

We had been wanting to try this place for quite a while, and it did not disappoint! Growing up in South Florida, it's hard to find good authentic Hispanic food in the mountains, but this checked all the boxes. The only thing that didn't hit right was the black tea with lemonade from a can, but everything else was spectacular!

If you want a family friendly atmosphere, amazing food than this is the place you want to be. It's not a huge place, but the food is worth waiting for. The owner goes above and beyond to make you feel right at home. My family and I were honored to have had the chance to eat here. Wish we would have found it sooner on our trip. Definitely will return next year.

Visited on my most recent trip to Asheville and was probably one of the best meals on the trip. We got a variety of different arepas(including a vegetarian), yucca fries and corn fritters. The yucca fries were by far my favorite of the sides, the vegetarian arepa was delicious but would have been a little elevated by a crunchy element. My sister got the Ropa Vieja and thought it was delish but would have liked a fresh element to top the dish like cabbage. The Pernil arepa was also a favorite but a little more sauce on the top would have put the dish over the top! Overall, definitely worth a trip but don’t be surprised if you have to wait a couple minutes for a seat as there is limited seating inside. Service was great and they were very attentive.

This place was very good, the food was nice and the service excelent. You have to try the coconut flan. It's the best one I've ever had. The parking spot is small and the restaurant too, but they have an outdoor seating area which is great. The prices are very accesible and the food was fresh. Coffee was good, too. It is food from the Caribbean that is very tasty.

Had the Pernil Arepa and Yuca Fries — both were perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. My friends had the Ropa Vieja and Chorizo Arepas and were just as impressed. Can’t believe it took me this long to check this place out. Everything hit. New favorite for sure.

Great gem! We were looking for something that could deliver on flavor and a space we could enjoy. We definitely struck gold here. The Arepas were spot on and incredibly flavorful. At first, I didn't think one would be sufficient, but it definitely hit the spot. Plus, their outdoor seating worked perfectly on this day where the weather was perfect, too. The only warning is if you have a large party, you'll have some difficulty getting a seat when it's busy. .

A new gem in central Asheville! Perfect for a casual lunch with friends. Loved everything served, including the flavorful hibiscus tea.

Amazing food and service at Little Chango. Fresh, tasty and new flavors. The lunch box is perfect for sampling a little bit of everything. Don't pass on the yuca fries!

Little Chango lived up to its 5 star ratings! It is an impressive little unassuming restaurant in South Slope. You order at the counter and food is brought out to you . There are only 4-5 picnic tables outside, and a few stools inside. We were fortunate to grab the last table. The main food is Arepas. We each ordered one , with side of rice and beans , amarillo and salad. We had the Rojo Vieja and Pernil Arepas. The Arepas were amazing. The meats were tender and flavorful . The toppings were full of flavor with the right about of spice. The plantations were so good , and so sweet! When we are back in Asheville, I would definately return,

Little Chango is absolutely AMAZING! I happened to be at the Sports Club across the street and wanted a quick bite to eat, so Little Chango it was! The arepas are insanely good. The dough was pillowy and light, and instead of the filling being inside, they put it on top. The arepa was almost more like a sope, but nevertheless it was amazing. Not only was the food great at this cute, little place, but the service was also so sweet. We were accidentally given someone else's order, but we came back and they quickly corrected it. Really, really great experience! I will absolutely be back next time I'm in Asheville!

A great find in the South Slope of Asheville! While touring the craft beverage places in this section of Asheville and started looking for a place to grab a bite. After looking at the menu and smelling the delicious aromas coming out the door we knew we found our place. Orders are placed at the counter, have a seat outside, and they will bring you your food. There are a few stools at the bar inside, but no other seating. Service was friendly and prompt. Be prepared for your order to take a bit as they are making items as they are ordered to keep things fresh and hot. The menu focuses on Arepas and Latin American food. We ordered the Pernil and the Ropa Vieja Arepas with a side of yuca fries. These were the best Arepas and yuca I have ever eaten! Prices were very reasonable. I highly recommend this as a tasty stop on the South Slope trail.

This place is AMAZING. I have told a few people about who also happen to love it too. Everything I have tried here was fantastic. Service is always great. A must stop when in AVL.

Limited menu but food was amazing! Had the ropa vieja on a arepa con queso and yuca fries. All fresh and again delicious. Mostly outdoor with a few indoor counter top seats which made it more personal with owner who was eager to please. Highly recommend.

Little Chango is a "Hispanic Craft Kitchen" serving traditional foods elevated by gourmet touches. Ingredients are vibrant and fresh. My Jibara Arepa was both a work of art, and a scrumptious eat, with contrasting but harmonious, vivacious components. Service was great. Can't wait to go back.

I insist on going here every time I come to Asheville to visit my sister, not that I have to twist her arm. It is just fresh, affordable, cooked perfectly latin food. I like to say I was a Dominican in my last life and the pernil takes me back there We always get the Loncheras because it is really is the perfect plate IMO. I would go there just for a beer and their tostones ‍

I'm glad I finally spotted at Little Chango for lunch! What a little gem this place is. They have a small but mighty menu and their own parking lot. And in true for have a nice selection of local beer. I got the pork arepa and rice and beans. It was so tasty and served fast and hot. I'll be back for lunch again for sure.

Great food and wonderful service. We wanted draft beers from Twin Leaf next door, so it's great that you can order your food here and they'll bring it to you over at Twin Leaf. Never had arepas before so I can't compare them to a baseline, but based on the taste of these alone, they were very good. We had the chicken tinga and ropa vieja. Both proteins were tender and well seasoned. The underlying bread was very tasty. The other ingredients they layer onto the bread along with the proteins worked very well together. Lots of layers of tastes, all good. We also had an order of the yucca fries. Again, something I've never had before. All I can say is potato-based fries have some real competition from these. Super good just on their own, but whatever is in the so-called "fancy pink sauce" served as a condiment took them to the next level even. We'll definitely go back. For that matter, I can imagine just stopping by sometime to get just the fries and a beer from next door for an afternoon snack!

Delightful food! Our family needs to eat GF because of celiac and this is a totally GF restaurant (with the exception of the beer). Highly recommend!

This spot needs way more attention! I never eat spanish food outside of my house because I'm so picky. This spot was pretty good though! We sat at the bar. The counter tops are very nice and everything still looks very new. The only seating inside is at the bar otherwise there is seating outdoors. I don't know how enjoyable that will be in the winter but during the warmer months it works. The women behind the counter was very nice! We ordered 2 Arepas: Ropa Vieja and the Chorizo. We ordered some sides as well: Tostones, Amarillos, and Mamposteao. The arepas were pretty dense than what I'm used to but very flavorful. Everything was made to order. The tostones were a little over done, the oil was probably too hot but the pink sauce balanced it out. The rice and beans were okay. The chorizo arepa was very flavorful the chimichurri sauce was delicious i wish I had more! They also have local hot sauce available to add on, I tried them and it was a nice addition to my arepa. It was nice that they supported another local business. They sold the hot sauce as well. It was a little hot inside the restaurant and I wasn't drinking and I'm usually always cold. The kitchen is pretty close to the bar seating and its an entirely open space so that's probably why. Overall it was an enjoyable meal! We ate everything and had no leftovers. I would recommend ordering either 2 arepas or an arepa with a few sides.

Great newish business on the south slope. We like the simple menu and the young woman who greeted us. The place is small, perhaps I should say intimate, with a nice patio. The patio has some accomodations for wheelchair access. Three of us had the chicken salad and really liked it. They have Asheville-made sodas, beer, and hard seltzer. We wish we had gotten to the flan. Hurray! There are no products in the kitchen that contain gluten. Love it. Love it. Love it.

We traveled from San Diego to visit our friends in Asheville. They made sure this was on our list of places to try. They did not disappoint! The Ropa Vieja lonchera was packed with so much flavor. Yuca fries are a must! And, the chorizo arepa is also an item you should not miss out on. No food pics because we savored every bite! We hope to visit this one-of-kind destination again in the future!

Go here, this place is just great, the staff is very nice and they make good recommendations. The areapas are just fantastic, the ropa vieja is just something else. You really need to try it, it's really just one of my favorite things I've eaten downtown. Give these people your business, they do a great job.

Small restaurant that packs a punch! While the arepas are certainly thicker and denser than most, the proteins are where the flavor is. I enjoyed a chicken salad arepa, yucca fries and rice and beans. My husband hand the lonchera ropa vieja (flank steak). Both were well-prepared, flavored and the perfect balance of spice, acid and fat. Since you could only order the chicken salad on an arepa, that's what I got and the fresh hits of lime, avocado and tender chicken were on point! Yuca fries had the perfect level of crispiness and starchy inside, while the pink sauce was the bomb. Ropa vieja was savory and the escabeche salad with cabbage, pickled onions and sweet plantains were divine! The rice and beans - yum, yum, yum! I could eat a bowl of it as an entree! They get busy and it can seem a little chaotic, but so worth it! Top of the list here in Asheville. Go now.

When I talk about good arepas in Asheville, this is my only recommendation. This quaint place offers up arepas like you e never had before and the staff here is super friendly. The Rosa Vieja falls apart and the fried plantains are something to call home about. You've definitely gotta try this place!

Tiny little six stool spot with super trendy decor I love the crows that are throughout. Service was very friendly and fast. I am in love with the food. I'm a big arepa fan and these were everything I would hope for in an arepa. I got the ropa Veja and it was big enough to have half left over to turn into a scramble the next day. I highly recommend this spot for a quick lunch or a light dinner. I will absolutely be back to try the rest of the menu.

Excellent lunch spot! The yucca fries were interesting and delicious. The arepas were perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Everything was very good. Service was great too! This is definitely one of my new faves!

Had the beef arepa and it was amazing. Added the yuca fries for a side. Yummy. I will go back

I'm visiting my son & his wife in Asheville, & it's time to take on the outrageously great food scene here. We went to Little Chango & loved it. I ordered a chorizo arepa. The flavors were bold & fulfilling. The arepa base was light & moist. The chorizo was abundant & delicious. To complement the chorizo, there were tomatoes, onions, Oaxaca cheese, & a chimichurri sauce all making for perfect toppings. My only regret is that I didn't order two. The restaurant is small & outdoor seating is limited. But don't let the size deter you. Little Chango provides Big Flavor.

This is one of the top 3 best-tasting meals I have had in Asheville. We had the pork shoulder and the vegetarian arepas with the mamposteao and tostones. The arepas aren't huge but are dense and surprisingly filling. The tostones were tasty with a delicious dipping sauce. For the size of the business I think the food selection was appropriate, and having 7 different beers on tap was ample. Some crazy varieties, like a chai latte brown, pineapple vanilla sour, and even a hard kombucha.

Just an update, as we visited last night and experienced the same excellent service and food! We ordered the pork shoulder, shredded beef, and chorizo arepas, also yucca fries, sweet plantains, and rice and beans. Everything was sublime, but a special nod to the chorizo! If you've ever been to Scotland or are a fan of black pudding, the flavor in the chorizo will be reminiscent of that! It was amazing and a pleasant surprise as black pudding is one of my favorites! Though everything was thoroughly enjoyed by our party of 3, that was the big hit of the evening! Local brews and drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere make Little Chango one of our favorite places! We'll definitely be back and hope to sooner rather than later!

Unbelievably amazing. What a gem in Asheville. One of the best meals I've had in North Carolina. 5 Stars is not enough to describe. Thank you!

A beautiful Cuban-Venezuelan fusion!! Really freshly done food. I can tell when Yucca fries aren't fresh and these ARE FRESH! Ropa vieja is my favorite Cuban dish and theirs delivers all the flavors it should Perfect size portions packed with protein! leaves you full but not uncomfortable. So happy we stopped in on our way out of Asheville and I highly recommend you do too!!

Absolutely delicious! My partner hasn't stopped talking about since we left. Planning on heading over for lunch tomorrow or the next day. I enjoyed the thickness and texture of the arepas. The meat is so damn good and the escabeche salad was flavorful. The staff is kind. The space was busy but it was a great environment to be in. Oh and the flan ?? Wow.

Stumbling around through scores of restaurants closed early for the holidays, I found this little one just wrapping up business for the day. Their main offering is arepas, corn-based sandwiches that are a novelty in Asheville and a welcome newcomer. In addition, plantains and yucca are available, so you've got a variety of starch options and I can't imagine there's much gluten. Their vegetarian arepa has a tasty bean spread, avocado, a few freshly fried plantains, and some crumbled cheese for an exciting flavor blend. My yuca frita were a bit tough in parts (often true of yuca in my experience), but whatever that pink sauce is, it's delicious. There are a couple of outdoor tables, and while it's walkable from the restaurant-heavy main stretch, it's a quieter setting and a different type of food.

Tonight we picked up dinner to go from the new spot on Coxe called Little Chango (chango is Spanish in a few Latin countries for the grackle bird, monkey in others, and it has other meanings as well). From the very limited menu, we ordered the ropa de viejo ($11), shredded flank steak on top of an arepa (a corn taco-like standard made from thick maize dough and popular in parts of South and Central America, Cuba and elsewhere), with a few fried sweet plantains; pernil ($10), shredded pork shoulder, cabbage and a sauce; yuca fries ($3.50) with pink "fancy sauce" (tastes like mayo with a little Thousand Island dressing); and flan ($5), which was different than what I've had before, thin with a coconut cardamom custard. The portions are not large, and normally I would say prices are a little high for the fairly small portions you get, but then I paid nearly $7 for two double cheeseburgers and a small fries yesterday at McDonald's, almost double the pre-pandemic price. I'm not as enthusiastic about Chango as some are, but I thought the ropa de viejo was excellent, better than at Hemingway's. We have our favorite Cuban places in Tampa when we go for spring training, and it's nice to have another Cuban/Latin American choice in Asheville. Hope they make it. The parking here is problematic, although in theory one can park in the little lot next door, pop in for pick up and just not pay $3 for a 5-minute stop. It is located in the little building on Coxe that housed The Filling Station branch of the Bryson City sandwich shop that opened and then closed during the early days of the pandemic. It's mostly takeout, though they have about five or six stools at a counter and in good weather a few seats outside. I do think their slogan -- "GREGARIOUS BY NATURE GLUTTONOUS BY CHOICE" -- is odd.

This place was awesome. Folks behind the counter were really nice, and the arepas were awesome (and surprisingly filling).

Very tasty. Appreciated the gluten-free + dairy-free options. A bit on the pricey side for an arepa. Awesome to see they serve Devil's Foot drinks.

The food here blew me away, my husband and I decided to check this place out over the weekend with some family from out of town and we were not disappointed. I wish we'd taken some pictures because I don't think my words will do it justice. We ordered a Ropa Vieja arepa and a chorizo arepa, with the fried yucca. It was all incredible. The space is relatively small but they have outdoor seating when the weather allows for it. We lucked out and snagged 4 stools at the counter. Our server was great and had our food out very quickly. We'll be coming back on a nice day to enjoy the outdoor patio. It's been two days and I'm still thinking about that Ropa Vieja!!

Fantastic food! Everything was delicious. We had the ropa vieja arepa, chorizo arepa, yuca fries and flan. Everything was very flavorful. Best restaurant flan I've ever had.

I had been waiting to go to this restaurant since it opened last winter and MAN I'm disappointed in my self for waiting so long. This Hispanic/latin inspired food is bangin. They have Arepas (think pancake looking dough topped with meats/ensalada topping) where just one is enough for a tasty lunch. I, personally had the "lunchbox" with shredded steak, pickled cabbage & red onion, avocado/plantain salad, and rice and beans (PR style) which was definitely enough to fill a dinner serving. Their tostones are perfectly crunchy and have a great pink dipping sauce. If you prefer a sweet versus savory plantain, they have these too! I can't rave on this restaurant enough as I think AVL has been missing a good Hispanic spot this isn't limited to traditional Mexican. Staff is super friendly and attentive, space is small and intimate. Limited bar and cafe interior seating; outdoor patio with picnic tables (seat 6 each). Can't wait to go back.

Most expensive Arepa I've ever paid for but it did taste good. Typically I'm used to paying $14 w/tip for two and not $18 w/tip for one. I understand the fact rent is high and they pay a livable wage to employees but as I went to pay for the meal I had some crazy sticker shock. Hopefully they will give a local discount during the off season to help get more locals in as repeat visitors. South slope has lots of over priced food options so I understand they are just keeping up with the Jones's but to rich for my blood with so many other great options in town.

We liked this place! The arepas were yummy, the yuca was good and the sauce delicious, the amarillo plaintains were sweet. Overall yummy.

Overall, good, but not great. We tried Little Chango for the first time today. It's a very cute small spot. The service was very personal and they did a great job of explaining their menu. We got the chicken salad arepa and the ropa vieja and yuka fries. Ropa Vieja- nice taste, but quite salty. Very juicy. We didn't like the arepa as it was thick and absorbed a lot of liquid so it did not taste crisp at all. Chicken salad - very nice flavor, light, liked the avocado on top. Again, arepa was too thick. Yuks fries were good, but I prefer them cut a bit thinner and crispier. I would come back again and try something else.

Best Cuban food!!! We've tried everything on the menu and haven't found 1 thing we don't like. Friendly service, great prices. Highly recommended!

Amazing food! I love it. The prices are very convenient. The service is excellent. Great place.

This is my favorite eatery in town. It's great for grabbing a quick lunch- grab the lunchbox options, you will not be disappointed! I have had almost everything on the menu, and I don't think I can choose a favorite. This is a great place to stop in by yourself or with family and friends, and enjoy an authentic, delicious meal. Although I cannot choose a fave, I have some honorable Mentions: Anything with the Chorizo, Rice and Beans, Vegetarian Arepa, and the Yucca fries!! and the Flan- best flan ever.

Being from Miami I love my Latin food! Little Chango NEVER disappoints! Their ropa vieja is top notch. Tostones are super crunchy, yet soft inside- perfection. And the "pink sauce" pairs well on everything. The platter with the ropa vieja is the perfect meal. Truly one of my favorite spots in Asheville.

LOVE this place!!! We went several times when we were in the area. We ordered the vegetarian arepas, which were so good. Loved the yucca fries and plantains. Lastly, we ordered the flan. All of it was so delicious. Still thinking of those yucca fries! Would go back in a heartbeat.

I wanted to take a picture of the beautiful plating but I couldn't wait to take a bite into that delicious food. To be honest I only remembered after I finished scarfing down on these arepas. As a Colombian/Venezuelan family living in Asheville it was SO refreshing to find a restaurant that serves authentic Latin food that tastes so good. We ordered the ropa vieja, pernil,and chorizo arepas with a side of tostones and fried yuca and ended up going back for more. We finished off with an order of their flan and again went back for more. Hands down best flan I've had, full stop. Ambiance is super cute with inside bar seating and outside patio. If youre in Asheville make a stop here to fill your belly with some delicious food.

This place is very good. Best arepa I've ever had. The tostones and fried yuca were also excellent. Beverage selection isn't great - I would give this place five stars if I could get a Diet Coke with lunch. Definitely worth a visit - check out the sign with their business hours; it's kinda funny.

Wonderful little place with such nice proprietors! All the food is cooked fresh. What a great find in Asheville!

This place has been on my radar for awhile. I finally came here tonight and OMG, this place is amazing!!! We ordered the flank steak, pork and chicken salad - all 3 were delicious. Check this place out!

This Boricua is glad to see worthy Puerto Rican food in the AVL. Their pernil (roasted pork shoulder, ie the life of the party at any Puerto Rican gathering) is solid, and I could eat their mamposteao (stewed "leftover" rice and beans, trust me it's good) three times a day. Also their tostones (savory fried plantains) are, no joke, the best I've had outside of PR, they get the crispiness and the seasoning perfect. I highly recommend their lonchera (lunch box) with pernil (or alternatively ropa vieja, also good) since it comes with mamposteao and a couple salad options, but isn't available after 3:30 which is a bit of a bummer. A couple other reviews have mentioned their yuca being tough, but that's what real yuca is like.... they're probably used to the processed stuff. The menu emphasis seems to be on arepas (which are good) and pan-Latinx cuisine, but all I know is when I eat this food I feel like I'm back at my abuela's in PR. Take my advice and explore the Puerto Rican side of the menu, you'll be glad you did. Some of the best food I've had in the AVL.

Underwhelming. The arepa was completely raw, more like a polenta. They're very stingy with sauce and toppings I had to practically beg for a little bit of slaw and cilantro sauce. I don't think anyone in there spoke Spanish either. The sweet plantains are ok, they cut them too thin which doesn't allow for soft middle and crispy edges that you'd expect from sweet plantains. The only redeeming quality is the Ropa Vieja. If you get anything just get the lunch box with rice and beans.

Great it is! What a good place. It's taken me three months to get to this terrific little café but, you know, pandemic. I'm finally comfortable getting out and about and this was one of my first trips into a restaurant. It's typical Asheville, meaning the people are all friendly and the food is good. I had the Ropa Vieja and Vegetarian Arepas with some Tostones on the side. There is very little room to eat inside with a bar that seats about 5 or 6 people so I took mine home and by the time I got to South Asheville everything was still warm and tasty. The Ropa Vieja was outstanding! The Tostones were crisp and the wonderful sauce they serve with them was just right. By the time I finished with them I was licking the sauce off my fingers. Just enough. I'm not a vegetarian but I like to eat my veggies and I must say that the flavor profile on the Jibara was excellent. The thing that makes it all work so well is the light, fluffy quality of the arepa which is made from ground maize dough, but there is nothing doughy about them. They are heavenly and I could just eat them with nothing on the top, but that wouldn't be the South American way. If you're needing something a little different from you usual Mexican night then this is the place. I plan on going back soon and trying some of the other things on the menu like the pork shoulder adobo, the Yuca fries and the Puerto Rican rice and beans. I was on my own last night so I could only get through half of each dish which means I've got the rest to eat for lunch today. I did eat all the Tostones! I think the prices are fair especially in the world of today. Plan on driving around to find parking or do what I did and park in the ParkMobil lot right next to the building. It's $3.35 but that's for 14 hours of parking and I just walked around for awhile and got some exercise and then popped into Twin Leaf and had a Hazy little IPA. By that time I was ready to order some dinner, take it home and enjoy. One more thing, although the arepas are loaded they hold up to using your hands to eat them like a taco. Yum! And now . . . time for the leftovers! Now, if we could just get a Cuban restaurant to rave about I'd be happy.

Lovely, welcoming, neighborhood spot. Fabulous food and good selection of brews. Mostly outdoor seating. 5 spots at the bar but remaining tables are outside. The AVL writeup of the menu was is very on point. Great find and definitely will return!