Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge

Venezuelan restaurant · Virginia Beach

Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge

Venezuelan restaurant · Virginia Beach

1

1642 Pleasure House Rd #108, Virginia Beach, VA 23455

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Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null
Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge by null

Highlights

Arepas, empanadas, tequeños, and sangria with great service  

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1642 Pleasure House Rd #108, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Get directions

gopalcarajo.com
@palcarajorestaurant

$10–20 · Menu

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1642 Pleasure House Rd #108, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Get directions

+1 757 995 2679
gopalcarajo.com
@palcarajorestaurant

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 22, 2025

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This neighborhood Venezuelan spot brings arepas, cachapas, and parrillas to the Bayfront side of town. Loved by locals for generous portions, friendly hospitality, and many gluten‑free options—an energizing detour from the seafood‑only track.

https://gopalcarajo.com/
Best Restaurants in Virginia Beach (2025)
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Kari Jackson

Google
Always looked like a fun place when I drove by and finally went a few weeks ago with friends for dinner. It was amazing. Our waitress, Brenda, was incredibly kind and helpful. She talked us through the menu and made great recommendations. We all ended up getting the grilled arepa llanera- a delicious combo of avocado, steak and cheese with a sauce. We also tried different sides- I had the tequenos which were sooo good. For beverages - they had a great happy hour and we got $7 blackberry sangria that was a perfect addition. I think we all enjoyed it. But I will say our overall favorite was their green garlic sauce. They need to bottle it- its that good! Also- almost EVERYTHING was gluten free! Overall it was a great experience. Will definitely go again!

Dr. Clare G

Google
The service and the food here is amazing! I dined here with a friend and we had a great experience. Our server was very polite, attentive, and brought our food out in a timely manner. I ordered the Arepas Catira with yuca fries and my friend ordered the cachapas queso de mano and an empanada. Everything tasted great and I had no issues or complaints! The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you receive as well. I look forward to dining here again and I'd recommend it to anyone!

Pam

Google
The ground beef empanada was on point! It had a nice golden crisp on the outside with moist meat & melted cheese on the inside. It was so good, I ordered another one along with 2 glasses of sangria as well (forgot to take a picture). Our waitress Mayra provided first class service with a smile. I definitely recommend it.

Lynelle NH

Google
Glad to see this place is still in business. It was delicious when they first opened and they’ve only honed their craft since. We had the cod fish and beef & cheese empanadas to start. They were pretty decently sized with more filling than breading and a perfect golden brown exterior. We each had the grilled arepas: one pabellon and one llanera. This was the perfect amount of flavor, portion, and satisfaction. Will be coming back many times in the future.

Mr. Robotnik

Google
Pal Carajo Arepa absolutely delivered an incredible experience! Every bite felt like a flavor-packed journey straight to Latin America. The Arepa was a showstopper—crispy outside, soft inside, stuffed generously with shredded chicken, creamy avocado, and cheese. It was fresh, hearty, and super satisfying. The cachapa was another highlight. Sweet corn pancake folded and loaded with cheese and cream, paired perfectly with juicy, seasoned chunks of beef. Squeeze that lime on top, and you’re golden. The tostones were crisped just right—not too greasy—and served as the perfect crunchy side. And the Colombiana soda? That sweet, nostalgic hit was the cherry on top. Staff was friendly, and the vibe inside was warm and inviting. Whether you’re familiar with Venezuelan/Colombian food or trying it for the first time, this place is worth every bite. Highly recommend. Pal Carajo definitely earned a spot on my go-to list.

Sherrie Pistritto

Google
I ordered arepas to go and can't wait to go back. The arepas were perfectly cooked. The quesillo was almost as good as my tía's. It reminds me of dinner with family that I miss so much.

Promo Spam

Google
Extremely good! Great experience and awesome food. The place has a nice atmosphere but feels small. Food is fresh and delicious. Prices are good not cheap not expensive. You can eat with 20 bucks I had an arepa sampler, 5 arepas with different fillings. The other was a cachapa pabellón with shredded beef beans plantains and cheese. I’ll definitely come back…

Kirk

Google
Our arepas and empanadas were amazing. Tender and juicy meat and crispy breading. We will be back!
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Carol S.

Yelp
It had been a long time since I've eaten at Pa'l Carajo Arepa Lounge. It's very close to my house. So I remember the opening well. I immediately tried the Arepas & Empanadas, which were excellent. But in the beginning it hadn't been discovered by the masses. Then the Pandemic came. I hoped they would make it through that terrible time for restaurants. I'm excited that not only did they remain in business, they thrived as people learned about the authentic Venezuelan restaurant. It's nestled in a prominent end spot of Thoroughgood Commons. Excellent visibility from Pleasure House Road is a major plus. They've expanded with an outdoor area since the restaurant first opened. This creates even more visibility & ambiance. Last night I really wanted an Arepa but was sick and couldn't either eat at the restaurant or pick up the food. I decided to order delivery which seemed a little crazy considering it's a short walk even for me. The delivery person was probably ecstatic to get a tip for such a short drive. Service was prompt. The food arrived piping hot. My Arepa de Pabellon was a Grilled Arepa filled with Shredded beef, black beans with cheese, white rice and fried sweet plantains. The taste combination was perfect. The sweetness added a wonderful touch to the combination. I have long been a fan of Yucca fries. There was no doubt they would have been a part of my order. The fries were large & prepared perfectly with the inside soft, not even slightly dry. Tostones were a new choice for me. The crunchy side dish is made from twice-fried slices of unripe green plantains. It was a tasty new treat for both me & the two dogs begging at my feet. No way was I sharing my Yucca fries. Now that I've reacquainted myself with this restaurant there are many more menu choices I want to try. I highly recommend the Venezuelan yummies they offer.
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Sulin S.

Yelp
Yummy food and good portion. Cheese dish is excellent. Better sit downstair- upstairs may be hot. Juice are yummy
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Christian E.

Yelp
Fantastic lounge! Love the vibes of this small little hole in a wall. My eyes ordered more than my mouth can eat and boy oh boy did my wife and I ordered a lot. We got the chicha- a milkshake like drink, combining and condensed milk and horchata. Very refreshing in the summertime. We also got the codfish empanada- Not used to fish empanadas, but the waitress recommended this with the sauces and the green sauce was banger to this one. We also got the Pabellon arepa- It's like a big sammich with beans, meat and plantains and cheese, and lemme just say I did not finish it. Finally we got the mix chicken, steak , and chorizo plate with salad, yucca fries, and a potato like patty- BOMB. Chimchurri was fantastic. I was so full I rolled myself back to work as I went during my lunch break. Will go again perhaps during drinks time ayyyy
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Susan H.

Yelp
We had takeout from here the other night and it was amazing. I do believe it was my first Venezuelan meal but surely won't be my last. Our food arrived very quickly and still hot. I had a grilled Arepa filled with shredded beef, black beans, cheese, white rice and sweet plantains. I had Yucca fries and Tostones as my sides. Tostones are made from twice-fried slices of unripe green plantains. I enjoyed my meal and look forward to trying other side dishes next time.
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Julio H.

Yelp
I found another hidden gem. This was my first time eating at a Venezuelan restaurant. I have eaten at other South American restaurants. But this was a first. Excellent! They make two basic things. Empanadas and arepas. Unfortunately, I did not try the empanadas. But the arepas were delicious. The best one was the chicken with green sauce. But the rest were perfect. I had beef, chicken, pork, and sausage. If you don't know what you like, get the sampler. The waitress was awesome and helped me choose. The place looks small but they have a second floor and an outside patio. The drinks are made well, and they look and taste great. I was very pleased and would come back. I want to try the empanadas.
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Melissa E.

Yelp
I love this place! Have been here several times over the years, and now they have upgraded their restaurant to wait service!! Came here with some girlfriends and we enjoyed a tasty brunch complete with mimosas, espresso martinis and mojitos. I love their chicken avocado arepa but you really cannot go wrong here. Everyone enjoyed what they ate. The servings are generous with the protein and you will leave satisfied and with leftovers! Wait staff was very nice and made sure they checked on us throughout the meal. Will definitely continue to visit this establishment.
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Jay S.

Yelp
Best arepas, empanadas, and other Venezuelan foods around, and many truly safe gluten free options available!!
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Leah J.

Yelp
OMG! I hate that it took me so long to try this beautiful place out! Since I'd seen some great reviews of this restaurant, I grabbed a friend and headed there around 1:30pm on a Friday afternoon. We were quickly greeted and our server was amazing! I started with their Blackberry Sangria which was very tasty. Since we were unsure what to order, our server recommended the Llanera Arepa which was grilled steak, cheese, avocado and tomato. You can order the dough patty fried or grilled, I chose fried. I also ordered the Ground Beef & Cheese Empanada along with Tostones. When I tell you the Arepa was almost too pretty to eat! It was packed with steak and cheese and drizzled with chimichurri sauce! Absolute 10/10!!! The steak was seasoned and cooked perfectly and the cheese was actually homemade and tasted phenomenal! The Beef & Cheese Samosa was just as good!!! The Tostones were fried perfectly but needed some salt. We definitely had to try their Tres Leches Cake and it was fantastic!!! Overall, I highly recommend stopping in and trying the amazing food at Pa'l Carajo! Our server was just wonderful and the staff were great! With this being the only Venezuelan restaurant in the area, stop in and support an awesome, local business. You will not be disappointed!!!

Nicki S.

Yelp
My son and I were looking to try something new and he picked this out. I got the chicken avocado salad arepa and he got the pabellon with shredded chicken. The food was absolutely delicious. Everything was hot and fresh. We got takeout, so I can't speak to service or ambience. When we were first placing the order online, I felt like it seemed overpriced, but I had far fewer concerns about the value once we ate it!
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Lorina S.

Yelp
My very first time having Venezuelan food, I must say I was very impressed. I got a arepa and the steak was flavorful and juicy!!! it was so big I couldn't even bite into it lol. The restaurant offers a friendly environment with indoor and outdoor eating, although space is limited, so if you have a large party I would suggest making reservations.
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David Z.

Yelp
OMG! This place has alway as been one of my favorites when in need of some great tasting filling food! Staff is wonderful, food is always flavorful and perfectly cooked. Sauces are a great kick, but it is not needed for most items (outside of fries or tostones for dipping)! If you haven't been here, go as you are missing out and an amazing time all around!
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Michele S.

Yelp
The food was really good , the restaurant was quiet , has outdoor seating. Only gave 3 stars because the service was not good, everyone around us was getting their food fast. Ordered yucca fries asked about them twice then she admitted to have forgetting to put the order in . I will definitely get food here again but it will be to go .
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Rhone C.

Yelp
I ordered an Arepa with shredded beef and cheese with a fresh blueberry juice, and it was by far, one of the most heavenly meals I have ever had at a restaurant. The waitresses are extremely kind and attentive, and aim to please! If I could rate them even higher on here I would!
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Saray S.

Yelp
We tried the Venezuelan sampler which comes with venezuelan cheesesticks, fried yuca, fried green smashed plantains, empanadas, a small chicken arepa and shredded beef arepa. It was really good and an option to try different things my favorite on the platter was the shredded beef and cheese arepa. We also tried la Llanera which is an arepa stuffed with grilled steak in chimichurri sace , cheese, tomato and avocado. Its very flavorful the meat is cooked to perfect and very tender doesn't even need the sauces they put on the table. The chorizo arepa is also very good. The chorizo is like a smoked sausage or hot link (not be be confused by mexican chorizo which is crumbled). The sauces they bring you are great to eat with the yuca, plantains and everything your order actually. Our favorite is the green one its like a garlic aioli, the red one is like a mayoketchup and the hot sauce is really nice too. The only thing that we would critique is they charge you extra for to go sauces not a big deal but for what you spend i was surpised they would charge extra. Over al great place!.
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Nancy H.

Yelp
Big fan of this place! Service is always fantastic and they have so many delicious items on the menu. Although it was my first time trying this cuisine, I have now been a few times and have tried quite a few items and have never been disappointed, however I do recommend branching out from just arepas!
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Stephanie S.

Yelp
I picked up and order here, but can't wait to go back for a dine-in experience. The service with placing my order and picking it up was great! The chicken arepa was delicious. It had great flavor and was filling. The sweet plantains were cooked perfectly. The black beans were good too. I also have a chicken empanada and it was yummy. They have a full bar, and even serve coffee. They also have an upstairs area and a good amount of seating. The food was ready within 20 minutes. They have sauces you can purchase to add to your meal - try the garlic sauce, you will thank me :-)
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Sandy R.

Yelp
I have been to this restaurant a few times now and has always been hit or miss, but last Friday omg this dish was delicious , the steak was so juicy and the sauce to die for. I must say the service could use a bit of changes. The lady that took my Togo order was not friendly at all as if she was not having a good day not a smile and very to the point. The Bartender was so sweet engaged in conversation with my grandson and I he was very pleasant. Over all we will definitely be back
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George G.

Yelp
It was a last minute choice that turned out great. It felt like a hidden gem. We were greeted and seated right away on the second floor. Our waitress was nice and took our order. We chose the Pabellon NY Strip and Patacones Pernil. Food came out in a reasonable time. Also, sauce and hot sauce was provided. Overall our experience was great and look forward to return.

Global S.

Yelp
Demasiado caro pague $280 en total y $72 entre propina y taxes pare 6 personas en otro restaurante hubiese gastado 180 o menos
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michael s.

Yelp
Absolutely love the taste of the food here. It is always amazing and i have been coming here for a long time. Glad to see them grow over time and business picking up however have noticed when stopping in to order something to go that if you eat in the restaurant you get bottles of sauce and can have all you want at no additional charge but for carry out you have to pay 1 to 5 dollars for sauce. Service is pretty spot on however I am not certain I will be going back with the ridiculousness you have to pay for sauce if it is carry out.
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Chelsy M.

Yelp
The food was so good. Great atmosphere and super friendly staff. The portions were great I got full off two appetizers unfortunately I thought I was gonna be able to order more. Definitely will be back.
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Brandy A.

Yelp
Stopped by one afternoon for a quick lunch. Seating was easy to come by and drinks were brought to the table pretty quickly. We ordered an arepa sampler, a cachapa with fried pork, and a couple of maltas. Music was at a decent decibel to hear conversation at the table yet loud enough for us to dance in our seats while eating. lol Although all of the arepas were delicious, I could go without the sausage. The chicken avocado salad arepa was a pleasant surprise in taste for me. The cachapa was the right amount of sweet and savory and gave us plenty for leftovers. I've stopped by several times over the last few years and have never been disappointed. Great experience every time!
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Olivia P.

Yelp
This place has become my absolute obsession! Growing up, I remember my mom always ordering flan when we'd go out. I never quite understood her love for it--until now. In honor of her, I decided to give their flan a try, and let me just say: WOW. Creamy, perfectly caramelized, and absolutely heavenly. I've found myself coming back every single day just for it. But this spot is more than just flan. Their pabellón arepa is an absolute dream--filled to the brim with tender shredded beef, sweet plantains, black beans, and cheese. Every bite is packed with flavor, and the balance of sweet and savory is perfection. And let's not forget the empanadas! Crispy on the outside, stuffed with savory goodness on the inside, they are the ultimate comfort food.
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Morgan O.

Yelp
I order steak medium well they gave me medium rare I had to send it back twice. When it was time to pay they gave me the wrong ticket and made me come back after they mess up . I am not sure what her name is but she is rude and has no customer service. She made it seem like it was my fault. She call me back for an extra three dollars unbelievable. I do not recommend any one to go there . I will never go back there !!!!!!
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Amanda G.

Yelp
Get the same thing every time and it's so amazing. The steak is perfect and doesn't need anything extra! The vibes and service are always good too. Always giving out recs to this place
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Bo C.

Yelp
We found this place sorting by the number of stars on Yelp in the area. The restaurant is truly excellent. They have the best mojito and sangria on virginia beach. (The others I've had were at the marriot resorts, just for comparison). We also tried multiple empanadas and arepas and also ordered the parrilla mixto. These were excellent empanadas. The ground beef one was perfectly seasoned. We had to order takeout so we could have them for breakfast next day. This is truly a gem in this neighborhood.

Kristy L.

Yelp
My son and I found this restaurant randomly last year and it was so good we had to come back a year later. We couldn't remember the name of it but did a massive Google search to find it - so happy we did! The ingredients are so fresh and flavor is excellent. Wonderful customer service.
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William F.

Yelp
Great place, great ambiance, a little pricey relative to most Venezuelan places, but there is no disputing the food is delicious.
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Damien J.

Yelp
Can we thank Yelp for showing folks places that are unfamiliar to the naked eye? This particular spot landed on my collection since opening in 2018 where they serve Venezuelan dishes, but I never got the chance to stop by. Well, that all changed today where Sophia and I met up with some friends for a social group. How was the food you may ask? We all got seated upstairs while watching the USA soccer team lose to the Netherlands in the World Cup (not surprised...ha!!) Once everyone got settled, we went to ordering. I selected the pernil arepa with a side of Yucca fries (which were crunchy and tasty) and the soursop natural juice. Very, very good. The pernil was cooked well and juicy and the arepa was grilled very well. First time trying this type of dish which put me in my happy space. We also had the option of topping our dishes with the garlic and pink sauces, which added flavor with every bite. But if you want some pure heat, choose their homemade Habanero sauce. Believe me, it adds a nice kick to your taste buds. The soursop juice....first time trying it and I can say I am a fan. Not too sweet and very refreshing. A truly wonderful experience. And to have wonderful company made it even better. This will not be the only time yours truly will make an appearance :)
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Mel M.

Yelp
Food is delicious and the people are nice, but it's very overpriced for the serving size. The Arepa de Pabellon is so good, but it's $13 for what is the size of a burger. 6 yucca fries is what I got in a serving of the fries for $6... That's a dollar a yucca fry. Again.. Really nice people, really delicious food, great flavors... Too expensive for me to come back at the cost/serving.
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Eereb N.

Yelp
The food is delicious, I just had DoorDash deliver it and was still hot, the flavor is on point it looks great over all! Also I had already started eating it when I took the picture lol but y'all get it

Nathaniel M.

Yelp
Sat for 20 minutes without getting any service. Could understand if the place was packed but it was mostly empty. Right before my wife and i decided to leave, we saw another couple come in and we decided to wait and see if maybe we needed to get up to order. A server came over a minute or two after they were sat so we left. Upsetting because the food looked like it would be good.

Chase E.

Yelp
My family split the arepa sampler meal and I overall enjoyed it, the sauce was good as well. When we walked a waitress seated us and gave us a menu. We took our food to go but the place seemed nice and inviting. I would overall recommend this place!
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China B.

Yelp
I woke up with Arepa's on my mind. So i already knew what kinda day it was gonna be... So me and my sis went to Pa'l Carajo for some food therapy!!! We ordered the Pabellon arepa with chicken instead of beef, beef and cheese empanadas, cheese sticks, and a veggie arepa... If you know what's good, you know eating anything fried is gonna taste best fresh. So i ate the empanadas right there in the car... Lawd have mercy, they were good good... The pink and green sauces made it taste so much more awesome!! So awesome we ordered more while eating the ones we had. Lol. Greedy huh? The arepas were so good also. Hot, fresh, crispy, full of ingredients.. The plantains made it so much more tastier!! I could eat the garlic sauce all by itself!! Mmmm. They charge $.50 per tiny cup of sauce, but it was well worth the extra $4. If you like sauce like I do, do yourself a favor and get more than 1... I haven't ate here in a while so i forgot what i was missing. But the food was served piping hot and full of flavor!! I know I'm going back soon. The restaurant was clean and didn't have many people inside. This place has good food. You'd be crazy not to try it... I wanted the Venezuelan hotdog, but they no longer serve it... Ughhhh. But besides that i had quite the enjoyable experience... 9/10 for the empanadas and arepas!! Now i must take a nap... Lol. Check them out!!!
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Mary-Ann L.

Yelp
If anything that tells you it's good food, it's the aroma that permeates when you enter! Then you're greeted by colorful tiles lining the floor indicative of the lively ambience with the music accompaniment. The staff was friendly. I ordered the arepa pernil (pork shoulder) and beef arepa. Both with cheese. Both were delicious, with either the garlic sauce or house sauce (mayo and catsup). I definitely will come back to order the other arepa varieties.
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Nikki C.

Yelp
I'm a huge fan of Venezuelan arepas so I was pretty excited to come across this gem. It's a cozy little place with a sizable bar. I was greeted and taken care of promptly. I ordered the Pabellon arepa that comes filled with shrewd beef, sweet plantains, beans and cheese. I got it without beans though. It was everything I hoped it would be! Very well seasoned beef and it was hot so the cheese inside melted into gooey heaven. Along with my arepa, I also got natural mango juice and Tres Leches for dessert. Everything was delicious! Will definitely return and bring friends along too!
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Brandon R.

Yelp
Excellent food, service, and staff. Loved the hospitality. Thank you for the delicious food 10/10
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Aixa P.

Yelp
Food and service were great at this place. I had tequeños and empanadas that were delicious!

Heather S.

Yelp
Amazing food and staff. We have tried the whole menu and everything is flavorful and made to perfection. Atmosphere is always cheerful and welcoming.
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Kris R.

Yelp
My sister and I stepped out to get something good to eat. So we pulled up at Pa'l Carajo Arepa Lounge. And let me tell you. Their veggie Arepa is on time. At first I was like... no I like meat but then got to register. And my mouth said veggie arepa please so i just stuck with it. And I'm glad I did! The sauce's are good too brings it all together. So with that said we'll be back.
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Monica R.

Yelp
The food was amazing, the service was great, and it has a relaxed ambiance. Family friendly. Wonderful family owned and operated restaurant. Highly recommend the Arepa Sampler for first timers. We will definitely be back soon!
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Jalkah F.

Yelp
2nd time I've been here, first time was more than 2 years ago when the 2nd floor dining area wasn't finished and I remember my mom really liking the people working there and they all talked a while (my mom is Venezuelan). This time was a more informative visit and my boyfriend, his family, and I all loved it! We left absolutely full and happy with satisfaction I decided to try the Parrilla de Carne and it's a 10/10 if you want something delicious and filling. It's a basic meal but sometimes "simple is best." If you have never had arepas or haven't eaten them for breakfast throughout your life like I've been able to, Pa'l's are 100% authentic and yummy!! My boyfriend's family are Dominican and they were asking me if this place is authentic Venezuelan and it definitely is! They tried the Pelua Arepa (bf's dad loved it) and two other flavors, all which were demolished We also tried 3 of their empanadas and they were good too but not my personal fav, still worth a try tho. They're pretty decent in size, maybe about 4-5 inches long and packed with filling. Our waiter was a very professional and knowledgable guy, quick service and took good care of us. It's a small location so there were only 2 waiters which was enough for the place. Would TOTALLY come again, loved our experience!!
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Amber H.

Yelp
Ordered from here on a whim and was NOT disappointed! Got a shredded beef arepa (grilled), a shredded pork arepa (fried), and a virgin piña colada to go... everything was fantastic, came out super fresh, and was SO delicious. Have been wanting to try Pa'l Carajo for a minute and so glad I finally did! :-)
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Dennis C.

Yelp
Pa'l Carajo Arepa Lounge is an authentic Venezuelan restaurant that opened in March of 2018 in Thoroughgood Commons off Pleasure House Road. It is directly across The Rustic Spoon. It earned the distinction of being ranked #20 in Yelp's "The Top 50 Places To Eat In Coastal Virginia 2020." It was conceived by five Venezuelan emigrants who came to America to escape from conditions in their native country. The name of their restaurant is explained in their menu. A "Carajo" was the name for the crow's nest of a Spanish Galleon, which was the lookout basket at its highest point. When sailors became disorderly, the captain would often order them to the crow's nest for punishment, where they could not be found, with the colorful expression: "Pa'l Carajo!" A quote from their menu: "WE WENT PA'L CARAJO. Due to the dire events in our country, to save ourselves, we went to 'the crow's nest', where we could not be found or disturbed--our nowhere. NOWHERE IS NOW SOMEWHERE." The rest is history as they met and pooled their resources to transform their "nowhere" to "somewhere", making landfall in Virginia Beach. As I entered with each visit, a beautiful section of hand crafted colorful mosaic tile flooring struck my eyes. A bar section is to the left, and there are four tables to the right. Their ordering counter is in the rear, and a wooden spiral staircase leads to additional dining space upstairs with a lookout window. The arepa is one of their specialties, which is Venezuela's most famous street food. It originated from the northern region of South America during the pre-Columbian era. Made from a precooked corn flour known as masarepa, their arepas are served as stuffed griddle-cooked sandwiches, either grilled or fried. Their food is made from scratch in their kitchen, where I could hear my food sizzling as it cooked. Nothing here is frozen or refried. I tried the following during four lunch time visits: AREPA DE PABELLON: Pabellon is Venezuela's national dish, a slow cooked beef stew that is seasoned with chilies, cilantro, scallions, and garlic. The beef is shredded and stuffed inside with black beans, cheese, and sweet plantains. This was my first attempt to eat an arepa, and my efforts were a bit clumsy. I tried to pry it open wide enough to capture the plantains hiding in the back for my photo. It fell apart, and I wound up eating most of it with my knife and fork. The ingredients were hot and flavorful. A few bites of the shredded beef were a bit dry for my tastes. My Rating: 4 Stars. PABELLON MEAL: I substituted Shredded Chicken for the Pabellon, resulting in a dish that could be called PLATO DE POLLO. It came with White Rice, Black Beans topped with Cheese, and Sweet Plantains. The chicken was cooked and seasoned with the same herbs and spices as their pabellon to a moist and delicious result. The black beans with cheese, rice, and sweet plantains were well executed and full of flavor. My Rating: 5 Stars. AREPA DE REINA PEPIEDA: This is a classic Venezuelan arepa that is filled here with their house made Chicken Avocado Salad. I had a much easier time with this one, and it did not fall apart. The Chicken Avocado Salad was cool, creamy, and delicious. My Rating: 5 Stars. AREPA LLANERA: Grilled Steak with Chimichurri, Hand Made Cheese (Queso De Mano), Avocado, and Tomato. This is their newest arepa and was recently shown on Instagram. After seeing it, I could not resist a return visit. For my tastes, this is their best one yet. Each bite of the grilled steak with chimichurri elicited a yum reaction. The avocado and tomato sparkled with color and flavor. My photo was unable to capture the hand made cheese, which was stuffed in the back of the arepa as a large and tender slab. It oozed with warmth and flavor. I ordered it with a side of their Yucca Fries, which were hot and hearty, along with their special hot sauce that delivered the heat. My Rating: 5 Stars. EMPANADA DE PABELLON: A Corn Dough Deep Fried Turnover stuffed with Shredded Pabellon Beef, Black Beans, Cheese, and Sweet Plantains. Served with a golden brown exterior, it came to life as as I cut into it, releasing the steaming hot goodness of its ingredients. Its flavors came through well, and the shredded beef was juicier this time around. The ingredients could have been packed a bit more tightly. My Rating: 4.5 Stars. SOURSOP: Ordered from their list of Tropical Juices, this one is derived from a fruit that is native to the tropical regions of the Caribbean. Its taste has been compared with a variety of fruits. For me it tasted a lot like pear juice and was cool, refreshing, and flavorful. My Rating: 5 Stars. COCONUT FLAN: I can't remember enjoying a better tasting flan. It was rich, dense, and decadently delicious. My Rating: 5 Stars. My final rating comes out to a very decisive 5 stars. With their authentic cuisine and friendly service, this restaurant is most deserving of our local love and support.
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Sharon W.

Yelp
Located in the same shopping plaza as The Rustic Spoon, this Venezulan eatery is sure the please. Shared parking and capable of contactless pay, this is a small business that could use your support in getting the word out on its good food. I originally got wind of this place from a coworker who came in with empanadas and highly recommended I go. Well, I did go but I got distracted and ended up ordering something totally different than what I set out for. They are still allowing dine in but you can get your items to go. There is a bar on site, an upstairs dining area as well as a military discount offered with appropriate identification. My items were made to order and were tasty. The only thing that bothered me is that a worker/family member came in and walked straight into the kitchen. Now you know I was watching to see if he messed with anything before washing his hands. Relax, he did but it just bothers me to see people stroll in to the food prep area and hang out. I would return and try the other items on the menu as well as the empanadas I am still craving.
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Chanel T.

Yelp
A friend took me here for lunch and the food was pretty good. I had the parrilla with grilled chicken and the mini aprepas with natilla (creamcheese) and coconut flan. The parrilla was a grilled chicken with small salad and a few avocado slices and also came with your choice of yuca fries, fries or tostones. I got the yuca fries and they tasted amazing. The mini aprepas were fresh and hot, they were slightly crispy in the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. And I have to say this place has the best flan I've ever had. It was smooth and creamy and had wonderful flavor.
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Cinthya M.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious. Great Customer service. Bilingual staff. Good drinks. Had outdoor seating and plenty of parking. Good vibes all around!
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Nicolee D.

Yelp
Had never tried Venezuelan food but this place did not disappoint. We were greeted with this young Latina who was very sweet and very helpful. As soon as we walked in they were playing salsa, and young Miko (iykyk) and it felt like you were at a families house. I tried the Arepa de Pabellón fried, with Yuca Fries, papelon con limón, and I had to try the tres leches cake. It was Chefs kiss & I will def be coming back to try more items!
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Surelyne L.

Yelp
Set in a small strip mall, this is a true gem! This small family run shop serves authentic Venezuelan fare. Their juices (jugo naturals) are rich and flavorful...tastes exactly like the actual fruit & not overly sweet. The Venezuelan sampler was a generous portion of 2 mini arepas (1 shredded beef, 1 chicken w/cheese) 2 gound beef mini empanadas,4 tequenos,4 fried yucca,4 tostones. All were very flavorful and bd downright delicious. The NY strip platter was extremely generous as well. Highly recommend