Puyero Venezuelan Flavor

"Walk into Puyero Venezuelan Flavor and the let the scent of stewed meat and the sounds of Oscar D'León lull you into becoming a regular. The crispy empanadas and super stuffed arepas are some of the best in Philly, and the cheese-stuffed tequeños are our favorite appetizers on South Street. It works for an impromptu meal on a casual night with a few friends, or when you don't want to share a fragment of your beautifully-stacked patacóne with anyone—even though it can easily feed two. Stop by and pair it all with a chuggable cilantro limonade, order an empanada or three, and count down the minutes until you can come back tomorrow." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"You’ve probably walked by this unassuming, sky blue shop just off South Street and didn’t know everyone inside is having an incredible Venezuelan feast. It’s like you’ve been left out of the best inside joke in town. Bo Diaz baseball cards line the walls, Oscar D'León—aka, The King of Salsa—plays, while pairs on casual, early-in-the-game dates assess whether the way the other eats tostones is annoying. The six-bite empanadas and generously packed arepas are some of the best in Philly, and starting your meal with anything other than the crispy, cheese-stuffed tequeños would be a mistake right up there with getting a Phillies 2024 World Champions tattoo. But it’s the generously packed patacónes sandwiches that steal the show here (we’re partial to the pisao, stuffed with shredded chicken, gouda, crunchy mounds of cabbage, and spicy green mayo). Pair any with the chuggable cilantro limonade, dine in the narrow space with a couple of friends, or leave feeling included the inside joke—with a plantain sandwich in one hand and an arepa in the other. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Food Rundown photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Cilantro Limonade We wouldn’t change anything about this lemonade. Each sip is refreshing and the perfect blend of sweet citrus and earthiness. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Papelón con Limón It’s a cane sugar version of the cilantro lemonade, sans cilantro. So if you’re one of those unlucky people with the DNA marker that makes cilantro taste like soap, you’re in luck. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Tequeños If we could train Society Hill pigeons to swoop in, grab a few, and drop them at our front door every 10 minutes, we’d quit our jobs to do it. These fried mini cheese sticks are served with a tangy, garlic-heavy guasacaca sauce. Get two orders. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Reina Pepiada Arepa What would happen if a basic chicken salad sandwich got a fairy godmother who spruced it up for the ball? It would be this arepa with chicken avocado salad, gouda, and fried plantains. The arepa (a flat patty made of ground maize) is warm and toasty, and brings the whole thing together. video credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Empanada Warm, soft, baked golden brown pouches, seriously stuffed with tender chopped meat. Fillings rotate, but you should always get one. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Patacón Pisao At first glance, you’ll be concerned with the logistics of actually biting this thing. But one firm press on the top of toasted plantain and a beautiful pressed sandwich is born. You can have it filled with your choice of pork, beef, or chicken (chicken is our go-to), and it’s topped with cabbage gouda, green mayo, ketchup, and queso blanco. It’s cheesy, meaty, crunchy, and a great magic trick for proving an enormous sandwich can disappear in minutes." - Candis R. McLean

"What calms a sour stomach better than arepas or patacones (fried plantain sandwiches)? Almost all menu items at this hot Venezuelan spot come stuffed with fried plantains and some sort of shredded meat, beans, or cheese combo. Call for pickup or order online for delivery." - Jillian Wilson

"Venezuelan flavor is maximized at this cozy spot that’s packed with Latin American cultural infusion. Eat their Pabellón Criollo bowl that includes marinated shredded beef, black beans, white rice, fried sweet plantains, and white cheese or try their outstanding Tres Leches cake that’s a stand-out in the city." - Ernest Owens

"This small, colorful restaurant located near Fourth and South streets showcases authentic Venezuelan street food, including Venezuelan-style arepas rellenas (thick cornmeal patties stuffed with meat, cheese, and other fillings) and patacones (sandwiches with fried-plantain patties in place of bread). With a friendly staff and fast service, Puyero is popular for dining in as well as for takeout and delivery. The limited menu is geared toward meat eaters, but two of the arepas and several sides are vegetarian-friendly. Try the tequeños —deep-fried dough wrapped around white cheese—and the churros. Muy delicioso! Puyero is BYOB."