Every state has its standout hole-in-the-wall eatery, and in Michigan, it’s El Rey de las Arepas. Nestled in Southwest Detroit, this family-run spot has become a culinary treasure since opening its doors. Unlike Detroit’s famous coneys or corned beef sandwiches, El Rey made its name with Venezuelan arepas—small, golden cornmeal cakes stuffed with savory fillings.
Owner Jose Gutierrez shared with El Central Hispanic News that when he and his family arrived from Venezuela in the 1990s, they quickly won over new friends at potlucks with his wife’s homemade arepas. That warm welcome inspired them to open El Rey de las Arepas, which soon grew popular through word of mouth.
The menu’s star is, of course, the arepas, priced around $8.50 each and available with proteins like shredded beef or chicken, or simply cheese. But that’s just the start—El Rey also serves pabellón criollo, Venezuela’s beloved national dish featuring tender shredded beef, rice, black beans, and sweet fried plantains. Plus, there are Colombian specialties like bandeja paisa, a hearty plate piled high with rice, beans, plantains, chorizo, and more.
Don’t let the modest McGraw Avenue storefront fool you. Inside, hungry patrons line up for arepas that Yelp reviewers rave are “crispy on the outside, soft inside, and just a touch sweet.” Others praise the perfectly cooked rice and beans, while Reddit users swear by the tequeños, patacón (fried plantain sandwiches), and papelón con limón—a refreshing sugarcane-lime drink. Pro tip: don’t skip the house-made sauces.
El Rey’s reputation has only grown thanks to national attention and local love. In 2023, Detroit Tigers legend and Venezuelan native Miguel Cabrera teamed up with Pepsi to bring El Rey’s arepas to Comerica Park during his retirement celebrations. The restaurant even made headlines for its hallacas, Venezuelan-style tamales wrapped and steamed in plantain leaves.
From humble beginnings to a Motor City favorite, El Rey de las Arepas proves the best meals can come from the most unassuming places.
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