Venezuelan Hole-in-the-Wall: Arrechissimo
Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2018In my previous review, I wrote about how a great Deer Park hole-in-the-wall had served as inspiration for a new Venezuelan restaurant in Over-the-Rhine. That hole-in-the-wall is Arrechissimo, and it's well worth experiencing.
Arrechissimo opened more than five years ago shortly after the owner's family moved to the area from their native Caracas, Venezuela. They'd sought treatment for their daughter at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Now they spend their time offering a taste of their homeland's signature dishes, in spite of how terrible and volatile Venezuela has since become thanks to years of political corruption and economic upheaval.
Beef and reina pepiada arepas 
Tostones The food at Arrechissimo sings a song of Venezuela's happier, heartier times. The menu features rich, satisifying meals and street food classics, including empanadas ($5); ham-and-cheese-filled pastries called cachitos ($4); and arepas: round, flat, fist-sized corn cakes split in half and stuffed with a variety of ingredients ($7-9). Popular entrees include the Venezuelan Typical Plate ($12), a generous helping of seasoned shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains and white rice, and cachapas ($9), giant corn pancakes stuffed with cheese. Side items like fried or boiled yuca and savory tostones (smashed, fried plaintain slices) add yet another layer of Latin American comfort.
Arrechissimo has no dining room and there is no available seating save a few chairs and tables along the sidewalk, just outside their take-out window. Patrons get their food made to order, so it can take a while. Ordering by phone ahead of time is highly recommended, as there can be backlogs often ranging from 30-45 minutes.
Arepa pabellon 
Venezuelan typical plate There are two arepa variants that we've come to absolutely insist upon during any visit: the reina pepiada, a vibrantly green, avocado and shredded chicken mixture stuffed into the hot corn cakes; or the pabellon, a beefy arepa packed with virtually every ingredient one would otherwise find in the "Typical Plate" entree.
The hot, salt-encrusted tostones are incredibly large, starchy and supremely satisfying, particularly when dipping pieces into a side of Arrechissimo's requisite electric-green cilantro sauce, which can be ordered on the side.
Arrechissimo is one of those diamond-in-the-rough neighborhood treasures few people on the outside realize exists, even as it merrily soldiers on, right under their noses.
Now you know.
8100 Blue Ash Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236513-793-3100
Rating: 4.0 out of 4
= Good
= Fair
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The best TACO joint in the city. I go there as a treat to myself every Monday. TEX MEX TACOS are delicious culinary treats that look beautiful and taste great. I'm so impressed with this place that I never explore the other items on the menu. If you don't get your taco fix here, you're losing in life.
posted: Tue., Apr 27th, 2021 @ 2:37 PM
My Wife and myself dined at Ferrari’s on Saturday and the Food and service was great/ I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with misc nuts and sauce and it was the best meal I’ve had there/ My wife had the Fish and Vegetables and was very happy/ I also got a couple of their pizza and olive loaves of bread/ The bread is always a hit at work.
posted: Mon., Nov 23rd, 2020 @ 1:14 PM
@Rick: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to remember to give them a try.
posted: Sat., Nov 21st, 2020 @ 9:06 AM
Try Joe's Pizza located at Airway and Smithville Rd. You might like it...That's one of favorite haunts. I definitely think it beats Cassano's.
posted: Fri., Nov 6th, 2020 @ 4:19 PM
Hands down the best Indian in the area. I have yet to find their yellow Punjabi dish anywhere. It is my favorite, and what keeps me coming back time after time. I think I have been here over 100 times. I love this place.
posted: Thu., May 28th, 2020 @ 12:03 PM
I found a gyro I keep thinking about
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tazikis-mediterranean-cafe-cincinnati
their lamb gyro is about 2-3 bucks higher in cost than a gyro elsewhere - B U T - it is made with whole pieces of lamb meat, not the lamb and beef loaf that all other Gyro joints in Cincinnati seem to do
it is a chain. A minus for me, and I suspect for you as well.
But its good.
really, really good
one caveat: skip the baklava as it is not made in-house
posted: Mon., Dec 9th, 2019 @ 12:43 PM
I'll take your word for it, then.....it is fairly close to work so it'll be an upcoming lunch
I also need to try out this little taco wagon near Quatmans in Norwood
posted: Mon., Sep 9th, 2019 @ 6:21 PM
Hi @TJ - We were pretty impressed with the quality of the items, which I think justifies some of the pricing. I really liked the house-made tortillas and their salsas. Chilero offered some extra little touches that were a pleasant surprise. :)
Just by way of comparison...that same week we'd tried the new Mazunte location downtown...and our experience at Chilero beat them out.
posted: Thu., Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:18 PM
Great food and fantastic atmosphere
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 8:29 PM
Seems very pricey for a mostly carryout/counter-service joint
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 5:51 PM