What started as a humble food truck has now evolved into a brand-new brick-and-mortar restaurant, recently opening its doors on the south side of Vero Beach in the former The Grill by CW Willis Family Farms location. Having been open for just a couple of months, I was eager to visit and explore their expanded menu. My first encounter with their food truck left a lasting impression, so I was excited to see how they’ve translated that success into a full-scale restaurant.
Although my experience with Venezuelan cuisine is fairly limited, I was thoroughly impressed by the bold, distinctive flavors and the uniqueness of the dishes. The warm, inviting atmosphere is perfectly complemented by owner Alfred Acosta, who personally checks in on guests to ensure a memorable dining experience. Join me as I take a closer look at what this restaurant has to offer and the delicious dishes I had the pleasure of savoring!
The first dish I tried was the Chicharron Basket, featuring three perfectly fried tostones as the base. They were tender and easy to bite through, topped with fresh guacamole for a nice contrast in texture. The crispy, salty chicharron added just the right amount of crunch and flavor, making for a great start to my meal!
Next up were the Empanadas, which stood out with their unique cornmeal texture and sweet flavor. This texture not only added a satisfying crunch but also enhanced the overall flavor, making each bite enjoyable. These empanadas come with a choice of fillings, including shredded beef, chicken, cheese, or Pabellón, allowing for a variety of delicious options.
Cachapa is a traditional Venezuelan dish made from maize flour, similar to arepas and popular as street food. It’s typically served with cheese and a spreadable cream called “nata.” For those unfamiliar, Venezuelan nata is a salty, slightly tart, and super creamy spread made from cow’s milk. The corn pancake was perfectly cooked—tender and sweet—providing an excellent base for the toppings. I opted to add carne asada to mine for an additional charge, and it was a fantastic choice—the savory, well-seasoned meat complemented the cachapa perfectly!
The star of the show had to be the Fried Arepas! This showstopper is crafted with a fried cornmeal “bun” that’s piled high with your choice of meat, crispy fried cheese, fresh pico de gallo, crunchy cabbage, and a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It’s the kind of dish that’s deliciously messy, so I went in with a knife and fork. The beef was tender and packed with flavor, the fried cheese was unbelievably tasty, and the cilantro lime dressing brought it all together with a burst of creaminess and zest. This dish was an absolute winner!
Since I’m not too familiar with Venezuelan cuisine, I knew I had to try the Pabellón Criollo, a traditional dish often considered the national dish of Venezuela. This hearty and flavorful meal consists of four main components: pulled beef, black beans, plantains, and rice. The beef was wonderfully seasoned, the rice and beans were cooked to perfection, and the fried plantains are a personal favorite—I could eat a ton of them!
As a finale to this fantastic meal, they brought out a slice of their house-made Torta Capitas cake, and it was absolutely delicious! The cake was moist and bursting with flavor, with delightful notes of chocolate and caramel. It was the perfect sweet ending to my delicious meal!
Savores Grill House
Address: 3700 9th St SW, Vero Beach, FL 32968
Phone: (772) 213-3643
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