Comparing Arepa across three restaurants — an honest verdict

I ate Arepa at three different restaurants in the same week to compare. The results were illuminating. The use of Colombian hogao tomato sauce varied significantly — only one got it right. The savoury and satisfying profile should be consistent but interpretation differs widely.

the bandeja paisa plate is a point of Antioquian cultural pride. The best version came from an Antioquia bandeja paisa restaurant, which felt authentic. tinto black coffee was offered at all three but only one knew how to serve it properly. The gap between mediocre and excellent Arepa is larger than you'd think.