We started our meal by sharing a few appetizers. We first tried the Empanadas Caleñas, which are deep-fried yellow corn patties stuffed with shredded skirt steak. It came accompanied by Colombian ají (mild sauce).
The Maiz de la Rueda is mind-blowingly good. It’s a corn on the cob bathed in spicy butter, cotija cheese and salsa rosada (a mayo and ketchup blend). I know the pink sauce may seem strange to any non-Colombian but try it because it’s delicious!
Then came the stars of the show – the empanadas! My husband ordered the arepa stuffed with skirt steak and sweet plantains. I don’t know about you, but I love sweet and savory combinations like these. It cam accompanied with salty plantain chips.
I went with the more bang for your buck option. I ordered the Arepa Sampler. It was listed under the appetizers but it made for a perfect entrée. It came with three different mini arepas. The one on the far left is topped with a chicken, avocado and green pepper mixture. The middle arepa is topped with pulled pork, pickled red onions and a lovely green sauce. The one on the far right is topped with shredded skirt steak, roasted tomatoes and green onions. Ah-maiz-ing!
I could not walk away without trying one of their cocktails. This is their pineapple cilantro margarita. It was outstanding. I ordered it after seeing a group of women sipping on it and it looked too good to pass. I’m so glad I did and I will be trying to recreate it in the near future.
If you’re in New Orleans, do yourself a favor and stop by Maïs Arepas for a great lunch. It’s located at 1200 Carondelet Street.
