valencia luncheria

best lobster benedict ever!!! gotta try there arepas and empanadas!!! breakfast, lunch and dinner you can't go wrong at valencia! a #westchesterstampofapproval a #ddd approved -valencialuncheria

our new favorite place!. i don't know why i didn't know about this local spot living in norwalk 13 years now and only 1 1/2 miles fromvalencialuncheria. this place came up in a conversation recently when i mentioned seeing this place packed solid with people over the summer while getting my coffee across the street at a fast food place. i would drive by and see tons of people sitting outside in the summer eating at tables with umbrellas and wondered what all the hub bub was about. i figured it was some type of deli with lunch service only. well, finally found out from some friends and family members that this place has great venezuelan food that served lunch, breakfast and dinner, sunday brunch and also had a bar. after looking into it further, i see they were on diners, drive-ins and dives on the food network a few years ago for their famous arepas. my husband and i finally went tonight for an early dinner around 4:00 p.m. we parallel parked right out front on the main road (rt. 7, main street). when we walked in, the place was full and busy, the bar area was completely full about 12 or more people directly at the bar, so we were not able to get a seat at the bar. we were seated at a nice little table in the restaurant area where the menu was posted on the wall. drink specials of the day were south american mai tai and also the diplomatic immunity. i tried both. my husband had a dos equis. we were greeted by our waiter josh who was very friendly and told us the specials. we started off with 4 empanadas -- spinach & cheese, 3 cheese, cheeseburger and beef picadillo. wow, were these delicious, the crust on the empanadas were flavorful as is. butter, garlic? not sure, but i am usually not a crust eater when i eat pizza, but i ate the crust edges of the empanadas, they were that good we then had 3 arepas as our main entree which were the chef (chipotle jalapeno cheese steak), domingo (spinach, bacon, onion, queso) and the josie (peanut butter, jelly), along with side orders of rice and yucca fries. we added the "green sauce" as suggested by others and wow, what a flavorful experience. our waiter, josh, was very attentive and informative about the menu and preparations. definitely found our new place to hang. delicious foods and drinks prepared with fresh fruits, what more can you ask for? look forward to our next visit to try the chocolate chili baby back ribs!

some updates. some thoughts on the new valencia, now that it moved down the block, litterally about 100 yards. some good, some bad.

on the good side, they do have a new outdoor eating area. sure if overlooks main street, but its outdoors. its designed to be true to valencia's roots as beach food. its an oversized sandbox with some picnic tables and other odd furniture. they also now have a full bar and take credit cards.

they also now have an attitude, a bad one. similar complaints to those regarding bodega taco in fairfield (which they also own). their seating policy is bizarre. i went on a tuesday night, place is only half full at best and they did not want to seat me because the whole party was not there yet. we wanted to sit outside. no one was outside at all. though when they gave me static about the rest fo the party not being there, i basically just sat down anyway.

i dont mind this policy on busy nights, especially weekends, but mid-week in the middle of the summer, give me a break. even when the rest of party got there (only another 5 min or so) the waitstaff was so busy setting up the outside for latter service. i got there about 6:30, left about 7:45, only two other parties ended up sitting outside and the inside never got full.

oh, and they still have their simple menu of arrepas and empanadas, but you have to ask for it. they would rather you order from the full dinner menu, which is much more expensive.

guys, if you want to go full upscale, that is your right. but the whole "we have another menu but you have to ask for it" thing is bs. you were popular because you were fast, personable, with great food at a great price and everyone like the little joint vibe. if you want to go big time and charge 25 for an entree, you have to have the service that goes with it. and you don't. not here, and not at bt.


-----11 jun, 2012-----

moved down the street.valenciahas moved, just down the block. now has some parking in back, but its a pretty small lot.

much bigger, more comfortable place, with a big bar for waiting, or you can eat at the bar.

they have expanded their menu as well, with very appealing (and much more expensive) dinner specials. they were outstanding however. and you can still eat cheap on arepas and empanadas.


-----01 aug, 2011-----

i need to get here more often. i dont because its kind of a pain. there always seems to be a long wait, and with no place to stand except in the sun on the sidewalk (faces west, so there is no shade, no trees, not even a bench) for 45 minutes.

but the food is absolutely worth it. the black beans and rice are incredible. great variety of breakfast/brunch items. an arrepa with eggs, chorizo and cheese is all you need to start your day.


-----18 oct, 2009-----

what else can be said. that the other reviews already haven't. yes the food is dirt cheap. yes its excellent. yes its a tiny cramped place and you have to stand online, though the post ddd crowd is starting to fade. i suggest takeaway if you can.

they also have a sunday brunch menu with lots of egg dishes. they open early on sundays, so go beat the rush.

i am highly envious of the guy who lives within walking distance. if i did i would be there all the time.

we've gone tovalencialuncheria many times but never tried their breakfast. on the breakfast menu are traditional breakfast items like egg platters with hash browns or toast, egg sandwiches, french toast, and pancakes. then you've got hearty omelettes served with rice and beans, arepas and more filling platters.

a while back when i was living in norwalk i walked around the corner and stumbled on this place and was blown away. the food was so amazing and tucked between a tatoo parlor and seedy bar and wasnt surprised years later when i sawvalenciaon one of my favorite shows, diners, drive-ins and drives.

a great place. manage your own expectations before you part the blue striped awning inside the door and enter the hole-in-the-wall that isvalencialuncheria. this is not your typical overpriced, all show and no substance fairfield county "hot spot".

is it small, yes. is it cramped at times, absolutely but if you want to experience something different and delicious, this is the place.

the arepas are crispy, hot, wonderful and stuffed with creative fillings and combinations. the empenadas are terrific and filled with delightful fillings.

i am an old fish guy and i love the cerviche, a must have.

bring cash, there is an atm right up the street, walking distance in fact.

i was introduced to this by a friend who was actually in the ddd spot and have been back 5 or 6 times since. i keep going back.

even better than everyone says!. my dry cleaner had been after me for months to tryvalenciaso i had an odd hour after lunch...3ish on a friday night? this way i skipped the line and actually got seated and fed in no time at all...

even at 3pm, though, the place was totally full. a family, 3 pairs of office girls and one student on a laptop pretty much filled it...

i only had $12 in cash (all they take) and managed to get two killer arepas, one with brie and mango that was .... truly astonishing and a egg and chorizo that was even sicker~! add a pineapple beverage, a tip and whoaaaa! i just did the total foodie fast food trip on pocket change...
where else does that happen?

i live walking distance fromvalenciaand go at least twice a week. it is a 10 in my opinion. huge menu, authentic food prepared with care by chefs that really know the food. for the prices they ask you are practically stealing food this good.