Since opening its doors in 2016, La Cocinita has become a crowd favorite in Evanston, showcasing Venezuelan cuisine's bold, rich and unique flavors.

While Evanston might not match the ever-growing culinary scene of Chicago, it's nonetheless home to a variety of standout restaurants. For those searching for a taste of Venezuela — La Cocinita shines brightly.

From Asian to Italian to French food, Evanston gives students a little taste of home; as a Colombia native, La Cocinita is that familiar comfort.

La Cocinita’s journey began in New Orleans, sparked by a late-night conversation between co-owners Rachel and Benoit Angulo. Benoit, a Caracas native, reminisced about the bustling streets of his city, and how food stalls on "La Calle del Hambre" (Hunger Street) would stay open into the early hours, offering dishes like arepas, round corn patties that are grilled and sometimes have a filling — a quintessential Venezuelan staple.

“He pitched the idea of starting a food truck together, and I thought that sounded like a fun adventure,” Rachel recalled.

This adventure soon grew into a restaurant when the couple moved to the Chicago area, wanting to be closer to Rachel’s family, settle down and start their own family. Evanston’s welcoming and diverse community provided an ideal backdrop for La Cocinita's beginnings.

While La Cocinita’s menu is deeply rooted in Venezuelan traditions, it isn’t afraid to push culinary boundaries. Benoit, who grew up making traditional Venezuelan dishes, infuses his childhood experiences into every dish while also incorporating his training as a chef.

While many dishes remain true to their origins, Benoit adds his gourmet spin to others, like garnishing dishes with pickled onions or a hefty spoonful of guacamole, something uncommon in traditional Venezuelan cuisine.

Arepas, are at the heart of the menu and are the true standout of this place. The El Pabellón Arepa is particularly popular, combining brisket, black beans, queso fresco, crema and sweet plantains for a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The restaurant also offer vegan options, such as El Vegano Arepa, which features roasted sweet potato, corn, carrots, salsa verde and pico de gallo, delivering a plant-based and modern twist to this classic dish. The arepas, made from scratch, offer a truly authentic experience.

“I’m always eager for people to try the arepas because people know and love our tacos, but it’s the arepas that I think are the standout items,” Rachel said.

Indeed, while La Cocinita serves fantastic tacos — or, in Rachel’s own words,  “we make great tacos and people love tacos” — it’s the flavor of their arepas that sets them apart.

The Northwestern community is vital to La Cocinita’s success, with a steady stream of students, faculty and staff drawn to its authentic Venezuelan flavors and inviting atmosphere.

The restaurant's convenient location near campus has also made it a popular spot for students seeking a delicious meal after classes or a place to unwind with friends. La Cocinita also caters various university events, including student organization meetings and faculty gatherings, showcasing its signature dishes.

To express gratitude for this strong community support, La Cocinita offers a 10% Wildcard discount for Northwestern members, making it easy for everyone to enjoy a taste of Venezuela.

As La Cocinita prepares to move to a new location at 531 Davis in November, the Angulo's are excited about expanding their offerings. They’re planning on expanding their vegan menu, along with a dedicated gluten-free fryer to prevent cross-contamination.

La Cocinita continues to branch out while staying rooted in its Venezuelan heritage. Whether through the comforting flavors of a hand-made arepa or the familiar but delicious tacos, La Cocinita proves that Evanston’s culinary world can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its big-city neighbor.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Benoit and Rachel Angulo