While Caracas and Arepa Arepa attracts W'burg hipsters by their casual, cute dining environments, Shachis Restaurant on South 4 and Havameyer (right under the BQE crossing) might satisfy real foodies in its family-owned, laid-back atmosphere. Unless you look for the name and have exact location, you could easily pass by this joint. Nothing fancy but clean, and lovely place.
The complimentary crispy fried plantain chips with original green salsa sauce hit my spot. Be careful; this is addictive. We started with Guacamole and chips: As good as their fresh guaca is the chips—really thin chips unlike regular tortillas. For non-alcohol drinkers, their homemade slushy juice (guava, passion fruit, pineapple, mango, etc.) for $3 in a large glass is recommended.
Then we took recommendation from
NY Times review and had 2 arepas (venezuelan sandwich)—Reina Pepiada (chicken, potato and avocado); fresh and light but filling, and Pabellon (shredded beef, sweet plantain, beens and cheese); very rich and heavy, which alone makes a dinner.
Not knowing their arepas are so rich and filling, we ordered an entree as well. Arrozo con Pollo. It's like a stir fried rice with chicken, veggie and chorizo. We decided to savor aprea and take the rice home. The owner was right: We were ordering too much food.
They have less than 15 seats and it was pretty busy for Tuesday night. We didn't wait for the food but the service could be a bit slow, to the acceptable range. So go there relaxed. It's definitely a good place to pick up couple arepas to go.
197 Havemeyer Street
Brooklyn, NY11211
Phone (718)388-8884
Map
