Sabor Venezolano is the name of a taco truck at Westheimer and Fondren that specializes in arepas, meat pies and plantain dishes from Venezuela. A Venezuelan family who had gathered there to eat lunch highly recommended that I try the patacon, which looks like a sandwich.
But instead of two slices of bread there’s some green plantains that have been fried together into crispy rounds. A pile of shredded beef, a layer of ham, some cheese, and lettuce, tomato and mayo are layered between two of the plantain crusts.
It tastes spectacular and its also very filling. A sauce made of cream with a little feta and basil, is served on the side. Chileheads might consider taking their patacons home and doctoring them up with a little hot sauce.
The corn cakes called arepas are split, gordita-style, and stuffed with your choice of meats. I tried the shredded chicken and loved it–after the addition of a little chile sauce.
The truck opens for business at 7 a.m. with 99 cent breakfast tacos. There’s also a Mexican taco menu if you aren’t interested in trying la sabor Venezolano. — Robb Walsh
This article appears in Nov 2-8, 2006.