Cafe Azul

2 Reviews on “Cafe Azul”

• Brian

  This place was great. While the price seems about right, you will realize that this is not Mexican food and therefore more unique to justify its prices. While my Friend and I over ate so we could try more plates fresh at the cafe, there wasn’t a thing we didn’t like. We tried the carne mechada, then the cheese and chicken cachapas, and finally the hallacas. If you attempt to do this, I suggest eating the cachapas last since it is made with sweet corn and therefore sweet compared to everything else. We got 2/3 through the meal before taking pics, sorry, we could not resist. I don’t think you will be disappointed here, it is definitely worth finding this place. Your tastebuds will thank you!

  September 27, 2015, 12:15 am

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• A.C.

  If Proust was Venezuelan, he’d come here for an arepa. (12/20/2014) I’m a Venezuelan food newb, but a friend who lived there for many years found Cafe Azul and we had to head to Hyattsville for the plato navideo (holiday foods), especially the hallacas (Venezuelan version of tamales wrapped in a banana leaf). The place is a small storefront with a window counter, outdoor patio, and maybe 7 two-tops. Food was delicious, I loved all of it, had to get pretty much one of everything (but skipped the ordinary sandwiches this time around). Tequeos are like a large queso blanco cheese stick wrapped in pastry; salty, cheesy funky, so much better than your ordinary Sysco cheese stick, especially with sweet-tart guava paste. Empanadas came piping hot, flaky crispy shell, stuffed full with well-seasoned, peppery spiced beef and yellow rice. Arepeas had a griddled crust, tender moist, fluffy interior, mild corn flavors, overflowing with filling, tried the Saturday special of shredded chicken and fresh avocado (creamy, cool, mild flavored) and the Carne Mechada of shredded beef, black beans, and cheese. Newest experience for me was the Chachapas, soft moist sweet fresh corn cakes layered with Queso de Mano (hand made cheese), a soft, mild, mozzarella-like cheese. The holiday hallacas were beautifully handmade, smooth, pudding-like bright yellow masa filled with three kinds of stewed meats (pork, beef, and sausage), raisins, capers, olives, all wrapped up and steamed in a banana leaf, wonderful mix of textures and flavors, homey and comforting. Took home a Pan de Jamon (traditional Christmas bread stuffed with ham, raisins, and olives), the most holiday-ish of the plato navideo.We knew we were going to order a lot and order to-go, so we just started and kept it rolling, eating as it came (also in no hurry, spent well over 2 hours there). We expected the 6 of us might overwhelm the tiny place (only one guy cooking in the kitchen, his wife at the front of the house, and a helper to prep and run). At least a dozen others came in during that time for take out. My Venezuelan friend had a Proustian experience. I wouldn’t come here in a rush, but I would definitely come here.

  March 21, 2015, 5:18 am

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