My friend told me I had to stop by Santo Cafe in Cliffside Park, NJ, and get their cachapas. Santo Cafe is a small and cozy Venezuelan cafe serving authentic arepas, cachapas, and coffee.
The first time I went, I ordered the Arepa Reina and the Cachapa Mechada. Both items were great, and it was actually my first time trying Venezuelan arepas and cachapas. While I really enjoyed both, my clear favorite was the Cachapa Mechada. Cachapas are traditional Venezuelan sweet corn pancakes that can be filled with a variety of sweet or savory ingredients.
The Cachapa Mechada features flavorful marinated shredded beef and cheese with a texture and consistency similar to mozzarella. It was a generous portion, fully stuffed with protein. The cachapa itself had a nice crisp exterior with a soft, warm interior that held everything together perfectly. The combination of the sweet corn pancake with the salty, savory shredded beef and melted cheese was the ultimate pairing. I knew right then that I’d be back for it.
Sure enough, on my next visit to Santo Cafe, I ordered the Cachapa Mechada again. It was just as delicious as I remembered. They serve it with a side of sour cream, which I made sure to dip into with every bite. They also offer a creamy cilantro-mayo sauce that pairs fantastically with the dish.
To round things out, I also tried their fruit and cheese danish, which was fresh and delicious. I especially loved the buttery, croissant-like texture of the pastry dough.
If you’ve never had a cachapa before—or if you’re already a fan—I highly recommend stopping by Santo Cafe to try one out. You definitely won’t regret it.
Service
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Sit down
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Outdoor dining
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Takeout
Parking
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Street parking
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Meter parking
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Paid parking lot
Restroom info
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No bathroom
Pro Tips
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Must Eat Item: Cachapa Mechada