Restaurant Scene: A quest for arepas in Chattanooga

Sometimes I have an idea for a column based on community feedback, and other times I follow a specific food-craving for a story. This column is based on the latter.

I have been fixated on finding an arepa in Chattanooga. In Atlanta, I had a favorite spot for arepas, and I was determined to find one here.

There are numerous ways to make this beloved South American dish — one that is integral to the cuisines in Venezuela and Colombia, specifically. The delicious warm flatbread is made out of cornmeal, grilled to warm, crunchy perfection and chock full of goodness. My favorite version at my previous go-to restaurant had shredded chicken, Guayanes cheese, fried plantains and cilantro sauce.