This Wisconsin Colombian Restaurant Makes Lunch Better With Fresh Arepas And Empanadas

A burger that trades its bun for a corn arepa is sitting on a menu in Wisconsin right now. Even better, swapping the traditional bun for a corn arepa makes it an interesting option for diners avoiding gluten.

The same spot tucks shredded beef and potato inside crispy empanadas. Each one comes with aji, the bright Colombian sauce that wakes up every bite. There’s also an arepa topped with scrambled eggs cooked with onion and tomatoes.

I like how the whole menu reads like a family recipe box. A mother of two opened it to share the food she grew up loving. That kind of story makes a quick lunch feel a lot more personal.

I can see why people make a special trip for comfort food like this. Between the salchipapas, stuffed potatoes, and sugar cane lemonade, there’s plenty to get excited about before you even reach the bakery case.

A Mom’s Recipe Box Became The Best Lunch Plan In Town

Every good restaurant starts with somebody who simply cannot keep a recipe to herself. At Colombian Flavors, that somebody is owner Erly Barajas, a mother of two with a serious love for Colombian food.

Her goal was clear from the start. She wanted to share traditional recipes made with fresh ingredients in a welcoming setting.

The restaurant opened in July 2024, so it’s still a fairly new face in the neighborhood. Even so, the menu feels rooted in something much older than a grand opening date.

I appreciate that the dishes aren’t watered down into vague fusion food. Arepas, empanadas, salchipapas, and stuffed potatoes are the real stars here.

That focus matters when you’re hunting for authentic flavor in Wisconsin. You get dishes that represent Colombia, not a generic idea of Latin food.

Erly herself describes the vibe as cozy and familiar. It’s the kind of description you’d expect from someone cooking for her own family. Knowing the story makes each bite land a little differently. You’re not just ordering lunch.

You’re tasting someone’s heritage served on a plate, and that’s a pretty great reason to stop by.

Arepas Get The Star Treatment Here, And They Earn It

Cheese comes with every single arepa on the menu. Honestly, that’s the kind of rule more restaurants should adopt.

Arepas are round corn cakes that show up at nearly every Colombian table. They’re simple, warm, and endlessly flexible, which makes them perfect for building a meal around.

The easiest starting point is the Arepa with Cheese Only. It’s a clean, classic way to meet the corn cake before adding extras.

Hungrier folks should look at the Stuffed Arepa. You pick a protein, and it comes with cheese and mayo ketchup, a tangy sauce Colombians love. Then there’s the Arepa with Scrambled Egg and Cheese. The eggs are cooked with onion and tomatoes, giving it a true breakfast-for-lunch feel.

That one earns the morning reputation in the headline. Just know the doors open at 11 AM, so it’s more brunch than sunrise.

Want to dress things up? Avocado and guacamole can be added for a little extra. Green toppings on a golden arepa look great, and they taste even better, so consider this your friendly nudge to say yes.

Crispy Empanadas With Aji On The Side Are Hard To Resist

Two fillings, one sauce, zero bad choices. That’s the empanada lineup in a nutshell. You can go with shredded beef and potato or shredded chicken and potato. Both lean on that hearty potato base, which is classic in many Colombian kitchens.

Potato in an empanada might sound unusual if you grew up on other styles. In Colombia, though, it’s a familiar pairing that turns a small pastry into real comfort food. Every empanada comes with aji sauce. Aji is a fresh, zippy Colombian condiment that brings brightness to anything fried.

A quick tip for first-timers is to order one of each filling. Splitting them lets you compare beef and chicken without committing to a favorite too early.

Empanadas also travel well, which makes them handy for a quick grab-and-go lunch. They fit in one hand and leave the other free for your drink. Pair one with an arepa and you’ve built a sampler of the menu’s two headliners. Dip generously in that aji, too.

Nobody is grading your sauce-to-pastry ratio, and the empanadas definitely won’t complain about the attention.

Fries Meet Hot Dogs In The Most Colombian Way Possible

Salchipapas sounds like a dance move, but it’s actually French fries with fried hot dog. Colombian street food knows exactly how to make kids and grownups equally happy.

The Colombian Classics section of the menu is where things get fun. You’ll find Colombian Hot Dogs, salchipapas, and a Stuffed Potato filled with ground beef and egg.

That stuffed potato, often called papa rellena, is a cozy little package. It’s the kind of dish that feels like it came straight out of a home kitchen. Picky eaters have options, too. Chicken nuggets come with French fries, so younger diners won’t feel left out.

Wings round out the hearty side of the menu in 6 or 12 pieces. They’re served flat and seasoned, with fries and tartar sauce. Sauce fans can add green sauce, spicy sauce, garlic sauce, or ranchera for a little extra. Building a sauce flight might be the most fun decision of your day.

Bring a friend and order a mix of classics to share. It’s an easy way to taste more of Colombia without needing a passport.

Your Drink Order Deserves Just As Much Thought As Your Food

Coconut and lemonade together sounds like a vacation in a cup. That’s exactly what the Coconut Lemonade brings to the table here. It’s creamy, tangy, and a refreshing partner for anything fried. If you’ve never tried one, this is a great place to start.

Sugar Cane Lemonade is the other standout choice. Sugar cane plays a big role in Colombian drinks, so this one feels right at home on the menu.

Prefer something bubbly? Colombian Soda is also available for anyone craving a fizzy option with a different twist. Drinks like these matter more than you’d think with this kind of menu. Arepas, empanadas, and fries love a cool, sweet sip alongside them.

The aji and spicy sauces bring some heat, too. A bright lemonade helps balance things out between bites.

Here’s a fun plan for a group visit. Order one of each drink and pass them around the table. Everyone gets a taste, and you’ll quickly find your new favorite for next time, which there almost certainly will be.

Cozy And Familiar Is The Whole Point Of The Visit

Some restaurants aim for fancy. Colombian Flavors aims for the feeling of eating at a friend’s kitchen table. Owner Erly Barajas describes the space as having a cozy and familiar atmosphere. That fits perfectly with a menu built on family recipes.

The idea is to offer an authentic Colombian food experience with flavors that truly represent the country. It’s less about show and more about sharing. That makes it a relaxed pick for all kinds of plans. A quick solo lunch, a catch-up with a friend, or an easy family meal all feel natural here.

Small, owner-run spots like this often carry a personal touch you can’t fake. The person behind the menu is the same person who dreamed it up.

Families will appreciate the kid-friendly choices mixed in with the classics. Chicken nuggets and fries sit right next to arepas and empanadas.

Slow down when you go. Order a little more than you planned, sip your lemonade, and enjoy the unhurried pace. Good comfort food tastes even better when you aren’t racing the clock.

Downtown De Pere Gives You A Great Excuse To Linger

Finding Colombian food along Main Avenue in a Wisconsin river city feels like a fun plot twist. Yet here it is, right in the heart of downtown.

You’ll find Colombian Flavors at 365 Main Ave, Suite D, De Pere, WI 54115. The restaurant is listed with Downtown De Pere, so it’s part of the local business scene. That location makes it easy to fold into a bigger outing. Downtown De Pere has plenty of shops and spots worth a stroll.

Grab lunch first, then wander off the empanadas. It’s a solid plan for a slow Saturday or a midweek break.

The spot is also a short drive from Green Bay. That makes it an easy add-on if you’re already in the area. Wisconsin has plenty of cheese curds and fish fries to go around. Having authentic arepas in the mix gives the local food lineup a welcome boost.

Keep the suite letter in mind when you arrive. Suite D is your target, and the smell of fresh corn cakes should help guide you the rest of the way.

Gluten-Free Diners Get A Burger Built Just For Them

Swapping a hamburger bun for an arepa is the kind of idea that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. The BurgeArepa does exactly that. It comes with lettuce and tomato, just like a classic burger. The difference is the golden corn arepa holding everything together.

The BurgeArepa uses a corn arepa instead of a traditional bun. Diners who need to avoid gluten should confirm the ingredients and preparation methods with the restaurant before ordering.

Gluten-free options can be tricky to find at casual spots. Having one that’s this creative feels like a real treat. It also works as a perfect bridge dish for cautious eaters. If someone in your group isn’t sure about Colombian food, a burger is familiar territory.

Once they taste the arepa, they may want to try one stuffed or topped with cheese next. Consider it a gateway sandwich.

Adding avocado or guacamole could make it even heartier. Those extras cost a bit more, but they pair beautifully with corn. One bite, and the regular bun might start feeling a little boring by comparison.

A Little Planning Means You Won’t Miss Out

Timing is everything when arepas are on the line. Colombian Flavors is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Sundays and Mondays are closed. Plan around those days so you don’t show up hungry to locked doors.

Those long hours make it easy to fit in lunch, an early dinner, or a late bite. Weekday lunch breaks just got a lot more interesting.

Can’t make it in person? Online ordering is available, so you can still get empanadas and arepas at home. That’s handy on chilly Wisconsin days when leaving the couch feels like a big ask. Takeout from a cozy Colombian kitchen sounds like a winning trade.

Follow the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with updates. Social media is a smart way to catch news before you head over. For a first visit, try a balanced order. Grab a stuffed arepa, one beef and one chicken empanada, and a coconut lemonade.

That combo hits the highlights, and it gives you a strong reason to plan the next trip before you’ve even finished eating.