Discovering the Flavors of Guasaca South American Grill on Lake Boone
Nestled in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, Guasaca South American Grill at 4025 Lake Boone Trail offers a refreshing and vibrant dining experience that celebrates the rich culinary traditions of South America. This establishment has become a local favorite for those seeking a meal that balances authentic flavors with a modern, fast-casual approach. Whether you are a long-time resident of the Lake Boone area or a visitor exploring the capital city, the restaurant provides a welcoming atmosphere where the focus remains squarely on fresh ingredients and the art of the grill.
The philosophy behind Guasaca is rooted in the concept of accessibility without compromising on quality. By combining traditional recipes with a customizable service model, the restaurant allows guests to curate their own dining experience. From the moment you step through the doors, the aroma of seasoned meats and freshly prepared sides sets the stage for a meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent. It is a place where the community gathers to enjoy food that is prepared with care, reflecting the warmth and hospitality often associated with South American culture.
What Sets Guasaca Apart
Fresh and Customizable Ingredients: The core of the Guasaca experience lies in its commitment to freshness. Guests are invited to build their own bowls, salads, or arepas, choosing from a variety of high-quality proteins, crisp vegetables, and signature sauces. This level of customization ensures that every dietary preference and flavor profile is catered to, making it an ideal spot for groups with diverse tastes.
Authentic South American Influence: The menu draws deep inspiration from the diverse culinary landscape of South America. By utilizing traditional spices and cooking techniques, the kitchen creates dishes that offer a genuine taste of the region. The signature arepas, in particular, serve as a testament to this heritage, providing a unique texture and flavor that is hard to find elsewhere in the local area.
A Welcoming Community Atmosphere: Located conveniently on Lake Boone Trail, the restaurant serves as a hub for the local neighborhood. The interior design is clean, modern, and inviting, making it suitable for a quick lunch break, a casual dinner with friends, or a relaxed family outing. The staff is dedicated to maintaining a friendly environment that makes every guest feel like a regular.
Commitment to Quality and Consistency: Consistency is key to the reputation that Guasaca has built in Raleigh. By maintaining rigorous standards for ingredient sourcing and preparation, the restaurant ensures that every visit provides the same level of satisfaction. This reliability has helped solidify its position as a go-to destination for those who value a dependable and delicious meal.
A Culinary Destination in Raleigh
The appeal of Guasaca South American Grill extends beyond just the food; it is about the experience of enjoying a meal that is both nourishing and flavorful. In a bustling city like Raleigh, finding a spot that manages to balance speed with quality is a significant advantage. The Lake Boone location embodies this balance, offering a space where the pace of life slows down just enough for you to appreciate the nuances of a well-crafted meal.
As you explore the diverse dining options available in North Carolina, Guasaca stands out as a testament to the power of simple, honest cooking. By focusing on the fundamentals—fresh produce, expertly grilled proteins, and a passion for South American culinary traditions—the team at Lake Boone Trail continues to foster a loyal following. Whether you are stopping by for a quick bite during a busy workday or settling in for a relaxed evening, you will find that the restaurant delivers a consistent and enjoyable experience that keeps the community coming back for more.
Ultimately, Guasaca South American Grill is more than just a place to eat; it is a reflection of the vibrant and diverse spirit of Raleigh. By bridging the gap between traditional South American flavors and the needs of a modern, fast-paced lifestyle, the restaurant has carved out a unique niche for itself. If you find yourself in the vicinity of Lake Boone Trail, it is certainly worth stopping by to discover why so many locals consider this grill a staple of their dining rotation. We invite you to experience the hospitality and the distinct, savory profiles that define the Guasaca brand.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
From the business
Identifies as Latino-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Restroom
Atmosphere
Casual
Quiet
Trendy
Crowd
College students
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
On-site parking
Usually plenty of parking
Menus
Entrées
Arepa
Bowl / Salad
Super Bowl
Signature Arepas
Crispy Chicken$4.95
Grilled or Shredded Chicken$4.75
Mechada (Beef)$5.15
Grilled Steak$5.15
Shredded Pork$5.15
Braised Tilapia$5.35
Salmon$6.45
Avocado Chicken$5.35
Vegetarian (Includes Guasaca)$4.75
Vegan (Includes Portobello Mushrooms)$4.75
Bowls
Vegetarian
Shredded Chicken
Grilled Chicken
Crispy Chicken
Steak
Shredded Beef
Tilapia
Chicken Avocado
Braised Pork
Salmon
Vegan
Kid's Menu
Grilled Chicken with Mini Cheese Arepa
Grilled Chicken with Fruit Cup
Crispy Chicken with Mini Cheese Arepa
Crispy Chicken with Fruit Cup
Photos
Reviews Guasaca South American Grill - Lake Boone
Thomas Wohl
30-05-2026
What happened to this place over the years? This was one of my go-to places and I have to say that this place went downhill.
Food is okay but nowhere near as fresh as it was a while back and the service is just absolutely awful. The workforce behind the counter is too busy chatting and laughing while they argue about the order that they incorrectly put together.
No thank you
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 2
Group size
2 people
maddie b
30-05-2026
Great food, skimped me on the rice and also found this plastic in my bowl???
Order type
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Group size
2 people
maddie b
30-05-2026
Great food, skimped me on the rice and also found this plastic in my bowl???
Order type…
More
Suhey Ortega
30-05-2026
Whenever I'm in Raleigh or Durham, I want to make sure I get some Guasaca!! It's absolutely delicious, affordable, filling and the service is always great! You can customize arepas or select from their menu, you can't go wrong and many vegetarian/vegan choices!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Rabbit758
30-05-2026
If you've never tried these arepas, you're missing out on something really delicious. I love the salmon arepa, loaded with small amt of grilled onion (not overwhelming), sweet taste of plantains, cheese, etc. My favorite. Family likes the steak and tilapia arepas. We always get a side of guasaca and chips. This should be on your list of places to try.
Order type
Take out
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$10–20
Bryant B
30-05-2026
Great place to grab a quick cheap bite. Arepas are a venezuelan dish. Guasaca provides americanized version of arepas. The place is very similar to chipotle, they have the bowls which are very similar. An arepa will cost an average of 4-5$ each. On average a person can eat 2 arepas.
NSA
30-05-2026
Pretty decent and tasty place.
got the fried chicken, grilled chicken and really enjoyed it. the cilantro sauce is so delicious
one downside was we got mushrooms added and it made my sandwich super soggy and ripped apart. I recommend the dry fried one the most.i like the outdoor shaded area
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
VAF
30-05-2026
So I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. I ordered online and it was a quick and easy process. I'm glad I did because the place is a zoo at lunch time and I don't like to eat up all my lunch break not eating. The prices are surprisingly reasonable considering that it's ethnic inspired food. I thought one downside was that they don't really have a counter dedicated to those just picking up. You kind of have to weave through the crowd and stand to the side by the register until they bring out your food. My food seemed to be ready when I got there(I ordered an hour in advance online). On to the food: in my opinion it was pretty good for what it is, which is Venezuelan style good being made very quickly. I got two signature arepas-the tilapia on white arepa and the shredded chicken on yellow arepa. The tilapia one was really good. It comes with plantains (maduros) inside. The chicken one was just ok, not nearly as flavorful. You will definitely want to purchase two arepas if you want to feel full. Overall, I'm glad I gave this place a try. I can't say it was my favorite or that it blew me away, but it would be worth stopping by again.
Briana Kornegay
30-05-2026
The food was so amazing I didn’t even have time to take a photo! The prices are amazing. Stop by if you are in the area. They have locations all over the triangle!
Ale M
30-05-2026
My boyfriend and I enjoy coming here frequent. My boyfriend is Venezuelan and although the arepas arent authentic compared as to what his family makes, the taste is delicious and the idea and concept are very innovative. Definitely recommend.
Customer service isnt always great and sometimes make you feel rushed in making your selections. This customer service is perhaps the only thing my boyfriend and I hate about coming here.
Reginice
30-05-2026
When I first walked in and noticed this looked like a fast food chain, I was nervous about the food being authentic. Don't judge a book by its cover! These arepas were the best! I had the vegan arepas! The filling was balanced and the plantain really set it off! The arepa bread was perfectly made; warm and toasty. I tried the arepas alone and they were delicious by itself, but the cilantro and red sauce took it to the next level. I would have never thought one of the best arepa spots would br in Raleigh!
Order type
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Recommended dishes
Sauce, Cilantro Sauce, Vegan, 2 Arepas
Raul Alvarez
30-05-2026
Holy heck! Can’t believe I’ve been living so close to this place (nearly 2 years) and just now tried it. … More
Sylvie Parbus
30-05-2026
Excellent! Better than I expected. There was a line but it moved pretty quickly. I have a feeling that's frequent there.
I had the vegetarian arepa and it was amazing. I didn't expect corn bread to be … More
Muniba Khan
30-05-2026
Came here for the first time and the service was friendly and quick and the food was delicious. Our favorite arepas were the salmon (I love the combination of sweet plantains with the fresh salmon and cilantro) and the crispy chicken with … More
Matthew Mahler
30-05-2026
The selection of signature Arepa entrées are extensive and there’s an option to build your own Arepa entrée. The side of guasaca was fresh. The location is clean, well lit, and the service staff are quick and friendly. I took friends who had never been here before, and they loved it. More
Joseph Jackson
30-05-2026
The woman who took my order was fantastic. Very detailed about the food. Was served in the cutest way. My wife and I enjoyed it! Definitely recommend. ~thirteen bucks a person. More
Des gh
30-05-2026
One of the few places that can easily accommodate vegan and gluten free without scratching their heads. The vegan arepa is 10/10. Portion sizes are good. Don't forget the cilantro sauce. More
Roman Phillips
30-05-2026
I've had good arepas, I've had bad arepas, I've had arepas from incredibly authentic hole-in-the-wall venezuelan restaurants. … More
Ala Singletary
30-05-2026
Delicious food! Lots of wonderful choices for a bowl or arepa. I devour their arepas, so tasty and filling and I really enjoyed the chicken arepa I ate today, it had black beans, white cheddar cheese, shredded chicken, guacamole and cilantro sauce. More
Trina White
30-05-2026
My family and I was in the area as my mom was having surgery. This place was recommended to us by some people who were in the clinic lobby with us. I must say the food was excellent however the customer service was extremely disappointing. … More
Jennifer Casperson
30-05-2026
I used to love this place because the arepas were so amazing. Unfortunately, the service and food quality have gone way downhill. We got our order to go. We said "no cheese" 3 times and still, cheese ended up in the arepa. We didn't … More
Reviews Guasaca South American Grill - Lake Boone