09/20/09

Too Expensive for Empanadas

by Garrett Lynn

I lived in Argentina for two years so maybe I am a little picky about empanadas, but to pay over 2 dollars for one empanada is ridiculous. Over 30 bucks for a dozen? No thanks. In Argentina you can get a dozen for about 5 bucks.

My advice is go to the El Gaucho Meat Market in the south bay. Cheaper and better. About $1.50 an empanada.

02/10/09

Delicious

by bananitabran

Had a beef empanada for lunch today. Was a very lovely combination of spices with ground beef, boiled egg, olives (love olives mmmm) & white onions. The flavors went great in harmony, in particular thought the sweet of the onions complimented the olives & beef. Crispy shell (always a plus), dough was of a consistency of my liking, tender, moist & slightly chewy, and the best thing was that it was thin but held shape really good while eating. Was larger in size than what I had thought, and the amount of filling was good too, maybe about 1/3 of a cup. Would like to go back to try other kind, place had lots of variety in meat & in veggie section.

• Pros: flavor, ambience, service, accessibility, prices
• Cons: been there once, haven't encountered problems yet, will update?

10/28/07

Great comfort food

by kfarrin

After reading about this place in a guide book and on Citysearch, I decided to try it as I love empanadas. My first hint that the food was going to be good/authentic was that Argentineans actually were eating there. That said, I was extremely pleased with both the service and (espcially) the empanadas. They were great! I tried the corn with mozarella, arabe (ground beef with lemon juice and onions), and potatoes with cheese and cilantro (my favorite, although it was a tough call as all were wonderful). The dough was perfectly fried and the fillings were nicely spiced - my kind of comfort food. The woman at the counter was very nice and labeled my to-go box so I would know which empanada was which.

Another thing I would mention is that the prices listed on the Citysearch editorial review are not correct - click on the menu link for the correct pricing. And cash only - the guy in front of me had to run to the ATM after he ordered when he realized it. But no complaints, and I will definitely be back!

• Pros: Empanadas(!), service
• Cons: cash only, parking can be tricky

02/15/07

Oohhhh EMPANADAS!

by babyjo

My coworker and I checked this place out one night in December to see if the empanadas would be good to have at our company's holiday party. After sharing a plate of about 6 different kinds, we were HOOKED. The delicious little dinner pastries are unbelieveably good, perfectly spiced, and delightfully crispy AND soft at the same time. We ordered 10 dozen of the cocktail sized empanadas for the party, and they were gone in literally 15 minutes.

The only (seriously, the only) negative thing about this place is that they take cash only. So bring some Lincoln's and enjoy -- you will not be disappointed.

• Pros: everything!
• Cons: cash only

A dining adventure based on a simple South American pastry.

by Contributor

In Short
This cozy nook has been a popular snack spot and hub for L.A.'s Argentinean community since 1985. Many of the 18 empanad choices reflect regional flavors of Argentina; like the criolla (beef, raisins, green onions and hard-boiled egg). Others, like the lemon-herb-ground beef Arabe, incorporate flavors from other locales. Empanadas each come decorated with a flourish that indicates what's inside. The menu also features a handful of Argentine sandwiches and tamales.

11/16/06

Love It

by laurieflenner

We love this place for a quick bite to eat. The whole menu is empanadas, but their salad is good as well.

08/18/06

another location

by eatdrinkparty

they've got an outpost on ventura blvd in tarzana too. criollo is great but i really like the chicken too. moist and tender inside this flaky crust.

07/20/06

the only place for REAL empanadas

by rachel1215

my parents have been taking me here since i was a kid. we'd go into LA or they'd visit me at UCLA and while we stuck in traffic on the 405, wed order and our food would be ready to pick up by the time we'd exit (the restaurant is right off the 405, exit Venice blvd).

ive tried empanadas everywhere--even in south america--and these are the best yet. ive been stuck on Criollas for years until I discovered the Arabe--its seasoned with lemon juice. delicious! the Alfajores (very dry sugar cookie sandwiches stuck together with dolce de leche, a thick carmel-like spread) arent too bad either--sometimes they buy them from different places, but usually they are good.

• Pros: food (great finger foods for parties--warm them up a toaster oven, not the microwave), right off the 405
• Cons: the atmosphere--its a little dark but i like all the decorations on the wall

11/05/05

GREAT Empanadas!

by patata0680

I tried all the empanadas except those with beef and I must say they are all delicious...I loved the one with ricotta cheese in it. I'll be back to this place!! A little expensive though because the empanadas are pretty small and u need 3 or 4 at least to fill u up.

• Pros: empanadas!!
• Cons: value, price

03/15/05

Lordy, lordy, they're tasty

by brynnnn

Heavenly fillings wrapped up in flaky pastry and cooked to a crunchy golden brown. Faves include corn, potato and cheese, criollo (seasoned ground beef with egg and raisins--sounds weird, tastes awesome). Get the cocktail size (only available by the dozen) and wow your party guests; or go for lunch or dinner and lose yourself in the quaintness of the lacy curtains and tango posters while munching with Argentine nationals looking for a reminder of home.

• Pros: crazy-delish food, excellent party food
• Cons: parking can be hard, service a little slow