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    Empanada Kitchen

    4.6 (329 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Empanada Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

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    EMPANADA KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Empanada Kitchen

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    Randall B.

    Food is great but at $5 a pop it gets spendy quickly. Hrratcemoanadas though. Service is also good. Place was clean and had new seating.

    Amy W.

    Is there anyone out there that doesn't love empanadas?! I mean, what's not to love! If y'all have read my reviews before, you know that the Hubs and I love to do a beer day - Hopping around to different breweries trying new brews.. and of course, some new snacks along the way. Empanada Kitchen has become one of my favorite snacks on said beer days and would be one of my go-to spots regularly if there was one in my direct neighborhood - * cough * Maybe Carmel Valley should be the next spot for a shop! Empanada Kitchen has 3 location in San Diego - North Park, La Jolla and Downtown {with a few pop-ups at select Pure Project locations}. Great idea - Is there a better combo than Brews and Empanadas?! I think not! Aside from visiting one of the locations, you can also order delivery via Uber Eats, Door Dash and Grub Hub - Score! Plus, catering for all of your Empanada needs. And all locations are open 7 days a week - Just check their IG for exact hour for each location - @empanadakitchensd The empanadas come in a variety of flavors: Veggie, Chicken, Mushroom & Goat Cheese, Beef, Caprese, Ham & Cheese, Sweet Corn & Basil, Lamb, Breakfast {only available during breakfast hours} and Specialty Flavors that rotate based on season and location. My top 3 {in no particular order}: Ham & Cheese, Sweet Corn & Basil and the Caprese. And do not skip out on the chimichurri - This kicks it up to a whole other level! You are also wise to get three as there is a 3 for $12 deal - or another $12 deal for 2 empanadas and a salad. You will also find a nice selection of non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy. I'm already thinking about my next visit! When you go - Let me know what you try!

    Me looking at the selection of empanadas on display on the front counter.
    Ashley H.

    17-Sep-2025 Today my 4 boys were super hungry on the way to the barbershop. I usually carry a healthy snack for them, but today I totally forgot. I decided to find empanadas and came across Empanada Kitchen. I am so glad I stopped! Joanah was working the evening shift and was so kind to greet me, even while helping another guest, when I arrived and quickly helped me choose my empanadas. I bought 10 (6 chicken and 4 beef). The ambiance is like a nice coffee shop. It's certainly not some old ma and pa shop. It's modern and really clean and quiet with black and yellow colors. What I found to be really cool is that there is a small stamp or impression on the corner of each empanada to tell you what flavor you have when you open your mixed box. They provide this a unique card to help you. Amazing! If you are looking for a quick delicious empanada spot this is highly recommended. Price point is pricey, but there is a 3 for $11 deal. Gone are the days of $2 empanadas! Thanks, Ashley

    Juliana C.

    This review is long overdue! This is a small kitchen, but don't doubt it's got big flavor! I've been frequenting this location for a long time. It's so hard to just get 3 empanadas, but when you need that quick fix of deliciousness, it hits the spot! We love trying the special flavors but our fav is definitely the beef empanada and the chicken empanada as our second! The bacon and egg empanada is only offered during breakfast time (just an FYI if you want one in the evening). You get a small chimichurri to dip with your empanada, but when that's not enough, get the big jar! We love it, so we buy the jar! It's about $12, but we use it for others things and it's definitely more than enough for the empanadas! They also make it spicy! Only a few seats inside and out. They have a small parking lot, shared with the Wise Ox. You can quickly grab your empanadas and be in your way. 2025:26

    Front
    Andrea Q.

    I made a to-go phone order. I requested twi orders of the 3 empanadas for $12, with the chicken, beef, and corn. The sweet corn was definitely my favorite, and the chimichurri was delicious.

    Katherine K.

    I have been wanting to come here for a long time now. I drive passed it all the time and finally stopped by wishing I had done so sooner. It's a cute, bright little shop that hurt my eyes a little bit (in a good way). My guy and I tried the Chicken and the Mushroom & Goat Cheese. I really liked the dough for both empanadas. The chicken was definitely juicy, as the description warns, but the overall flavor was on the blander side. The mushroom one was soo good! Next time, I want my own. No sharing this one ever again. Neither my guy nor I enjoyed their chimichurri. It was all oil and no actual flavor. Their spicy chimichurri was way better, but wasn't actually spicy. I did come here late at night, so I'm looking forward to trying it when the empanadas and the chimichurri is fresher.

    Anthony D.

    Stopped by about 1 hour before closing and most empanadas were still available. We got the Beef, Ratatouille (Veggie), and the Sweet Corn & Basil. For $4 each it's a pretty decent deal. Inside is very vibrant with a few tables. Between the 3, I felt that the Beef had the best flavor overall. It was nicely spiced and very savory. I also enjoyed the Sweet Corn & Basil one which came with a creamy sauce and was still balanced with the sweetness of the corn. The dipping sauce is some sort of chimichurri which was decent but wasn't necessary for every single empanada. I do feel that the empanadas could be stuffed a little more. They aren't particularly plump but rather more flat and thin. The texture of the outside was nice and semi-soft crispy though.

    Lamb, Mushroom & Goat Cheese, Veggie
    Jane L.

    Been driving by this place for months, finally popped in today. We are so HAPPY we did! Bright, clean and cheery store front with two high top tables and stools. We were greeted with a smile. She was pulling them out of the oven when we walked up. They smelled so good! Today's special was Choripan, but the ran out. We ordered: Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Corn & Basil, Mushroom & Goat Cheese and Veggie with both spicy and regular chimichurri sauces. They were the perfect size so you can have more than one. The dough to filling ratio was on point. Each one was so juicy and didn't need sauce. Our favorite was the Mushroom & Goat cheese but they were all very yummy! She threw in the apple because they ran out of the special. Will be back to try the others!

    Jhenny B.

    Really wanted to try other things but the beef was calling my name. And they didn't have the caprice available. First bite, was kinda mid. But man after adding the chimichurri sauce, that was a def game changer. It added so much more flavor. I liked my empanadas, I will be going back to try others. The dough was really tasty too. Parking is kinda hard. Small, cute little spot.

    Maureen T.

    These were "just okay" for us. It may be authentic, however, I thought it lacked flavor and spice. We got a box of assorted flavors so we had the opportunity to sample different fillings. Street parking and tons of foot traffic for the neighboring restaurants but no line at this place.

    Jerome C.

    A good place to snack some great tasting empanadas but parking is limited. The service is very friendly. Bright and yellow inside.

    Han L.

    Pretty good empanadas. the corn one was good with the chimmichurri sauce. really nice worker

    Box of 4+guide
    Lora B.

    So delicious. So easy to order. So easy to understand which one you're about to bite into. They give you a guide to help reveal which ones you have. Hardest part is deciding what to order when your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Everything was seasoned well, had nice crispy and soft dough, and delicious chimichurri to pair with them.

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    1 year ago

    This place is fantastic, fed me through law school, will still drop by when I'm in the area.

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    Page 2 of 9

    Ask the Community - Empanada Kitchen

    Any gluten/dairy/soy free empanadas?

    Our salads are gluten/ dairy/ soy free and we also have a vegan empanada that is dairy and soy free. Thanks

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Empanada Kitchen

    Empanada Kitchen

    4.7
    (515 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $

    Felt very meh about this place. I visited with some…read morecoworkers at lunch. There was only one employee working and she was very rude! Was not friendly and did not care about the way she conducted her service. I ordered a corn and cheese empanada and a spicy beef one with a side salad. Side salad is totally not worth it, do not get it! Tastes like a regular Costco salad with some walnuts. Both empanadas were good and fresh but nothing to rave about. The spicy beef one was the best one. I don't think I'd recommend this place.

    It's most certainly a bright spot. The staff there this Sunday morning when I visited was cheerful…read more Lovely. And super warm. She / They made the visit pleasant. I thought the food was above average. I think it's great for a quick snack. I think it's great if you're just passing by. But I wouldn't go out my way. I got two this morning. One lamb. One mushroom and cheese. Torn on which one is better. I think without the chimichurri sauce, the lamb was better. It was savory and rich. It felt well put together. But I added the sauce and it switched the flavor profile of it a bit too much. The mushroom and cheese one was the opposite. It didn't need the sauce but the sauce enhanced it quite a bit. The sauce was okay. I got the spicy one and it was more mild. I can only imagine what the mild version tasted like. Plenty of seats. Can fit maybe 30ish people inside and outside. It's a warm atmosphere / ambiance with it being yellow and white.

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    Beef
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    Paraná Empanadas

    Paraná Empanadas

    4.0
    (477 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $

    I love empanadas and have had these empanadas before when at Pacific Beach open market…read more I kind of stumbled on this place and immediately I knew I wanted some empanadas! Empanadas are stuffed turnovers, originally from Spain and Portugal, and eaten widely across South America, including Argentina, Paraguay and also eaten in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Phillipines too. They are a delight and delicious! This spot is an Argentinian place and I got 3 empanadas. They have many different stuffed options and I chose a beef, mushroom and spinach as my three. I asked how spicy the spicy beef one is and the very nice lady working said it was about 5/10, so I passed. She said it wad spicy, unfortunately, I cannot handle too spicy. So far, I have eaten the beef and spinach one and like them both. I was given chimichurri sauce, but I dont think I like this version, its a little too lemony for me. I like a more parsley forward chimichurri and this one too sour for me. For 3 empanadas, it was about $11, which isnt too bad! The empanadas are delicious and I will def be back again and again!!

    I really like the empanadas here. I do not like fried empanadas so to me these are close to…read moreperfect. I like the texture of the baked dough and usually these are filled pretty full. I prefer the spinach, mushroom and beef empanadas. I tried the Malbec beef but it was too mushy and sweet for me. I'll stick with the traditional one, with olives. I lived in S. FL and baked empanadas are everywhere and usually were $1.50 each (now maybe $2.00-$2.50) so it does bug me to pay $4.00 for an empanada. On the other hand, they make a great snack or meal, depending on how many you get. And they are not as easy to find here, especially baked, so I'll keep coming to Parana.

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    Great service!
    Great service!
    Malbec Beef Empanada
    Malbec Beef Empanada
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    Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant

    Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant

    4.6
    (543 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    As a Colombian who has been craving authentic Colombian cuisine since my last visit to New York in…read moreDecember, I can confidently say this restaurant truly satisfied those cravings. Being nearly eight months pregnant, my expectations were especially high, and it is rare to find a place that meets them so well. From the seasoning of the food to the warm and attentive service, everything about this restaurant stands out. Although I don't recall my server's name, he was incredibly kind and provided excellent service throughout. The ambiance is also worth noting--the space is large, offers plenty of seating options, and even features a large TV, making it a great spot to relax or watch sports. To start, I ordered a watered mango juice along with a beef empanada. The empanada exceeded my expectations--despite being on the smaller side, it was packed with flavor. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered five more to go, which speaks for itself. They were served with fresh ají, a traditional sauce that complemented them perfectly. For my main course, I had the carne asada plate, which included steak, rice, beans, sweet plantains, avocado, tomato slices, and a small arepa. Every component of the dish was well-executed--the beans were flavorful, the meat was well-seasoned, and the overall plate felt authentic. It is often difficult to find truly authentic Colombian food, especially in San Diego, where options are limited or not genuinely Colombian. This restaurant, however, delivers on authenticity and flavor. The portion size was generous, and I ended up taking leftovers home to enjoy later. In addition to the empanadas (two chicken and three beef), I also ordered a buñuelo and a cheese arepa to go. Unfortunately, these items did not meet the same standard. The arepa lacked flavor and was overly greasy, and the buñuelo was dry and similarly oily, even after absorbing excess grease from the bag. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for Colombian food, especially given how rare it is to find quality options in this area. Friends of mine visited recently as well and thoroughly enjoyed their bandeja paisa, further confirming the consistency of the food. I will definitely be returning--especially for those empanadas. Como colombiana que ha estado antojándose de comida colombiana auténtica desde mi último viaje a Nueva York en diciembre, puedo decir con confianza que este restaurante realmente cumplió con mis expectativas. Además, estando casi de ocho meses de embarazo, mis expectativas eran aún más altas, y no es fácil encontrar un lugar que las cumpla tan bien. Desde el sazón de la comida hasta el servicio cálido y atento, todo en este restaurante destaca. Aunque no recuerdo el nombre del mesero, fue sumamente amable y atento. un servicio excelente en todo momento. El ambiente también merece mención: el lugar es amplio, y limpio. cuenta con muchas opciones de asientos y tiene una pantalla grande, lo que lo hace ideal para relajarse o ver deportes. Para empezar, pedí un jugo de mango (rebajado con agua) junto con una empanada de carne. La empanada superó mis expectativas; aunque es un poco pequeña, tiene muchísimo sabor. Me gustó tanto que pedí cinco más para llevar, lo cual habla por sí solo. Venían acompañadas de ají fresco, que las complementa perfectamente. Como plato fuerte, pedí la carne asada, que incluía arroz, frijoles, plátano maduro, aguacate, rodajas de tomate y una arepita. Cada componente del plato estaba muy bien logrado: los frijoles tenían un excelente sabor, la carne estaba bien sazonada y jugosa y, en general, el plato se sentía auténtico. Hoy en día es difícil encontrar comida colombiana verdaderamente auténtica, especialmente en San Diego, donde las opciones son limitadas o no lo son del todo. Sin embargo, este restaurante sí cumple con ese nivel de autenticidad y sabor. La porción fue bastante generosa, por lo que terminé llevándome lo que no pude terminar para comer más tarde. Además de las empanadas (dos de pollo y tres de carne), también pedí un buñuelo y una arepa de queso para llevar. Lamentablemente, estos no estuvieron al mismo nivel. La arepa carecía de sabor y estaba grasosa, y el buñuelo estaba seco y también muy aceitoso, incluso después de que la bolsa absorbiera parte de la grasa. En general, recomiendo este restaurante sin duda a cualquiera que esté buscando comida colombiana, especialmente considerando lo difícil que es encontrar buenas opciones en esta área. Unos amigos míos también vinieron recientemente y les encantó su bandeja paisa, lo que confirma la calidad constante del lugar. Definitivamente volveré, especialmente por esas empanadas.

    BEST EMPANADAS IN ALL OF SAN DIEGO. I spent my whole day trying to find good empanadas here in san…read morediego that would remind me of new york and this was the only location that didn't disappoint. $1.99 per empanada, they are super filling and can tell are made with love. Service was amazing and quick and the atmosphere is very welcoming i love this place. LAS MEJORES EMPANADAS DE TODO SAN DIEGO. Pasé todo el día buscando buenas empanadas aquí en San Diego que me recordaran a Nueva York, y este fue el único lugar que no decepcionó. $1.99 por empanada, son muy llenadoras y se nota que están hechas con amor. El servicio fue increíble y rápido, y el ambiente es muy acogedor. Me encanta este lugar.

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    Mama G’s Kitchen & Sauce

    Mama G’s Kitchen & Sauce

    4.6
    (181 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I don't even know where to begin--this place absolutely blew me away. From the first bite to the…read morelast, every dish felt like a perfectly crafted experience. The meat was unbelievably tender, cooked to perfection, and packed with deep, rich flavor. Every element on the plate was balanced so well--it honestly felt like an explosion of flavors in the best possible way. The sauces, the sides, the textures... everything just worked together seamlessly. You can tell there's real care and intention behind every dish. And the service? Absolutely outstanding. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming--it made the whole experience even better. And let me talk about the alfajores--WOW. The perfect level of sweetness, with just the right amount of crunch. Not too heavy, not too sugary--just pure perfection. Hands down, this is the best food I've had in San Diego to date. No exaggeration. I'll be back as often as I possibly can. If you're even thinking about trying this place--go. Trust me.

    As a Peruano, I have to say I love the authenticity of Mama G's. You step into a a cute space…read moreadorned with Peruvian artifiacts and decorations. Our server was very attentive and I heard him explain all the plates to a table next to us. He was even wearing a Peruvian NT jersey! We weren't that hungry so we shared the fish ceviche and the lomo sandwich! The ceviche was very tasty and the leche the tigre tasted just right! All the authentic ingredients...next time I'd order it a bit more spicy. The fish did not taste that fresh so I wonder what they were using buy overall I'd say this is the best Peruvian ceviche I've had in SD....taste wise. The lomo sandwich was huge! My girlfriend and I split it and she couldn't finish her half. All the dishes looked very generously portioned which is very good for the price point. The sauce on the sandwich gave it a unique taste. 4 stars for now but because I didnt try the lomo saltado and the freshness of the fish in the ceviche. Will definitely return!

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    Choros a la chalaca (mussels)
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    Empanada Kitchen - argentine - Updated July 2026

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