Craving uniquely flavored empanadas?? Well this is the spot to go if you ever find yourself in downtown SD. I came here on a Friday afternoon and was greeted and helped by the employees. They are so friendly and will answer any of your questions. I took my order to go and they even had a card with illustrations so that you are able to identify which empanada you are eating. My favorite types were the bacon and egg and ham and cheese. They stay pretty warm for awhile too - I had gotten them to eat at a park that was a few min away and when I was ready to eat they were still warm and delicious! They also have a good deal where you can get 3 empanadas for under $10.00! It was a satisfying deal. They also have vegetarian options too which was nice. Can't wait to come back here and try the other types! read more

I'm from South Florida so, I'm very fortunate to have authentic Latin cuisine easily available. It's hard to find certain kinds of authentic Latin food in SD. However, these empanadas are so bomb! They taste just like the ones I get at home. They are so flavorful and baked perfectly. I love their little menu diagram. Both times I've ordered I get curbside pick up. Super easy & convenient. read more

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Gah love the vibe and the color of this place. Really adorable. The empanadas are great. They're amazing. Good sizes.unique flavors. Pretty decent price. Yum. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

We were vending SDCC in July and ordered from this restaurant almost every day. The owner went above and beyond to make sure everything was fresh and delivered in a timely manner. Customer service is impeccable and the food is phenomenal. Can't wait for next year, we know what our go-to place will be! All of the flavors were delicious, but my three favorites were definitely the chicken, sweet corn and mushroom. And if they have the apple pies or Argentinian cookies, make sure you get them. So yummy! read more

While walking around the outskirts of downtown, the bright yellow exterior immediately drew my attention to this place. Once I realized that this was a place specializing in empanadas, I excitedly headed inside to check it out. The interior is just as charming as the exterior. It's bright and airy with high top wooden tables, industrial yellow stools, and plants hanging off the walls. They have plenty of outdoor seating as well. I went with their 3 for $9 special and got chicken, beef, and sweet corn empanadas. They were really tasty. The crust was flaky, warm, and buttery, with just the right amount of char. It sturdily held in the generous filling without crumbling apart after sinking my teeth into it. The filling of the beef and corn were very flavorful and well seasoned, but I was a bit let down by the chicken empanada. The chicken was a little dry and the sofrito (pepper/onion/garlic mixture) was cold. They have a good selection of empanadas, so I'll probably skip out on the chicken next time and try their other flavors. Each empanada is uniquely shaped with different edge foldings to distinguish between the different flavors. They include a card with illustrations with every to go order so you know which empanada is which. While this is a good idea, I find this to be a bit wasteful- my suggestion would be to have this printed on the to go box itself. Or maybe get a stamp to brand on each empanada- my favorite empanada place back in the Midwest did this, which I thought was clever. If you're looking for a quick bite or craving empanadas, come check out this place! read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

Was a nice quick bite. I got the chicken, beef, and ratatouille. Tastes good. They give a slight discount for ordering 3 or you can get 2 and a salad. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

I wish I found this place prior to my last day in SD, I LOVE their empanadas, so freaking good! The staff are friendly, the indoor area is clean and modern. There is even an outdoor area to enjoy the weather. If you are staying in the downtown area, come by, this place is legit! read more

Empanada Kitchen - (Top)Mushroom & Goat Cheese, and (bottom) Sweet Corn Basil empanadas - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

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Very clean inside and they stick with their cash cow-- empanadas. I had the beef & lamb and oh my goodness, they were sooooo good! I had to reheat them in the microwave 2 days later to eat them and they were still delicious so that says something. Each one is about $4, which is a little high IMO. I also wish I had 1 sauce per empanada; they gave me 1 sauce for 2. read more

Decided to give this place a try today.. not really an empanada person in general so I didn't have much expectation but WOW! I ordered 2 beef and 1 chicken empanada (lunch special) for $9.50 which is a pretty good deal! The empanadas are big and the you can feel the homemade goodness in the empanada dough! They were akin to Asian dumplings! Once you bite into them, they burst with flavor and all their juice goodness! The beef was marinated ground beef and was very tender and flavorful, as was the chicken, which was marinated sofrito style! All in all, a really good lunch experience and I can't wait to be back! p.s. It's pretty cool how they braid all of their empanadas differently based on the fillings read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

Very tasty empanadas, the ham and cheese and the chicken ones were very well made and very delicious read more

Empanada Kitchen - Really tasty! - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

An empanada spot?! I'm in heaven. These are pretty big portions of empanada. 2 filled me up. I probably should've just had 1 and a salad. All good though. The traditional beef empanada was my favorite. The crust has a nice crunch and the texture is soft inside. The filling is just the right combination of savory with chopped veggies. The chicken empanada was just as good! Get a side of the chimi churri. The cold pressed coffee is perfect for the mid afternoon. There's seating inside and covered picnic tables outside. Do you enjoy people watching? Outside is the place to be. The staff is wonderful. I'll be back for more. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

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Amazing food and amazing staff Warm crispy empanadas, thick flaky crust With perfect portioned insides ! I tried the corn empanada and it was great! Will definitely be back read more

Really good empanadas & good for the price since everything in downtown is SUPER expensive. They are very flavorful. Would definitely recommend. read more

DELICIOUS. Each empanada had its own unique flavor profile, and each one was amazingly tasty. We had the chicken, beef, bacon & egg, and mushroom & goat cheese. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in town! read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

Met some friends here for lunch on a Friday. We went early like 1130 and there was no line. They have a lunch special of 3 empanadas for $9. Got the lamb, had and cheese and traditional. We had a seat on the outside picnic tables and they brought our food out rather quickly. The empanadas themselves were really good,all made with fresh local ingredients. The lamb was probably my favorite out of the three I had. Only drawback is that even after eating 3 of these each all 3 of us were still hungry afterwards. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

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Best empanadas in town! Perfectly cooked pastry not over cooked nor deep fried. There are Lines out the door at certain times but looks like we nailed it this time. We did a taste of 3 for $9.50 -Chicken is delectable and my favorite one - Italian sausage - Ham and eggs for breakfast hits the spot Try this place if you are in the area. You won't regret it! read more

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Meh... where's the meat in these empanadas??? And for the cost.... they should be a little more filled inside. Felt ripped off. Got 4 empanadas for $15. And I know empanadas i lived in Miami for many years and had a friend who's dad made them from scratch. I love love the branding this spot has, its modern sleek and simple. They did a fantastic job on the marketing side and to think they started with a food truck turned into a small shop operation with seating inside, pretty cool. And I do like that they are baked, love the healthy aspect... but I don't want to be paying for the dough only, there needs to be more filling inside. Since there is a small selection of empanadas here in San Diego, I'm sure they do well. I'm going to go pass on them and wait until we go abroad again to South America and then have a empanada binge and it will be budget friendly. .... read more

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The service was good- We ordered and the waitperson delivered our food to our table- explaining how to tell the difference between the various empanadas we ordered. We had a variety and were not over delighted with any of them except for the roasted vegetable one, which was excellent. I'm not dying to go back. read more

We tried this place for the first time and we will definetely be going back. We had three different empanadas and each were delicious! Great three empanada deal as well but not sure if it's a lunch special. The gentleman at the counter was very helpful and friendly as well. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Beef , lamb and mushroom/goat cheese - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is a hidden gem, although it is bright yellow on the outside of the building :) They have multiple options for empanadas for meat eaters and vegetarians which is great. You can see the cooks in the back hand making and frying the empanadas. This alone impressed me and it's great to know they're not just frozen and popped into a microwave. I ordered a sweet corn salsa empanada and it was delicious. The sweet corn bursts into your mouth and is packed with flavor. It's also flaky on the outside and the textures complimented each other very well. I even ordered 2 more to go :) My boyfriend had the Ratatouille which I believe is the only vegetarian option and the Mushroom w/ Goat cheese empanada. He loved them!! read more

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The Empanada Kitchen is awesome! All of the staff that I have met have been extremely professional and kind, and the empanadas are delicious. They have a great variety as well, including some desert options like alfajores! Thank you Dan for the consistently amazing service! read more

Tried this place for the first time today and decided on the mushroom & goat cheese empanada and the beef empanada. They are delicious especially accompanied by the spicy chimichurri sauce. I definitely will go back to try the corn & basil and the chicken empanada. So delicious! read more

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The food was so good you can really tell the empanadas are handmade with the sauce especially, absolutely delicious. The owner is fantastic. They are so sweet and the service is impeccable. Will definitely be coming here again, highly recommend if you're ever in La Jolla. read more

Great empanadas. The staff is always very nice and they have your empanadas ready quickly.

Amazing empanadas. We got ham and cheese, beef, and the Special which was Spicy Sausage were amazing! The bread is good and the place is clean the service is excellent. Empanadas so good we had to get some to go as well. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quick bite in Downtown SD. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas To Go - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

You got me at Empanada! I'm a sucker for empanadas, and had to make a early morning visit here. Perfect timing due to the location being in downtown, and only metered parking. The space is very cute, with a splash of yellow and black signage as a welcome sign and continued theme colors of yellow, black, and white as you enter and wooden rustic tables with a mid century modern touch - give a cool ambiance. As for the empanadas, the menu is pictured on how to differentiate the empanadas (which is which), it is good if you buy variety. My choices: Beef- definitely the traditional Argentinian. Rich flavors with the ground beef and paired with the chimichurri sauce. Chicken- I liked it, but not a favorite out of the bunch I ordered Sweet corn and basil- reminded me a little bit of a empanada that had that sweet corn from corn bread and cheese. My favorite! Mushroom & goat cheese- the touch of mozzarella cheese, sauteed mushrooms, and of course goat cheese=amazing! The dough on all of them even if you take home and want to eat later still tastes good! Staff is very friendly and helpful. read more

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As soon as you walk in you're greeting with the smell of freshly baked empanadas. All the empanadas are nice and crunchy on the outside and super soft on the inside, just perfect! They offer their own chimichurri, it adds a nice hint of spice to the food. Super clean place and amazing service. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Mushroom and goat cheese empanada - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

Brought friends from Brazil here because they were craving empanadas and we all loved it. Reasonably priced, delicious, but best of all was the outstanding service. Nicely decorated and we must have come at the perfect time because we didn't have to wait at all. We tried the chicken, beef, and Caprese. We found parking easily at a meter on the street. Would recommend this to others :) read more

Stopped by here for lunch while in the Downtown San Diego area. The staff here were very friendly and welcoming, and the menu is really straightforward. I ordered the three empanada meal for $9.50. The empanadas are pre made and they just take it out of their warmer and bring it out. I ordered the Mushroom and Goat cheese empanada, Vegan (ratatouille) empanada, and the chicken empanada. I would give the mushroom and goat cheese empanada 5 stars, the vegan empanada 3 stars, and the chicken empanada 4 stars. The mushroom empanada had a really smooth, cheesy interior and it was savory; really tasty. The chicken empanada was also pretty good. It was juicy, and had somewhat of a tomato flavor. Not the strongest flavor but was definitely pretty good. Finally, the ratatouille was my least favorite. It wasn't bad by any means, but the flavor was just not there with the interior consisting of grilled vegetables. I probably wouldn't order this one next time. The chimichurri sauce is also a nice touch with the empanadas. Overall, three empanadas was definitely filling. Very friendly service, and pretty good empanadas with some being better than others! read more

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A relative newbie to San Diego (via NYC) and I now live downtown. Today, I was literally wandering around on a scooter to seek out lunch and came across this place. Had to try them. (I used to own an empanada consession in East Harlem.) I got 3 for $9.95 deal. (Was a little more because of one specialty pie choice; LAMB..SO WORTH IT). Tried the Lamb, the spicy beef (which was the special of the day) and the mushroom with goat cheese. All three were perfectly cooked and simply, SPECTACULARLY delicious! Crust was perfect, not doughy, not to thin or too thick and perfectly baked. The ingredients were all top quality and VERY TASTY. Melt-in-your-mouth good! I almost never YELP but i just finished eating these and felt compelled to let EK and you know it! I can't wait to try the others over the next days weeks and months! I could not have done better myself! The person working the counter was super friendly, helpful and cool and the place itself is pristine and quite inviting. I am an uber driver and will recommend Empanada Kitchen to anyone who asks where to find great food in downtown San Diego. PS I LOVE SAN DIEGO! read more

My daughter's & I ate here for an early dinner 9 days ago. It was delicious! The lot across the street was closed & under construction, but we pulled right into a parking spot around the corner & threw some quarters in the meter. Friendly employees, clean restaurant, & great prices! read more

Solid empanadas and I particularly enjoy the ham and cheese and corn and basil. Love their chimichurri. There is a parking lot with like eight spots which is nice and convenient. read more

Wowza. Good cold or hot, beach or road trip snack or warmed up in store. Also excellent customer service, we had to come back the next day to pick some up for the airport! read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

One of my favorite places to swing by when I want a light lunch/ snack. There are so many great flavors to try. I have never had a bad empanada here! Best empanadas in San Diego. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California

I spent a few days at a hotel near here in San Diego and was looking for a quick and easy breakfast, and this place definitely hit the spot. They make each empanada by hand and have quite the selection of fillings and such too! They have a special empanada each day and today it was the Argentine sausage that was packed with flavor. We also got a sweet corn and basil which had just the right amount of sweetness and their classic beef empanada at the suggestion from the employee there, and he was not wrong--also pretty tasty! Each empanda is also designed differently too and you get this cool little card that shows you based on how the empanada looks what type of emapanada it is. The service here is great and fast and they were both super happy it seemed to be working there. If you get three emapanads it is $9.95 which is a bit steep for the size of the empanadas is my only thing, but definitely would go back and a perfect snack or meal particularly on the go. read more

Tasty and fresh, I am vegetarian and there were several veggie based options! Would recommend

Delicious food and great service! The chimichurri is incredible. A great pick for breakfast, lunch, dessert, or a snack!

excellent customer service, and then the food quality backs it up ten fold! highly reccomend to anyone in the area read more

Came here for a quick lunch and ordered all the vegetarian options-- caprese, sweet corn and basil, and mushroom and goat cheese-- and loved them all. Would totally get the mushroom and goat cheese ones again, they reminded one of us of the mushroom turnovers TJ's used to sell. The sweet corn and basil had just the right amount of basil, and our infant loved the filling too! If we were to be back, we'd happily order the same flavors again, and perhaps try their fake chicken one or a daily special. read more

The bad thing about my heritage is that I can't find many options for when I'm craving food from home. I think I FINALLY found the solution. My mother and I decided to stop by for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. The location was easy to find and we were warmly welcomed by the owner, Matias. The interior was very clean and urbanely decorated. Matias recognized my mother's Chilean accent while he was explaining the menu. We bother ordered 3 empanadas with a drink. I noticed that they have a special for 3 empanadas for $9.50 and if you ordered a drink, you got a discount of 50 cents. They also had a special of two empanadas with a salad for $9.95. My mom ordered two beef empanadas and a caprese and I ordered a ham & cheese, a beef, and a chicken. The masa (bread) was absolutely delish ! So very similar to the empanadas I grew up eating. This place is way better than I expected. I'd def be returning. read more

Empanada Kitchen - Empanadas Near Me - San Diego, California