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    Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen

    4.0 (3.2k reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    EMPANADA MAMA - HELL'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Reviews With Photos - Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen

    Cuban Sandwich
    Giselle G.

    I have been here a couple of times and every time, I go it is good. The service is always great as well. I went and I ordered the Cuban empanada, and the steak sandwich with yuca fries. It was really good and the portion is generous, easily you can have for another meal. I had a frozen drink and it was good. This place is always a good idea because they are 24 hours, the food is consistent and reliable and the service is always good. The vibe is a dive bar mixed with college vibe. It's a fun place a a great place for late night eats.

    Portia D.

    My boyfriend and I went here for an early bite. Bottom line...the empanadas are good. I would stick to the traditional empanadas (beef, pork). The drinks were decent. My issue is the service. The host was super rude...wouldn't allow us to sit in window bc we were a party of two. We later saw two white women sitting in window seats. Racism? Whatever it is...I won't be returning to this location.

    Empanada
    Alyssa W.

    Amazing. Great late night bites. So many options. Can't wait to visit again. Plantain chips with guacamole was amazing. Jerk chicken empanada was amazing

    Maduros
    Bella M.

    I'm not sure how I've never written a review for empanada mama, I've been to this Hell's kitchen location many times in the last 20 years. Congratulations to them, by the way, for being there for 20 years and their expansion. We were lucky enough to get a table for 5 there on Mother's Day, and everything was excellent. We had the shredded chicken, el jefe, cheeseburger, portobello mushroom and eggplant parm empanadas. Both wheat and corn versions were great, I'm a big fan of the green sauce- not as spicy as the red sauce but still has a nice kick. The maduros were delicious, shared by the table. Guava cheese dessert empanada was OK- most didn't love the guava but enjoyed the cheese part. The service was great, and my kids enjoyed their Shirley Temple

    12/29/25 - Brunch Specials Menu
    Teri C.

    Our local Hell's Kitchen resident suggested Empanada Mama as a place for dinner for us to catch up. We walked in around 7 pm on a Monday and was lucky to find a table. Initially, they wanted us to sit in the far left corner but it looked really dark there. I'm not sure if there was a light out or what. I saw another table on the far right corner and asked if we could sit there instead. The person seating us seemed slightly annoyed with my request, and I did not mind waiting if they needed to set it up as we were still waiting for the rest of our party. It only took a moment and they had a take a seat. It took a good while to get a menu as they only have 1 paper menu on hand and everything was online. We were not getting the best internet service at the restaurant, so it was hard to look over the menu. And not everyone at our table had a device to look at the menu as well. We also waited a good while to put our order in. Thank goodness we were not in a rush, but it was noticeable. Despite being called Empanada Mama's, they also have a plenty of other dishes if empanadas aren't your thing. I'm not the biggest fan of empanadas, so was excited for the other items they offered. These were some of the things we ordered: * Yucca & Chips Combo $16.50 - I really enjoyed the plantain chips, which is why we ended up having another side order of them. The yucca was okay. * Homemade Plantain Chips $5.00 * Mama's Steak and Eggs $23 - This is a huge order and honestly, should be shared. However, the Little Guy, who is a growing teenager, ate pretty much the whole thing minus the bread. * Cubana Arepa $13.50 - I enjoyed their version of the arepa. It's a good size and can be shared as well. * Cheesesteak Empanada $4.90 * The Argentinian $20 - This is a pretty filling sandwich and it comes with chips. * Ham & Cheese Arepa $13.50 * Coconut Margarita $17.00 * Pineapple Shake $7.95 * Guava Shake $7.95 * Pisco Sour $17.00 For the amount of food we ordered, including beverages, there just wasn't enough room on the table. We were struggling as we had a party of five and the platters were huge. At one point, we wanted to look at the menu again to order an item but the lone menu was being used so we couldn't look at it again. Thank goodness I took photos of the menu earlier. We did end up ordering too much food and had some to take home. There were some highlights for sure like the plantain chips and arepas. What put us off was the automatic 20% gratuity added to our bill. I did not see this written anywhere and would have been fine with it if the service actually warranted a 20% tip. But we had wait often, and that's not a good thing. In the future, I would consider grabbing their food to go as dining in wasn't worth it.

    Perfect plantains
    Jessica C.

    Im an out of towner and my friend who is a local suggested we meet there before seeing a broadway show. So glad she did! Such a hidden gem! I hardly ever eat empanadas and I probably still want because these were so amazing that it will probably be hard to find in LA. But I had the buffalo chicken and bourbon chicken ones, and my friend had the ham and cheese and cheeseburger ones. They were so delicious plus they came with so many dipping sauces which is like heaven for me! We also split an order of plantains which I think might be the best plantains I've ever had. They were so perfect and had a caramelized crunchy border that was just amazing. It also happened to be Halloween night, and we arrived as they were setting up for some sort of party, which was awesome. Everyone was dressed in costume and they had a DJ plus decorations. Big props to the DJ who was playing amazing throwback tunes. Who doesn't love Eating with a good soundtrack?!

    Rice & Beans Corn. Delish and Filling
    Walter S.

    Hi there Empanada Mama, I gotta say I'm a big fan in a big way! While drinking around enjoying a chill afternoon in Hell's Kitchen a buddy took me to Empanada Mama for a quick bite and it hit the spot. So much so that each time since I've been in the city I've stopped by for another round. This location not only has table service, and a full bar, but also offers easy takeaway options to boot. I've always dinned in and service has been fast and friendly, without being overbearing. I'm vegetarian and have tried a variety of their offerings and have never been disappointed (the corn flour empandas hold a special place in my heart and belly) . I usually will order an extra empanada or two to take back with me to the hotel for later on. Speaking of their offerings...the menu has LOTS to offer...like it can be overwhelming, but I love how diverse their offerings are. Not only that but they also have seasonal and rotating/limited menu offerings to boot, so be sure to check it out. As I mentioned earlier, they have a full bar and an extensive drink menu, but I have never personally partaken in their boozy libations. All things considered, it is safe to assume that I will continue my Empanada Mama tradition in coming trips and now that I've typed up this review I am craving said return visit.

    Empanadas.
    Cindy Z.

    It's a Tuesday night and there's a crowd here with people looking for some good drunchies. But also still a great spot for empanadas even when sober too. Two or three empanadas will fill you up at under $5 each. My friend and I shared the Al Pastor, Viagra, Jerk & Cheese, Bombay, and Romeo & Juliet. All the flavors were delicious and the crust is flakey and crispy holding all the fillings very well. They were all well stuffed and seasoned for a delicious bite everytime. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the flavors here honestly. Love that they are open 24/7 and offer a pretty big dining space when you just want to wine down after a night out, but also great for on the go. It is also great for pre-gaming too as they offer margarita towers.

    Alisa J.

    Pretty good empanadas. Surprisingly liked the corn shell more even though it was much thicker cause it hold the topping in better and the sauces as well. The rice and and bean one was my favorite.

    Nicole D.

    We absolutely loved this place. The vibe is very upbeat and energetic. The service is exceptional and the food was amazing. We ordered several different options of empanadas to try and loved all of them. The flavors are perfect and I would love to go back to this place again. We didn't get a cocktail this evening, but they have an extensive cocktail menu.

    Chandler R.

    They added some items to their menu and I couldn't resist the Mexi-burger. It did not disappoint! So delicious! Their take on the burger has fresh avocado slices and a tasty sauce on it. Very filling too, with a side of light chips that are very flavorful. I went with the happy hour red sangria today to drink and it might be my new go-to!

    Miss B.

    Disappointed because they didn't have my bourbon melt. That's my favorite. Ordered 2 buffalo chicken, 2 cheeseburgers & 1 viagra. Buffalo chicken was good with the ranch sauce. Cheeseburgers were very greasy. Tried the Viagra for the 1st time & now it's my 2nd favorite. Yummers! Will always support empanada mama!

    Renee R.

    Popped in here to grab a bite after walking around the city on a cold day just before the holiday wrap up. Food is always fresh. Our server is a little bit in a mood but it's all good. The vibe is always chill otherwise

    Avocado Salad

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    8 years ago

    Their empanadas are amazing !!! And service is fast and good.i also had their frozen margarita for a change,pretty tasty.

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    9 years ago

    The best Empanadas in NY (get the Spicy Chicken ). So glad they're open again. Cindy is the best!!

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    9 years ago

    Best empanadas I've ever had in my life. The dozens of fillings are amazing. The Hawaiian is the absolute best.

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    The food is absolutely amazing, I recommend this place to everyone. This is a true Spanish restaurant that everyone can enjoy!

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    Page 49 of 81

    Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen

    Is there a happy hour?

    Yea!

    How many empanadas do I need for one person to fill up?

    I'd say 3 would be good. 4 would be the cap for me.

    Can someone let me know if they added the oxtail empanada back on to their menu? Thanks.

    Not yet.

    How many empanadas come with each order (for delivery $3.99)?

    Just one. They are single orders.

    How is the minimun a cost l can order?

    You would have to contact them directly-I don't know.

    Are the empanadas baked or fried?

    Fried

    Are the empanadas baked or fried?

    Fried

    Do wheat flour empanadas taste different from corn flour? If so, how?

    The corn flour is thicker and taste like cornmeal. It goes well with certain empanadas. For example, the viagra is my favorite and I love to taste all the flavors so I get the wheat just so I can get all the flavor without any other factors lol

    How late does the bar stay open for alcohol?

    Sunday-Wed nights until 2:00 am and Thursday- Saturday nights until 4:00 am

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    EL Rinconcito Restaurant

    EL Rinconcito Restaurant

    4.1
    (28 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    My job ordered food from here once and it was great, so I was excited to finally try it in person…read more Service was good; friendly, attentive, and everything came out at a reasonable pace. The seating was comfortable, making it an easy place to sit and enjoy the meal. I ordered the pernil, and the skin was, dare I say, perfect... crispy, flavorful, exactly what you want. Unfortunately, the meat itself was pretty lean and ended up a bit dry. The maduros were a bigger letdown; when I had them before, they were ripe and sweet, but this time they came out dry as hell. I sent them back, and to their credit, they took them off the bill without any issue. My friend enjoyed his Cuban panini, and while the pork chicharrón had a few off pieces, it was decent overall. So overall, I'd say this place can be really good, but there's definitely a consistency issue. When they get it right, it's excellent; it just doesn't seem to be that way every time.

    My friend and I dined at this homey, casual spot for lunch. There was plenty of seating and the…read moreplace had a welcoming ambiance. I got the Morir Sonando drink, which was wonderfully thick, oh so refreshing and sweet, full of rich orange taste. We shared the Mofongo and Steak dishes. I really enjoyed the Mofongo, which was served with pernil, sausage, and cheese. The Mofongo was cooked perfectly, while the meat was succulent and well seasoned. All the ingredients combined together to make for delicious bites. The Steak was made with onion, and came with a nice, fresh, crunchy salad, along with choice of side. We went for the Maduros. Steak was delightfully juicy, while Maduros were soft and slightly caramelized. Service was solid. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Everything came out in a timely manner. Prices were quite reasonable. If I am in the area, I would return to try the Bacalao Empanada, Fried Pork Chops, Breaded Steak, and Guayaba Dominican Cake.

    Photos
    EL Rinconcito Restaurant
    Guava Tres Leches
    Guava Tres Leches
    Exterior. Holiday vibes

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    Exterior. Holiday vibes
    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar

    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar

    4.6
    (495 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    What a delightful evening!!!! We came here by chance, as we checked in to our hotel and were a…read morebit hungry. Everyone agreed with my suggestion to eat Latin American food and we made a reservation at Buena Vista, not far away from our hotel and also not far from the theater. We came over a bit early, around 5:15 and were immediately seated. We were immediately impressed by the business model. It is a melange of Latin American and Iberian faire with exquisite curation. Their cocktails were absolutely delightful, I had a Pantalones en Fuego, others had an exquisite margarita with passion fruit flavor and a Daiquirí de Fresa, just amazing. Then we ordered interminable Hors d'oeuvres. Their ham croquetas and mushroom croquetas were the rage, as well as the tostoncillos ibéricos and ceviche limeño, The main courses followed, a paella valenciana for two, the magret de pato, a delicious duck dish, and a grilled Argentine parrilla. Not bad for four people. Dessert included churros and tres leches. And of course, a bottle of a great Verdejo. Service was just flawless. We had several staff members all contributing to making our Father's Day evening special. All around us it was festive, with plenty of well dressed Spanish speakers in several tables, and the accents of a half a dozen Spanish speaking countries. Plenty of gringoes too. A beautiful collection of diversity. We left happy, ready to see "Oh Mary" and wanting to return

    This restaurant is hidden in the middle of the block on 9th Ave. The staff is always friendly and…read moreservice is always stellar. Today we had the pleasure of having Wagner waiting on us. Wagner was great a wonderful personality and he made sure everything was to our liking checking on us periodically. I have been here before (the first time we did assorted appetizers) so but this time I dove into the dinner menu. The oxtail pasta was absolutely lovely, the meat was tender and delicately seasoned. I had the steak (I prefer my steak more on the well side) and the chef managed to keep it positively tender and juicy. Perched on top of a few slices of fried casava slices and a small side salad. You can never leave without trying the flan it's one of the best I have ever had. Service was quick and food was bought to us piping hot. The only down side is they oddly don't make pina coladas (it's the only thing I drink) and the restaurant was a bit too cold but other than that it was a lovely birthday dinner for my friend. Buena Vista is small and popular so I strongly suggest you make reservations if you plan on eating here.

    Photos
    Looking toward front
    Looking toward front
    Plantains were delicious!
    Plantains were delicious!
    Empanadas

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    Empanadas

    Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - latin - Updated July 2026

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