Ever since my boyfriend and I moved from NYC to Seattle, one of the things we've been yearning to encounter is hearty Colombian(him)/Ecuadorian(me) food. New York was crawling in delicious Southern American food. So we decided to go on an adventure to Tacoma and visit this establishment, and I'm so glad we did. Upon walking in, the space is decorated in Colombian flags, license plates, banners, and other miscellaneous decor. The tropicana radio station playing in the back made us feel like we were back in Manizales for a brief moment. We were greeted with kindness and curiosity as we exchanged cultural backgrounds. Foods that we ate: - Pandebono (Plain, with no guyaba): One of the many famous breads Colombia has to offer, the flavor was spot on. Savory and cheesy with a nice chew. It was more airy than I was anticipating, so a lot of empty pockets while eating it (it's usually denser), but still delicious nonetheless. If you like a sweet surprise, would recommend getting the pandebono with guyaba inside. - Buñuelo: Another great cheese bread in the shape of a sphere and fried. The inside was super soft and airy as well which is more on brand for this! Although not typically crunchy or hard, the shell did lack a bit of toughness that's normally expected. Again, did not take away from the enjoyable experience otherwise. - Bandeja Paísa: Nearly perfect, we were both so stunned. The chorizo and chicharron were AMAZING. The chicharron had the perfect amount of meat, more crunchy than chewy which is what we preferred. I don't know what blend the chorizo is made out of, but it was packed with flavor. The steak was a little tough but still delicious. Avocado, fried egg, the arepa, all complemented the dish well. I personally don't like maduros, but the one in this dish was not too sweet at all, delicious. The frijoles were also packed with flavor, giving the rice a wonderful flavor to soak up. We definitely need to come back and have their churrasco for sure. If you're Colombian in the Seattle area or are looking to try Colombian food for the first time, this is a must visit!!! read more

Some coworkers and I stopped in for lunch in a group of 8 on a weekday and the wonderful man behind the counter took great care in putting some tables together for us. The ambiance was vibrant with tasteful cultural music which I truly could not get enough of. The restaurant was clean, including the bathrooms and what you can see of the kitchen. Now for the food; I was not overly impressed. They seem to be popular for their empanadas but from my experience they were bland, cooked from frozen, and lacked that the booming flavor I was expecting for an authentic Colombian restaurant. Some of the entrees they make looked good but there were a few of those I wouldn't recommend either. I likely won't return but I'm excited I had the opportunity to see what they were about. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - 4 empanadas - spinach, beef, Hawaiian, and rancheras. Chimichurri sauce was very good. - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Stopped in specifically for the empanadas because I've had fond memories of the ones I use to get when I lived in Florida and nowhere I've been since had ever made them as good. Today that changed. I got the beef ones, fresh and then frozen to bring home for later, because they were exactly what I had been craving all these years. They were amazing and I was so delighted to find you guys. Unfortunately I don't live in Tacoma, I live in Portland but every time I'm in the area or passing through I will be stopping by and loading up. Thank you! read more

The service was not that good the guy up front clearly wanted us to hurry up it my first time and I was trying to review the menu before ordering. Barely any parking it's on the side of the road and not much space for a lot of cars the ambiance is mediocre and now for the lost important the food not much flavor 16.50$ for 4 empanadas that taste bland and doesn't have a lot of filling they were lukewarm and I could tell that they are frozen empanadas that been frozen for who knows how long which was verified that they are frozen and already made they don't taste fresh or authentic there is another empanada place 10 minutes from here 4 empanadas for 11$ and they are outstanding same size and a lot more filling. Which is the only reason i felt for empanadas it just happens that I wanted to try a new empanadas place thinking it would be good just completely not worth it read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Beef Empanada - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Hace mucho no comía mi comida colombiana y por fin tuve la oportunidad de ir a este restaurante. El sabor espectacular, tal como en casa, me encantó!!! Tienen empanadas, arepas y almojábanas congeladas para llevar también. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Sobrebarriga en salsa criolla - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I've already walked out. It's 540. So I must've walked in by 5:37 or so Wanted to order some food and the lady told me that they close in 10 minutes but they close at six She wouldn't give me a menu I wanted some Colombian food as I'm traveling from Southern California I wish I could review the food, but since I got no service, I do not recommend this place read more

There food is very good here. Have had only a few items of their menu tho. But we love it! Today we just got a snack. 4 Hawiian empanadas, 2 guava & 2 pineapple pastries. Yummy everything! Love the sauces that come with the empanadas. The vinegar green sauce is so yummy and the other dipping sauce that looks like secret sauce is good too!! Love this place! read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Inside - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

My daughter, her friend and I ate here because I have not had a good empañada since visiting New Jersey a few years ago. We started with a few chicken empañadas and fríes (friend had never tried an empanada before). Then we ordered like 4 more and now my daughter's friend is a fan AND my husband keeps asking me to go now too. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Bomb empañadas - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

We had two dishes, the arepa with chicken, which included cheese, plantain and avocado, and a pair of empanadas - one with chicken and the other with chorizo. Both were well prepared and tasty. They were novel for us, not having had Columbian food before. We really enjoyed them. My wife also got a mango drink that tasted like a really good smoothie - good, expected flavor of the fruit, without being excessively sweet. Service was great. read more

The food was delicious. The Hawaiian Empanada was wonderful surprise. Seriously can't wait for my next meal here.

Great service. Great Food. Fast. Tried the empanadas, patacones, and the arepas. All delicious. We will be back.

Sooo good! My first time eating empanadas and so delish! I'm in heaven will definitely be going back asap read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Yummy - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

Very cultured place. Definitely recommend to try. I tried the 6 empanadas. A bit tough but very delicious filling. Hawaiian, pepperoni, chicken, shredded beef, and cheese I think. read more

By far the best Colombian food in the state of Washington! This place exceeds expectations on every level. Living in Hawaii, I don't always get a chance to enjoy authentic Colombian flavors, and I seriously miss it. If only I could get my hands on some of their bomb empanadas, crispy chicharrones, and those perfect patacones - I'd be set! Everything here takes you right to Colombia, with every dish bursting with authentic flavor. If you're in Washington, make this place a must-visit! You won't regret it! read more

Food was very good, I will eat it again, service was great. I ordered to go and while I was waiting for the food, felt welcome.

Fue con mi amiga Marysol ella es puertorriqueña yo soy mexicana la comida está deliciosa no puedo decir más es fresca deliciosa muy buen precio de Best ! The place was very clean. The server was very nice, and I will be definitely coming again soon. read more

See all

What a wonderful business with a big heart. I love that this restaurant knows how to give back to their community. Even when ordering carry out they provide environmentally and safe for the human body trays and containers. Just showing this means they must put a lot of thought and consideration for their customers. These are the cheese and beef empanadas. I am hooked and will be ordering from them as much as possible. They also sell and have frozen ones too. I think that Tacoma is so lucky to have a legitimate empanada store, and honestly who doesn't love a pocket of love like these? They had an excellent amount of filling in their homemade dough. I loved that their homemade salsa was extremely fresh and not too overwhelmingly salty or spicy. It was just right. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

Great Colombian Food and the seasoning was on point! In this case first time eating in this restaurant and I had some very good and authentic chicharones con papas plus of course I could not miss a good ol colombiana pop for the win! read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Chicharrones con Papa criolla /Yellow potato with salsa de aji y salsa rosada! - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

The service was very slow, but friendly. We ordered the empanadas and although the flavor was good, they were so greasy. Will definitely go back and try something else one day. Then maybe I'll revise this review. Until then beware the empanadas are very very greasy and pricey. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I know this business is new and my 2 stars doesn't mean it was horrible. It means there is a lot of room for improvement! So keep on working on it and please prove me wrong next time. I've never had Columbian food so I don't have much of a comparison but keep reading if you want to know my experience. I was excited to try Columbian food so I stopped in to get an order to go. First impression: There was an older man helping with orders and he is super friendly. He must be the owner which is great to see. There were 3 to go orders as I waited for my food so it looked promising. Menu could better explain what each item was. No descriptions just photos. I ordered something that was $21.99. The most expensive item, there was a photo and it looked like a medley of fried items. I got it because I thought it would be a good sampler. I also ordered 6 empanadas. I waited quite awhile for my food. The $21 dish sat on counter for a good 15min while waiting for my empanadas. Ahhh! I knew it was dying! Finally got the empanadas and by then the $21 dish was cold and hard. The empanadas were fried but not piping hot (which was confusing). Anyway, still had to drive home (20min). Got in car and opened to go box to see what it was- fried pork, lots of little potatoes underneath, hard plantains (I think), and a few fried yucca? Like I said, this sat on counter for awhile so it wasn't hot anymore. It was soggy and over fried! Could barely chew the pork. Also it was basically tasteless. Definitely needs salt/seasoning. There was a green sauce/salsa that came with it, could use some acid. Got home and the empanadas were rock hard. Grainy. Not the kind I'm used to. Usually empanadas have a crunchy exterior and pillowy interior w savory (or sweet) filling. Oh my disappointment! I really wanted empanadas. The cheese didn't melt. It was more stringy than anything. The empanadas were also lacking seasoning and they were greasy. This food sadly did not hit the spot. I hope I can go back and eat something good next time! Overall: lacking in seasoning, hard, greasy. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Beef, pepperoni and cheese, spinach and cheese. All greasy, dry, hard. Green Chimichurri (lacked acid). - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

Lovee coming here. Went here shortly after the place opened the very first time and have came in occasionally since. Best empanadas I've had in the area. Staff is always friendly and ready to grab you whatever it is you need. I love the latin music -- not sure why other reviews were complaining. You're in a Colombian restaurant, not applebees!! Go in and enjoy! :) read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Wonderful empanadas! I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu items! I went here a few weekends ago and placed an order for the spinach empanadas and the cheese empanadas. The portions of each order between two people was perfect! Both the cheese and spinach were so fresh and the outside of the empanada crust so delicate and flavorful made these empanadas a real hit in our household! Currently the restaurant doesn't have indoor seating due to covid-19. Luckily I don't live far so the food was still hot but if you do live far there are nearby parks you can utilize to enjoy these delightful empanadas without the fear of them getting cold. read more

My first time eating Colombian food... Where the hell has the food been all my life?! Fiancée ordered the Hawaiian Empanadas. The order came with three perfectly fried empanadas filled with gooey cheese, ham and fresh pineapple. There was a dipping sauce with caramel, don't knock it till you try it. That perfect crunchy, cheesy, sweet and salty combo made my mouth very happy. I ordered the arepas con carne. A nicely fried, but soft and crunchy shell topped with beef cooked to perfection, nicely seasoned. Topped with plantains, fresh avocados, and fresh cheese. Try the Pink Sauce on the table with it. This was the definition of comfort food, but it wasn't heavy at all. Cooked fresh, with no frills. Definitely coming back Saturday to try their bandeja paisa. Altogether the price was 18 bucks, not bad for the food and the friendly server. Returned again this morning to try their Saturday special. This is a hearty meal shared by two people. 20 bucks for a huge plate. Nicely fried pork belly, seasoned rice, and those beans were something else! Delicious and soft. I love the meat mixture they had, I feel like I've had it before. Everything was delicious and flavorful! My tastebuds were happy! read more

See all

We tried three kind of empanadas and the patacones... all delicious! This is our first to go order of quarantine that was a true 10/10 experience. Will be back for sure! read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Patacones - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This is exactly what you want for a basic Columbian food. Lots of flavor, cooked with care, and easy menu items.

So good. Went twice on my visit. Went back and bought some to bring home. Will go back whenever I'm in the area

Empanadas are super tasty. They serve them freshly cooked or frozen to go. Convenient to take home!

El viejo is sooooo nice. Very nice man and very personable and hard working. The food is always amazing. The empanadas de pollo are my favorite, and my husband got the other plate. Were both amazing. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Empanadas de pollo con ají - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

I noticed this place on my way home a couple weeks ago. I pulled over and called to see if they were open, and they were only open for phone orders with curbside pick up because of the Covid 19 shut down. I ordered 4 cheese, 4 beef, and 4 chicken empanadas. I got home and they were still smoking hot! Just like they were right out of the fryer and I live about 20 min away. The beef and chicken were bomb with a mix of green sauce and that tan mayo sauce, what ever they were. Crispy and Delicious. The cheese ones were a little flavorless to me like they were just missing something, but my kids loved them all. The caramel sauce or whatever it was didn't seem to fit, but it was bomb all by it self, haha... Next time I definitely need to grab some packs of frozen ones also to bring home. If you haven't eaten here before, definitely do stop in and check them out. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Take home order, still smokin hot - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

Food was delicious! We ordered from door dash, I am looking forward to going to the restaurant to see how things are there

The food was good but the service not so much. I have never eaten Colombian food and I asked the gentleman taking my order about the food and he answered with such rudeness. He assumed I should know. I don't know that I would go again even though the food was good. read more

So I came back and proceeded to order 3 empanadas. Let me tell you that when I got home, I did not get 3 empanadas, but rather shredded chicken on a piece of flat bread with a banana and avocado. When I went there, they minimized their menu to about 4 items. So my question is, where was the confusion? I literally said, "Hey i wanna get 3 empandas. 2 chicken, 1 beef." The person at the counter didn't seem very interested and engaged, and it reflected with my order. I will NOT be going back. read more

Go here! Seriously a very well put together restaurant. They are friendly, have an updated and very clean room. They have a good menu with delicious empanadas. It's like empanadas for life. Move your ass. Get some! Hurry. Hurry. They have some good katchup like sauce that goes good with both the pollo and queso empanadas. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Yummmm - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

El Parche was closed on a Monday so I went here for a Colombian food fix. I've heard of this place before but have never been. Empanadas and fried plantains were on point! read more

I came by here after El Parche to compare empanadas. They were very good but not as good as El Parche. I would have been happy to come back as it is closer to my home but when I ate my leftover empanada tonight, I found a metal piece in it that nearly damaged my tooth. I'm hoping this is a very rare occurrence but safe to say, I will never be coming back. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Chicken Empanada + Metal Piece - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

The food is very delicious and service is great. I had the carne mechada arepa and it was very delicious with plenty of avocado.

Food, service simply fine. The food preparation is subtle & almost exquisite. What a treat to have this restaurant in our town

We had the Saturday special - can't remember what it was called but it was amazing good. The bacon/chitchat tones which came on the breakfast plate was to die for. Everything else was super legit. The empanadas were different than any I've had before. Almost a crusty exterior - to be honest they were a little oily. But very good flavor overall. Also tried a couple pastries/cheese breads. They were really good (especially the guava pastry!). Guy working inside was super friendly. If we lived close, we'd go back for sure. read more

Yum! My not adventurous husband picked this restaurant on our vacation and I was just happy he was branching out and trying something new. Service was great, it's mainly a takeout place but when we said we were eating there we got great table service. We ordered beef, cheese, and chicken empanadas and 3 different juices. Everything was good but the chicken empanadas and mango juice were my faves. Our waiter said some people didn't like the mango juice so they made a change to the recipe. I thought it was delicious, cold, sweet, smooth and refreshing. Technically it was my husband's but I wish I would have ordered an extra to go. The cheese empanadas were a bit too plain for me but perfect for my 2 year old. Everything came with a salsa verde that I lovingly called cilantro pesto. So good! My husband remarked that this place should be way busier given the quality and value. read more

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes - Cheese empanada. - Colombian Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

These were delicious..and gluten free! Yummy, comfort food goodness! Staff were kind and helpful with ordering since i was new to the food. Can't wait to return! read more