Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Empanada Loca

    4.7 (636 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order La Empanada Loca Takeout or Delivery

    La Empanada Loca Photos

    Business Info

    LA EMPANADA LOCA ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like La Empanada Loca

    Recommended Reviews - La Empanada Loca

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sign
    Trina S.

    The folks here were so friendly. Great vibe. And the food was absolutely delicious. I was happy that they were literally 8mins from our hotel. Will come again

    Bacalaito
    Carol R.

    I grew up in New York City eating lots of Puerto Rican food. I have not found many PR food places here in South Florida. I finally got to try La Empanada Loca. Parking is in front of the establishment, but there are only about four spots and it's right on the very busy West Dixie Highway. If those spaces are full, you may have to try parking at a business lot either next to the restaurant or across the street. The dining room is cute and nicely decorated. A large TV runs with Spanish programming. The tables are sturdy. The chairs are a little bit rickety. Service is excellent. I had to try their alcapurria (fried banana batter stuffed with chopped meat), something I grew up eating, and their bacalaito (saltfish fritter). While I really enjoyed the alcapurria, the bacalaito was disappointing. Although it was very attractive and crispy, I could not taste any saltfish in it. And the batter was quite skimpy (see photo). For our main entrees, hubby had the pork chunks and a double order of yuca fries, and I had the chicken stew with mofongo. The pork chunks were tasty, with bits of fat attached. The fries were fat and crispy and needed salt, but that's okay. Better to add salt than need to remove it. Hubby found the right solution by topping his fries with some of my chicken gravy. The chicken in my stew was extremely tender. The gravy was a tad salty, but since my mofongo didn't have any salt on it (again, that's good), I used the gravy to help flavor the mofongo. My dish also came with a small (simple) side salad of lettuce, tomato, and raw onions (had to remove the latter) that was accompanied by a light, refreshing dressing. Our satisfying lunch with 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, tax, and tip was $55.

    Bacalaito
    Geysi J.

    Love the vibes in this restaurant! The customer service received was great! They weren't shy and love their recommendations. The music was on point as well with their decors. Those empanadas definitely are a must, big and delicious. They were made to order so there was a wait but worth it. The bacalaito was taste but on the crunchy side. Parking isn't bad but definitely would go back

    Melissa E.

    Hands down the BEST Puerto Rican restaurant in Broward. I take my family here for dinner at least twice a month since we enjoy it so much. The service is incredible, we go there so much the serve knows what we like. The owner is always so kind and friendly.

    Mofongo y Chicharron De Pollo
    Marleen P.

    My family came down from a cruise and they were craving Puerto Rican food. We got a little bit of everything and it did not disappoint. We got the queso frito, la bandeja de picadera which had alcapurrias, tostones, empanadillas, y carne frita. I got the mofongo con chicharrón, my family got chuletas and carne frita. Honestly everything was seasoned perfectly. The pina colada tasted like I was back on my island. We did get everything to go, next time I would love to eat there. The grilled chicken was a little dry but apart from that I would get everything else again. From a service perspective, the woman who took our order was very friendly and patient with us. The parking can get very packed which is the only downfall if you're coming during a busy time.

    Mofongo with crispy fried pork. Yum!
    Christian Peter I.

    We went on a Sunday for brunch. The cuchifritos were excellent, especially the bacalitos yum! Great mofongo too. Cool atmosphere, PR celebrity murals and music.Service was friendly our waiter was Geo. Nice guy. Great food

    Puerto Rican flag door
    Paula F.

    10/10 authentic Puerto Rican food! Came here last season and got a platter to go. I got their pernil which was perfectly cooked and salted. It came with 2 sides and I got the arroz con gandules and the tostones. The whole dish tasted just like abuela makes it. Such delicious comfort food. I had to try their pastelillos too. I got a beef and a chicken- they were so meaty! Crispy, filling, and not greasy. I went again a couple weeks ago because I was craving some home cooking. I got the pernil and arroz con gandules again this time with a side of the maduros. Wow they were amazing! The whole dish hit the spot again!!! Consistently tasty Puerto Rican cooking. The guys at the counter are super friendly and service is quick! I drive over 25 min to get there and it's worth it every time. If you are searching for quality boricua food look no farther!

    Mofongo Pernil
    Garrett H.

    My friend and I came here expecting to get a couple empanadas for a light dinner. We were seated quickly and one of the servers came over to explain the menu. I won't lie, there was a bit of confusion with the menu when we first looked at it, but the server explained it succinctly and expertly. Once I saw the rest of the food, I was sold on a more substantial meal! I had to get the mofongo, of course, with pork and served with a side salad. It was so. So. So. Good! I loved the sauce that came with it as well. It was also such a huge serving, I took a large portion home for leftovers! The restaurant itself was cute and cozy, with not many tables. Despite the small space, they were accommodating with different sized groups coming in, and cleaned tables quickly after people left so they could seat someone else right away. It was a busy dinnertime, but I didn't see anyone waiting more than about 20 seconds to be seated! Overall, I was extremely impressed and plan to come back soon!

    Menu with Puerto Rican flag
    Christian M.

    Holy smokes! That sandwich! That coffee! That flan! This is exactly what I was needing! This place is legit

    Dinning area
    Vivian K.

    OMG!! Authentic Puertorrican food for sure! I'm born and raised in PR and that what you enjoy in the Puertorrican cuisine. My husband was amazed with the mofongo (he is gringo), he said "this is what I eat in PR. WEPA!

    See all

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Great food and ambience and very clean place. The service was great. Location was easy to find !!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    This is a wonderful authentic Puerto Rican restaurant in the Oakland Park area. They have all of the most popular Puerto Rican dishes.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. It's like eating at Mamí's house. The food is excellent. You won't be disappointed.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nicole V.
    254
    64
    50

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Thank you Rosie it's our pleasure to serve you.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alicia A.
    25
    80
    63

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Beautiful atmosphere & drinks. Food is tasty & service is great!! Drinks are fire!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of William M.

    William M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 16

    La Empanada Loca Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Empanada Loca

    How many pasteles come in the order? Might buy some for Christmas!

    One at the table. More if you order by the dozen.

    Para el dueño: Solo por curiosidad, por qué las llamas empanadas y no empanadillas cómo se dice en Puerto Rico?

    Porque empanadas es una palabra universal que todos incluyendo países americanos conocen. Solo nosotros de Borinquén sabemos que son empanadillas aquí en los Estados Unidos le dicen empanadas. Todo el mundo conoce lo que es una empanada no todos… Read more

    View All 3 Questions

    You might also consider

    Pork O' Rican

    Pork O' Rican

    4.4
    (10 reviews)
    9.7 mi

    When your Puerto Rican friend spots the food trucks, she's going to pick Pork O' Rican which is how…read moreI ended up here. By the time I arrived at the Margate Fall Festival the lines for all the food were really long. It was either eat at Pork O'Rican, wait in another line for over an hour, or be hungry. Pork O' Rican it is! According to Pork O' Rican this is their story "We are a Puerto Rican food truck who also provides catering for corporate events, parties, festivals and more. We have been cooking authentic Puerto Rican food for years and wanted to be able to share it with the community. Our famous signature dish is our roast pork. Amongst that are some of our top sellers including tostone platters, rice & bean platters, empanadas, alcapurria, and more. We just want to share the Puerto Rican culture and provide the community with the natural flavors of Puerto Rico. This is a family run food truck. Mom and Dad cooked, their daughter took orders, and they even put their young son to work. By the time we got to order they were out of the arroz con gondules, yellow rice and pigeon peas. Fortunately they still had the bacalaitos, codfish fritters which my friend really wanted and she also ordered the alcapurias. I chose the roast pork platter with rice hold the beans ($12). A water was an additional $2. I was pleased that they took both card and cash payments. I gave the plantains to my friend who enjoyed them. The roast pork portion was small, had really hard pieces, and was swimming in pork grease. Once I dislodged it from the grease and shredded it, and incorporated it into the rice it was okay and it did the job of abating my hunger. To be fair my friend really enjoyed her food and she is Puerto Rican so you should trust her opinion more than mine. This is one of those times I really wished Yelp had half stars. If I averaged our two opinions it would be a 3.5. After reading the owner's thoughtful and fair reply and other good reviews I would be open to trying them again when they aren't so busy.

    Ok, commentary. Did a Drive-by of Culver's, was a nightmare long line, did a U-Turn, and saw Pork…read moreO' Rican truck on 2701 SR 7 (441) in Margate parked in one of the lots. I got the pork sandwich which normally comes with lettuce and tomato, they do not offer onions raw or cooked which is a bummer, but I had sweet onion and spicy pineapple vinegar at home so no biggie. Roll is like an amoroso or something, it's a hoagie type, I would have preferred it as a panini-style on Cuban bread or a round roll but I guess that's what they used today. Next time I won't get it with cheese, frankly next time I'll probably just get it as a plate with beans and rice. Pork itself is nice and tender. Came with tostones. They look good, left them for later. Empanadas are clearly homemade, they are a nice size. Got the beef picadillo ones, haven't touched them yet. I did, however, try their beef Alcapurria. This is a fast food dish unique to Puerto Rico, it is like a tamale but made of mashed plantains, filled with any number of things (this was beef picadillo) and then deep-fried. OMG. An empanada with a plantain crust. Some notes. They did not give me any condiments and didn't ask if I wanted any. Tostones really require Salsa Rosa (pink sauce) or some mojo. I, fortunately, had the ingredients to make it myself, it's ketchup mixed with mayo and usually some spicy vinegar. I would ask and make sure they give you something to dip in. They did take credit card payments and put it in my trunk while I waited so relatively contactless.

    Photos
    Pork O' Rican
    Pork O' Rican
    Come kick off the new year with us at the Coral Springs Bites & Sips on January 3 from 6pm - 10pm at the Coral Springs City Hall.

    See all

    Come kick off the new year with us at the Coral Springs Bites & Sips on January 3 from 6pm - 10pm at the Coral Springs City Hall.
    El Bayú de Wela Sara.

    El Bayú de Wela Sara.

    4.4
    (380 reviews)
    12.1 mi
    $$

    Great place to have a delicious Puerto Rican meal…read more Service was fast and efficient, no wait time when I arrived. Monday evening, holiday. Food was delicious, from appetizer to main entree. Recommendations were made and I went with all of them. Pork belly chunks that were seasoned with salt and pepper, and lemon was added afterward for a little more punch in the flavor. Shrimp creole was delicious. The red beans and rice mix makes you want to keep having more and mixing it all together gives you a flavorful punch in your mouth. Mofongo, aka , masked green plantains are only for those looking for something a little dry with flavor. Mines had steak and it was drizzled with mojito sauce and oil. Our server was excellent and recommended flipping it over to have the juice flow into the mofongo which she went ahead and did.. steak was well done and when mixed in had a great combination of flavor.. Ambiance feels like a local P.R spot, flags, art, music, and very fun ambiance. Enjoyed it. Definitely when I'm in the area will come again..

    I visited el Bayu de la wela sara with a lot of hype and expectations, which were sadly not met…read more The service overall was A+ 5 out of five. The food was mixed . - Alcapurrias : 5 stars crunchy, juicy, proper size and flavor. - pork chunks mofongo: 4 stars, great flavor. Huge pork portion. - shrimp mofongo creole sauce: 3 stars sauce was on the saltier side and once it reached the bottom of the mongo it was "just too much" - churrasco (kids): 3 stars. A bit overcooked (kid refused to eat it) but it was decent flavor and tenderness. - beans: 3 stars, too salty - white rice : 1 star, felt dry and grainy like day old rice from the fridge.

    Photos
    Pastelón Typical Puerto Rican Dish
    Pastelón Typical Puerto Rican Dish
    Filete de Pechuga
    Filete de Pechuga
    Medalla Light

    See all

    Medalla Light
    La Casa Del Mofongo

    La Casa Del Mofongo

    4.5
    (228 reviews)
    33.1 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for authentic Dominican comfort food in a cozy setting, La Casa del Mofongo is…read moreworth a visit. From the moment you walk in, the restaurant is full of personality. The colorful décor and nostalgic touches throughout the dining room create a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels more like sharing a meal with family than dining out. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and I appreciated that they were bilingual, making everyone feel comfortable and at home. We shared the Bandeja La Casa del Mofongo con Tostones, loaded with chicharrón de puerco, chicharrón de pollo, masitas de cerdo, salami, and queso. At $22.99, the portion was incredibly generous and easily large enough to share. The meats were flavorful and well-prepared, with the pork perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy inside. The tostones were fried to perfection! If you're craving authentic Dominican cuisine , La Casa del Mofongo is definitely a place worth adding to your list.

    We were in the area craving some authentic Puerto Rican food, so after browsing Yelp, one of the…read moretop-rated spots nearby was "La Casa del Mofongo." Curious and hungry, we decided to check it out. The restaurant is located in a small shopping plaza, and I have to admit, the dark tinted windows made the place seem a little questionable at first glance. I actually got out of the car to peek inside before committing. Once I saw several people dining and enjoying themselves, we decided to give it a shot. Inside, the restaurant was tastefully decorated with a charming Dominican countryside flair. Even the bathrooms had a playful sense of humor that added character to the place. Service started off promptly, and we were seated right away with menus in hand. However, while browsing the menu, I quickly realized that despite the restaurant's name, there were very limited Puerto Rican options aside from the different varieties of mofongo. The menu was overwhelmingly Dominican cuisine, which was a bit disappointing since we specifically came looking for Puerto Rican dishes. We ordered the empanada de cangrejo to start, which was flavorful and freshly made. We also shared the mofongo with masitas fritas, and I will say the food itself was well seasoned, hearty, and satisfying. Unfortunately, the service did not match the quality of the food. Our waitress lacked warmth and wasn't particularly attentive. What stood out the most was that she didn't know what sorullos or alcapurrias were, which caught me completely off guard considering we were searching for Puerto Rican cuisine. Overall, the food was enjoyable, but the experience didn't fully meet our expectations. If you're looking for Dominican-style mofongo dishes, you may enjoy it. But if you're specifically craving traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, this may not quite hit the mark.

    Photos
    Café colao
    Café colao
    Mofongo (smashed plantains) with fried pork chunks
    Mofongo (smashed plantains) with fried pork chunks
    Mangú 5 golpes + aguacate + Morir Sonando

    See all

    Mangú 5 golpes + aguacate + Morir Sonando
    Padrino’s Cuban Restaurant

    Padrino’s Cuban Restaurant

    4.3
    (751 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Located in a strip mall but the main dining area has an upscale ambiance…read more Our waitress was very nice and attentive. Ceviche is fresh served with long plantain chips. The appetizer platter also comes with the same kind of plantain chips. Highly recommended if you want to try a bit of everything. Empanada has fresh homemade crust Lechon asado: tender and juicy roasted pork. I substitute the moros with fried plantains. I really enjoy it. Plantains are ripe and sweet but not mushy. Tostones are the biggest I've ever had. Well fried and not greasy. Plenty of drink options. Sangria is ok, not very fruity. Only has two slices of oranges . Mojito: strong rum from my favorite rum brand Don Q. My friend ordered paella. The portion is huge. You can share it with more than one person. It takes three containers to take home the leftover. Very tasty with fresh seafood.

    Last time we were at Padrino's was over a year ago. I can honestly say I don't remember being quite…read morethis good. The service was excellent, and the restaurant is beautiful with a very relaxed atmosphere. The food was delicious. We started with the empanadas which had an excellent flavor and the mango salsa that it came with was really really good. For dinner, my wife had the Lachona Asada and I had the churrasco steak. Both our dishes were excellent amazing flavors. The meat was super tender, and the portions were a really nice size. I can definitely say that we're going to return more often, especially if the food continues at this level.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Padrino’s Cuban Restaurant
    Looking back at the pig. Rotated photo. My apologies.

    See all

    Looking back at the pig. Rotated photo. My apologies.
    Fin’s Kitchen

    Fin’s Kitchen

    4.7
    (16 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    If you are in the Hialeah area you should stop by this food truck and grab something to eat. What a…read moregreat guy and amazing food to top it off. Do not forget the Pikliz (it's has a kick to it with great flavor).

    I've been dying to try the food at this underrated gem and i finally got to them. I left my spin…read moreclass and wanted to indulge. I literally came 3 minutes before closing because of the distance from my class, but I called the establishment and told him I was on my way prior& they waited for me! This place has amazing options! Being from Haitian descendants, I knew they couldn't disappoint from all the rave reviews on IG and Yelp. I will definitely be back but I will give you my review on on what I got my first time here. What I Ate Today: Haitian Lemonade - 10/10 Amazing it's tart but has a nice sweeten note to it. Very refreshing and cooling. Fritay Loaded Fries- 10/10 Yooooo I literally have no words for this. I couldn't even wait to eat it. lol I ate it in the car. The golden crunch of the fries, hint of spicy ness from the pikliz, the cooling aspect from the thousand island dressing, overall the food is WELL SEASONED OK it's not your ordinary griot. Packed with flavor and great portion size. I am really picky and I definitely nit pick when it comes to Caribbean food being that I am Caribbean. You can't eat everyone's cooking but this is definitely a must try! Customer Service 10/10 I will be back! Tamied ™

    Photos
    Refreshments and Snacks for you events.
    Refreshments and Snacks for you events.
    Our World Famous Griot Tacos !!
    Our World Famous Griot Tacos !!
    Fin’s Kitchen

    See all

    La Empanada Loca - puertorican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...