This review is from a visit last year. No idea if things have changed since then but I sure hope so. We had a gift card here so gave it a go. Seated upstairs so felt bad the waitress had to go up and down many many times. The empanadas were awful. I am being extremely honest. It seemed as if they were pre frozen and lacked flavor and filling. We were so surprised at the quality and price. I also had the shnitzel and it had no seasoning and was so bland. With a sad excuse for chimichurri. That seemed haphazardly put together, again lacking any flavor. Was it an off day based on the amount of people raving? Maybe. But also maybe they aren't aware of the better options in Portland so lack the awareness of true potential in this cuisine. I recommend Lechón if you want real chimichurri and empanadas. read more

A small and charming spot in an area that could use some more charm -- and what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be! We tried four empanadas (chorizo, pollo spicy, humita, and imposter) along with an order of papas, and that was more than enough for the two of us. Each empanada had a wonderfully flaky, golden crust. The fillings were flavorful and distinct; the only one that didn't quite win us over was the imposter, though that's probably just a matter of taste. The papas were crisp and perfectly seasoned too. Service could have been a touch more attentive, especially given the place wasn't too busy, but overall, it's a lovely new addition to the neighborhood -- cozy, tasty, and full of potential. read more

LaChona - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

We wanted breakfast. They can do GF Staff was great. Place was cute. Portions are small. Fries were so good. (seriously, best seasoned fries) They had good mango juice. read more

Do you want a quiet, casual, and lovely evening...free from loud patrons and screaming children? Then LaChona is the perfect place for a ladies happy hour! I love this place and the flaky fresh empanadas are to die for! You will find them nowhere else in Portland. It was nice that they have the empanada plate that came with fries and 2 empanadas for about $20. The wine is good, but this time I didn't have a glass. We loved the quiet space. Pro tip, make a reservation on Open Table to ensure you have your own table! In the summer they have outside seats so that will be nice for a warm evening. read more

See all

I went here with my partner and baby brother not too long ago: The restaurant itself is very cute and stylish. The service was slow but it was pretty busy, so understandable. The meal itself was okay, but it could very well be the dish I ordered! read more

LaChona - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

This is a must try! The environment is elegant, modern yet cozy. Next, the greeter / server Anne C. Is an absolute delight! Finally, the food and wine experience is like nothing I've personally had. Nothing compares with the flavors of the Empanadas- we tried the spicy chicken (which is Not spicy!), criolla (ordered a second one after our first was scarfed down) and the special of the day- a take on the Big Mac. The dough is a perfect blend that resembles a combination of bread, pizza crust and puff pastry. The restaurant is owned by an Argentinian family who also run a vineyard there so all wines originate from there. (4 out of 5 stars because the portions do not match the prices.) read more

LaChona - Wine dispenser - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Great dessert and drinks, cozy environment and respectful service. Enjoyed spending time with family there

I first discovered LaChona when my husband brought home a sampling of empanadas for us to try maybe a year or two ago. Then, Yelp had an event where I was able to experience LaChona in person and I had such a good experience that I'd been looking forward to returning with my husband for a date night and this review is for that night. We arrived just after 7pm on a gray/cloudy/rainy Saturday evening (Oregon summer), which honestly just added to the ambiance and cozy vibes. We were greeted by friendly faces and promptly seated at a table upstairs on the mezzanine. There were several other tables seated both upstairs and downstairs but it wasn't crowded. We had the Papas Rústica to start which were hot, fresh and perfectly seasoned, accompanied by a glass of wine, the Grand Reserva Pinot Noir, which is so good. It's smooth, but bolder than most Pinots I've had, with a touch of smokiness & a bit of spice. It's a perfect companion to fries and empanadas. We also enjoyed the ensalada which was beautiful, bright & fresh, super refreshing. While fries, salad and wine is perfect trio, we didn't stop there. We ordered several empanadas, two of each, one for each of us and we asked for chimichurri on the side which is the perfect accompaniment. Surprisingly our favorite empanadas were the veggie ones - the spinach & broccoli - because they were so flavorful! Other highlights are the spicy chicken and the beef. I'm looking forward to my next visit and trying some of the wine flights. read more

See all

Service was very friendly and quick. Food was decent but not amazing. We each had the soup and empanada combo. The Chicken noodle soup was pretty good, but could have used a touch more seasoning. My chorizo empanada was good but a little too salty. Husband had the chicken empanada and said it was very good. We also split an abuelo empanada which was pretty good. We finished with an alfajores (cookie sandwich with dulce de leche in the middle). First time trying, and I thought it was very good. Would go well with a nice cup of tea or coffee. read more

See all

This place was so good I forgot to take photos until the end! My glass of Malbec was delicious and we got two empanadas each (I got the Albuela Chona and the Sweet Beef - the sweet beef was so good I wanted a second) and the desserts were homemade and delicious. Service was good, a little slow but there was a big party. Inside is cozy with lots of seating options. And dogs are welcome inside if they're well behaved! read more

LaChona - Brownie - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This hidden gem (unfortunately, a little hidden from the main road) deserves way more attention! I stumbled upon Lachona while in the Cedar Mills area, and now I'm already planning my next visit--and even daydreaming about booking a flight to Argentina. The empanadas were absolutely incredible! We ordered the Criolla, Humita, Sweet Beef, Abuela Chona, and the banana/nutella wrapped in puff pastry- all were delicious! Kim was amazing, helping us choose the perfect dishes and wine/drinks. The chorizo sausage and cheese wrapped in pastry puff is a must-try! read more

See all

We enjoyed a lovely prefixed dinner here on NYE. When we signed up for the wine and dinner pairing, I assumed it was a group dinner but it was just a menu option for anyone dining that evening. We decided to stick with our original plan and went for it. To start, they served us a full glass of rose and brought out bruschetta. One topped with mushrooms, the other proscuitto, Brie and pear. They were both delicious and a great way to start the meal. Next came empanadas. We each ordered a different flavor - sweet beef, chorizo, spinach & cheese, corn - and then shared them so we could try them all. Honestly, they were all delicious! I'd come back just for these! The salad was basic, but had a nice balsamic vinaigrette which served as a pallette cleanser before the main course arrived. The marinated skirt steak was cooked perfectly and had a lot of flavor, even more so when topped with the fresh chimichuri. Served with mashed potatoes and asparagus, we all brought half home. Of the red wines served, I liked the Cab Franc best. My only complaint is the 2 oz pours were not enough to enjoy with the meal. Maybe for the appetizers, but for the main course, I wish they would have been more generous. The meal ended with ice cream dulce de Leche and was very good. This was paired with an delicious espresso martini. It kept me up until 3am - yikes - so I'll have to pass on that next time even though it was fantastic. Located in the new strip mall at the intersection of Cornell and Stalzman (CVS is the most visible store) LaChona is a great addition to this area. My doctor's office is nearby and I will definitely stop in for empanadas when in the area. Wait staff was so friendly and helpful. read more

See all

Really cool relaxed vibe. Kim was delightful! Give her a raise, especially for the 20 some steps she needs to climb to serve the upstairs area. Our table enjoyed a bottle of the Grenache/Pinot Rosé (it was delicious and easy drinking). If you like your Rosè dry go with the Malbec Rosè. We loved Abuela Chona & Espinaca Empanadas. The chicken was our least favorite. For dessert we enjoyed the Alfajor, it was decent but I'd try something else on the next pass. The waffle fries - Mehh! I think the waffle fries at Chick-fil-a are better. I wouldn't order them again. I'd love to go back and try their brunch or enjoy the space during the summer and sit outside. Located in the Milltowner Shopping Center read more

See all

I've had a few lovely glasses of wine here, but for me... it's all about the delicious empanadas! Oh my goodness, these empanadas are remarkable. Handmade, beautiful, and incredibly flavorful, La Chona offers a wide variety of recipes to sample. My favorite empanada to date is the chorizo, which includes pork, beef and sweet potato filling. A close second would be the spicy chicken consisting of shredded chicken and a ghost pepper sauce. I've never eaten anything with ghost pepper, but the server assured me it was a subtle heat due to the long cooking process. She was absolutely right, it was just the right amount of heat. These empanadas are works of art. Handcrafted by an employee who has worked with the company for many years, the pastry crust is buttery, flakey, and has a gorgeous sheen to the exterior shell. There are a number of tapas to choose from on the menu, but the empanadas are the star of the show. My suggestion would be to order an empanada that appeals to you, then either a charcuterie board or a fruit, cheese and cracker board. The prices are very fair, considering the quality of ingredients and portion size. I'm a fan! I'll be returning to La Chona to spend time with friends and family in the future. The restaurant is situated in a bright, open and contemporary space with lots of seating options both on the main floor and in the loft above. The space is filled with gorgeous, handmade tables and benches, as well as remarkable artwork that makes an impact in the vast space above the dining room. read more

See all

Stopped by for lunch with my family on a rainy Friday, a couple of days before Christmas. Ample parking surrounding the building. We were promptly greeted and seated by Nudy who was super friendly. Her mom is also the cook. We were the only patrons and got all the attention. First impression - great ambiance, lovely Argentinian background music to set the mood, beautiful decor and furniture. Bathrooms were super clean too. We ordered a variety of the $8.5 empanadas, I.e. the Abuela Chona (Ground Beef, egg, potato); The Chorizo ( pork, beef, sweet, potato); The Pollo Spicy (Chicken Breast, Veggies, Ghost Pepper), Lentil soup. The Abuela Chona was my favorite. It was delicious. The flavors were perfect. Even though the Pollo Spicy comes with Ghost Pepper, its spice level is mild but you get the spice kick. Loved it. You gotta try the lentil soup, it was refreshing. Overall, great visit and I'll be back for more. read more

See all

It's interesting, good atmosphere. Pricy though, but we enjoyed lunch there. Might be also would go for wine at the evening

Portions were very small for the price. The ham and cheese empanada was tasty but felt it was mostly cheese inside. It was about an $8 upgrade for fries and fruit and we were surprised how small those servings were for the price as well. Service and atmosphere were great but my wife and I would not go back solely for the cost/portions of their food. read more

My wife and I enjoyed a delicious lunch of empanadas and fried potatoes on Wednesday, December 10th, on our way to the airport. We definitely will return to LaChona next year on our annual trip to Portland with our family. To add, the service was exceptional and the ambiance very pleasant. Bill and Maureen read more

Kim, the hostess, offers spot on menu suggestions. Is amazing to watch because she does everything. And does is incredibly well. The food...the flavors...oh my goodness. I want to go back and try everything on the menu. Lol...the atmosphere is calming, quiet, with delightful art onbthe walls. Lots of windows! You wont be disappointed. read more

I already rated this as excellent in Google but here it goes. Bottom line, an excellent place for food and atmosphere, especially upstairs. Don't be in a hurry when you come here as at least one or two employees called out that day and the owner had to serve us. She is super friendly and knowledgeable, and obviously cares very much about her place of business as well as her customers' experience. I live in California and was here visiting a close friend and I would definitely come back. read more

LaChona - CPT Curtin (Ret) and I relaxing away from our beautiful families. Try them all! - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We just visited this place last night but have gone 3 times and have now tried every empanada on the menu. You really can't go bad here with food-we have yet to try anything that wasn't to our liking. Every time we have went, he have had the same server, who is very kind and helpful. The restaurant has a relaxed feel but has some argentinian art and spanish music playing. read more

See all

What a treat!!! Best empanadas I have EVER had!!! They are GOURMET empanadas. Buttery flaky crust with amazing fillings/combinations to choose from. I got the spicy chicken (my favorite), chorizo, and criolla. They bring it to you on this fancy wood platter and their homemade chimichurri sauce was delicious. The three empanadas filled me up but the were so good I had to try a dessert. Went with the Argentine cookie (alfajores) and it was also delicious. Owner was my server and I saw his wife and kids around the restaurant coming and going. I was impressed with the pride of ownership here. High ceilings with inviting lights and artwork on the walls. They also specialize in Argentine wine and have beautiful wine racks with the product beautifully on display. I wish I lived in the area because this place is worthy of frequent visits!!! read more

See all

We have been here twice and both times were fine. It wasn't amazing but generally good. There are enough options for empanadas that guests can find something they like. The portion sizes are good and not too small. I do think the chicken option (very tender and moist) could have a little more seasoning. I had a bowl of the butternut squash soup which sounded good on a chilly, rainy afternoon. What I received was an odd soup and not really what I expected. It was essentially broth, chunks and little puree of butternut squash, a little bit of cheese, potato chunks, and elbow macaroni. Yes, elbow macaroni. I'm not sure if this is a traditional Argentinian soup or if the recipe was a mix of leftover ingredients. None of the menus had a list of non-alcoholic beverages The server was friendly and helpful. He was by himself covering the whole dining room (both floors) and was doing his best to take care of everyone. There didn't appear to have any additional people around to help him take care of guests. read more

Stopped by here to enjoy lunch with my husband on our anniversary. The place is decorated perfectly with a very welcoming vibe. There is upper & lower places to sit. The empanadas were so tasty and so were the drinks. read more

See all

To say I love this place would be an understatement! Their empanadas are beyond incredible! Our meat eaters especially loved the chorizo and the Abuela Chona while us veg lovers could not pick a favorite among the three veggie options. They are all so delicious! Their wine selection is beautiful with something for everyone. To top it off, their staff is exceptional and the ambiance of the space is warm and inviting. I hope you get to enjoy their goodness soon! read more

See all

This place is so cute. The owner makes all the food herself, and I feel so grateful to be included with gluten free and vegetarian options. People with allergies understand what it's like when you go to a place and everyone else gets to eat better food than you. I felt completely included and so happy with the options here for me. The arepas are very much homemade, which is amazing, and the food was delicious. Our server was also great! We will be back for brunch hours! Wine flight was good but not a huge fan of red, which is a personal problem. Haha. Thank you! read more

LaChona - gluten-free vegetarian. corn, cheese, onion (left) and broccoli, carrots, cheese (right) arepas and fries. - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Great empanadas and ambiance The owner and her staff were fantastic and the food is authentic and enjoyable. Come back soon is my strong recommendation! read more

This place is beautiful and a fantastic place to have a glass of wine (and a bottle to take home). Service was friendly and prompt as well. It's not an extensive menu at lunch, but these empanadas are delicious - no matter what kind you try. We went with meat ones, but I honestly really want to go back to try the veggie ones because they sound so good. I haven't been in for dinner so can't say anything specific about the menu, but I would image it's pretty tasty. Night light crust with plenty of filling for the empanadas. Not the only one who saw the waffle fries and decided they were a must. Once other tables saw them they added them as well. It's a quaint place so not hard to notice such things. It's a just a good vibe. read more

See all

Absolutely AMAZING food, service and beautiful atmosphere!! Amy's empanadas are SO delicious! My favorites are the spicy chicken (not too spicy), spinach and Abuela Chona (ground beef). The alfajor cookies are to die for... delicate butter cookie filled with caramel... OMG, heavenly! And the coffee is some of the best I've ever had. This restaurant is an absolute must-visit for the food and friendly owner and staff. Definitely will make it our weekly destination or take-out. So good we brought more empanadas and alfajores home with us, too! They also cater events and offer hamburgers and chicken dishes and brunch dishes like pancakes and eggs, in case you want something besides empanadas. We will be returning very soon!! read more

See all

I've been to the BG's food Cartel food cart pod in Beaverton and tried their empanadas. They were out of the Alfajor cookies that day so I was looking forward to trying them. I've been wanting for the brick and mortar location to open up since it was in the building stages summer of last year. Well I was excited to see they opened in May. They have a small menu of a variety of empanadas, tapas and wines. They have wine flights as well for you to try. The empanadas are flaky, light and not greasy at all. I tried the chorizo, ham and cheese and Abuela Chona( ground beef, potato and egg) Cute little place with some upstairs seating. Service was a bit slow to take my order. read more

See all

Good food and great service. It's a quiet atmosphere tucked in the neighborhood. If you like wine, there are tasting flights and very knowledgeable servers. read more

I took my clients there last week and the customer services was excellent, the food was very tasty. I will definitely come back to try their wine :) read more

The owner greeted us. Really nice. Then the waitress helped us choose our meals. They were delicious. I will be back.

the food is great It's hard to find good authentic argentinian food the menu look great and I would recommend this place. read more

I appreciate that LaChona is offering something unique to the area as well as good quality! Great ambiance, food, and service here. I don't drink so can't comment on the wine but the espresso and food was wonderful! read more

LaChona - Cappuccino and fruit/cheese board - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Not sure why this place gets such good reviews. I'm missing something. The small empanadas are actually good but the price of $8.50 each ruins it for me. The chimichurri dip was not good. It was sour with a small amount of cheese. Recipe needs to be tweaked. The chimichurri overall is not as good as it can be because it's not fresh. The wine is metered out to the drop but the rose I had was good. All in all not a bad experience just overpriced and no fresh chimichurri means I prob won't come back. Cute place and friendly staff but the server was by herself running multiple tables. Maybe they were short staffed that night. read more

Finally checked off my Yelp bucket-list! But sooo glad I finally found myself available with some free time to explore this journey to Argentina again!!! Thank you LaChona!!! Really missed Abuelo empanadas and definitely will be back!! Fantastic wine y'all to boot!!! FYI family owned and operated winery direct from Argentina and one of my favorite Pinots!!! Wine is even on tap so wide open nice slight chilled temp but perfect glass each time!! Super cute decor and vibe with loft seating upstairs and staff are all attentive and well versed with menu and wine!! Small bites and smaller selection of literally house wines only but highly recommended!!! Must try Argentinian chorizo sausage wrapped in pastry puff topped with cheese!! read more

Amazing empanadas! They are different than my mom's version. But hey baking and frying will produce different results. TY LaChona for bringing Latino cuisine to the public. Sorry I don't have photos of the empanadas but I took photos of the other dishes we had. read more

See all

Excellent service, quite relaxed setting with great artwork. The only negative was the 5oz pour of wine. Very overpriced read more

LaChona - Absolutely delicious. Empanada Plate was so full of flavor. I loved the ghost pepper empanadas. They were very tasty and mildly hot. - Empanadas Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food and service outstanding! The empanadas are always excellent but it's the personable service that makes me come back. It's just like going to a friend's for dinner! read more