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    The Empanada Factory

    4.4 (217 reviews)
    ModerateEmpanadas, Argentine
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order The Empanada Factory Takeout or Delivery

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    THE EMPANADA FACTORY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Brandi J.

    Empanada perfection! The restaurant is very small inside and there are only about 6 tables inside, so we opted for a to-go order. The line was long but moved quickly. Once we reached the front of the line the person taking our order was pleasant and informative. It took about 35 mins to get our order. Which makes perfect sense because we chose the baked option over fried, which I'm sure added extra time. The faves were the chicken curry for the savory and the pineapple cream cheese for the dessert. Empanadas Perfectas! El restaurante es muy pequeño por dentro y solo hay unas 6 mesas adentro, por lo que optamos por un pedido para llevar. La fila era larga pero avanzaba rápidamente. Una vez que llegamos al frente de la fila, la persona que tomó nuestro pedido fue agradable e informativa. Nos llevó unos 35 minutos recibir nuestro pedido. Lo cual tiene mucho sentido porque elegimos la opción horneada en lugar de frita, lo que estoy seguro agregó tiempo extra. Los favoritos fueron el pollo al curry para lo salado y el queso crema de piña para el postre.

    Tim C.

    I had a hard time finding the listing for this business because the sign out front is Argentina Cafe Empanada Factory and Yelp lists it as The Empanada Factory. My wife and I loved each and every one of the savory Empanadas we tried. They do dessert empanadas too and we'll try some next time. We thought we would have some leftovers but they were so good nothing made it out the door! You can get most of them baked or fried. The fried shredded chicken empanada was amazing. The baked beef was just as good. The fried shredded chicken avocado was stellar. The Mediterranean beef was our favorite by a slight margin. We wanted to try the Saltena but they were out....ground beef, potatos, green onion and cumin....maybe next time. The fried sweet beef was tasty. WE did another chicken avocado that was baked. I enjoyed a hot cup of Cappucino. We'll be back.

    Spinach and Cheese Empanada (Baked)
    Beatrice A.

    I got a fried sweet beef and baked spinach and cheese. Chimichurri and jalapeño salsa on the side. Absolutely delicious. The sweet beef was a nice balance of sweet, salty, and greasy. The s&c had a solid cheese pull and I loved the crunch on the bake!! Just yum yum yum. Try it out.

    Mixed Fruits and Cream Cheese (Baked)
    Nancy K.

    I love this place. Everything we have ordered here is great, but that dessert empanada is the stuff of legends. Even the whipped cream on top tasted freshly made and not out of a can. The fruit filling inside was sweet without being overly sweet and I am glad I saved room for it. This place looks like it stays busy with take out orders, as the interior only has room for a few tables. We find that adds to the experience when we dine there, as its easy to strike up conversations or share oder envy from two feet away. Service is always friendly and I always learn something else about Argentina when we go. Nice coffee options too and bagged coffees and treats for purchase.

    The dining area....
    Humberto M.

    What a Delicious and Delightful experience here.... I was just passing by and looking for something to fill me up for now and this certainly hit the spot!! Freshly made with TLC as there secret ingredients!! Yummy and well stuffed Empanadas at an affordable price range too. Jackie was very helpful and awesome with her food recommendations and honesty too!! Great Argentina restaurant with a lovely selection of comidas and decor as well!! Super clean establishment and well run and maintained!! I Love finding gems like this and by randomly looking

    Cynthia V.

    Came here for a light dinner on Friday since you order each empanada ala carte, so you can choose how full you get! The menu has lots of options, so I ended up getting 3 so I could feel like I tried a bit of everything: the ground chicken (baked), ground beef (baked), and 4 cheese. All of them were great, the beef and chicken were my favorites. The breading is perfectly crispy, forming perfect pockets to hold the delicious stuffings. They are made-to-order, but the wait is totally worth it because they come out perfect and hot. Seating inside is limited; looks like most people come for grab and go. Parking is plentiful since it is in a strip center.

    Seating
    Christine L.

    Located in a strip by the 59 There's a lunch special for 3 empanadas and a drink for k on Ed's than $9 I got Recs for chicken with avocado my favorite, the saltido sausage very tasty, and the shrimp my least favorite- just too many veggies which overpowered the shrimp. Recommended for lunch Takes 8 minutes to cook though

    Briana M.

    Random stop by on an off day. The place is clean and nice, however had a stench to the restaurant - dirty mop maybe? Menu is huge, you order at the counter and can have it to-go or sit inside or there's a few tables outside Empanada took about 10 mins to come out. I ordered the baked chicken, the I side was too wet for me, but the outside was very flakey and good. Everything was hot. I took a bite of my husbands Salteña emapanada and that was a no for me. Would I come back? No. For $3.50 each am I disappointed? No.

    upper: ham and cheese, lower: chorizo
    Jennifer Y.

    This is a very small establishment with limited parking as it's part of a strip mall. There are 2 designated parking spots just for the Empanada Factory right in front of the place. Inside there is a counter where you place your order and there are maybe 3 sets of tables inside and 2 sets of tables outside where you can eat. This isn't really a place where you can sit and comfortably dine, it's more meant for quick bites while you're on your way back to work. There is an extensive menu of many different kinds of empanadas. I tried some of the less traditional ones. The chorizo was just regular sausage with cheese, and the ham and cheese was chunks of ham with cheese. I do think that there is a nice crust on these and it makes it nice to look at. I also appreciate how the different emapandas are shaped differently which not only helps them recognize which is which but also makes for a nice aesthetic as well. However, I do feel like the empanadas were unfortunately lacking in the flavor department. Mostly I just felt overwhelmed by the cheese, and didn't really feel like there was much of a flavor profile. They would have been almost bland if not for the salt. That being said, the guy behind the counter was pretty friendly and helpful. The prices are pretty affordable, and There is a wide menu so it's possible that I just happened to pick the ones that are mediocre. There's a pretty decent lunch special for $7.99 where you can get 3 empanadas and a drink as well.

    Dulce de leche dessert

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    6 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Yes love the empanadas here. Have been going for years. Love their chimichurri. Too many favorites to comment on. Highly recommend!

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Delicious, but i need to put 85 characters per yelp rules so im just going to stay the shrimp and chicken avocado empanadas are my favorite.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    the pineapple, chicken avocado & the shredded chicken empanadas were all delicious. service was friendly.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Love this place for the best empanadas and a reasonable price. Especially love the Mediterranean beef. Yummy!!

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Amazing empanadas all around especially the Ham and Cheese... Would get baked empanadas over the fried ones

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Try the caramel roll!! I loved all the empanadas I tried, but found a dessert that I'm hooked on

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Everything, and when I say everything was absolutely delicious here. Worth the time, drive, whatever. Just come here and enjoy

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    The Empanada Factory Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Empanada Factory

    Do they make mini-empanadas?

    Their empanadas are small. I haven't seen any other smaller sizes but compared to the ones I had in Argentina these are small.

    Can the vegetarian empanadas be made vegan?

    They have 9 vegetarian options

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Pampa Grill & Market - Our favorite crackers and Mantecol from Pampa Argentinian market

    Pampa Grill & Market

    4.6(248 reviews)
    8.6 miSpring Branch
    $$

    I have learned that the places that look a little suspicious from the outside often end up being…read morethe biggest surprises when it comes to food. This place is definitely not located in a fancy area, and I have to admit, I had second thoughts the moment I pulled into the crowded and chaotic parking lot. Located in the heart of Latino Town in Spring Branch, the atmosphere immediately reminded me of back home (Venezuela). The vibe is different, authentic, and familiar in the best way. I trusted the process because this spot had been on my list for a while, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Once you make it through the parking adventure and walk inside, you are pleasantly surprised by a small, quaint, clean, and charming restaurant. The aroma coming from the kitchen was enough to convince me I had made the right choice. We were seated right away during a busy lunch hour. The staff works together as a team, and the service was efficient and attentive. But, of course, the star of the show was the food. I had a steak cooked to perfection with sweet plantains, and it was absolutely delicious. They offer an extensive menu featuring flavors from Argentina to Venezuela, with plenty of options to choose from. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and in a timely manner. If you are in the Spring Branch area and craving grilled, savory, authentic food, this is definitely a place to check out. I will absolutely be coming back. A true hidden gem!

    And we're off! Today we kicked off our "A to Z International Dining Adventure"! We're planning to…read moreeat our way around the world, choosing a different country for each letter of the alphabet at restaurants around town. Houston has an amazing international dining scene and we won't have any problem finding food to match all 26 countries. Today we started with "A is for Argentina" at Pampa Grill & Market in Houston on Hammerly. We were thrilled to start our journey with newlyweds our son and daughter‑in‑law. We all shared freshly baked bread with chimichura sauce and marinated vegetables salsa criolla, delicious empanadas of all sorts, the Argentina Grill parrillada platter, and flan and Nutella crepes for dessert. Pampa Grill & Market is a beloved family-owned neighborhood gem run by Argentine owners. Definitely a fabulous experience all around. Pampa serves wine, but they also allow BYOB, so we brought a delicious 2022 Decero Remelinos Malbec and John and Katherine brought a lovely white blend, also from Argentina. Weare going to have so much fun taking this food journey together! "B" takes us to Brazil in the next couple weeks. Stay tuned!

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    Pampa Grill & Market
    Pampa Grill & Market - Chinchulines!!!! What a treat!!!!

    Chinchulines!!!! What a treat!!!!

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    The Original Marini's Empanada House - Dulce de Leche with bananas

    The Original Marini's Empanada House

    4.5(1k reviews)
    6.8 miWestchase
    $$

    Growing up in Houston, I would always see Marini's whenever my family and I drove by the old…read morelocation. As I got older, I would pass by it myself and always wanted to stop in...but life kept being life and I just never seemed to have the free time. I was finally able to stop by yesterday! I absolutely loved how the decor starts from the outside...it immediately draws you into the experience. The inside is vibrant, full of life and just feels welcoming. I was warmly greeted as I walked in. I headed toward the register and on my left I saw something that immediately caught my eye: Alfajores. Now, Alfajores are these wonderful sandwich cookies that are especially popular in Argentina and Uruguay. They're unique because they're traditionally made with cornstarch rather than just flour, giving them that wonderfully tender texture. They're filled with dulce de leche and often coated in shredded coconut. Some are even perfumed with lemon zest, depending on the region. I knew immediately that I'd be getting some. I ordered the Gaucho and the Chicken Diablo. The service was cordial and sweet: big smiles and a genuinely warm demeanor. The young lady told me my order would be ready shortly. She gave me an exact number of minutes, but I honestly forgot how many she said! I then turned around and, lo and behold, it all clicked. It was called "Marini's" because of the owners. To my surprise, there was a painting of a face I recognized. Years ago, my family and I attended a church called Centro Familiar Cristiano. Marcelo Marini! He has the kind of face you don't forget--very recognizable and distinctive. I thought it was lovely to discover that he was one of the owners. I only wish I had known years ago that this was his family's business. I absolutely loved how the restaurant is decorated. The writing that guests have left on the walls gives the place so much heart and personality. I've never been to Argentina, but Marini's gives me the impression of being a little getaway...a small glimpse of what it might feel like to experience Argentine culture. The young lady who took my order brought everything out with another smile. The Gaucho was fabulous. It was well seasoned and I loved the added detail of the olives. The chicken was shredded, tender and well seasoned too. The crust was crispy without being greasy. I also really enjoyed the chimichurri and the red sauce, which had a pleasant little kick of heat. And the Alfajores were spot on: tender cookies, rich dulce de leche filling and that coating of coconut that gives them such a wonderful finishing touch. I really enjoyed my visit to Marini's. Next time, I need to eat inside so I can fully enjoy the atmosphere while I eat-maybe with a glass of Malbec.

    This place has been on my radar for a long time and finally stopped today. That was best decision I…read moremade all day. The place was tucked off in plaza I had to get up in there and was so pleasantly surprised. So cozy and cute. They have a great selection of empanadas and all the ones I had were sooooooo good. The spinach was a little juicier than I anticipated but everything was made so fresh. The Tia Maria and eggplant were my favorites and the sauces were a great addition in flavor. The dessert empanada sweet potatoes was top tier. The filling was just sweet enough, definitely want to taste the others, especially since they make their own fruit fillings. I can see how they've been around for so long. New customer alert !

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    The Original Marini's Empanada House
    The Original Marini's Empanada House
    The Original Marini's Empanada House - Empanadas

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    Empanadas

    Saldivia's South American Grill - Chocolate Tres Leches

    Saldivia's South American Grill

    4.5(226 reviews)
    7.8 miWestchase
    $$

    The old phrase "don't judge a book by its cover " fits Saldivia's…read more From the outside, it looks like a little mom n pop place. But from the inside.... I picked up a customer of mine and he said let's go to a small South American place just down the street. From the outside, didn't look like much. From the inside, much bigger and certainly a South American flair. World Cup is going on so all the TVs had that on. Tons of wines sitting out , mostly Malbecs, my fav. Just a great vibe. But on to the main course. We both had the steak picanha. Med Rare. On my. Good Lord. This was awesome. I generally don't eat steaks out as they are overpriced and not cooked to my liking. The chef did an awesome job. Med Rare - spot on. Perfecto. I've been to Argentina many times in business and eaten many great steaks, this can be included in that. I know, I know...people swear by Pappa's Steak or Taste of Texas, but this small, unassuming place tops them all. And a fantastic SA wine list. Please give them a try. Will not be disappointed.

    Came here for lunch and got their Monday lunch menu special. While waiting for my soup, I was…read moreserved half of a warm baguette. Yummy! The lunch menu came with a choice of either soup or salad, which I got the lentil soup. The soup was thick and hearty. It was very good. My steak was cooked perfectly and well-seasoned. The sides were well-seasoned too. The size of the steak, to me, was sufficient and considered big for a lunch menu. I had a triple chocolate tres leches after my steak. It was the perfect ending. I received warm and excellent service throughout my lunch. The restaurant is big and suitable for all party sizes. There is plenty of free parking in front of the restaurant, so that is a plus point.

    Photos
    Saldivia's South American Grill - Inside

    Inside

    Saldivia's South American Grill - Entrana, medium rare

    Entrana, medium rare

    Saldivia's South American Grill - Decor/Ambiance

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    Decor/Ambiance

    Churrascos - River Oaks

    Churrascos - River Oaks

    3.9(396 reviews)
    2.0 miMontrose
    $$$

    I attended a professional private dinner hosted here and was impressed by with the interior, the…read moreservice and and food. The restaurant was elegant, with darker shading and lower lights. The room we were in was large, with tables placed closely together. Navigating was a bit hard, but it was a large group. The servers were extremely efficient and always present when you needed them. I was surprised and happy with the number of menu items available in the predetermined menu. I had the poblano soup, the spinach and mushroom enchiladas and the tres leches and they were absolutely delicious! The soup was rich and flavorful with crunchy chip pieces on top as a garnish. The enchiladas were savory and crepe like and the tres leches was a perfect close to the meal!

    This was my first visit to Churrascos and although it's pretty pricey, I think I'll be back once…read moremore to try something else on the menu. Food: I ordered the crab cakes for lunch but after the first bite, it failed to wow me. I then ordered the fried shrimps (6 on a stick) and they were so good! I paired them with the fried plantains and voila, chef's kiss!!! Service: My waitress Lency was professional, attentive, and her suggestions were on point. She checked on me but didn't overdo it which allowed me to enjoy my meal in peace. She was great! Ambiance: It was everything!!! I decided to sit outside on the patio since the interior of the restaurant was a bit cold for me. It was such a beautiful day, the music was perfect, and I had the entire patio to myself! I needed that time to myself and I couldn't have asked for more.

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    Churrascos - River Oaks
    Churrascos - River Oaks
    Churrascos - River Oaks - Empanadas

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    Empanadas

    Sal Y Pimienta Kitchen - Lamb shank

    Sal Y Pimienta Kitchen

    4.1(565 reviews)
    8.2 miMemorial
    $$$

    OMG! This was a wonderful find. The food was so amazingly delicious. Service was friendly and…read moreattentive. No complaints on anything. My husband and I ordered lamb lollipops, tortellini stuffed with Wagyu beef, and seared pork chops with fig chutney and buttery mashed potatoes. The pork chop was absolutely our favorite even though everything was really good. We will be back again!!!

    I came for Houston Restaurant Week. We made a reservation…read morethrough their website for 9:15pm on a Friday. We arrived at 9:00pm and the person who greets you at the restaurant was extremely rude. "Oh you have a reservation?" "Well I know you don't have a reservation, I have nothing here and we close at 10." To which I proceeded to take out my confirmation, but also said hey if you can't seat us it's not a problem we can go. He said no no and proceeded to take us to a table. Maybe we were late? I'm not sure. The website offered reservations even later, and others walked in after us. Who knows... Besides that, the food was ok. The appetizer empanadas and calamari were ok. Nothing to want to have again, I've had better. The lamb ossobuco with polenta was tasty and a big portion. My husband's beef brochettes weren't cooked to his liking. The rice that came with it was delicious. Good wine pairing for both entrees. Figs and mascarpone dessert was not to my liking. The mascarpone was heavy on the lemon. It took over the whole palate. Chocolate ganache cake was good. Was the quality worth the price? Not for me.

    Photos
    Sal Y Pimienta Kitchen - Private rooms

    Private rooms

    Sal Y Pimienta Kitchen - Tenderloin

    Tenderloin

    Sal Y Pimienta Kitchen - LA PAZ ROOM

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    LA PAZ ROOM

    The Empanada Factory - empanadas - Updated September 2026

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