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Empanadas Cafe
Category: Restaurants Latin American Latin American [Edit]
56-27 Van Doren StCorona, NY 11368
(718) 592-7288
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
86 reviews for Empanadas Cafe
Review Highlights
"...favorites include the spinach/ricotta and tuna empanadas."
(in 12 reviews)
"You can choose corn flour, white flour, or whole grain..."
(in 21 reviews)
"The ice pops are great on a hot day."
(in 7 reviews)
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86 reviews in English
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Review from Andy C.
1/29/2012
I finally got to try this place after bookmarking it for over a year. Why did I wait so long? These Empanadas are shaped in little half moons of joy!
I ordered a bunch of them to try with the family and they were all a hit. Out of all of them, I was pretty impressed with the turkey and cheese. Maybe because I wasn't expecting much, but I am glad I tried it. It was well seasoned meat with plenty of flavor. I will be ordering that again for sure. I also liked the beef and cheese and the spinach and ricotta ..... actually, I liked them all!!
With all the different varieties, they are marked on the bag and also stamped on the top of the Empanadas itself (not with ink, but an impression) which was pretty cool. Their house made hot sauce is also a must.
I didn't try their ice pops yet, but will for sure the next visit.
This place is legit! The staff is also friendly. I will be coming back again! -
Review from Angel H.
Queens, NY
My curiosity got the best of me. Went ahead and finally checked out this place yesterday.
Don't be fooled by it's size or location. Once you step inside, it's like a whole other world. Although tiny, it's quite quaint. Also comfortable if you're lucky enough to snag a seat. There's signs above the counter explaining what to expect right off the bat. Super-duper clean, with an A grade to boot.
Nevermind the cuteness though, how's the food? These empanadas are the best I've ever had, bar none. I had one corn flour codfish, one white flour cheese, and finished it off with a dessert patty of guava and cheese. Each one was pretty solid. My personal favorite being the guava and cheese mix. If you're dining in, the empanadas will be served on a wooden platter, along with a green sauce condiment. I didn't try the organic wheat flour ones, but that's for next time.
The best part is that there's both meat and vegetarian options. Another perk? If you don't feel like cooking tonight, supposedly you can order some to go, then reheat the empanadas at home. I assume you can probably reheat either in the microwave or toaster oven. Regardless of whether it's dine in or take out, you're gonna get that food high. A Queens gem indeed.Listed in: C For Corona
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Review from Camille S.
Maspeth, NY
1/22/2012
I absolutely love Empanadas Cafe. I have been here countless of times for about 4 years. I frequent this place often with friends, who they themselves become fans of the little establishment. I take people who visit me from out of state/country to this place and they are grateful as well.
I used to appreciate this place while I was a vegetarian because they have a lot of great meatless options. They are not the authentic Colombian empanadas, but that is the beauty of this place. They expanded on the original empanada, which is still available, and used their imagination to create other delicious recipes. Besides the original shredded beef empanada, my favorites are: broccoli and cheese; jalapeno and cheese; & plantain and mozzarella.
Their ice pops are also quite delicious. I recommend pineapple, blackberry, and coconut!
If it's around lunch or dinner time, call ahead for pick-up. If you have time, sit in the tiny place, enjoy the empanadas with their fresh hot sauce, and a bottle of Crush. That's what I do. ;-) -
Review from Russell B.
Manhattan, NY
1/8/2012
Um... The best empanada restaurant in New York City hands down.
This place has every empanada you can think of from white flour, corn flour, to organic. ORGANIC YO!!!! Where have you EVER seen ORGANIC empanadas?
Oh and this isn't the not good organic. This is the "wow, I can't believe I am eating healthy organic, and this really tastes amazing."
Though the corn and organic empanadas taste great here, I will always be a fan of the regular white flour ones. They have a nice crunch, and are great with the hot sauce...
Have you ever had tuna in your empandas? scrimp? bananas? ricotta cheese?
EXACTLY!!! This place is great, if you live in Queens, New York or in the area. This is a must.
This place has also been featured in tons of new articles and they have everything plastered on the walls'inside the restaurant. So while you're waiting your 9 minutes for your empanadas since they make them from scratch. Enjoy reading about the beautiful restaurant that is located in Elmhurst Queens New York.
I love Empanads Cafe. -
Review from Sasha G.
My boyfriend had been dying to bring me here.
I really wasn't sure why- I mean, I'm no die hard empanadas fan. I like them, yes, but definitely not my favorite fingerfood.
So of course we had nothing better to do on Saturday afternoon, we risked the NYC subway system on a weekend and trooped it to Empanadas Cafe (formerly known as Empanadas del Parque). I gotta say, the two train ride was worth it at the end!
The place itself is super small. I was expecting, well, maybe a place able to accommodate at least 10 seated customers. NOPE. This place is definitely a to-go joint but it does have one large picnic style table and a small two-seater. My bf and I were able to grab the picnic bench! A good thing too because we sure as heck didn't drive (I had a feeling that most people visiting this place did) and eating outside in the cold just didn't appeal to me.
We ordered 5 empanadas like true fatasses.
1- CHORIZO in the "Organic Flour" However, the flour is not really "organic", I think they really mean "Whole Grain"- dough had flax seeds and other healthy whole grains. The innards (haha) of the empanada consisted of yummy semi-spicy chorizo, mashed potato goodness. I think they add the mashed potato to give it some kind of lube- so you don't have just pieces of chorizo sinking to the bottom of your empanada. Bottom line is that it works and it's damn good.
2- CARNE in the "Organic flour" is ground beef enveloped in whole grain goodness. Meat is seasoned well- super addicting, really.
3. HAWAIIAN in the regular white flour ("Harina de Trigo") was everything you'd expect to be stereotypically "Hawaiian"- melted cheese, pieces of pineapple and chunks of ham. I only had two bites, two GREAT bites, because my bf was too busy having a foodgasm with this empanada.
4. ROASTED PORK in the corn flour. This was my least favorite, I didn't think the pork had much flavor to it and was a bit on the dry side... it was (like the chorizo) mixed with mashed potato but I did appreciate that there was definitely more pork than potato. Still good but not my favorite.
and finally: 5. CHEESE in the white flour. Yes, plain ol' cheese. Super good, gooey, and the epitome of Latin American comfort food. According to my boyfriend they use a "special" Colombian white cheese that had a distinct yet mild flavor. This was good- a bit too plain for me but still super enjoyable!
All of these empanadas? Just under $10.
Oh and before we left my bf made sure to get a "MORA" aka. blackberry, homemade icee they also offer at $2. Very homemade, too sweet for my liking but apparently it brought my bf fond memories of his life in Ecuador. Yes- so I guess they are very South American, traditional.
This place is great! I just wished I lived in Queens to visit often... or not-so-often, not sure how great these little pockets of deliciousness are for my waistline. -
Review from Isabel S.
Corona, NY
1/31/2012
The empanadas are fresh and taste delicious. They sell three different types of shells my favorite is the common white flour. Everytime I go i order at least 3 maduros con queso with a mango ice. They have signs front and center so customers know what to expect about their product and reasons for the increase of prices. It is very small but the quality of the food makes up for it. You can call in advance which i recommend because they take about 7min each order.
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Review from K m.
KEW GARDENS, NY
12/9/2011
Went there over the summer with two friends and a baby. The place is tiny so having a stroller we had to eat outside. The counterperson unlocked the gate to the outdoor seating area and nothing more. Oh wait, I think she might have pointed. Not only did we have to arrange the table and chairs ourselves, we had to dry the previous nights rain with little more than baby wipes. When our food was ready, the counter person mumbled something which I didn't quite catch. We took our food outside to the wet table and chairs and enjoyed our empanadas. As we were leaving, this counterperson took the time to come outside to insist that we return the platters. Hmmmm....it took her more energy to follow us out to the curb and shout at us than it would have to turn to the right and pick up the platter herself.
The empanadas are good, but the lady that day behind the counter was not! -
Review from Michelle R.
KEW GARDEN HL, NY
9/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
After seeing how highly rated this place was and how it was only a mile away from my apt, me and my sister decided to try this place for dinner one Saturday night. It was a nice change of pace but the parking is not too great and for a really small place its packed with almost no seating. We decided since everything was cheap to just order a bunch of empanadas. We had like 4 or 5 of them each and the bill came to $20 which was pretty good.
The spinach and ricotta and turkey were my favorites, I wish they would season the meat a little more but once you have the hot sauce that comes with it everything is good. They also label the empanadas so you know what you're eating which is very nice. We tried colombian sodas which aren't a big deal, they taste similar to cherry coke. The little ice cream pops looked cool too so we got a strawberry and coconut, they were a nice little treat after the empanadas and you don't feel like you overindulged.
If I go here again with my sister or anybody else I would call ahead and make an order probably so I could bring them home and relax. -
Review from Tina Z.
Manhattan, NY
10/25/2011
I always stop here when I am in the area and get my empanada fix. Service is fast & friendly. And the empanadas are delicious, fresh and taste homemade! The place is very small so it's not good for dine-in.
They have a big variety catering to anyone's palette. My favorite are the spinach & ricotta and the sweet plantain & mozarella. They are all just about $1.50 each, definitely worth trying them all! Next time, I'm going for the nutella & banana empanada. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! -
Review from Wing L.
7/18/2011 4 photos
After the Tour De Queens bike ride, a few friends and I were famished and were in search of good grub that was near Flushing Meadows Park because our rumbly little tummy were in rebellion of us going any further than a few blocks for food.Upon the recommendation of one of the friends and a quick check to see what was the general consensus of Yelp for said place which had an average of 4.5 stars at the time, we rode off to Empanadas Cafe.
This is a tiny little corner establishment that could hold only a few customers inside at a time. It was so small that despite the fact that there was only 5 of us, we took turns going in and out to order and pick up our food. Of course there were other customers in there besides us taking up space but not that much more.
There are three different empanadas sold here. Corn flour, white flour, and organic empanadas. All of which have different combinations of stuffing inside. No matter which one you choose, they are all spectacular tasting, some just more so than others.
What? You want some suggestions? Ok, try a few of these to start:
White flour empanada with Sweet Plantain and Mozzarella.
Corn flour empanada with Shrimp.
Organic emapanada with ground chicken and cheese.
Organi....
Wait a minute.... why am I even bothering with recommendations? These things are so small and cheap that you could easily buy more than a few at a time to try out in one visit. The prices of the empandas range from only $1.50 to only $2 for the most expensive ones. Yes, I am including all of the organic selections in this price range. Say what?
If you are in the mood for something sweet, they even have two dessert empanadas here. Guava and Cheese, and Nutella Chocolate and Sliced Bananas. Those are only $1.25 each.
But if it's a hot sunny day out there, choose their home made South American Ice pops instead for dessert. You could tell they were homemade because they are frozen in cheap plastic little clear cups that you used for picnics. These are AMAZING. They have a good variety of flavors and all 4 that I got to try were all delicious. A lady customer raved about the oreo cookie flavor non stop when I was deciding what to order but I felt like being fruity that day and I'm not talking about being crazy. Crazy is a given. The fruit flavors taste almost exactly like you are eating a soft version of the fruit that you selected. The guava and passion fruit flavors were oh so good. The tamarind wasn't bad either. These icy pops are $2 each.
You know what? Hell with the eating the ice pops when it's hot outside. I'll eat these in the coldest day of winter.. while sitting on the snow if I had to.
I know what you are thinking. Is there anything expensive at this place? Not that I've seen so far. Oh Ok. Their sodas costs more than a buck. A buck and a dime in fact. Happy?
These are among the best empanadas that I've tried thus far. I wouldn't mind trying more of them the next time I'm in the neighborhood. I'll make sure I'll buy a few ice pops to go along with it while I'm at it.
Popsicle Review # 10Listed in: Pop it like it's hot... or…
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Review from Mr. Voracity I.
Brooklyn, NY
10/8/2011
Was at the Queen Museum of Art, and wanted to try something other than Chinese food in Flushing. And I'm glad I branched out!
This place is small, simple, and very, very focused on empanadas. They have three overall types: flour, corn, and whole grain, with various options of fillings for each.
tried one beef, one pork, and one spinach & ricotta. And it is fair to say they are the best empanadas I've ever had. I'm inclined toward the flour, and the light, flaky outside was pretty pitch perfect.
Okay, not the most convenient for many, but it's not such a bad idea to step out of your comfort zone every once in a while.
VoracoMeter=8 -
Review from Tu G.
Houston, TX
9/18/2011
Stopped by for a late lunch after Maker Faire. The service was was fast and friendly and they had great selection savory/sweet empanadas with 3 different choices of crust: corn, white flour, or organic corn. The plantain and cheese was especially good. The crusts were superbly crispy and not too thick.
If I'm ever in the area again, will definitely stop by to try their other flavors. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Bayside, Queens, NY
8/13/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Love, love, love this place! Every time I'm in the area I have to stop in for a bite. They offer empanadas that come in corn or white flour with a wide variety of fillings; traditional (beef, chicken, pork) and non-traditional (broccoli and mozzarella, spinach and ricotta, Hawaiian.) The ingredients are fresh which makes for delectable, good quality empanadas.
This is a small, intimate place on the corner, but don't be intimidated by the large crowd that may be there. It is well worth the short wait! -
Review from Starry S.
New York, NY
8/23/2011 2 photos
I love this place!!! The empanadas are so addictive and delicious. I really like the ham and pineapple empanada. The mixed vegetables empanada was also good and juicy.
I prefer the corn flour empanadas because the outside is crispier. But I will eat whatever I can get my hands on!
I can eat this anytime of the day! It is that good.
I know prices has been raised, sadly. The only con is that you may have to wait a while to get your food because they always have a lot of orders.
Oh and their green sauce is crack!~!!~!
Picture Credit: TT -
Review from Jess N.
5/31/2011
Am I really giving my FIRST 5 star food rating to an empanada spot?
YES.
Let me start off by saying that I've had empanadas from EVERY type of restaurant, so I know how potentially delicious they can be.
I've converted from flour to corn empanadas after eating them here. There's seriously nothing I can find wrong with this place. The flour empanadas are forgettable...but you NEED to have the corn empanadas. We ordered about 20, beef,chicken,guava,breakfast mix...all good.
TRY THE CORN EMPANADAS. -
Review from Linda C.
Brooklyn, NY
9/1/2011
I love this place when I need a quick snack.
I always get the chocolate and banana empanada. -
Review from Jonna D.
Mamaroneck, NY
9/2/2011
Thanks to Yelp, we stopped in for Empanadas to bring with us to the zoo. Loved the place: small, adorably decorated, insanely clean and friendly. So clean.
We ordered 7 different kids of Empanadas and one was more perfect than the next. In total, we ordered 16 Empanadas for 2 adults and 2 kids and not one crumb was left!
The beef & cheese and shredded beef were perfectly savory- texture combo was right on the mark.
The pork was one of my favorites- filled with salty pork and potatoes.
The shrimp was good, probably my least favorite but still really good.
The kids had the ham and cheese, it was flaky and cheesy and they loved it.
The sweet plantain and mozzarella was really great too, surprisingly sweet, flaky and salty. Nice flavor combo.
We each ended our meal with a banana and nutella. Nutella is really the best way to end every meal!
Seriously craving the homemade hot sauce right now. This place is worth the $13 in tolls! -
Review from Anna C.
7/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
They offer such a wide variety of Empanadas.
They have flour, corn and Organic whole wheat. All very tasty..but oddly enough my favorite was the turkey with cheese and broccoli...This is a great place if you are looking for a quick bite, or takeout. If you are in the neighborhood you should definitely stop here. Fun and tasty. They also have a wide variety of home made ices which look fab, I didn't get to have one but there is always next time... -
Review from Jennifer A.
ASTORIA, NY
8/30/2011
My date took me here for the first time today and I have to say that as someone who was pretty picky about her empanadas, I really did love this place.
The atmosphere could be a bit off-putting, but don't be fooled. It looks like a super tiny and hidden hole-in-the wall with only two tables for seating inside along with a small bar counter, however the food makes up for that. I'd overall describe the atmosphere as "intimate" if anything because it truly is very clean.
The empanadas are phenomenal. They have a variety of shells to choose from (corn, flour, flourless) as well as traditional and non-traditional fillings. Everything is delicious and a must-try.
My personal recommendations are the beef and mozzarella cheese in a corn shell and the plantanos and cheese one. The plantanos filled empanada is NOTHING like I have ever tasted before. It is perhaps the best empanada on the menu (and I am not one for the flour tortillas, but this was quite impressive).
For dessert, I highly recommend the nutella/banana empanada. It was quite delish.
Be careful with the shrimp, however. My date said his shrimp tasted a bit on the fishy side, not quite like the other times he had the shrimp.
Overall, I truly like this place and will certainly make the trip back.
Also, if you life close by this little place they do a platter of 50 mini-empanadas for 50 dollars. Quite worth the deal if you ask me! -
Review from Diana F.
6/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here with Ben W., my boy and a lovely lady friend of mine for some empanadas after we had some tasty food at Patacon Pisao. The counter lady is intimidating at first but warms up to you later. The hand-made ice pops are SO good, especially the passion fruit! However, for $2 a pop, a little bit on the pricey side. I had a bite of Ben W.'s guava and cheese empanada - interesting combination. Would've given 5 stars but the prices have increased and the empanadas aren't that big. Also, one of my boy's empanadas was 3/4 empty - skimpy on the filling :( indeed, he was very disappointed.
I know the banana and nutella empanadas are calling my name for next time. -
Review from Chris S.
Flushing, NY
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Super good empanadas. I love the Organic flour ones. We got Chicharron, chorizo, maduro, shrimp, and Bacalao. All great. They are Eco-friendly because they use wooden plates and serve their hot sauce in shot glasses. Love that! Super small place so expect to take-out. Will definetly go back soon.
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Review from Aura B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/30/2011
The Empanadas here are delicious and just right ! I love restaurants that cook their meals in the same taste and caring way, even after years, the flavor does not change. Empanadas are made with corn flour, whole grain or white flour texture. My all time favorite is the platanos maduro con queso/sweet plantains with cheese and the Hawaiian. The cod fish one is also delicious.
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Review from Mely Y.
Manhattan, NY
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was my summertime routine after a day at the park. Located not too far from flushing meadow park, this cafe serves the best empanadas I ever had! They have different types such as the flour, white, and even organic styled empanadas. The menu offers so many choices you can't help but to order BIG! They serve from the traditional shredded beef, or chicken to the exotic hawaiian-styled or guava and cheese dessert empanadas and more. They have a few tables indoors, and limited counter seats. Make sure to bring your cash money because this establishment does not accept credit cards. Theres always a long wait Bc it's just that good. When u eat indoors, they serve u on a wooden plate with a side of their bangin green sauce. Most importantly, save room for the homemade tropical helados. Mmmm.... You won't regret it. This is really one of the best hidden secret in queens!
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Review from Stephen B.
Rego Park, NY
7/24/2011
Every time I go to the Lemon Ice Kind of Carona, or the farmer's market at the Hall of Science, I think I want to go there. Today we stopped.
Took a while to get the food, but I guess fresh can't be rushed, right? I had the broccoli and cheese, plantain and mozzarella cheese, and I passed on the meat ones. I liked them both very much. The hot sauce is unique and interesting, I liked it.
Cori V said: The hot sauce wasn't very hot and they didn't give you enough. The organic one was good, the crust was good, filling was chorizo and potato. She wasn't crazy about the plantain and mozzarella. She wasn't impressed with the pork one. The broccoli and cheese was probably the best she's ever had. Cori says the women who work there are really sweet. They have a lot of variety.
Inside they have 2 tables and a bar, so it's cozy, 10 total seats. It was nice and cold in there on a hot day. The kitchen is huge. You can buy them premade, and cook them, and put them in your freezer. You can also buy them cooked and put them in your microwave.
So I have this crazy vegetarian struggle. On the one hand, I feel there are three reasons to not eat meat. One is that animals are subjects with feelings and it sucks to be raised for food for the dominant species (ethical & spiritual). There are many books that chart the parallels between sexual abuse and meat eating, slavery and meat eating. Things I'm against. Meat takes up more resources, I don't want to burn down the rainforest for cheap burgers (environmental). I am over weight, and cutting out food options doesn't make me lose weight, but in the end, I think vegetarian is healthier than carnivore (nutritional). On the other hand, I don't really feel like going to a new restaurant and restricting myself. I think the best argument for meat eating is, "I want to and I can." After that, there's really nothing to say. But I'm not in control of myself. Today I won the vegetarian struggle (in part because the vegetarian ones were good). -
Review from mariko S.
Fresh Meadows, NY
5/1/2011
YUM YUM YUM. Banana & Nutella Empanadas.
I've eaten empanadas from here twice but have never been inside thanks to Ben W. :) The pesto empanadas are my favorite things to eat just before devouring the B&N empanadas.
We tried the desserts last week.. they have some kind of ice cream looks homemade? Delish -
Review from Steven T.
Robbinsville, NJ
9/11/2011
Nice little place that, thanks to yelp, we found and tried. I would recommend sampling a variety as they were all pretty good, though nothing extraordinary.
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Review from Carol B.
2/13/2011
This place is a hidden gem.
Our favorites include the spinach/ricotta and tuna empanadas.
You just have to try them for yourself!
Service is a little bit slow, and the place is TEENY TINY, so why not call ahead and place your order? Very affordable. Great for a quick lunch, or just to fill your empanada fix. WAY BETTER than that place next to the mall, Empanada Mama. -
Review from Tom K.
8/21/2010
Where is this place? Or so I thought while trekking about the streets of Corona after the Target India night at the Queens Museum of Art. Ah, here's Van Doren Street, perhaps named after 50's sex symbol Mamie Van Doren?
We eventually found the Cafe, which is rather small on the inside with effectively one picnic table to sit at. Unless you're lucky and arriving when someone's departing (as we did), don't count on having any seating. The smallish interior was packed with locals waiting about 10 minutes for their empanada order to be filled.
And upon first bite my 10 minute wait was a fleeting memory replaced by a feeding frenzy. There's a choice of many different filling combinations and three types of emapanda shell: corn flour ($1.25), white flour ($1.50) and for the super healthy, whole grain (a whopping $1.75).
Prices, as previously listed, are incredibly low. My wife and I ordered 12 empanadas and 2 bottles of water for a grand total of $18.01. Ordering 5 or 6 empanadas is recommended given the individual size.
We stuck with the traditional shredded beef, ground beef and cheese and then tried two dessert emapanadas: guava and cheese followed by nutella and sliced bananas.
From the group of empanadas, I preferred the ground beef and cheese, mainly based on the inclusion of melted cheese. Be sure to split open your empanada to let it cool as it will be very hot. The nutella one was like a crepe...but in an empanada! I asked my fellow eaters at the table to have a moment of silence as I savored the flavor of this packet of pure delight.
Other flavors include shrimp, fish, turkey, pesto, spinach and ricotta and many more. Helados ( ice pops) are also available for $2.00.
The web site states that the Cafe opened as a sort of United Nations of empanadas. I agree entirely and can't wait for another general session. -
Review from Vincent D.
East Rockaway, NY
2/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place is tiny.
Aside from that, they make the best empanadas I've ever had. And they make them FRESH TO ORDER! You walk in, you order empanadas, they make them while you wait, you eat, and bask in their glory and savoriness. But let me describe this place a little bit, first, and how I came to be here.
I was on my way to Tortilleria Nixtamal, and I passed this place on the way... I thought to myself "Hmm.. if Nixtamal is closed, then I'm going to try this place." I was on my break between classes that night, but I got out of my first class early, which gave me enough time to, theoretically, make it to Nixtamal about an hour before they closed. No dice, they closed early (probably sold out of most stuff, so they just closed shop). BUT! This was a good thing, because I otherwise may not have ever tried Empanadas Cafe.
I park down the block, and as I round the corner to the entrance, it hits me just how tiny this place really is. You walk in, there's a small table to your right (with four seats), an even smaller table to your left (two seats), and two stools at the counter.
All they serve: empanadas and South American ices. Maybe coffee and tea, too. I dunno, they had the stuff there, but it wasn't on the menu.
They have some pretty amazing empanadas, in either white flour, corn flour (my favorite), or their multigrain organic flour (I didn't try this one, yet. Next time!) I had chili; plantain + mozzarella; chicharron; and pollo empanadas. Two white flour, two corn flour. Each one was simply delicious. The plantains were sweet, and everything was cooked to perfection. I told my father about this place, and he's rearing to go. Maybe I'll hit them up again, this weekend.
In any case, if you like empanadas, try these, they're great. If you've never had empanadas, go here, and you'll be hooked, though you may be disappointed when you get them anywhere else, afterward. -
Review from Ron T.
Forest Hills, NY
9/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Empanadas del Parque is a cute fun little place. It is tiny and busy.
All the empanadas are good most are delicious. There is not always a place to sit. My favorites are the Whole Wheat Mixed Vegetables and the Nutella Banana Empanada's.
Take a car, get off on the 108th St Exit on the LIE and take some home. It is worth the drive.
Visit TimmyO's on the way home. -
Review from Jeff M.
6/20/2011
It's all about the corn-flour empanadas. My brother told me that when he goes here he gets "one of each." Now I understand why. It is impossible to pick a favorite. Beef. Pork. Chicken. Shrimp. Broccoli. Codfish. The outer shell is so perfect that you could probably stuff it with used tissues and it would still be delicious. But the fact that the inside is just as good as the outside, makes this hands-down a must visit place. Yummy. Delicious.
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Review from Minhan S.
New York, NY
5/28/2010 6 photos
Empanada Friday has been announced! Yes, the lunch planner(me) said so! We planned to go get these empanadas since Wednesday, and we finally did it!
I visited their website, printed the menu, visited all my colleagues and asked what they wanted, wrote down their choices, went to a meeting meanwhile, came back, and placed the order on the phone for pickup. All these happened in 1 hour. Yes I know I am a great lunch planner.(hell ya!)
The place was real tiny with so many people inside. wow popular!
Empanadas here are cheap. Prices are between $1.10 and $1.75. You have 28 different choices of empanadas. You can choose corn flour, white flour, or whole grain empanadas. I had 4 empanadas for today's lunch: Corn flour with ground beef & cheese, corn flour with shrimp, white flour with ground chicken, and the "Nutella Chocolate Banana!" Those were all great except the shrimp one; I expected more shrimp then mashed potato(?).. But they were all great! The nutella chocolate banana empanada is the guerilla; be careful of nutella popping out of empanada!
just two complaints:
1. empanadas are small.(hm.. maybe that's why they are cheap.)
2. only one employee taking orders/answering calls/etc? hm. you should have one more employee! -
Review from EVIE T.
Ridgewood, NY
7/12/2011
I've had all types of empanadas in NYC and I remember on the days when I didn't have a vehicle, I'd take the bus just to get to this spot. Now I drive over occassionally during my lunch break. If I let anyone know where I'm going, I know I'm going to get an order for at least 20 empanadas. This is truly a great place. 5 Stars to the empanada spot worth taking the bus for =)
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Review from Ben W.
Bellerose, NY
Updated - 6/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Unfortunately, the prices have increased a little bit as of May 1st. I'm a little reluctant to go overboard on ordering now and need to really be careful and strategic with my selections. I've been liking anything with cheese - turkey & cheese, beef & cheese, etc, as well as the corn flour empanadas over the white flour ones. The guava & cheese was yummy too.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/14/2011
This has become one of my favorite spots... one of the first things that comes to mind when I need a… Read more »
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Review from Cay T.
Brooklyn, NY
11/10/2011
So tasty, fresh and inexpensive. Great treat if you're at the Hall of Science!
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Review from Steven U.
MIDDLE VLG, NY
8/10/2011
The empanadas here are amazing. I have so many favorites like the maduro with cheese. The mananera (breakfast) is delicious too. I always get about 6 every time I go which is not too healthy but what the hell. It's not like I go every day
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Review from Marcus V.
Brooklyn, NY
3/9/2009
I'm not sure I'd go completely out of my way to make the 13 mile or so trip from Sunset Park, Brooklyn, to Corona Park, Queens just for empanadas, especially considering that there is very limited seating. However, if I'm ever in the Corona Park/Queens area, as I was recently, I certainly would go to Empanadas Café again. Of course, there's always the option of ordering out and eating in the car too!
I've had some really bad empanadas in the past, mostly the result of being excessively greasy, overly doughy, and not flavorful, but the empanadas here are scrumptiously appetizing and filling...and very inexpensive. I'll add that from my experience Columbian empanadas are way better than Puerto Rican ones, the latter of which I've tried plenty of.
I tried a couple of the ground chicken (complimented nicely with the right amount of cilantro), the Hawaiian (mozzarella and ham), and of course the legendary nutella chocolate banana empanada (truly amazing... make you slobber all over yourself for more).
If only this place wasn't so far from my home. -
Review from Michael H.
Washington, DC
11/25/2007
This place was suggested by my friend John, and I must say, my assessment of his taste was not hurt by this recommendation. Empanadas del Parque has a funky yet non-presumptuous feel to it.
The empanadas are made to order in corn, wheat, or white flour. They do the bizarre (pesto and mozarella; spinich and ricotta) to the typical (beef, cheese). Price range is 1.25 to 1.75 per empanada.
All were good, but my favorite, hands down, was the sweet plantain and mozarella cheese empanada. YUM.
There are two small tables and some counter space for you to eat inside. It's not designed to be a place to loiter.
Accessible by 58 bus route to Ridgewood. -
Review from Ivy C.
Corona, NY
2/20/2009
4 Words.
Banana Nutella Chocolate Empanada.
You must try those. Shame on you if you don't get it! You don't know what you are missing.
I love this place. Their empanadas are delicious and cheap! They come in 3 different flour. Whole grain, white, and corn. I personally love empanadas in traditional corn flour but all their empanadas are delicious.OH FYI their homemade salsa is slammmmiiinnnnggg.
Alsoo they have homemade popsicles. Its pretty good and its a great treat for the 938429034903 miles walk back home in the summer.
Oh please don't bring more than 1 other person with you inside because this place is the size of a porter potty and only have 2 tables. So leave your posse and homeslices outside. -
Review from lora c.
New York, NY
11/28/2009
Empanadas don't get any better than at Empanadas Cafe. Food is primarily take out, although there are a few tables for those who choose to eat-in. Consider it similar to Cafe Habana's to-go post, with only a handful of seats and not more than 100 sq ft of common space. When the weather's warm, my friends and I drive out to Corona just to pick up empanadas and ices from the Lemon Ice King. We take our treats into the park and play chess with the old folks, the perfect formula for a leisurely summer day.
Nothing runs over two bucks. Corn flour empanadas are $1.25, while the white flour, deep fried ones are $1.5. Organic ones are available, though I've never tried them since I'm not very partial to whole wheat. Love the shredded beef, ham and cheese, and the spinach and ricotta. The sweet plantain and cheese is probably my favorite, the perfect mix of salty and sweet. Each one has a delightfully crunchy, not greasy, crust, and they don't skimp on the filling. These aren't the largest empanadas but three are usually enough for me (though I often order 4 or 5 because I'm a pig). Everything is made fresh to order, so I always purchase a homemade icy to enjoy while I wait. If you're not in the area, I won't say it's worth the trek-- but a fifteen, twenty minute detour could be worthwhile.
