Medellín Bakery & Sandwich Shop

I was craving a Colombian Empanada and heard this place was good. I didn't think at 11 am on a Sautrday that everything would be hard and dry. Maybe I went on an off day but it definitely was not worth the hassle to get to it.

OK so I come here for the empanadas...which are AMAZING! This is the first time I've actually visited the location --- typically when we were working from the office, we'd send our coworker to go pick them up :)

We were craving these so decided to make the drive. It's a small little place on Hillsborough Ave, located right in front of the Korean store, Hangook Mart. And may I say if you haven't been here, it's worth the trip. The staff is super friendly too. They have sandwiches, sweets, breads, and empanadas. The empanadas come in chicken (which is what I get), beef or cheese. And don't forget to ask for the sauce...OMG, the sauce. Open your empanada and pour that stuff inside and WHOA!! I've not had their Cuban sandwiches but I will def be back to try one...I'm always on the lookout for a great Cuban. And the best part!? You can eat here REALLY cheap too....the empanadas are handmade and are only $1.25 each. Say what!? Why are you still reading this and not on your way LOL :)

I did try the cheese stuffed croissant yesterday and that was just OK...nothing to rave about. I'd suggest sticking w/the empanadas...can't go wrong there.

For COVID -- yes, they are open, they are wearing masks and gloves. There are limited tables available inside as well.

I wish they added more meat. I tasted more tomato and lettuce than anything. I remember coming here a few years back and the sandwiches were made with more ingredients. Also considering you would pay no more than $5. $7 and some change (drink included) doesn't seem worth it. Besides that the hospitality was great!

Lovely little place with great coffee and prices! Going back every possible time
Recommend

¡Excelente! We were greeted warmly when we entered. Service was fast and friendly. Lively atmosphere with fun music and families. We each got a pastel de jamón y queso and split a guava and cream cheese pastry. So flaky and rich. Delicious! The espresso cafe con leche was the perfect accompaniment. Got the last jamón y queso and a couple of empanadas to go. 100% would return here.

May I suggest:

This little neighborhood gem is what made me love Cyban sandwiches even though technically they're not real cubans due to the mayo, French bread and addition of lettuce and tonato. Nonetheless, its still and outstanding sandwich from the mixture of salami, ham, and roasted pork with swiss cheese. All held together with their delicious pillowy French bread (or so I think its French bread). I also strongly advise getting the pan de bono, another soft pillowy bread thats filled with cheese thats kinda sweet to taste. Arepa con queso is my other go-to item that I seek out when coming here. Their arepas are nice and thick and go well with the slab of white queso on top. Whenever I get the sandwich, I make sure to wasg it down with their cafe con leche wvich is a perfect finish. I've been coming to this little shop for nearly ten years and irs nice to know when I come I get the same tadty food I expect.

My area it's filled with little Spanish markets and cafeterias. I'm trying to make it a point, to adventure in and try all of them. This place should be left off the list, it wasn't much of a bakery or sandwich shop.

The food is one star worthy, everything was just bland and not tasted old. The roast pork on the Cuban sandwich at the texture of sticks. They don't even have a machine that presses the bread.

The little old lady behind the counter was very nice, for that I'm giving an extra star, let me warn you if you were coming here for good food. You should probably turn around and go elsewhere. All three items that I ordered were very disappointing,and theb case was pretty much empty.

Why 4 stars.? Because Medellin's baked goods, the Café con Leche, the prices, the service deserve 5 stars. But their kitchen exhaust system gets only one star. After being inside, your clothes get quickly impregnated with the frying oil and baking odors.
But the friendly service and food quality make the visit worth it.

Medellin is just ok, they'll keep getting my business every now and then, there's nothing about Medellin's that screams new & exciting. Just an average bakery good enough for a quick cup of coffee and sandwich.

The cafe con leche is decent, the pan de bono is one item that I would go back for. Other than that, I just wasn't impressed. The breakfast sandwich was a disappointment, I expected more flavor. The pastries were lacking.

The chicken pastelito was my least favorite. The chicken was dry and saw dust like texture. Service here was good, nothing over the top just friendly people serving food.

That's really about it. A plus here is the food is very affordable, but like the old saying, you get what you pay for.

The Colombian cheese bread and the empanadas were good as well. The buñuelos on the other hand had a very distinct smell and taste like vinegar. My guess they were very old and I was served something that wasn't fresh.

We were looking for dessert. We chose this layered cookie with shortbread layers and guava layers, surrounded by coconut. Yum. Also tried a simple cookie covered with guava. Also very good.
My English didn't take me very far but it didn't matter. If you can point, you can eat.