Not sure where to start - there's so much to love about this place! The atmosphere is great - small, yes, and simple, but comfortable and clean. The quiet music and wall murals are enough to make me pretend I'm on vacation during a lunch break away from the office. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the value for the money is phenomenal. But the food is really the shining star. I've tried and liked the empenadas, but the arepas are what keep me coming back. Light, fluffy corn pillows stuffed with mounds of perfectly seasoned carnitas, sprinkled with a mild soft white cheese and an avocado wedge? Umm, YES! The tostones are equally amazing - if you've never had plaintains, you're in for a treat. And the chicken salad on top is the perfect accompaniment. I can't decide if I like the red or green sauce better. I have no idea what they are, and I couldn't care less, because they're that good. Add to that the fresh fruit juices that you just don't see everywhere, and Empanada Express Grill is like going to a vacation paradise, if only for a meal. read more

This little place is amazing. My husband, a friend and I ate here last night and I'm pretty sure this is as good as it gets. The reviews are correct, this food does not come out super fast. But we arrived a little after 7, it closes at 8, and every table was full. So waiting 20-30 minutes for made-to-order food in that case doesn't bother me. We were starving and wanted to sample everything, so we all ordered the $10.99 plate with an empanada, arepa, corn cakes, fried plantains and the doughy bread sticks filled with cheese. Talk about a platter of food. I was stuffed after eating my two bread sticks and two corn cakes topped with melted cheese. They were both DELICIOUS, heavenly, soft, warm, cheesy, perfection. I barely made a dent in my arepa which was stuffed with chicken salad, cheese and avocado. While that tasted great, next time I will just get one empanada - not only are they enormous and plenty of food on their own (and cheap! $3-$4.75), but the combo of the soft doughy interior and crisp, not greasy exterior was out of this world. It was almost like a little calzone and I actually prefer that to the pastry-type flaky crust of other empanadas I've had. I ordered the chile rellenos empanada and I will definitely get it again! Cheese and peppers, fried, more cheese, fried again...how can you go wrong? Well, you can't. But what pushed this meal over the top were the three sauces served in squeeze bottles - a green cilantro/pepper mixture, a pink mayo/green chile mixture and a chunky hot salsa. Just squirt them all on your plate and enjoy. The three of us practically drained the bottles, they were that good. My friend ordered a coconut milkshake that was so fresh, cool and smooth. I have almost an entire empanada and arepa leftover for lunch today and there is going to be some jealousy in the office kitchen when I heat up these little puffy nuggets of melted cheesy heaven. read more

Empanada Grill just opened recently, and we went last night. The food was very delicious and fresh. Of the three of us, one of us ordered a mango shake which tasted like it was just from Venezuela. Each of us ordered the Venezuela dish (I forgot what it is really called), but the plate was full of food for just over $10 (the most expensive thing on the menu). Actually, we each had two plates of food there was so much. The food was very flavorful and the table had many sauces to try. The staff was very attentive. If you are not too hungry, just order an empanada for less than $3. Empanada Grill is one of my family's new favorites! read more

The food is good and affordable. The staff is friendly. It's a nice change of pace in northwest Denver. We've found ourselves going once a week. I haven't had fried plantains in a restaurant in Denver, and I am glad to have found them. I should also mention that we are vegetarians and the menu has plenty of options. Happy that we found a new place to eat. read more

Delicious! Nothing fancy. Just good food. I had the arepa with pork and avocado and plantains. The corn shell was delectable.

Simple food, inexpensive, friendly atmosphere. I ordered the Columbian Empanadas lunch special (1 pork, 1 chicken, 1 beef). This is simple fare: meat, cheese, spices. I also had the Yucca with cheese and avocado. Two dipping sauces came with the meal - a red and a green. The red was my favorite. Normally I like the green sauces that come with Peruvian food. This one was close but something in it was putting me off. The red was great though. Enjoyable. I will return. read more

Stopped in here today to try something different -- not the type of empanadas I'm used to - these were much more greasy. And they are LARGE so keep that in mind when ordering. The service was not quick but with only two people working it was fine, just don't be in a big hurry. The waitress was very nice and accommodating. We ordered a few things and I actually preferred the arepas. They were good, something different, not expensive. Small small restaurant - not date type place but fine for quick lunch or dinner with friends, casual. read more

I would give six stars if I could ****** ! The empañadas were the best I have ever tasted north of Venezuela. The two sauces they provide - both to-go and in restaurant - are fantastic!. The service made me feel like I had returned to Venezuela... warm and kind... willing to take time to suggest what is good and what is best! They even have a bilingual tropical drink list that describes how each fruit can help with many different maladies! I took home 3 passion fruit drinks just in the last 2 days... good for relaxation and SLEEP. Muchas Gracias mis amigos en Empañada Express Grill! Its a slow food restaurant - but still gets you what you need quickly! read more

122 reviews!!... get the Sancocho ( typical soup from Cuba, Dominican republic, and Venezuela ), i repeat, GET THE SANCOCHO..... this place is awesome. Tried them on a few occasions. REALLY fast service. "Express" in the title. The store front is on the corner, easy to see. Traditional plate is standard. Great preparation and worthy of 5 stars for using ample love in the preparation. Sancocho was perfect...unique and delicious. The juices are from some kind of concentrate, but it is still "whole fruit".....the sugar is suspect, but still super delicious. Their sides are cooked to perfection and every complement is traditional. Areapas were on the smaller side and they could cook them a little more even with the cheese melting. I have had them in many different countries...but they are delicious here. I had with pork and beef... read more

good, cheap, and different.....i especially appreciate their leaf wrapped tamales, cheesy bread, and corn cakes

Empanada Express Grill has an odd location, an awkward name, and offers little in the way of ambiance. But the food is absolutely fantastic! My wife and I pick up arepas on a regular basis. Maybe not a great spot for a fancy date night out, but if you have any inclination toward South American food this place is a must try. read more

I always get a guava milkshake when I'm in the area. The empanadas aren't the best, but for the price they are pretty good.

One of my favorite places in the neighborhood. I've been here 5-10 times. The food is great and unique. The prices are low. The service is friendly and quick. Usually not many people eating here. So, please eat here so it doesn't go out of business!!!! read more

Fast, fresh, super-nice service. Love the "gluten-free empanadas," aka arepas :)

The food is absolutely horrible. Living in Venezuela as I did for more than 10 years, and eating at some of the countries best Venezuelan restaurants, one comes to know good food when they taste it,and trust me this place is not no where close to authentic Venezuelan food.This place is short of being a pig stye. Mexican cooks trying to cook Venezuelan food, now that don't seem right, does it?? The restaurant was freezing when we got their,they had to turn up the heater.The chairs,and tables were dirty,had to wait until the lady cleaned them,before we could set down,and the place was empty?The color of the interior was horrible, not one person working their was from Venezuela, couple of them didn't even know where Venezuela was at. read more

Delicious, authentic and affordable. We love the empanadas. They are addictive.

Damn delicious! The empanadas with black beans and plantains were killer. So yummy and filling. 2 will fill you up easy. Fresh, warm.... Mmmm... A little expensive though. Totally worth it. read more

This is the best place on Tennyson. The food is astounding and authentic. Of course it's rich and I can't eat here very often, but I am always blown away by how delicious it is. I've only tried two things here, and I may never try anything else because these two items have been so freaking good: the Sweet Domino and the Tostones as a side. The sweet domino is an empanada filled with cheese, plantains and black beans. I don't know how they fry the empanada shells themselves, but these are always crisp and slightly sweet. Together, this empanada is heaven. The tostones are pounded flat plantains breaded and fried like chips. These are then topped with shredded queso blanco and a dollop of chicken salad. This is a heavenly concoction. The last time I returned from eating oatmeal, granola and dried fruit in the mountains during a camping trip, I immediately called over to Empanada Express and ordered for take out. I will never forget how brilliant that decision was. I am always greeted with a smile by the women who work there, and I feel very much like a guest in their home while I am here. That's what authenticity feels like. I hope you do check it out. You won't regret it. read more