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Empanada Kitchen

4.7 (514 reviews)
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EMPANADA KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Casual
Trendy
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Empanada Kitchen

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Michael B.

It's most certainly a bright spot. The staff there this Sunday morning when I visited was cheerful. Lovely. And super warm. She / They made the visit pleasant. I thought the food was above average. I think it's great for a quick snack. I think it's great if you're just passing by. But I wouldn't go out my way. I got two this morning. One lamb. One mushroom and cheese. Torn on which one is better. I think without the chimichurri sauce, the lamb was better. It was savory and rich. It felt well put together. But I added the sauce and it switched the flavor profile of it a bit too much. The mushroom and cheese one was the opposite. It didn't need the sauce but the sauce enhanced it quite a bit. The sauce was okay. I got the spicy one and it was more mild. I can only imagine what the mild version tasted like. Plenty of seats. Can fit maybe 30ish people inside and outside. It's a warm atmosphere / ambiance with it being yellow and white.

Chicken, mushroom & goat cheese empanadas with salad.
Robert C.

The chicken and mushroom with goat cheese empanadas were light and great quality. The pastry wasn't too salty and had a soft crispy texture. The salad was good quality too and even its walnuts and cashews were roasted. The attendant was very friendly and the ambience was chilled and quiet.

Anna S.

An excellent lunch place. We stopped by this location for a late lunch while downtown and were not disappointed. I got their two empanadas + salad special and I was stuffed afterwards. You definitely get a lot of food for what you pay for (relative to SD prices, of course). The food is also prepared extremely quickly so it was perfect because we were very hungry.

Lilian Z.

Fast service and tasty food. Empanadas were solid -- nothing too special but definitely fulfilled the craving I had. Great place for lunch because the food is prepared so quickly. Prices are fair and the interior is clean!

Irene D.

Grab and go empanadas made with love and flavor. These bite sized delights are small but mighty! Cute ambiance on the corner when you enter the food hall and service was wonderful! Empanada Kitchen hand makes their empanadas and their own chimichurri sauce fresh using a traditional-gaucho homemade recipe. Featured: The Special of the day Argentina pork sausage,provolone, & chimichurri Mushroom & Goat Cheese Sautéed onions & mushrooms, goat cheese, mozzarella Caprese Basil, tomato, mozzarella Beef The most tradional filling- beef, onion, red bell pepper, green onion, olives Chicken Chicken with home made sofrito Ratatouille (vegan) Roasted veggies, onion, red bell pepper, eggplant, zucchini, tomato, garlic Alfajores cookies classic Argentinian cookie filled with dulce de leche Havanna chocolate cookies Two sweet cookies with creamy Dulce de Leche between the cookies, all covered in chocolate Come visit soon and grab a table outside and enjoy Italy vibes!

Everything was delicious!
Kristelle B.

This place easily caught my eye when we passed by it once because of its yellow facade. Decided to finally try it out one and morning and it did not disappoint! They have a variety of rotating flavors of Argentine-style empanadas to choose from and we got the following: Spicy Italian sausage - arguably the best we got among the trio. The mushroom and goat cheese one would be the runner up. Our least favorite was the bacon and egg as it is pretty basic but overall, all three have really good outer dough and internal flavors. We will be returning customers from here on!

Beef Empanada Chicken Empanada
Zaid N.

Nice spot in downtown San Diego. Came here for lunch and picked up 3 empanadas. Empanadas were pretty good overall and I would come back.

Empanada kitchen
Gamini G.

This is my second review. I usually don't give second reviews unless my opinion flips 180 degrees. I have always liked this place. They have had the best variety of empanadas and chimichurri. Unfortunately, the quality has gone down incredibly. I recently tried their corn and basil empanadas with both the regular and spicy chimichurri sauces and I was super disappointed. The empanadas were overcooked (almost burnt) and the filling was half as much as it used to be. The chimichurri was just watered down vinegar. The overall taste of the empanadas with the sauce was so bad. It was disappointing to see such a great place with amazing empanadas go down to this level. I have always introduced my friends to this place but unfortunately, going forward I won't be. It is not worth the money and the empanadas are not fresh and filled fully.

Shapes of empanadas
Annabelle R.

The empanadas here are pretty good, not the best I've had, but still satisfying. I got the Ham and Cheese, and Bacon and Egg. There were no other customers in sight, so I received instant service, and my order was ready as soon as I paid (pre-made, but kept warm with fresh-tasting ingredients). The empanada shells were buttery and flaky enough, though they don't compare with a lot of the empanada spots I frequent in the bay area where I'm from. The Bacon and Egg was bursting with fluffy creamy scrambled eggs, but was lacking in the bacon (maybe I saw/tasted 1-2 tiny pieces total, or maybe it was finely minced and sprinkled in there with the eggs, I'm not so sure). The Ham and Cheese was filled with ham and gooey melted cheese, but somehow it was a bit lacking in flavor. Not sure if they just had a bad day, or if this is how it always is, but for me, I wasn't too impressed. It was good, but I wouldn't feel I'd be missing out on anything if I didn't return. Good news is, they have delicious chimichurri sauce on the side, spiced well, with options for both spicy and non-spicy, and these made up for the shortcomings on flavor and ingredients in those empanadas. I took my order to-go, but saw that they had seating options both inside and outside, it's a pretty cute restaurant. However just 1-2 blocks away there are homeless encampments, unpleasant odors, and dirty streets, and that's probably the only area you'll find parking nearby too. I only came to this C Street location because the other location on El Cajon was not open before 11am on a Tuesday. But I don't know if the other location is any better anyway, since I'm not from around here. Even though my experience here wasn't perfect, it's still a decent empanada spot.

Alan S.

Definitely the best Argentine style empanadas I've had stateside. I had a Caprese and fugazetta special, and they both took me back to my favorite shop I used to stop at in Palermo on the walk from the Plaza Italia subte. Their chimichurri sauce was very nicely tart.

Kushal D.

Overall solid spot, got a chicken and a breakfast empanada. Flavors were good, the shell was buttery and flaky, the spicy chimi was ok but lacked spice. Overall solid, location felt a little sketchy walking from our hotel. But I'm not as familiar with the area

Chicken empanada on the outside
Ivy E.

I was looking for a bite to eat that was small and inexpensive since I had food at home and didn't want to overspend or overindulge. As I perused Google Maps to find out what was in the area, I came across Empanada Kitchen and after reviewing the menu and determining they were in budget, I walked around the corner to their downtown location on C Street. The place is hard to miss with bright yellow painting color blocked against a white wall with black lettering. The venue is very clean and the menu is simple and easy to navigate. This was my second time coming here and both times service was great. (Shoutout to Chris and Dan!) The second time around I ordered one instead of two empanadas and settled on the pollo (chicken) with the chimichurri. I LOVE that the empanadas are baked versus fried for those that care about how their food is prepared. It was flaky and not too crispy on the outside and then succulent on the inside. The chimichurri is heavily seasoned (which I like) so if too many flavors simultaneously in your mouth isn't your kind of party, don't ask for it! Will definitely make this a local go to spot. If you like supporting local and small businesses, put your money where your mouth is!

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Really tasty! The corn empanadas in particular were excellent. Charming retro so-cal pop music added to the atmosphere.

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Business owner information

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Very good selection of flavors :) clean place and super delicious , worth a try when in SD

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Truly the best empanadas you will ever have! I can't even describe the words. Mushroom, beef, egg and bacon are delicious!

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Empanada Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Empanada Kitchen

Hello. Do you offer frozen empanadas to prepare at home?

Absolutely, we sell quite a few frozen empanadas at each restaurant everyday. You can place an order by phone, through our website, or in person. Thank you.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, we have quite a few vegetarian options that are on the regular menu as well as daily specials. For more information you can check out our menu empanada-kitchen.com/menu

Are u open for carryout and do you have fried empanadas?

We are open now for carryout, delivery, and dine-in. We only do baked empanadas. Thank you for your questions.

What are the gluten free options?

Our salads are gluten free.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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4.0(472 reviews)
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Clear 5 stars! I don't understand when people give only 4 stars but don't say anything about why…read morethey took off one star. Argentinian empanadas are my absolute favorite! I strongly prefer the baked method to other styles. This is a small spot at the UTC Westfield mall. It's best to order food and then go find a place in the plaza to sit and eat. We went on a Saturday afternoon and there was no wait. Empanadas are warm and ready instantly and they have complementary sauces. The three flavors I ordered were incredible--chicken, malbec beef, and spinach. Jackfruit, Beef, and Ham & Cheese were my husband's picks. Three empanadas are the perfect amount for a meal. This place definitely makes the list of spots I'll visit frequently.

The amount of VEGETARIAN/VEGAN options made me feel like a normal human being. Like is this how the…read moremeat eaters feel?? Must be nice ! So glad they have this many options! I have tried quite a bit of them and have never been disappointed. The rajas one has pretty earthy and chille flavor. It was so creamy and cheesy I could eat 5! The jackfruit one is very good too, the filling kind of reminds me of shepherd pie, I like how it's not trying to imitate a meat flavor but shines as its own flavor. Both of them are very well seasoned and honestly don't need any sauce. They came out to about 8.60$ The woman serving me was so friendly ! Please open more locations :)

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Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant - Bandeja paisa

Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant

4.6(541 reviews)
1.0 mi
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As a Colombian who has been craving authentic Colombian cuisine since my last visit to New York in…read moreDecember, I can confidently say this restaurant truly satisfied those cravings. Being nearly eight months pregnant, my expectations were especially high, and it is rare to find a place that meets them so well. From the seasoning of the food to the warm and attentive service, everything about this restaurant stands out. Although I don't recall my server's name, he was incredibly kind and provided excellent service throughout. The ambiance is also worth noting--the space is large, offers plenty of seating options, and even features a large TV, making it a great spot to relax or watch sports. To start, I ordered a watered mango juice along with a beef empanada. The empanada exceeded my expectations--despite being on the smaller side, it was packed with flavor. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered five more to go, which speaks for itself. They were served with fresh ají, a traditional sauce that complemented them perfectly. For my main course, I had the carne asada plate, which included steak, rice, beans, sweet plantains, avocado, tomato slices, and a small arepa. Every component of the dish was well-executed--the beans were flavorful, the meat was well-seasoned, and the overall plate felt authentic. It is often difficult to find truly authentic Colombian food, especially in San Diego, where options are limited or not genuinely Colombian. This restaurant, however, delivers on authenticity and flavor. The portion size was generous, and I ended up taking leftovers home to enjoy later. In addition to the empanadas (two chicken and three beef), I also ordered a buñuelo and a cheese arepa to go. Unfortunately, these items did not meet the same standard. The arepa lacked flavor and was overly greasy, and the buñuelo was dry and similarly oily, even after absorbing excess grease from the bag. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for Colombian food, especially given how rare it is to find quality options in this area. Friends of mine visited recently as well and thoroughly enjoyed their bandeja paisa, further confirming the consistency of the food. I will definitely be returning--especially for those empanadas. Como colombiana que ha estado antojándose de comida colombiana auténtica desde mi último viaje a Nueva York en diciembre, puedo decir con confianza que este restaurante realmente cumplió con mis expectativas. Además, estando casi de ocho meses de embarazo, mis expectativas eran aún más altas, y no es fácil encontrar un lugar que las cumpla tan bien. Desde el sazón de la comida hasta el servicio cálido y atento, todo en este restaurante destaca. Aunque no recuerdo el nombre del mesero, fue sumamente amable y atento. un servicio excelente en todo momento. El ambiente también merece mención: el lugar es amplio, y limpio. cuenta con muchas opciones de asientos y tiene una pantalla grande, lo que lo hace ideal para relajarse o ver deportes. Para empezar, pedí un jugo de mango (rebajado con agua) junto con una empanada de carne. La empanada superó mis expectativas; aunque es un poco pequeña, tiene muchísimo sabor. Me gustó tanto que pedí cinco más para llevar, lo cual habla por sí solo. Venían acompañadas de ají fresco, que las complementa perfectamente. Como plato fuerte, pedí la carne asada, que incluía arroz, frijoles, plátano maduro, aguacate, rodajas de tomate y una arepita. Cada componente del plato estaba muy bien logrado: los frijoles tenían un excelente sabor, la carne estaba bien sazonada y jugosa y, en general, el plato se sentía auténtico. Hoy en día es difícil encontrar comida colombiana verdaderamente auténtica, especialmente en San Diego, donde las opciones son limitadas o no lo son del todo. Sin embargo, este restaurante sí cumple con ese nivel de autenticidad y sabor. La porción fue bastante generosa, por lo que terminé llevándome lo que no pude terminar para comer más tarde. Además de las empanadas (dos de pollo y tres de carne), también pedí un buñuelo y una arepa de queso para llevar. Lamentablemente, estos no estuvieron al mismo nivel. La arepa carecía de sabor y estaba grasosa, y el buñuelo estaba seco y también muy aceitoso, incluso después de que la bolsa absorbiera parte de la grasa. En general, recomiendo este restaurante sin duda a cualquiera que esté buscando comida colombiana, especialmente considerando lo difícil que es encontrar buenas opciones en esta área. Unos amigos míos también vinieron recientemente y les encantó su bandeja paisa, lo que confirma la calidad constante del lugar. Definitivamente volveré, especialmente por esas empanadas.

BEST EMPANADAS IN ALL OF SAN DIEGO. I spent my whole day trying to find good empanadas here in san…read morediego that would remind me of new york and this was the only location that didn't disappoint. $1.99 per empanada, they are super filling and can tell are made with love. Service was amazing and quick and the atmosphere is very welcoming i love this place. LAS MEJORES EMPANADAS DE TODO SAN DIEGO. Pasé todo el día buscando buenas empanadas aquí en San Diego que me recordaran a Nueva York, y este fue el único lugar que no decepcionó. $1.99 por empanada, son muy llenadoras y se nota que están hechas con amor. El servicio fue increíble y rápido, y el ambiente es muy acogedor. Me encanta este lugar.

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Mama G’s Kitchen & Sauce - Ceviche

Mama G’s Kitchen & Sauce

4.6(177 reviews)
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Service was amazing. Food was superb and the restaurant ambience was so welcoming. The constant…read moreeffort by Gloria and Mauricio striving to please all customers clearly shows customer service is definitely a priority. We wish this restaurant success. Recommend trying. Definitely far more authentic than other Peruvian restaurants in San Diego. Buenisimo

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4.2(2.3k reviews)
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We came to Cocina 35 at Liberty Station for the first time to celebrate my husband's birthday and…read morehad such a lovely experience. Dennise seated us and was so kind, she even shared a few of her favorite menu items since it was our first visit. Our server Anelle was great as well. She was friendly, attentive, and helped us pick some really good dishes. We tried the Tacos Dorados de Papa, El Sampler de la Abuela, and La Bomba, and for appetizers the Burrito de Machaca con Frijoles Puercos and the sweet corn tamal (which ended up being my favorite). The food and ambiance were great, but the service from Dennise and Anelle really stood out. They made our birthday brunch feel special.

Cocina 35 is a popular Mexican brunch spot in San Diego, with 3 locations in the area. I secured a…read morereservation online for Sunday, and I'd recommend that given it does get busy. Cramped and loud, but nicely decorated and serving solid authentic meals. Mexican Latte-9/10: Pretty straightforward. A solid, nostalgic spiced coffee. Mazapan Latte-10/10: A novelty menu item, both nostalgic and tasty. With a sweetened condensed milk rim and mazapan dust, this sweet coffee is a must order. Chilaquiles-10/10: Cocina 35 knows how to throw down the best Mexican breakfast item: the chilaquiles. The Verde was good but didn't pack much heat. The Salsa Secreta was our favorite; a creamy 3-chile salsa with an artichoke flavor, this one packs an enjoyable amount of heat. The Chipotle was another yummy and creamy option, making your nose run but still very enjoyable. Frijoles Puercos-7/10: They were pretty standard. I've definitely had better. They served their purpose as a good side. Concha Rellena-7.5/10: Another creative menu item. Whipped cream and whole strawberries sandwiched between two french toast-style concha halves and drenched in cajeta. It was sweet and warm, but would've been more enjoyable with fresher and/or sliced strawberries. Fun to order, but a regular concha is better suited for enjoying with your coffee. Service-6/10: Again, Cocina 35 gets packed, so service isn't as attentive. Our party had to order and wait for water, ask for refills, call the server over for more orders and again for the bill, and wouldn't speak to us in Spanish. I witnessed other tables be spoken to in Spanish, but upon ordering I'd only be responded to in English. I know I'm a white Mexican, but native tongue is nice when I make it clear I'd like to order in Spanish. Overall, a fun spot with solid menu items. The samplers are pricey but probably the best bang for your buck. They do the classics very well, and are very much worth your visit!

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Havana Grill

Havana Grill

4.1(706 reviews)
3.7 mi
$$
Full bar
Locally sourced ingredients

YES YES YES!!!! If…read moreyou have not been to Havana Grill, get in the car right now. I'm serious - grab your keys and DRIVE! My family is Cuban and we have struggled some to find true authentic Cuban Food recently, but we struck absolute gold with this place. Their drinks are so wonderful - the margaritas, the Havana mojitos & the Old Cuban are top contenders. You really can't go wrong with any drink order though. I definitely have my favorites when it comes to their food items - the vaca frita (#1 oh my gosh I could eat it daily) and the fricase de pollo are so wonderful. The baked empanadas along with anything from their bakery section is going to be a win as well. Whatever you order just ask for more mojo! Make sure before you leave you get a Cuban coffee to end the meal paired with a slice of flan!

Attractive restaurant located in the Mission Valley mall…read more We stopped in for a quick lunch, trying 3 different empanadas and a beer. It took a while to be served the empanadas at the 'bakery' counter and right before we paid, the server went to serve someone at the outside walk-up window. Uh, hello...?! We sat at at the bar where the service as well as the empanadas were luke warm. The bar tender was wearing one earphone and obviously taking a phone call while 'working'. It was difficult to get her attention between her prepping limes, her phone call and her disappearing every so often. We could have easily walked out and not paid for our drink, but we were honest. She didn't get a tip. She also needs to learn to cut limes more efficiently. We wouldn't rush back.

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Empanada Kitchen - empanadas - Updated May 2026

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