Favorite place to visit Juan in New York a staple, always recommend the chicarones viagra and el toro! read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Chicharrones - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

These empanadas are absolutely stuffed with filling. They came out quick, and hot. Lots of ways to order to go. Absolutely delicious late night bite. read more

Empanada mama has been my favorite for years. Since 2016 I've been bragging about this place. Their empanadas are so delicious especially the cheeseburger one. Last night 4/30/26 I went out with my family to eat there. I was so excited to order one of their new dishes and of course their empanadas. We ordered maybe 1130pm with Caroline. Time passed and no empanadas came out. Nor my rice and beans. We had noticed the table beside us for their meal faster than we did and had empanadas served. They had come in after us, ate and left before us. A hour passed and still no empanadas. I was furious. Not only was this unacceptable but I was let down by a place I use to love. We had to call out to the waiters about our empanadas to only hear "a few more minutes, we lost your ticket." Our waiter hadn't noticed a hour passed and our order was incomplete. As a pregnant woman my emotions took over and I went to management. Pregnant or not, as a customer I deserve the best service and I was complete robbed of an experience that I use to look forward to. The first manager man said there was nothing he could do but apologize. The second manager, a woman sympathized with me and offered to comp my order. Although it was nice of her, my night had already been ruined. My food came out & I was dissatisfied. I left hungry and disappointed. Service needs to be better. The attentiveness to the customer needs to be better. My server after realizing she didn't handle us correctly decided to be more present in the last ten minutes when it came to paying the bill and asking for tip. Had she been as attentive during the entire process I would have loved to show appreciation but it was not deserved. read more

Love this place for empanadas but probably the most unorganized place ever. You could be order #1 and somehow order #99 & #100 is being called out. Also the fact that there's "security" is a bit ridiculous read more

This establishment offers an excellent dining experience at competitive prices. However, the seating arrangement may lead to a perception of limited personal space due to the close proximity of other patrons. Nevertheless, it remains a highly recommended venue for its exceptional empanadas. read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Entrance - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

First time visit and I had a really good time. It was crowded and full but since I was by myself they seated me at the bar without having to wait too long. The music was nice and wasn't so loud as to hinder conversation. Everyone around me was having a good time. The bartender was attentive and was able to answer my questions. The empanadas were hot and tasty and lots of fun. They are a decent size for the price. I only got two but could easily have eaten a couple more. I wanted to order some more just because the long list of flavors is staggering! I had a hard time narrowing it down to just two. I would not hesitate to go back again. Definitely need to try some more empanada flavors! read more

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This place is delicious! We stumbled across this restaurant at around 5 pm after a long walk at Times Square and Central Park so we were hungry! We received really great service, as soon as we walked in. We were greeted by our wonderful server, Edwin, and seated quickly. Our first time here and new to Cuban food, we asked for recommendations. Excellent! Our favorite was the BBQ Pulled Pork and Viagra. Great ambiance and lively music playing in the background. Friendly server and great service! It's worth a try! If we lived here, we would be regulars! Thanks, Edwin, for your wonderful service! read more

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I went to this place a good long time ago. This review is abridged as we had a large mix and I didn't try all of them and I'll just go through the ones I remember; mostly being my favorites. I had a batido/shake to drink which was soursop/guanabana which was good (I got it with water, not milk as per my preference.) Service was fine and I remember them being very crowded, the place being pretty loud, and our group waited at the bar at the beginning. Best of the bunch as agreed by virtually everyone is the El Toro with chipotle, red wine, and spice braised oxtail with maduros. Lightly sweet presumably from the maduros/sweet plantains with a bit of spice and the meat had a bit of chew. Just well flavored and outstanding. Most others also loved the Viagra as well. I also liked the Reggaeton (Caribbean style roast pork with sofrito seasoned yellow rice and pigeon peas) The Hawaiian with ham, sauteed pineapple, and mozzarella was also solid with the bit of sweetness balancing out the saltiness. Desayuno Colombiano with pork sausage, cheddar, eggs, Spanish onion, and top round steak was fine. A bit salty but a good texture. The Bombay Empanada with curried chicken with chickpeas, cilantro, and scallions was unique and solid though the curry flavor was mild. BBQ Pulled Pork was OK though the BBQ sauce was a bit too sweet for my liking. Wouldn't recommend the buffalo chicken. The texture felt different and the blue cheese sauce just didn't taste good to me. We also tried the guacamole which was fine and it came with pretty solid tostones/fried green plantains as well as the churritos for dessert which were fine as well. Hard to complain. The empanadas can be a tad pricey but they have a fun mix of unique flavors. I think the related Mama Empanada in Astoria has much better empanadas but you can do much worse. Mid 3 read more

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We just ordered from there for the first time this evening. He ordered an assortment of empanadas and every single one was fantastic. Will definitely order from there again. read more

Got 3 empanadas to share between 2 people, the Viagra corn one, el jefe wheat, and pernil wheat. It was a small snack, and we left feeling a bit hungry still, but I think the fried outside was a little too fatty so I ended feeling super full shortly after. The taste was really good though, especially the Viagra one. The restaurant was super loud and lively, so good for if you're looking for that kind of vibe! read more

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I love empanada mama. Typically I've visited locations that are take out. This location has a nice seating area that accommodates quite a few people. In total we had about nine people with us. We did not have to wait to be seated. They sat us immediately upon coming in. The waitress was extremely nice and patient. I ended up getting the reggaeton empanada. It's my absolute favorite. It has pernil and arroz con guandules in it with sofrito. Very flavorful. I also got the pork belly with tostones. It was absolutely amazing and a huge portion of pork. The pork skin was nice and crispy. The green sauce and hot sauce is an absolute must try on your food. Everyone really enjoyed their food. It did take some time to come out but we were a pretty large crowd and we all ordered so many different items. Everything came out piping hot and one after another. Overall we all enjoyed our meal here. The service was great. The table was clean. We all left stuffed and with doggy bags. I highly recommend this location. read more

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Amazing! Great food! Arroz con pollo, Chicharrones, guacamole y plantain chips. Todo sabroso! Service very nice and fast empanadas. read more

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Great food, great drinks! BUT... they advertise their margarita tower for $70 and offer a few drinks options, including coconut. Seemingly, when you ask for it... it's a $5 surcharge. Then.. the final bill comes. $20% auto gratuity + 10% "catering"?? What?? It's a party of 3. I simply will not continue to be taken advantage of of hidden arbitrary charges. Will not come back. read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

This place was recommended to me by a friend of a friend from Queens who is now out west. I made sure to drop in with my nephew before going back to the other side. There's multiple locations in the city. We ended up here because it was the closest to where we were on our way to port authority. We got 4 pieces that we knew we would share at home. El Jefe, Viagra, Brasil and Desayuno Colombiano were the winners. First off, they don't skimp on the protein. And that dough. Don't even get me started on the perfect taste of it. That's why no matter what's on the inside, you're guaranteed a delicious empanada. My personal favorite was the el jefe. The mixture of the ingredients was just my jam. The nephew agreed. I honestly could've eaten at least two more which is why I'm bummed I didn't get more. See you next time. read more

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Came across this place after getting off of work late night and my guys needed something to eat. Cute place. We were there late night like I said and you could tell the staff was just annoyed by all the drunk people that were already in there. They were alittle rude to us while we waited.... The empanadas were good. Nothing special honestly and we tried one of pretty much everything on the menu. The banana and Nutella one was actually really good. read more

Really enjoyed eating this empanada after a night of karaoking - it was surprisingly so busy that time (or so I was told). I think there was a private event happening that Saturday? Either way - I did appreciate the self order kiosk outside and that everyone else's order came out relatively quick. I ordered a few more empanadas (some veggie ones too) so maybe that's why mine took so long? I'm not mad and I'm sure I'll be back. read more

You can't go wrong with a late night Empanada! After 11 on a Saturday night, if you drive past and there is a parking spot it is a must that you make a detour. That is exactly what we did. This was my first time opting for dine-in, because I always grab and go. The spicy chicken and nutella banana were great and even better when reheated the next day. The Knock Out Punch drink was not for me, those calories would have been better spent on another empanada. The service was cool however, I must admit late night dine-in may not give an optimum experience. The staff wasn't able to keep up with traffic and accuracy and cleanliness was noticeably affected. Just A Note: -This location is 24 Hours. -They can get extremely busy and crowded. Especially with the delivery app drivers so be prepared to pack your patience. read more

So delicious. I eat this place everytime I come to New york. Its so good! Caramel & cheese is so amazing

Amazing Colombian food in Hells Kitchen!! I came to Empanada Mama with my parents for dinner on a Thursday night in a party of 5 people. We did not have a reservation so we had to wait around 20 minutes but we hung around by the bar -- time went by quickly with their fun music and ambiance. This place has the best ambiance: it's casual, lively, loud, and just has the best "Friday night" energy even on week nights. We finally got a table towards the back. The restaurant is very spacious and has plenty of seating indoors. Our sever was also so nice and she really helped us with deciding what to order and answering all our questions. I knew we had to try some empanadas as well as entrees so I had: - Viagra Empanada: delicious! I can see why this is a crowd favorite. This wheat empanada was perfectly fried, crispy, and flavorful. It was generously filled with a blend of shrimp and crab meat in a savory but pretty mild tomato sauce. The quality of seafood was amazing, it felt fresh and melted in your mouth. I was not sure how seafoood would work in an empanada but it was surprisingly mild and satisfying, especially with the wheat batter. If you are a fan of shellfish, I definitely recommend that you try this! It went very well with the green garlic dipping sauce. 11/10. Will have to try the corn version as well since they do have that as well! - Hawaiian Empanada: another hit! A fried wheat empanada with a delicate and crispy crust (I don't know how all of the empanada shells were so perfect here!) generously filled with mozzarella cheese, bits of ham, and caramelized pineapple. This was delicious! The mix of savory ham and cheese with hints of juicy sweet pineapple were reminiscent of all the Hawaiian pizza slices I had as a child growing up in Colombia except wrapped in the handheld comfort of an empanada. Truly divine. My parents said it reminded them of an empanada stand near their university in Bogota. Very very good! - Chicharrón appetizer: fried pork belly, crispy, and savory. Delicious and generously sized for a group. Also super aesthetic!! The patacones it came with were also very good, perfectly savory and crispy. - Pollo Asado Plate: I got this with black beans and white rice. Wow! The chicken was so juicy and tender, it was perfectly grilled, and had the most beautiful appearance. The rice and beans were just like the ones you get at restaurants in Colombia. Everything feels homemade and healthy. The salad in the plate was very good and had a tangy dressing that complimented all the flavors well. Super comforting and filling! - Carne Sudada: my boyfriend ordered this and I tried a little bit of it. The steak was tender and juicy. The sudado sauce had the perfect balance of tomato, pepper, and onion. Really comforting especially on a cold day! Would order again. I absolutely loved this place. My family and I are Colombian and this place reminded us a lot of the food back in our country, it felt very homemade and with the right "sazón". I was surprised since this restaurant is a little hidden gem with its humble appearance but comes packed with delicious food and an unbeatable ambiance. Will definitely be coming back for more amazing Colombian food and to try some more of both, their traditional empanadas as well as those empanadas with a fun twist! 11/10 recommend. read more

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Food was decent, but the delivery was a disaster. Ordered at 2am to a hotel and they sent the food--including a skirt steak--with zero utensils and zero napkins. So I literally had to eat a $30 piece of steak like a dog. Just no thought, no care. What could've been a solid late-night meal turned into a bad experience fast. read more

LOVE the empanadas- ALWAYS reliable at *any* time of the day or night. Took off one star bc even when I order online, I am *ALWAYS* waiting for my food. So if you have somewhere to be, this may not be your place, but late night if you are not in a hurry, this is a great option!! read more

Got late to NYC and most restaurants in Hell's Kitchen were closing, but definitely not this 24 hour very busy Latin restaurant! Don't get fooled by the name, it's not just empanadas, although obviously that's what they are very well known. The empanada was crunchy on the outside with a very well marinated ground beef on the inside; and definitely not greasy at all. The guacamole & plantain chips is great for sharing and it was also on point. The guacamole was creamy and with a touch of spice. Finally the arepa burger was an interested twist to a Colombian arepa with a great mix of flavors read more

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Stopped by here for a late meal with my wife while we were visiting the city. The place was popping. Packed inside and full of delivery drivers waiting for food outside. Ambiance is very lively and loud given the location. They are open 24/7! So do not worry about not finding good food in the middle of the night. Your late night cravings can easily be satisfied here. Great staff and great food. I love how empanadas come individually packaged and named so you can easily tell what you ordered...especially when you order a bunch like me :) This place had some of the best empanadas I've had. Definitely worth a try. read more

Ouuu mama these are good! Tried 4 different ones and was not disappointed on any of them. Decent amount of filling, and quality ingredients as well. They definitely don't skimp on the meat like a lot of other empanada places. Had a really unique guava and cheese dessert empanada as well. A first for me and definitely won't be the last! read more

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Food is great especially Grilled chicken quesadilla !!!!! Very Delicious I will be ordering again my second time so far. read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Grilled Chicken Quesadilla Salad Yuca fries - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

Hot food that is so yummy. I got a Brazil, a cheese, and dessert empanada. All so tasty. The sauces they give, I swear they have drugs in them they are so tasty. Especially the red. I waited about 30 min which was frustrating. But the food was thankfully really hot. $15 for three. I've had catered lunches and I didn't know they were about $5 each. If you order in app there are 20% and 15% discounts so I'll do that next time. read more

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I recently went to the location on 9 Avenue and W 52nd st was ushered out of the establishment during a time when it was empty because they said I didn't specify that I wanted to dine in after I paid they pulled a sign from behind the bar that stated seating was for dine in guests only and rudely forced me to leave the hosts were unprofessional especially after taking my money I would never eat here again and I being an influencer will most definitely have as many ppl as I can avoid this location read more

Shoutout to Johnnie and Ce Ce!!!!! Johnnie and Ce Ce were absolutely amazing behind the bar. Their professionalism and great personalities made them hands down the BEST.. They brought so much warmth and joy to the experience - quick with a recommendation, attentive.. genuinely fun to talk to. Their energy elevated the whole visit and made the place feel even more welcoming. It's rare to find bartenders who make you feel like a regular on your second visit, but they pulled it off effortlessly. My Hubby and I can't wait to return We luv luv this place can't wait to hang with you guys again. Thank you for making our Anniversary weekend Fabulous! See you soon read more

I ordered food to go and it was ready in good time. I really appreciated how they wrapped the juice so it was safe and did not spill during my walk from the restaurant. The empanadas were perfectly crispy on the outside and packed with flavor inside. The spicy chicken was legitimately spicy and I loved the el toro the most. They had so many creative flavors that it was hard to choose; I can't wait to go back and try more. read more

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Oh my gosh!! We found this gem for lunch, my daughter and I shared their lunch special. It was so great!!! We grabbed my oldest daughter and came back for dinner! The meals are so filling, price is right, vibe is amazing and all around a gem to find in Hells Kitchen. Immediately will comeback next time I'm in New York! read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

Food 10/10, service 10/10, overall vibe 10/10. Went for my birthday. The house nachos were so good! Loved the idea of plantain chips. The empanadas came out hot and fresh! The waitress overheard it was my birthday and the entire staff sung happy birthday and gave me a flan! So sweet. Great music and great drinks. Been coming here a while and have not been disappointed. read more

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Been going here and ordering from here for years and it has never disappointed. Jerk n cheese will forever be my favorite empanada and the green sauce is amazing. I only dined inside a couple of times but the service is fine and the place itself is pretty casual. Great spot for just lunch or late night bites! It's always a hit when we order. read more

Every time I go the food does not miss! The first time I went on a late night during PRIDE after a friend's event was bar only and I have been hooked ever since. My food critic of a mother and her friends love it too! No matter how packed you will get your order (sit down or take-out) ... depending on the time of day the music will draw you in & the bar especially during happy hour is a plus. I have enjoyed almost every empanada I have tried, the yucca is good, there's a guava sauce to die for! My favorites are the Viagra & El Toro!! read more

Empanada Mama, thoroughly enjoyed, the food was delicious. we had the al pastor tacos, carne asada tacos, ground beef corn empanada, reggaeano empanada, and a shredded chicken corn empanada. The prices were so good that I thought the portions would be much smaller. We had no room for dessert, sadly. So worth going to! We didn't care for the shredded chicken empanada, mainly because the texture of the meat filling, tasted good, just didn't care for the texture. Everything else was fantastic. Service was good and the price was great! read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Ground beef corn empanada...so, so, good! - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

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Good was delicious. So so many varieties. Loved the breakfast one and spicy jerk chicken ones the most . Would return to try more read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

After I was seated, no one ever greeted me or brought me a menu. After 20 minutes, I left.

A perfect place a bit off the beaten path near the theatre district for a nice simple meal in NYC. You can take away, ordering at the screens or sit inside a be served. Fillings and empanada types vary for all your dietary needs, including a very tasty plum dessert one. Very reasonable price. $4-$6 per empanada. You could easily be quite satisfied with 3 empanadas and a drink, followed with a dessert one. Will be back next time I am in NYC. read more

Pretty large and clean restaurant! Service was nice and attentive. The jerk and cheese was okay but the spicy chicken was my favorite! read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Jerk & Cheese and Spicy Chicken - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

I feel like every time I've tried empanadas before I haven't been super impressed by it. Regardless, this is one of the most reviewed places in NYC so I had to try it out. Got seated immediately which was pretty nice and although the waiter came to take our order pretty quickly, it took around 30-40 minutes before our empanadas came, so just be a bit mindful of that. - Viagra - I wasn't the biggest fan of this empanada because of the imitation seafood they used although I did appreciate how much seafood they had in each one. I thought the name was kind of funny too haha. - Cuban - Feel like they didn't give me a Cuban but rather a shredded spicy chicken which was still good regardless. I appreciate that they have the sauces to dip on the side in case the dough was too heavy, and I especially liked the spicy red with it. - Eggplant Parmesan - The fact that this was my favorite one out of the three was kind of mind-blowing. The eggplant was incredibly tender and I appreciate how much cheese was in the empanada. Although I feel like the flavors could be enhanced by some marinara sauce, I still really appreciated the balance of the dish. Overall, solid place for food in Hell's Kitchen especially for a cheap eat when all the other restaurants are booked. read more

Empanada Mama - Hell's Kitchen - Viagra Corn - Latin American Near Me - New York, New York

Best (not real real) empanadas ever. They're really good. And like kinda cheap. THE MANGO JUICE ALSO FIRE!!! The service is great the staff is nice and the ambiance of the restaurant is nice. Thank you that is all. read more