My friend 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. read more