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    Empanada's Place

    4.4 (965 reviews)
    ModerateArgentine, Empanadas
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Empanada's Place Photos

    Business Info

    EMPANADA'S PLACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Patricia S.

    Friendly staff. Very clean restaurant, kitchen, bathroom. Attentive atmosphere. Delicious empanadas & feels very authentic.

    Elizabeth L.

    We so much love going to Empanada's Place. We have been going for years and it never disappointments. The owner is usually there, but all of the staff is the best. They will tell you everything you need to know. The place is so cute with a little gift area and cool photos and art on the walls. There is limited seating indoor and out. We have done it all, but we tend to just get a dozen empanadas and take them home. They are close to us. They don't stay open late so get there before 6 pm. The service is fast and the place is always ever so clean. They treat all customers like family and appreciate the business. They make all types of empanadas and some are mild and some are pretty spicy. They are great for gatherings of friends or holidays. They also have great sandwiches. You will love this place and they will love you.

    Ham and cheese and spicy beef
    Vanessa D.

    A true hidden gem for Argentinian empanadas! The place itself is filled with so much history and the staff is so kind! The empanadas are the best I've had on the West side. I had the ham and cheese and spicy beef and both were amazing with the salsa they gave on the side. Will be coming back whenever I am craving them! Also not pictured but the alfajores are the perfect sweet treat. So good that I got a box! Note that they are cash only!

    Lauren B.

    Amazing empanadas, my favorite in the states (other than mom's homemade of course!). I always make a point to stop by and grab some when I am in the area. Truly large empanadas with hearty and great filling, you really cant go wrong with any flavor. Super cute interior and great service. Would highly recommend to anyone to try!

    Empanada criolla
    Ben L.

    I grew up eating empanadas argentinas from here as a kid and teenager. It was one of my faves. Empanadas are still very good but they completely jacked up the price they're not even that expensive back in NYC. For 4 empanadas we paid 28 bucks. Anywho the criolla one is still my favorite super delicious you also get a mild sauce that comes to add to them.

    Cafes Sign
    Nahzi N.

    I loved the Argentine empanada I ate in Miami so much that I Googled to find a similar place in LA, and I found one. Empanada's Place is a small shop on Sawtelle at Venice Blvd that has been there since 1985! It's a charming spot, and you instantly feel you're no longer in the United States. The host/manager/owner is a lovely, hospitable man. I ordered a beef empanada, hoping it would be good. It certainly was. He also treated me to a fresh, delicious cookie called ALFAJOR, for dessert. While waiting for my empanada, I looked around the quaint little cafe and stopped by the shelves showcasing items from Argentina. Something caught my eye, but I wasn't sure what it tasted like, so I asked the host how they eat it, what they eat it with, and if he had an open one in the kitchen I could try. OMG! It was heavenly, and I bought a jar on the spot. It's called San Ignacio Dulce de Leche, and I included a picture in case you're a fan of caramel and would love a milk caramel spread. I will have a jar in my fridge from now on. Overall, this charming cafe fully delivers on an authentic taste of Argentina, and I highly recommend it!

    Menu

    ordered two beef piñata's. What a great taste in food. I really highly recommend this place.

    Inside
    Scott K.

    The go to for the best empanadas around - been coming here for over 30 years and it's hardly changed from the food to the decor - but why should it - the empanadas are still cooked to perfection - piping hot fillings and perfect crunchy outside fried doughy pockets. And the secret dipping sauce, gosh I think I could just drink that stuff it's soo good. Each one is quite a good size but I like to eat two. This place is like a time warp and never disappoints! Come! Enjoy!!

    Counterclockwise: salad, criollo, arabe, ricotta, and picante
    Nina N.

    Literally the only empanadas I'll eat. Criollo and arabe are my faves, but their other ones I can vouch for too considering the folk I'll see crowd that tiny storefront. Don't skip on their lunch special either (2 empanadas and a sizable salad). And be sure to bring cash.

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    1 month ago

    Empanadas are great! Service phenomenal. I mostly use it for takeout, but it's also a lovely place for informal dining.

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    4 months ago

    Most delish empanadas ever! Owners are real friendly too. It's a small location but very cozy.

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    6 months ago

    Amazing food and service! You can tell the food is made with love. Highly recommended!

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    8 months ago

    Did pick up of assorted empanadas. All were good. Ready timely and hot. Pleasant staff.

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    10 months ago

    The food was amazing crispy with so many flavors and our server gave us free cookies at the end i'm definitely going to go here again

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    Page 1 of 25

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    Ask the Community - Empanada's Place

    Are the empanadas Fried or Baked? Thanks!

    Fried. They have the crisp from frying. You can see them in the yelp pictures posted by users.

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    Lala's Argentine Grill - Fresh spaghetti made with semolina, in a creamy red meat sauce

    Lala's Argentine Grill

    4.0(2.4k reviews)
    6.5 miFairfax
    $$

    Lala's is one of my favorite places to dine and wine. Lala's offers a great happy hour Monday to…read moreFriday from 3P to 6P and, my favorite, 1/2 off bottles of wine every Wednesday! Service: Is magnificent! Servers are very attentive, friendly and engaging! Ambiance: Fun and lively! Come to Lala's on Melrose for good food, wine, empanadas and fun!

    My boyfriend and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Lala's on Melrose last night (Tuesday evening),…read moreand it was such a great experience from start to finish. First of all, our server was wonderful -- incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. He gave thoughtful recommendations and explained the specials so well that we were immediately tempted. Now, I'll preface this by saying I'm half Argentinian -- so I'm very picky when it comes to Argentine food, especially chimichurri. I'm usually pretty critical. But Lala's absolutely delivered. The chimichurri was delicious -- bright, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Paired with the fresh, warm table bread? So good. Even though I normally can't resist empanadas, we followed our server's recommendation and started with the morcilla (blood sausage). It was incredible -- rich, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly. For my entrée, I ordered the Fresh Spinach Pappardelle and took our server's suggestion to pair it with pesto sauce. As someone who loves pesto (and finds it surprisingly hard to get right in Southern California), I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. It was fresh, vibrant, and satisfying without being heavy. My boyfriend ordered the Lomo (center-cut filet mignon). He's a sous chef at his own restaurant, so he's extremely critical when dining out -- and he had nothing but amazing things to say. That says a lot. The food quality was superb, the service was attentive without being overbearing, and the overall vibe was perfect for a Valentine's dinner. We'll absolutely be back -- and next time, I'm bringing my best friend (also half Argentinian) for her approval.

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    Lala's Argentine Grill - Our new bar.  join us for happy hour 3pm - 6pm monday thru friday

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    Lala's Argentine Grill

    4.2(413 reviews)
    9.7 miDowntown
    $$

    Stopped by Lala's Argentine Grill and honestly, it's a gem. The food is amazing!! Every dish we…read moretried was packed with flavor. My favorites were the filet mignon and ribeye steak, cooked perfectly and full of juicy goodness. The ambiance is cozy and romantic, perfect for date night or a special dinner. The staff is friendly and attentive, making the experience feel effortless. If you're looking for a spot with great food and welcoming vibes, Lala's Argentine Grill is definitely worth checking out.

    Hello my fellow culinary fiends! It's been a minute. With the holidays upon us, the dinner budget…read morehas been drastically reduced for the time being. We did manage a quick celebratory birthday dinner for my wife and me, since our birthdays fall on the same day. This time, we ventured out of our comfort zone and made our way to LaLa Argentine Grill in downtown LA. There's plenty of parking available, which is always great. So, on with the review. I think our standards for Argentine food are pretty high--more my wife's than mine, LOL--but overall, there was no real wow factor. The food was just okay. I ordered the entraña, a nice skirt steak with mashed potatoes. My wife ordered the same, but hers came with a wine sauce and sautéed mushrooms. I should've ordered that one--it was definitely better than mine. The steaks were cooked perfectly to our desired temperatures, and both the service and atmosphere were excellent. Some of the small things did stand out, like the bread and the chimichurri--both very good. The wine was top-notch, but the real excitement was the dessert: decadent, sweet, rich, and creamy. All in all, I would go back. My wife? Not so much. The cost was a bit pricey. Worth it? If you've never been, I'd say yes. And again, the service was excellent, which made the dining experience much better. So until next time, keep the food coming!

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    Lala's Argentine Grill - EMPANADAS COMBO 4 full-sized empanadas of your choice

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    Malbec Argentinean Cuisine

    Malbec Argentinean Cuisine

    4.1(2.2k reviews)
    19.0 mi
    $$$
    Full bar
    Takes reservations

    Are you searching for almost authentic comida de Portenos. A non-stop flight to Buenas Aires (about…read more12 hours) and you could be digging into your perfect Parrillada at Estilo Campo. Definitely worth the hassle. Or you could endure a 2 hour slog up the 5 Fwy (which makes the 12 hour flight sound good) and enjoy excellent Argentine cuisine here. Then when you get there, parking is not just a challenge, it's a mystery. Street parking only so prepare to be creative and lucky. The vintage building is attractive. Pitted carved concrete and Malibu tiles. Step inside and be greeted by a genuine warm smile and and someone that is happy to see you, and if your luck is holding the Host will invite you to a take a short shuffle to a huge booth where you can make a comfy nest. The Decor is a charcoal gray box with a dining room filled with 2 and 4 tops, a communal table or two, a private dining room and a curbside patio if you insist. Malbec is a perfect place to celebrate a Quinceanera, a non-Kosher Bar Mitzvah, a Golden Shower Retirement, a Gender Reveal, a Gender Conceal or that your substandard Insurance Co. will actually pay for your GPL-1 meds which you might need after over eating great food here. The patio outside is good if the tango loop inside is too loud, but then you're just trading that for unmuffled mufflers and exhaust fumes. At 5:00 PM it's just you and the Chorizo Sampler which is worth it's weight in Statins. The place reinvents itself by 8:00 PM when the chatter ratchets up and the dining room becomes a B. A. Social Club. The din of diners bounces around the room like a soccer ball at a Fifa Match. (Argentina is the reigning champion). The Staff: Rosa is delightful. A girl that never says no and someone who knows how to pull up the reins and spur the pony (read take charge and enhance your experience). The Bar: This long counter anchors the room and delivers what ever your poison might be. The Food: Malbec boasts a huge menu and all of it is good to great. Within minutes of settling in a Runner runs up to your table and sets down a basket of warm Bread with a cup of Chimichurri Sauce to dunk dip, drag and/on dredge your Bread in. The Malbec Salad was large enough to feed everyone in the Recoleta at sundown. Fresh Romaine, Radicchio, Goat Cheese crumbles, a hand carved Avocado fan (I'm a big fan of that), quartered Cucumber Coins, Frisee Lettuce, a sizable slice of toasted Bread, the large mound is mixed with a Caesar-ish Dressing and the whole pile is fresh, refreshing, tasty and a great dish to begin your dinner with. The menu is ambitious to say the least. Heroic lists of Appetizers, Pastas, Pizza, Mains, Seafood, Steaks, Sides, Sauces and Desserts. The Kitchen is fearless because they know they can crank out everything on the menu properly. And you know, they can. I opted for Pollo Las Hierbas (Herb Roasted Chicken), spatchcocked (back cone removed and the whole half Chicken squashed flat for quick and easy grilling). Did I mention that the portions are substantial? They are. The Chicken begins it's journey soaking in Lemon and Herbs. For an additional $2 you can bury the whole bird with Diabla Sauce. (read Spicy Chili Gravy). This Sauce would be delicious over julienned Gym Socks or Dust Bunnies. The welcome heat is delicious even if you're timid with spice. The Chicken arrives tender but with crisp edges, juicy and tasting like Chicken could and should taste. While the Chicken was definitely marinated it's hard to determine if it was brined first. No matter as it was spot on great. The Chicken Chef was not chicken and got it right. The Sauteed Spinach retained it's Spinach integrity and was fished out of the water while still slightly toothy. Excellent. The Kitchen elevated Spinach beyond Pop-Eye's power surge urge. This was beyond just a Side Dish. Vegans, have at it. The Roasted Potatoes were also good enough to enjoy as a Main. Really crunchy nuggets with creamy centers. This place not only offers fine comida de la gente, the restaurant is efficient but doesn't rush. Want to enjoy sobremesa? (relaxing time after dinner to discuss politics, religion, sex and gossip about the people you've just dined with). Sobremesa (literally means around the table) is a charming and civilized concept. Spanish culture doesn't like to hurry. So share the sad, glad, mad personal issues that go best after Dessert. Malbec, prings back sweet memories of a morning Cortado and a Media Luna at Oriente Coffee Bar. Malbe, I'll be back.

    A bit underwhelmed with the flavors. Our favorites were the choclos asados (grilled corn) and ñoqui…read morecon estofado (gnocchi with short rib) but even then, it wasn't something we'd come back for. The ribeye and NY steak were undercooked for medium rare and it was sadly bland, even with the trio of chimichurri. Only street parking. Both walking in and making reservations was very easy to get a table. The service was great! I wish we liked the food more but maybe it wasn't for our palette.

    Photos
    Malbec Argentinean Cuisine
    Malbec Argentinean Cuisine
    Malbec Argentinean Cuisine

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    Empanada's Place - argentine - Updated May 2026

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