I was here several weeks ago with a friend who introduced me to the business. If you follow me you…read moremay have read my post. Specifically about the pineapple cream cheese dessert empanada! I came today to get a dozen, 13 actually, to share with friends on the 4th! I arrived while the counter person was offloading supplies. He said they opened at 11am. I placed an order for 1 dozen pineapple, cream cheese empanadas. I got there at 10:20am. Diego said he would work on it and they would be ready when they opened @11am. Unfortunately, Diego did not have my order ready when they opened. I clearly told him when he was bringing in product for the day that I need a dozen pineapple cream cheese empanadas when they opened. He said OK and continue bringing in product. At 11 AM when they opened, I went in and to my surprise Diego had not placed my order and it definitely wasn't ready. I was a bit annoyed and a tad bit confused. I said to him why didn't you place the order like I asked you to when you were bringing in supplies it went on to say that look if you need payment prior to getting the order that would not have been a problem, but you let me believe you were going to start making empanadas so they'd be ready when you opened. Diego counted with "no that's not what I said, I told you that you could place your order when we opened". To say I was more than annoyed would be a colossal understatement! I was so impressed with this product that I ordered a dozen to share three each with people that I consider special. Unfortunately, for Diego and the business owner, his unprofessionalism and outright deception cost him a potentially long-term customer. Like all of you I earned my money and I want to spend it supporting businesses that appreciate those people who support them. I was so disrespected that I choose not to get over it, but rather spend my money at a restaurant that has good product and values. It's customers more than this establishment! Does this restaurant make it quality product absolutely! Does this restaurant value customer is coming early in placing orders with them directly and honoring what they say? Absolutely not, at least not in my case! This restaurant goes from 5 to 2 stars because of this awful interaction. I am so disappointed, but that is life and with so many awesome businesses out there vying for customers this behavior could send them into a death spiral. GN3

Empanada perfection!…read more The restaurant is very small inside and there are only about 6 tables inside, so we opted for a to-go order. The line was long but moved quickly. Once we reached the front of the line the person taking our order was pleasant and informative. It took about 35 mins to get our order. Which makes perfect sense because we chose the baked option over fried, which I'm sure added extra time. The faves were the chicken curry for the savory and the pineapple cream cheese for the dessert. Empanadas Perfectas! El restaurante es muy pequeño por dentro y solo hay unas 6 mesas adentro, por lo que optamos por un pedido para llevar. La fila era larga pero avanzaba rápidamente. Una vez que llegamos al frente de la fila, la persona que tomó nuestro pedido fue agradable e informativa. Nos llevó unos 35 minutos recibir nuestro pedido. Lo cual tiene mucho sentido porque elegimos la opción horneada en lugar de frita, lo que estoy seguro agregó tiempo extra. Los favoritos fueron el pollo al curry para lo salado y el queso crema de piña para el postre.

Growing up in Houston, I would always see Marini's whenever my family and I drove by the old…read morelocation. As I got older, I would pass by it myself and always wanted to stop in...but life kept being life and I just never seemed to have the free time. I was finally able to stop by yesterday! I absolutely loved how the decor starts from the outside...it immediately draws you into the experience. The inside is vibrant, full of life and just feels welcoming. I was warmly greeted as I walked in. I headed toward the register and on my left I saw something that immediately caught my eye: Alfajores. Now, Alfajores are these wonderful sandwich cookies that are especially popular in Argentina and Uruguay. They're unique because they're traditionally made with cornstarch rather than just flour, giving them that wonderfully tender texture. They're filled with dulce de leche and often coated in shredded coconut. Some are even perfumed with lemon zest, depending on the region. I knew immediately that I'd be getting some. I ordered the Gaucho and the Chicken Diablo. The service was cordial and sweet: big smiles and a genuinely warm demeanor. The young lady told me my order would be ready shortly. She gave me an exact number of minutes, but I honestly forgot how many she said! I then turned around and, lo and behold, it all clicked. It was called "Marini's" because of the owners. To my surprise, there was a painting of a face I recognized. Years ago, my family and I attended a church called Centro Familiar Cristiano. Marcelo Marini! He has the kind of face you don't forget--very recognizable and distinctive. I thought it was lovely to discover that he was one of the owners. I only wish I had known years ago that this was his family's business. I absolutely loved how the restaurant is decorated. The writing that guests have left on the walls gives the place so much heart and personality. I've never been to Argentina, but Marini's gives me the impression of being a little getaway...a small glimpse of what it might feel like to experience Argentine culture. The young lady who took my order brought everything out with another smile. The Gaucho was fabulous. It was well seasoned and I loved the added detail of the olives. The chicken was shredded, tender and well seasoned too. The crust was crispy without being greasy. I also really enjoyed the chimichurri and the red sauce, which had a pleasant little kick of heat. And the Alfajores were spot on: tender cookies, rich dulce de leche filling and that coating of coconut that gives them such a wonderful finishing touch. I really enjoyed my visit to Marini's. Next time, I need to eat inside so I can fully enjoy the atmosphere while I eat-maybe with a glass of Malbec.

This place has been on my radar for a long time and finally stopped today. That was best decision I…read moremade all day. The place was tucked off in plaza I had to get up in there and was so pleasantly surprised. So cozy and cute. They have a great selection of empanadas and all the ones I had were sooooooo good. The spinach was a little juicier than I anticipated but everything was made so fresh. The Tia Maria and eggplant were my favorites and the sauces were a great addition in flavor. The dessert empanada sweet potatoes was top tier. The filling was just sweet enough, definitely want to taste the others, especially since they make their own fruit fillings. I can see how they've been around for so long. New customer alert !

I come every morning to get the best chorizo and egg torta I've ever had…read more I can't express in words how orgasmic the tortas are! Wow..it really starts my day off great. I literally can't get enough! The hard working ladies are always accommodating and nice to me. Thank you sooo much y'all truly! I drive an extra 20 mins just to come and it's sooo worth it. Don't second guess on coming here. Also, if you love chorizo try them tortas!!!

Sometimes all it takes is a craving and a good map app…read more My son and I were headed from Northwest Houston toward the Galleria when I got a random craving for empanadas. A quick search along our route brought us to The Empanada Company, and we arrived about 45 minutes before closing. The place isn't very large, and the bakery display cases held what was left of the day's offerings. The young lady behind the counter had been sweeping when we walked in and wasn't especially chatty when I asked about the different empanadas, but she answered my questions and let us browse. I was disappointed to find that the Chicken Tinga empanada I had my eye on was already sold out. My son ordered a couple of chicken pastries, and I gave him the side-eye because those aren't really empanadas in my book. I went with a Picadillo empanada, which came in more of a bell shape than the traditional empanada shape I'm used to seeing. Since I was still craving chicken and the empanada version was gone, I also grabbed one of the chicken pastries. The pastries were incredibly flaky--so flaky that half of one seemed determined to end up in my lap. Fortunately, the chicken filling was so good that I forgot about the mess until I finished eating. The Picadillo empanada was also quite tasty and easily the highlight of my visit. One thing that stood out was the pricing. Compared to other places I've visited for empanadas, the menu was surprisingly affordable. That's becoming increasingly rare these days. My only real complaint is the limited drink selection. A good empanada deserves a good beverage (Dr. Pepper) to go with it. Overall, this was a pleasant stop. The food was good, the prices were reasonable, and I'd definitely come back--especially for two or three more of those Picadillo empanadas. Worth a visit if you're in the area and looking for a quick, satisfying snack.

Warmly received and got help making selections. Service was quick and cheerful. The empanadas are…read moreamazing. It's well worth seeking out. There's a park nearby in the Theatre District that provided a fine place to enjoy and a place to lock up a bicycle.

I went the 2nd week of April 2025 and it was closed. The security guard confirmed. I was really…read morelooking forward to trying out these empanadas as they were highly recommended. I still get my fix at Argentina Empanadas across the freeway from Osteen's mega church

Marines is one of my top 3 Colombian restaurants in Houston. I have been here time and time again…read moreover the years. Their food is always consistent, service is always so friendly, and their decor and ambiance is like stepping into their home and feel their culture. They have sports playing a tv above inside the restaurant. They have a selection of Colombian pastries sold at the counter where you order your food. Clean spacious indoor with a cute small patio maybe 2 outdoor tables in front of the restaurant. I have sat inside and outside and loved both of my experiences. I always recommend this place. My go to order : Bandeja Paisa (most ordered dish) Jugo de mango en leche (mango smoothie)

Ambiance was cool, it's definitely a Mom & Pop shop. You can tell it's very local and I love…read moresupporting local businesses! Originally, I thought this was Marinis that used to be located in Katy, which is another empanada spot but this isn't that one. We ordered the Hot Tia Maria, a beef and jalapeño, and another empanada along with the fish pictured. I give the empanadas a 6/10. The breading was good but the meat definitely could've been seasoned more. It was a little on the bland side, it could have been more flavorful.. we were definitely expecting more flavor. The ground beef empanada tasted like it was just seasoned with salt and pepper. The fish was a 6/10 as well. Again, it all just really lacked a lot of flavor, which is what we were looking for. The fish was a little on the dry side. Probably won't be back but I appreciate supporting the business!

The BEST Argentinian empanadas you will ever eat in Texas!! Very authentic and flavorful…read more Me.sebastian was an incredible host and gave excellent service! The place was spotless, very clean. I am overly satisfied and will be back asap!!!

Get the lamb empanada! Super tasty empanadas with the best spicy chimichurri cute cafe ambiance…read moregreat stop for a snack

I love to eat at El Bolillo Bakery. It all started because my boyfriend really loves their conchas,…read moreso he was the one who introduced me to the place. I've always liked bakeries, but I try to eat on the healthier side, so I usually avoid anything that might tempt me.But I am a sucker for cinnamon rolls, so when I saw they had them, of course I had to try one and they are so, so good. Now we actually go there about once every two weeks because we love it that much and I look forward to opening the front doors and smelling the sweet smell of baked goods Recently we also found out that they have cheese & sausage kolaches, and oh my gosh, they are delicious. They are really, really good and were such a nice surprise when we tried them. The location closest to us is the one on Airline Drive, and we usually go in the afternoon so we can avoid the after-work crowd. That time of day works really well for us because there aren't too many people, which makes it easier to grab bread and look around without feeling rushed. The ordering process is pretty quick and simple. You grab your metal tray and tongs, open each little door, pick what you want, and put it on the tray. When you're ready, you go to the register where the ladies count the breads, ring everything up, and bag it nicely for you. We're usually in and out pretty fast, which we really like. We love going to El Bolillo, and at this point it has definitely become a staple for us. We honestly can't get enough of it.

Best Panadería in Houston. A neighborhood staple. Bolillo always has the softest conchas and bread,…read morethe empanadas de piña have real chunks of pineapple, the marranitos are the best around town, and the never-ending line for Bolillos should tell you how good they are.

Nice new spot in Eado. Just what we need in the area. Moderately priced, not pretentious, flavor…read morefocused cuisine. I really enjoyed the food and the staff was excellent. It's maybe tucked away a bit too much for people to know about unless they know about it, but I really hope they do well.

Excelente and beyond expectation! Recommended! Is a hidden gem. I haven't had a better paella, the…read morebest sangria and everything we had was excellent! The ham croqueted, empanadas and more!! Definitely coming back again and again!!! So happy about this

Cute little spot in League city! Almost easy to miss but look for the little white building,…read moreparking is limited but loop right in. Love that drive thru is an option as well! Went for the first time with a group of 7 and got a table on the back patio. There's plenty of seating on the inside, the front, back and bar patio! Tried both savory and sweet options and was not disappointed! Also enjoyed the selection of specialty lattes. The staff was super attentive and friendly! We felt welcomed even though we were a larger group. Even with it being a walk up to order spot, they still came to check on us constantly and helped clear our items and bring stuff out in a timely manner. Can't wait to come back and try more! Top favorite was the original and the guava empanada! MUST ORDER!

The customer service is always awesome. I appreciate the…read morehospitality every time. The empanadas are very well filled with meats they're not stingy at all! Always fresh to order

I have learned that the places that look a little suspicious from the outside often end up being…read morethe biggest surprises when it comes to food. This place is definitely not located in a fancy area, and I have to admit, I had second thoughts the moment I pulled into the crowded and chaotic parking lot. Located in the heart of Latino Town in Spring Branch, the atmosphere immediately reminded me of back home (Venezuela). The vibe is different, authentic, and familiar in the best way. I trusted the process because this spot had been on my list for a while, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Once you make it through the parking adventure and walk inside, you are pleasantly surprised by a small, quaint, clean, and charming restaurant. The aroma coming from the kitchen was enough to convince me I had made the right choice. We were seated right away during a busy lunch hour. The staff works together as a team, and the service was efficient and attentive. But, of course, the star of the show was the food. I had a steak cooked to perfection with sweet plantains, and it was absolutely delicious. They offer an extensive menu featuring flavors from Argentina to Venezuela, with plenty of options to choose from. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and in a timely manner. If you are in the Spring Branch area and craving grilled, savory, authentic food, this is definitely a place to check out. I will absolutely be coming back. A true hidden gem!

And we're off! Today we kicked off our "A to Z International Dining Adventure"! We're planning to…read moreeat our way around the world, choosing a different country for each letter of the alphabet at restaurants around town. Houston has an amazing international dining scene and we won't have any problem finding food to match all 26 countries. Today we started with "A is for Argentina" at Pampa Grill & Market in Houston on Hammerly. We were thrilled to start our journey with newlyweds our son and daughter‑in‑law. We all shared freshly baked bread with chimichura sauce and marinated vegetables salsa criolla, delicious empanadas of all sorts, the Argentina Grill parrillada platter, and flan and Nutella crepes for dessert. Pampa Grill & Market is a beloved family-owned neighborhood gem run by Argentine owners. Definitely a fabulous experience all around. Pampa serves wine, but they also allow BYOB, so we brought a delicious 2022 Decero Remelinos Malbec and John and Katherine brought a lovely white blend, also from Argentina. Weare going to have so much fun taking this food journey together! "B" takes us to Brazil in the next couple weeks. Stay tuned!