FOOD: While probably authentic, I cannot really say one way or the other. The crust is flavorless but partially redeemed by a flakey shell with a soft interior lining. The filling was not salty enough and in fact, probably saltless. The chipa bread is a smaller version of Brazilian Pão de Queijo, the chewy cheese bread often found in Brazilian steak houses. It was tasty and chewy with the right amount of cheese intermixed with the tapioca flour. SERVICE: Great. No complaints here. read more

Came here for a quick bit with the family and left really happy. The empanadas though not fried but baked was still very fluffy and crisp at the same time. The fillings were delicious and perfectly complemented the empanadas. Loved the chimichurri sauce and the spicy hot sauce, both paired well with the empanadas. Even my 4 year old loved his pepperoni empanada. read more

Makus Empanadas - Empanadas Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I had heard good things about this place from my friends. So, I bought some of your empanadas at your Duke pop up. I tried both the beef and your chicken. $8.95 for 3 of each totaling 6 empanadas. The crust is your traditional crust I guess. Filling , under seasoned, and I didn't get much the flavor from the protein especially the chicken was found to be bland and unflavorful. I tried them with and without the sauce. The sauce overwhelms any flavor that was there. I'm extremely disappointed that I spent $18 for this experience . Lesson learned. I expected some strong statements from the empanadas, to bad they couldn't stand alone. The sauce was overwhelming seems it was made of vinegar and pepper, maybe some garlic. Didn't pair well. read more

I absolutely adore Makus. The empanadas (especially the spinach!) are SO good with the chimichurri sauce, and the chipa bread is delicious (although I wish the portion size was bigger). I always get the Makus Meal with the rice and beans, and am never disappointed. I do wish they had their nutritional information public, though. A lot of people say baked empanadas are healthier, but I still have no idea how many calories I'm eating! When I'm tracking calories, it's much easier to go to Chipotle or Noodles and Co. than to try and estimate at Makus. read more

Empanadas were good. I had the ham/cheese, chicken, and pork. They were all good but pork was best. The chimichurri sauce was homemade and didn't overpower the taste of the empanadas. Staff was friendly and explained the food options. They bake a letter of which empanada is which. Thought that was a nice touch. read more

Makus Empanadas - Empanadas and rice/beans - Empanadas Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The aesthetic at Makus is really great, (I loved the imprint on the empanadas!) but the food itself is a little bland and dry, the price is decent, and the service is also subpar. Unfortunately, in all, there is nothing about the place that is exciting and would make me want to go again. read more

I had been wanting to try this place for some time and finally thought, why not, support a local restaurant. I placed my online order early in the day (like before 11am) for a 4:45pm pick-up on my way home from work. I actually arrived at 4:54pm and figured my food would be ready. No...I called to let them know I had arrived for curbside pick-up at 4:54pm, was told that they'd be out with my order in 5 minutes and then waited until 5:21pm to receive my food. I want to be positive but to wait over 30 minutes for an order placed well in advance is not good customer service. I hope that Makes Empanadas steps up their game. read more

Great Experience ordered uber eats had an extremely large order. The order was on time and the food was warm. Value for money. Really liked the Chicken empanada would recommend that the Chita bread. read more

We come here multiple times a month. The food is always amazing. Just placed a complicated catering order (had to work around some allergies) and the staff was very helpful and patient. read more

Love this place. It's getting expensive... but what ever I'll pay the nearly $4 per. They're pretty good. Inflation sucks. But ingredients always fresh and simple. read more

Let me just say that the service at this place was exceptional! The gentlemen were very personable and you can tell that they know the culture of the food. The empanadas were amazing! I had the veggie and potato version with their chimichurri sauce. The sauce was soooo good and fresh. The fact that the food is cooked to order is something I love! Now what was really amazing is that I could see them hand-make the empanadas. I would definitely visit here again when I visit North Carolina. read more

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Loved the empanadas here. Traveling back to Vegas that is known for great food and this place did not disappoint! We got takeout during COVID-19 and all staff were following protocols. read more

I found this restaurant thanks to Yelp while stopping by the closing Toys R Us near by and put in a to go order with yelp. Less than ten minutes later when we arrived the food was ready to go. Considering I had two kids under the age of 7 with me, their speed was a lifesaver. The empanadas though the presentation was a little on the bland side. There are lot of options and everything is made well, but none of what I had was very spicy, even the things that said they were. I highly recommend it and I hope it gets busier than it was when we were there, because it seemed pretty empty. read more

My office recently ordered a catered lunch from Makus. Their online ordering system is pretty easy-breezy to use and the delivery and set up that was done was spot on. There were even little labels (aside from the cute letter labels on the empanadas) for each empanada type for easy recognition for our lunch attendees. We ordered a mix of empanadas, but my favorite were the beef, the spinach, and the pulled pork chimichurri ones. I typically enjoy the fried empanadas more (as those were the type I grew up with), but these were flavorful with tender, flaky pastry dough, so I didn't miss the extra grease too too much. I look forward to going to the store myself for lunch on a separate occasion to try more of what they have to offer. read more

Stopped by with the kids after the pool. It was a great hit! Something for each one of my picky eaters and Mom Yummy, thank you Makus! read more

Makus Empanadas - Empanadas Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Recently got the chance to try these guys again at a Durham Bull's game, as they have a stand set up in the concourse area where other local restaurants have settled. Such a cool idea. They were offering their empanadas for what seemed like a higher price - I think it was 3 empanadas and a sauce for $10, without the side and drink that you'd get at the restaurant. However, with the same great flavors offered there. I got a mix of the bacon and cheese (so good), sweet corn (surprisingly delicious), and the chicken. All great. Well worth a visit for some unique food at a good price. read more

A little pricy for the size, but quality and taste is delicious! -coming from an Uruguayan! Worth the visit! read more

Makus Empanadas - Empanadas and cheese bread. Chicken, beef, ham and cheese. - Empanadas Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Tried the chicken and beef empanadas with sauce. The sauce tasted like pure olive oil infused with oregano and was extremely greasy and not spiced right. The chicken and beef lacked seasoning. Moreover was forced to buy 3 and could not buy individual empanadas. Will not be trying these again. read more

I didn't think I liked empanadas until I tried Makus. The ones I've had in the past were doughy and light on filling and taste ( I'm looking at you, Calavera), so I'm glad I gave this place a chance. I've always felt a bit dubious that these small pockets would be filling enough as a meal but I could barely finish the third one in my order. Their vegetarian items are great. I had the corn and the spinach which were both delicious though I probably favor the corn a bit more. The chimichurri sauce is a spicy little number and pairs very well with the empanadas but it is very, very, heavy on the oil which I think needs to be adjusted. I don't really have an issue with the price though realistically since they menu is pretty limited they could charge a bit less overall but it's about what you'd pay other places but without sit down service. Nice employees and the van that does the catering is driven considerately. Yeah that stuff matters to me. read more

I recently moved to the area and while unpacking decided to try this out. I tried the meal with 3 different empanadas- bacon and cheese which I didn't care for; pork which was good; and chicken which was great. I got a side of rice and beans which was a good size and tasty. Some empanada places are really greasy but this was not at all. I'd order again. read more

Finally, this is the empanada place I've been looking for! The empanadas served here are very simple and delicious; the dough is phenomenal and the fillings I had were all fresh and savory. I say simple as a positive because I have had plenty of 'empanadas' filled with all manner of odd stuffings, straying very far from latin american cuisine. But at Makus Empanadas I got empanadas with the traditional flavors I am looking for. Unlike the fried pastelitos I'm used to getting in Puerto Rican cuisine, the empanadas here are baked. This makes Makus Empanadas a great lunch location, as even a couple empanadas isn't going to be a heavy meal. When I came here for lunch I got four empanadas (Beef, Chicken, Spinach, and Sweet Corn); not one empanada really stood out to me, but they were all delicious and flavorful. I also ordered a chimichurri sauce to go with the empanadas. It was a bit different than chimichurris I've had before, but it went well with the empanadas. The price was reasonable, given that the empanadas were so good. Next time (definitely going to be back here!) I think I'm going to try the meal, as I think a side of rice and beans would go really well with a couple of chicken empanadas. read more

Makus Empanadas - Spinach Empanada - Empanadas Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I am in love - IN LOVE - with Makus Empanadas. I went with the meal (three empanadas, one side, one sauce, and one drink). I ordered one of each of the vegetarian empanadas - sweet corn, spinach, and onion and cheese. I had the chimichurri sauce at the recommendation of the person taking my order as that is the traditional sauce. I had the black beans as the side. From scanning the most recent reviews, it seems that the biggest critique is the size of the empanadas. I can see that perhaps this meal would not be enough for some people, but I think it is plenty for most people. I think we have gotten used to having our plates piled high with food at restaurants, and the majority of restaurants/fast food serves us far more than is healthy to eat in one sitting anyways. I ate my empanadas and about 3/4 of my beans and was full. Not stuffed. Not feeling disgusted with myself. It was the perfect amount of food. I was not hungry for the rest of the evening. The quality of the food was excellent. The empanadas had the perfect amount of filling in them. I loved the chimichurri sauce. I did need to go back for more, but I was dumping the sauce all over my food. It was amazing. The beans were also delicious. I highly recommend them as a side. They were listed as one of the specials on the day I went in. read more

Very good service. Very clean. Fresh food. Staff very helpful. Cheese bread very different but excellent!

I stumbled upon this place looking for a quick lunch. What an amazing find!! These empanadas where absolutely delicious, light and filled with meat!! Will definitely make this a regular spot! Absolutely delicious! read more

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Been there the very first time today. I got 4 empanadas(pork chimchurry, ham cheese, bacon cheese, onion cheese) and an empadog .... It was absolutely delicious. The stuff is very nice and helpful. My favorites so far are the ham & cheese and onion & cheese. Will be there next week again and try other flavors. Highly recommend this place for a snack or lunch. Very neat and clean. read more

Love their empanadas! They remind me of the kind we eat in Chile. Favorites are the meat filled ones, and the onion & cheese, spinach, and sweet corn ones. The veggie one is a little dry for my taste. Chipa bread always hot, cheesy and delicious. Chimichurri sauce is good. Hot sauce is a Texas Pete-style red sauce. Have not tried the desserts, but don't need to. Their empanadas are all I need! read more

If you've ever been to Luna in downtown Durham, Makus is sort of like the counter service version of that, only less pretentious and you don't have to wait an hour just to be squeezed into a corner of a big table that you share with a dozen strangers. (And I like Luna!) Makus does empanadas, which are Argentine savory turnovers. The empanadas themselves look small but are really filling. I recommend getting the meal, which comes with your choice of three empanadas and a side. I got the corn, cheese and onion, and spinach empanadas, and the corn was easily my favorite. The onion one was a bit boring, but all were good. I also had the spinach salad, which comes with a delicious sweet raspberry dressing. The portion size on the salad is definitely small for the price; it came in the same size container as my husband's black bean side, but a big cup of black beans and a big cup of loosely packed greens are very different things. Since there's no way to tell what's inside an empanada until you open it up, each little pastry has tiny letters baked onto the crust to distinguish what's inside it. I feel for whoever has to cut out all those tiny letters. I hope they have some kind of stamp to make it easier. read more

This place is decent. The food is okay, but the empanadas taste like they are pre-made somewhere and are not as tasty as I would expect. It's also a bit on the pricey side for what you get. They should up their side offerings and/or shake up their empanada flavors... I'd love to find a place in the area where you could buy empanadas de yuca. read more

Girlfriend and I were driving around and found this place, and what a find! 1st store ever (open since December) and has a very professional feel behind everything. The menu was a good size, not overwhelming with choices, but not lacking them either. The price points were good as well (2.50 per, or 9.99 for 3+side and drink). We ordered a meal, dessert, and chipa bread to test everything out and I'm glad we did. Each empanada tasted delicious and unique. Favorite was definitely the more heavily cheesey ones (but that's just me being fat). The chipa bread came as 5 mini balls, all were delicious as well. The dessert was above average, basically a pastry square with roasted coconut on top (good but def didn't steal the show) Suggestion to anyone who hasn't tried these guys. Get the meal, 3 different empanadas, and one of their sides (choose one you think you would like) and enjoy. I am very very very glad we happened on them, and can't wait until we see them all over! read more

Stumbled upon Makus searching on Yelp for fast casual dinner options in Durham, I think I have found a hidden gem! My boyfriend and I both went to with the $10 meal deal. For the amount of food we got the price was excellent. As for the food- I can honestly say these were some of the best empanadas I have ever had. I went with the classic Beef Empanadas along with a Veggie to try and be different. I cannot say which I preferred since they were both excellent. Makus also advertises their empanadas as baked and not fried, which definitely took away some of the grease factor I feel comes with other empanadas I have tried. I tried both their Red Hot sauce and Chimmicara. Red hot is almost a homemade hot sauce, while Chimmicara is olive oil and basil based. I can't decide which one I preferred. This location also offers a Yelp Check In offer on this side of bread with a meal purchase. The best way I can describe these little guys are cheesy dough bread. I am a lover of Red Lobster biscuits but these things took the cake. Makus will now be a most step next time I am in Durham! read more

Makus Empanadas - little letters on the Empanadas to tell which one is which-- amazing!!! - Empanadas Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This is a nice independently owned fast casual Empanada place. The ambiance is very basic, though there are cute pictures of the owner and his family and business partner as kids adorning the walls. The menu is very easy, as the name suggests they have empanadas and not much else. The meal deal they promote is 3 empanadas (with a sauce), a side and a drink for 9.95. I find it odd that a sauce is normally .50, especially considering one of them is just a basic hot sauce. I got the beef, chicken and sweet corn. They were perfectly good empanadas, the chicken option was especially good I thought. The side options disappointed me. You can choose between plain white rice, a bag of chips (which yes, both additional empty carbs) or a very standard cole slaw (which I got) . I really wish there was something more interesting there. Rose L mentioned a bean side in her review and unfortunately they are not an option, though I would love some black beans. The staff and owner talked to our group and were quite friendly. I was torn on what to rate this but I had to think about it objectively. While a 10 dollar dinner is not expensive, there are other places in Durham I could have a 10 dollar dinner that I would chose to go back to before here. I would probably bypass the meal option and just get 4 tasty empanadas with a water, probably the best way to attack this restaurant. But yes, a nice local option to pick up some quick and very tasty empanadas, but not a place I would personally go out of my way to come to. read more

I love these empanadas! I don't even have a favorite. It's a convenient pick up option...the empanada stay warm and all the sides stay fresh. Beans and rice and rye pork and sweet corn empanadas are my favorite. I think they do wine down Wednesday but I haven't had the chance to go! read more

I've had empanadas in many places in the US and South America, including Buenos Aires, Argentina. Some better than others; however, none as good as Makus' I tried most flavors and all were very, very good! Having said that, onion & cheese, beef, and ham & cheese are to die for!! I also tried the chimichurri and it was really good!! If you like hot sauce, give it a try. I went with my family. My wife and my kids also loved the empanadas. Ham & cheese and onion & cheese were their favorites. We didn't try the sides - had too many empanadas... But the rice with black beans looked very appetizing - maybe next time :) For dessert, there is something called "cochitas" - dulce de leche over some kind of dough covered in toasted coconut, one word: awesome!! A MUST GO whenever you are in this area! read more

Empanadas are baked not fried which Make them better and not greasy. Got 3 empanadas, side, sauce and drink meal for under $10. Service was quick and friendly. read more

I've been to Makus Empanadas twice in the last 10 days. The place is nicely decorated and has a great/cool ambiance. The staff is very attentive and friendly. Food comes out fast. The empanadas are delicious. Loved the crust. Cheese and Spinach is my favorite being a vegetarian :). I've had plenty of empanadas in my life and these rank among the best. I have eaten empanadas both locally and in Spain, Argentina, Chile... I find the size perfectly normal. They're not calzones! Side options are rice, coleslaw or chips. While good, a little more variety would be nice. Maybe a salad??The rice with chimichurri was a great recommendation. Also try the cochitos (coconut and dulce de leche cookie). To die for. Overall, a great experience. Will be back! read more

I ordered Makus Empanadas for a meeting I had, and, as usual, they did not disappoint! The delivery person Hernan arrived on time despite a tremendous thunderstorm, bad parking, and a difficult to find location. He set everything up, double checked the order, and made sure I knew what was what. Everyone could smell the tasty empanadas and was excited for dinner. We also got the rice and beans and mixed greens salad with candied pecans. I received many compliments on the choice of catering both before and after the meal. My personal favorite...it's hard to decide! The sweet corn are tasty, but so are the spinach and beef. Really, you can't go wrong in picking out your empanadas. They're snack size individually, so 3 plus a side is a great dinner. The only thing I don't like is that they use sticky labels to mark what each kind of empanada is. The labels stick to the table and are hard to get off. This isn't a big deal, just a pain to scrape labels off with your fingernails. All in all, a great catering experience and delicious food! read more

Interesting place. I came for lunch and went with the 3 empanadas+side+drink for around10 bucks. The empanadas are small, but filling. I had the beef, chicken and bacon and cheese. I think I may have liked the bacon and cheese best. They bake the empanadas which probably makes them better for you than fried, but having had a fried empanada at Tacos Nacos recently, I will say there is a big flavor difference. (The empanadas at Tacos Nacos and the empanadas here are sooooo different). Makus Empanadas is a small place, not a chain, and a nice alternative to the burger and fries places. I would say not as an exciting foodie experience as an arepa at Quasaca (I know...comparing apples to oranges but both are a South of the Border type of thing). Rice and beans as a side were kind of bland. I really liked the chimichurri sauce. Overall a good first-time experience with Makus Empanadas. read more

Long wait for lots of styrofoam. Smells good though. Hope it tastes as good as it smells Not much else to say.

Simple little order-at-the-counter restaurant. The dining area and bathroom were both extremely clean. The staff was super friendly and helpful. I love the variety of empanada choices. I tried the chicken, veggie, and bacon and cheese. The veggie seemed to be filled with more rice than veggies, but they were all tasty. My husband gave me a bite of his pepperoni empanada, and it was my favorite. I liked the chimichurri sauce better than the redhot. I can't wait to go back and try more. read more

Makus Empanadas - Makus Meal ($9.95) Spinach salad, chimichurri sauce, drink, and veggie, chicken, and bacon and cheese empanadas. - Empanadas Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Loved their empanadas. I had the Beef, Ham & Cheese and Spinach. All delicious. Spinach probably my favorite. The crust is fabulous. Wide variety and several vegetarian/vegan options. Perfect size (Makus meal offers 3 empanadas, a side (I got the beans and rice), drink and sauce). Cochitos (coconut and dulce de leche cookies) are delicious. Friendly staff. Casual atmosphere. Kid friendly. We'll be back! read more

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