Really nice place in mesa for food. It's a small.place so would either take out or come early. We went for an early dinner and got one of the last spots. They have a bunch of soda, lemonade, beer, ans cocktails to drink. For the appetizer they had yucca and different types of plantains. We got a platter of the three types and it was really delicious. I was a bit underwhelmed by the size though. For food they have rice dishes and empanadas. I was shocked that the empanadas were not gluten free like they are traditionally. The empanada platter came with rice and beans and was nice but not overly impressed with the empanada as it was quite thick. read more

Happened upon this business for lunch passing through Mesa. Staff was courteous and knowledgeable of my plant based lifestyle. Recommendations made and very tasty. Had a chance to meet (I believe) the Owner's Father and we great convo about the business whose wife created all the dishes. Ambiance and decor nice; outside seating with misters (if needed) plenty of space. read more

A friend had this on her list to check out. Who doesn't love a good empanada. We got seated right away and the food came our fairly quick. I was hungry. We ordered 4 empanada and an arroz con pollo. The empanada were decent size but was was most impressive is the amount of meat/stuffing they filled into them. My favorite was the the boricua. It had pork, peas, and rice. 3/4 of our empanada were pork. There is just something about the way they make their pork. It was juicy and delicious. Perfectly salted and cooked. The arroz was also good. I should have asked for no olives. I had to dig through the rice and picked them out. It wasn't mixed evenly. I didn't get much chicken on the side I was eating. I loved the artwork they had on the wall. The restaurant is guy fieri approved so you'll see his picture on the wall as you walk in. read more

Republica Empanada - Arroz Con Pollo - Latin American Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Great place good food good service will definitely come back. Hidden gem behind Main Street in Mesa.

I liked this place a lot for so many reasons, but I do question whether it was worth throwing down so much money as I sit here snacking at home AFTER dropping $$$ on empanadas that were maybe 5 bites each. The good: 1. Lots of empanada options for vegans, vegetarians, and non-veg. Everyone can find something they want. 2. Good for all ages from kid to adult. 3. That green sauce they serve on the side. 4. Love a local joint and empanadas in general. Flavor was pretty good on most, but still struggled to see how each empanada was on worth $5ish each. Now for the tough stuff: 1. The bathroom smelled horrific. Not sure what that smell was, but it wasn't normal bathroom smell. More like stinky garbage on a hot day? 2. They really need those sushi cards where you can order what you want. It was hard to scroll up and down on our phones and keep track of all we ordered. $5ish per empanada adds up, so be warned! Our bill was well over $100 for 3 adults and 3 kids. I'd return, but probably be more mindful of amount ordered and cost. An adult can easily take down 3-4 empanadas and that adds up to about $20 per person without drinks. read more

Republica Empanada - Nutella and peanut butter empanada - Latin American Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

So we were watching diner's, drive in's and dives on food network this evening on t.v. Being half Mexican I've honestly never tried an empanada because honestly they looked disgusting so I just never wanted to try them until tonight. Since we live in the city of Mesa I talked my boyfriend into taking us here to try what everyone is saying is the best empanada's in the East Valley. We came in during dinner time and the place was super packed so we decided to wait. The inside dining room is very small this place only holds 49 people inside so I do recommend making a reservation for dinner hours. I got the two empanada combo with black beans and rice. My empanadas of choice was the chicken, olive and mushrooms and all I could say in just one bite was I'm in heaven the entire meal was out of this world! The empanadas had a very lite and flaky crust like a slice of pie it wasn't thick like pot pies or anything of that nature. The chicken was super tender followed by earthy mushrooms and the saltyness of the olives really complemented the filling very well. The black beans were cooked to perfection and they went very well with the rice. The dipping sauce for the empanadas should be bottled and sold here it was to die for I could've put it on ice cream. The staff here was really friendly I'm sure glad that my first time at 52 years old trying an empanada was here because they really changed my opinion on this bite size food. I highly recommend coming in for your empanadas craving again reservations are recommended. read more

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I really love this little gem in downtown Mesa. I'm such a fan of empanadas. If you like Latin American cuisine and comfort food, this is the place to come. Empandas are a baked or fried turnover consisting of a savory or sweet filling. Republica Empanada has a pretty large selection of them. The El Capitán, Cubana or any of the Jalapeño ones are my favorites so far. I recommend getting the Empanada Platter so you can sample a couple different flavors. It comes with maduros (plantains) and arroz (rice) on the side - yum! I'm more of a savory person, but they also have a variety of sweet empandas on their menu if you would prefer one of those. My first visit here was a very enjoyable one for me. I came during COVID winter of '20 when restaurants were allowing customers inside again. It was a quiet weekday evening and I sat alone and watched an ASU basketball game while eating my dinner. A gentleman came up to me and started to chat with me. We talked Valley sports for a long time and I was impressed with his knowledge of the many different athletes that have played here. I eventually discovered he was owner Edmundo Meraz. I really enjoyed his hospitality and for taking time to keep me company. Republica Empanada strives to make you feel at home when you are here. They are located in a mid-century looking building that has an interior layered rock wall in its entryway. There is a mural painted on the exterior wall and a large Saguaro cacti out front. The architecture here is very charming. Republica Empanada was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" a few years back. They are just a couple blocks off Main St. and worth the drive over to Mesa for some delicious comfort food. read more

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I've only had the empanadas but they are delicious. I live far but every time I'm in Mesa I try and go.

Saw this on tiktok and tried it out with my friend! It was a long wait and we got the republica chicken, elote, mushroom chicken, and banana cream pie empanadas. We also got yucca fries. The vibe was chill and cozy. I like how crunchy the empanada was. I don't really know what they're supposed to taste like but it was a little bland? But the sauce that came with them was really good. And the sauce with the yucca fries tasted good too, very refreshing tasting. read more

Republica Empanada - Republica Chicken Mushroom Chicken Yucca e - Latin American Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

I so needed a changeup and when I realized I was going to be in Mesa towards the early evening, I knew exactly where I was going. Another return visit and the empanada of choice were a hit. A cocktail (Republica Margarita after a stressful day) to start off the evening along with the Empanada Platter (you get to pick 2... Pernil & Boricua this time) and it comes with rice, beans, cabbage salad, and maduros (that were so good). I always need 3 empanadas so al la cart I tried the El Capitan which had raisins, boiled egg, and ground beef. Green salsa to compliment was great (I ended up getting a 2nd one and I added it to my rice & beans). Dining is available inside and outside on the private patio. Love how it's cooked to order and literally felt like I was in a friend's house from Costa Rica read more

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This is a locally owned gem in Mesa! I always love coming here. It's such a vibe. I feel like I've been transported to South America every time I come here. It's a cute building on the corner of 1st Ave and S Hibert, surrounded by art and plants. It is next to the court house. There is street parking and a small parking lot at the rear of the building. They have digital menus, so be prepared to scan the QR Cose when you arrive. They have savory and sweet empanadas. They do have alcohol available as well. Today I got 2 savory empanadas - the El Capitan and Boricua and one sweet, Dizzy Fig. I wanted to get more, but I fought my tendency to go overboard. They are small but they are stuffed and filling. It was just what I needed for lunch to be satisfying, but not feel comatose for the rest of the day. Definitely come out and try Republica Empanada!! read more

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Since moving to the AZ area I have been craving Empanadas and trying to find a place to go in the Phoenix area. Well this weekend while I was in Mesa and decided to try Republica Empanadas. They had a variety of vegetarian options so I tried a couple. Black beans and cheese R.E. black beans & mozzarella cheese Pura vida Garbanzo beans, mushrooms, carrots, spinach, celery, and bell peppers Greek Sautéed spinach, feta, sun dried tomato & kalamata olive Guava and cheese Guava preserve & mozzarella Everything was good I will be back to try some other things on their menu. read more

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One of the best family owned locations in AZ! Delicious food, fun staff, and the perfect encapsulation of true passion for culture! Love it!

if it was not because of the friendly staff and diversity selection of empanadas, i would have rated 2*. This is one of the worst salmon I have ever had. It was so dry, and so hard to chew. I think they forgot to take it out while cooking. at one point, i dont know what i was supposed to eat anymore. Ironically, the portion was huge, which was the nightmare for me to finish. But I highly recommend the dessert empanadas though. They are fantastic ! read more

Republica Empanada - Salmon Torta - Latin American Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Food was delicious. Yucca frita and patacones (tostones), the empanadas were big and full of flavor. We got 4 and could share.

Yes, the food is amazing and a favorite of mine to take people visiting Phoenix. But, every time I have gone, the service has been the absolute best and I never feel as welcomed any other restaurant I go to. It really fills like they care about you read more

Empanadas were the best we've ever had. We had 7 different flavors in our group, top was the penil! After that is was toss up! So good! read more

Republica Empanada - Empanada platter - Latin American Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

This place has been a family favorite since it opened. Great food in a pleasant place. Had dinner there recently. The pappas fritas and empanadas were yummy. Love the chicken, pork, and vegetarian ones. The kiddo pronounced the cheeseburger empanada "even better than McDonald's." High praise! The margaritas hit the spot, too. My big complaint? The service. We had to wait for a table because no one seemed to be around. We even went looking for someone to seat us. Service was rushed. We never received glasses of water despite asking twice. Our check was delivered before we were even asked if we wanted another drink or one of those tasty dessert empanadas. I mean, they certainly didn't need our table as there were only four tables occupied when we were there. Eating out is a special treat for us. And I relish the opportunity to not have to prepare, serve, and clean up after dinner. As a consumer, I also have expectations when it comes to the service industry. I know it's tough work. However, after our recent visit, we left a minimal tip (a first for us since hubby and I have previously worked in restaurants). And then we went for dessert elsewhere. read more

The food in this restaurant is so tasty. I love the empanada. Service is always detail oriented abd the ambiance is perfect for mem Well lit, clean and great vibes. The black beans were so tasty. read more

Republica Empanada - empanada platter - Latin American Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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This restaurant is a staple of Mesa! Today, I ordered the achiote, peanut butter and jelly empanada, and a guava margarita. The food came out fast and hot and the margarita was the perfect addition to my food. This is a perfect place to take anyone from out of town and has many vegan options. The restaurant is quiet and the art work is fun and colorful. I also loved the murals outside in the parking lot. It could make for a fun Instagram moment. I can't wait to go back! read more

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Well I was debating on giving it a 4 star but Im having hard time.. Well the restaurant was clean and very friendly staff. Never tried this place and I've only had empanada few times at other places.. I ordered 3 empanadas and water and that cost me little over $15. Empanas were smaller than I expected... Ordered chicken, Cubano, and boricua.. My darn boricua had only rice on one side.. I hate that when food is not mixed evenly . Flavor was not bad little bit on the dry side.. Chicken was definitely drier and didn't like the flavor of it.. But with the green salsa it made it taste little better. Cubana I have to say is one of the better of the three. More flavorful. But after all said and done Ieft there going.. Man I'm still hungry... Maybe I'll try some other dish one day.. But for today I left little disappointed. read more

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Met up with a friend for dinner and was pleasantly surprised! Sign on the wall said max capacity of 49 and it was filling up quickly. Several tables throughout, along with a high-top thru the center of the restaurant. Decided on the pernil empanada and the jalapeno ham popper empanada. Somewhat disappointed by the pernil--it was ok, but literally just meat. Needs some sauce or some...something/anything else in there! The ham jalapeno was delish, with the soft/warm cream cheese. The outside of the empanada was crispy, but soft on the inside--cooked perfectly. Salsa was chunky, avocado-y, and had some kick. Definitely helped with the pernil. Rice and beans were good, but nothing stood out about them. Plantains were well cooked and had great flavor. Went with the guava margarita--wow! Could definitely suck down a couple of those pretty easily! Seemed to be one server and one busser, so they were hustlin. Food came out in a timely manner and both were nice. Small parking lot behind an unassuming building, but lots of parking surrounding the restaurant. For the two of us, it was a total of $50--kind of steep. However, several more on the menu that sounded good, so will likely head back to try em out. read more

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Service and ambiance was amazing. The food was pretty good. I had the aroz colombiana which was tasty and had a lot of fresh shrimp. Their empanadas are pretty good but they did have some misses. I would get the cubana and jalapeño popper. The elote was not that great to be honest because the corn isn't crunchy but more mushy which isn't that pleasant read more

The savory and the sweet empanadas I had were amazing. They were well worth the drive. The crust was flaky and the chicken was moist. The Nutella banana was a favorite dessert empanada. We will definitely come back. read more

The food was good. I'm always safe when I'm unsure of spices so I went with cheeseburger, cubana, chicken and pbj. I enjoyed all of them but I'm a sucker for warm peanut butter. The sweet one was my favorite. My husband got the Jalapeño potato popper and the roasted pork. He enjoyed his plate. Our server was really nice and had recommendations for us first timers. We'll be returning for sure. read more

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Nice little empanada place with lots of options. I tried the combo appetizer($10), Republica chicken($4.24), boricua($4.50), jalapeño ham popper($4.50), and the dizzy fig($4.50). The orders take a very long time to come out after ordering, and we waited around 20 minutes for our food but all the food did come out at a nice, hot temperature. The combo platter is a nice mix of all the appetizers sans the fries. The cassava fries and tostones with the cilantro jalapeño ranch sauce are both hearty and good but they definitely rely on the sauce for the flavor. The maduros are very sweet and the crema sauce balances it well but it could be overwhelming for some. The chicken empanada started off very strong and had a great flavor. It had a good amount of chicken and the empanada itself also had a nice crispy texture. The boricua was also pretty good and the sauce was decent. It wasn't as good as the chicken for flavor but still solid. The jalapeño ham popper was okay. I was a little put off by it tasting similarly to the ham and cheese hot pocket. My least favorite of the bunch. The dizzy fig contains sweet dulce de Leche along with locally grown fig. It is pretty sweet with the fig to counteract it. The caramel flavor and the fig goes well together and makes for a nice finisher to a meal. Overall a decent restaurant for a light lunch with acceptable prices. Nothing really blew me away so I'd recommend if you have a strong empanada craving. read more

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Give me empanadas or give me nada! While I may not be a Guy Fieri fan or a Triple D fanatic, I gotta admit that he got it right with this place. You can taste the love in these empanadas. I got the Empanada Platter with The Greek and El Capitan. So tasty and fresh. Don't pass on the green salsa. I also ordered a Banana Cream empanada for dessert. Not one bad bite was had the whole meal. It was so good that I was left speechless. I'm glad I don't live near Downtown Mesa because I think Republica Empanada could be a problem for me. read more

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I think the food is okay here. The empanadas were not served with a sauce. The flavors are good, but not great. I think it is expensive for the portion. read more

Drove 30 mins to come check this place out! I have been craving my hometown Colombian food lately, so when I saw the menu, I knew I had to make the drive!! The place is right on the corner of 1st Ave & Hibbert and I love ambiance even walking up to the front door. Beautiful ivy canopy, water fountain, cacti & murals on all the walls. Inside is pretty spacious and clean, and I love all the little needlepoint art by the hostess stand. It took a few mins for the hostess to get to us but I think she's the only server here working as hostess as well (another server was helping later on). We opted to sit outside on the patio and were lucky enough to get the last table. There were 4 tables outside and 1 inside already occupied even with getting there an hour before close. The most gut wrenching news was that they were out of maduros. Besides the empanadas, I was looking most forward to the maduros!! It's ok, I still ordered the Combo Caribe so we could get yuca & tostones. Hubby ordered the empanada platter with one ham & cheese and one chicken/mushroom. I ordered the Republica chicken and the Pura Vida. The hubby said the ham & cheese empanada was what a hot pocket is supposed to taste like only this was better. The ratio of cheese to ham was spot on, it was warm and oozy yet the shell of the empanada remained crispy and flaky! The chicken mushroom was amazing. Chicken well seasoned and tender and the mushrooms & olives were complementary to all the flavors in the chicken and nothing was overpowering. And again the shell was perfect. The republica chicken was what I expected in a traditional empanada and it hit the spot. Chicken was tender and well seasoned and I love the juices from the seasoning dripping out all over. The Pura vida was actually my favorite and I don't like mushrooms! I loved how packed with veggies it was and they were perfectly tender-crisp. And like the hubby said, the shells on both were perfectly crisp and flaky. The yuca was crisp on the outside and chewy in the center as it should and I liked how they were cut like fries instead of the usual thick chunks I make. The tostones were delish as well but I usually prefer them a bit more salted. And of course we couldn't leave without ordering some sweet empanadas!! I ordered the guava & cheese (my fave growing up) and the hubby ordered the banana cream pie. The bubbles on the shell were everything! I knew it was going to be crisp, airy & gooey in the center just by the shell. The guava/cheese brings me back to my childhood so thank you for that! The banana cream pie was just that. A pie inside the shell that was warm and gooey and sweet. Perfect end to the meal. Needless to say, we enjoyed every bite and will absolutely be making the drive again. It was totally worth it!! Hopefully next time they have maduros!! read more

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Picked this place out of Yelp since it is close my hotel. I love the Yuca Frita but it comes with the huge portion. The waitress agreed to provide a few samplers since I order a platter. Arroz Colombians is almost like a Latin style of stir fried rice with a blend of shrimp and sausage in combination with tomato, achiote, celery, onion, bell pepper, carrot and cilantro. The top is garnished with avocado. The cilantro jalapeño ranch sauce come with Yuca was great as well. Yummy ! read more

Republica Empanada - Arroz Colombiano - Latin American Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Fantastic empanadas. Great atmosphere and setting. Very kind and helpful staff. This may be a spot I come to every time I'm in Mesa or near Phoenix. read more

I was very disappointed. Not because the empanadas were bad, but because they were sooooo average. Disclaimer: I'm from Costa Rica. Born and raised. So I have not only had great empanadas, but my grandmother (who was known as a master empanada maker) taught me how to make them and I've gotten pretty good at it. Another note is that empanadas are different in every Latin American country you visit. Empanadas in Guatemala are not the same as in Colombia. So be aware that one man's "yuk" is another's "yum!" Having said all that, these empanadas were just ok, hence the 3 stars. I've had better in a million places. These lacked flavor, the crust was hard and dull, and the sauce that came with them was not great. I was hoping for a fresh chimichurri, or a tangy or spicy sauce; something interesting to compliment the empanada. But I got a very boring sauce. I tried chicken, beef, pork, and a "banana cream" one. None of them were standout. I know restaurants are having a tough time right now, so I want to be positive and tell you that the empanadas were fresh. I thought they were ok. But maybe I'm picky, right? I've had such great empanadas on street carts and on the street in general. Empanadas that we're hot and greasy and tender and full of flavor. These were not them. I'll try it again...maybe. read more

As Puerto Ricans straight from the island, my girlfriend and I were excited to try this spot, especially when we saw an empanada called "Boricua" on the menu. We ordered that along with the "Pernil," "Republica Chicken," and "Yucca." The Yucca was the standout! Crispy, flavorful, and paired with a great dip. That was easily a 10/10. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal fell flat. The proteins were alarmingly pale, lacking the depth of seasoning we were hoping for. It seems like this place caters to a demographic that prefers things a bit milder... I'll leave it at that. The crust on the empanadas was good, but overall, the food didn't hit the mark. Safe to say we won't be coming back. If you're going to name something Boricua, STEP UP YOUR SEASONINGS! read more

This place has been on my list for awhile, having finally tried it I was very underwhelmed. I lived in miami and have been looking for some good empanadas, and this place isn't it. They're very expensive and not worth the high price. I was impressed by the fried plantains they were pretty good and I wish they'd given a couple more than two with the platter. The vibe inside was pretty cool and all the staff seemed pleasant and happy. read more

Went twice while I was in Mesa , food and drink were perfect each time. Service is great too !

This place is so good! Everything's very reasonably priced (a rarity these days) and you can taste every fresh ingredient. I can't wait to come back. read more

We stopped here after seeing it on Diners Drive-ins and Dives! It was an adorable little place with a fun atmosphere. Service was quick and the food came out hot! We got the special of the day - elote empanadas which were fantastic! I could've eaten several of them! For the table we ordered yucca fries and tostones. Both of which we would get again. If you've never experienced this type of cuisine, this is a good place to start! read more

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We love coming here even before keith lee LOL but joking aside this place has always been awesome! The staff are always friendly, the food is always great & fresh, served hot all the time! The place always feels very homie. I have always recommended this place to everyone i know! read more

Republica is located a block away from the heart of Town. It has fun painted walls in their parking lot. It is a small place with indoor seating and an outdoor covered patio. Staff are friendly and helpful. I had reviewed their menu before arriving and had decided which empanadas I wanted. I ordered the Republica Chicken, the Cheeseburger and the Pernil to go. I was told they would be ready in 10 minutes. While waiting I looked at the wall mural, several framed photos and some stitching on the walls. Customers on the patio enjoyed a nice meal and great weather. I asked about reheating the empanadas at home. They suggested to microwave them briefly with a damp paper towel covering. The meal came and staff reiterated the order and mentioned two green sauces were included. I asked how I would know the different orders. Staff package each empanada in a marked bag. Great thinking! We really enjoyed the empanadas. On your first bite, there is meat. The chicken was a bit spicy and good with green sauce. Hubby preferred the cheeseburger ground beef and cheese order to the Pernil (pork). Good eats and certainly different from our standard fare. read more

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How crazy are we that we live in Arizona and never heard of this place. Have we been living under a rock!!! Well we seen a recent TikTok. I'm sure you know which one we are talking about. If not check it out! So yess we decided to stop by! Yes there is a wait with a line out the door. So Please be patient and kind because the staff are busting their butts. All staff were friendly and A smile never left any of their faces. DJ on the patio playing music. Such a vibe! Now for the food A 10! We got a few items to share/Sample. The Cubana, Bean and cheese, Boricua, and the Nutella and banana. They were crunchy and stuffed with yummy goodness . The sauce added extra flavor that you didn't even know you needed. My toddler devoured the Nutella and banana. We were able to smell it imagine what it tasted like. Don't be us order extras. So glad we gave this place a try we will definitely be back to try some other menu items. The Arroz Con Pollo is calling my name. read more

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