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    The Empanada Spot

    4.8 (444 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order The Empanada Spot Takeout or Delivery

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    THE EMPANADA SPOT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Quesobirria empanada - I didn't want the consummate to dip it in, but the dark red salsa is the better one for this flavor!
    Ona R.

    I wanted to try something new but also only get something that wasn't gonna be too heavy on my stomach and it did not disappoint with the quesobirria empanada and the churro cheesecake empanada. Since I dyed in both were brought to the table with the trio of salsa and the red one that's a little chunky was my favorite. A gentleman offered me a bottle of water cause he said this also might be a little hot and that was very kind of him. Both the empanadas came out fresh, hot and we peer deliciousness. The crust on the outside was amazing just like both of the feelings. The quesobirria was delicious and the meat was well seasoned- I will definitely have to make that a frequent stop when I'm in the area either for sweet treat or something savory. It's a nice little establishment with some tables on the inside and some chairs on the outside.

    churro
    Brianna B.

    As an empanada obsesionada this spot had been on my radar for a while, I just never got around to actually stopping by. It was recomended by many and I understand it now because I am now telling you to go and try it for yourself. The highlight of the show for me was rhe Rajas con Queso & Corn! O.M.G The bean and cheese was good and the dessert ones were good as well. The churro one was delish! The service was quick, the food came out hot and fresh. We went later in the day so there was ample seating available. The salsas they give you all 10/10. The agua de piña was a 1000/10. Because I participate in Lent I only got to try the non-meat options. Once I am able to, I want to go back and try all their other ones and update my rating to reflect my experience with more of their empanadas. Happy Eating!

    Chicken pot pie-delish!
    C C.

    Amazing empanadas! I had the chicken pot pie. The chicken was tender, the filling was creamy, crust was crispy on the outside and flaky inside. Everything was hot and tasty! Accompanied by 3 salsas, my fav was tomatillos. Great quality for such a tiny spot. Love the artwork.

    Order

    Okayyy... I definitely underestimated how good these empanadas were I ordered 2 quesobirria, 1 chorizo con papa, 1 churro cheese, and 1 Nutella & banana because I wanted to try a little bit of everything. Well... after eating them, I immediately ordered ANOTHER quesobirria and another chorizo con papa. The quesobirria was SO good--juicy, cheesy, flavorful... literally had me going back for seconds before I even finished the first order. The chorizo con papa was also and had so much flavor. And the sweet ones were a nice surprise! The churro cheese was delicious, and the Nutella & banana was perfect if you have a sweet tooth.Basically, I came here planning to "just try it" and left knowing I'll definitely be back. 10/10, highly recommend! Service was great, fast and the staff was bilingual. ( unfortunately I only have 1 photo and that's me eating them )

    Best empanadas I've had, Costilla De Puerco, bean & cheese are my favs & get that Birria Broth to dip them in it's real good
    Andy M.

    Best Empanadas in SD hands down! Chile De Puerco is my fav but don't sleep on the Bean & Cheese especially when you dip it in the Birria broth they have. Birria De Queso also good, the Chicharron one is a hit too, especially with the Nana & Tatas, so bring them they'll love it, they have that old school Mexican flavor the Chicharon, Chile De Puerco & Bean one. They have others that I plan to try & a nice mix & match special if you buy a dozen. The taste to the empanadas is amazing with the breading baked to a perfect crisp & always fresh. The salsas they have are fire! Desserts/sweets they have are good too. It's a cute little shop with a few tables inside & out with a lot of parking. The customer service is very good, friendly, fast & polite. They actually gave me 2 Chile De Puerco by accident instead of one being the bean & cheese one but it was ok I ate it & went up to buy the bean one she nicely said another one? I said oh no you guys mistakenly gave me 2 Puerco ones but it's ok it's my fav so I ate it. She smiled & said, it's ok this one is on us & I'm sorry. Now that's great customer service. Me & the fam plan to come back for sure, they have loyal customers in us. And a tip, they have a great new Coffee Shop next door so you can buy & have some coffee with your amazing Empanadas, see you soon Empanada Spot.

    Michelle P.

    * Fast service * Great service * Tasty food *causal ambiance This is a hidden gem in Chula Vista! I've been here a few times and the empanadas are always fresh and made to order. They also have more options now compared to the last time I visited especially more dessert flavors, which has me excited to come back and try more. Today we tried the rajas con queso, chipotle chicken, are super cheesy and the churro cheesecake (a must-try ). and flavorful! Just a heads up they come out SUPER hot, so be careful on that first bite . The spot is clean and there's plenty of parking. FYI as for napkins! Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

    Hot sauce was amazing
    Eric S.

    Pulled up to this empanada spot with 2 of my homies. These empanadas were crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside the kind where you gotta pause mid-bite and say Ggggyyyaaaaat! We ordered the dozen option (pro tip) so everyone got 4 each, and honestly that's the move. Perfect for sampling without fighting your friends over the last one. They also give you hot salsa/sauces if you eat there. I got the Birria, pot pie, OG and Churro empanada. I love that there are hella options, so no matter your vibe savory, cheesy, sweet you're covered. Everything came out hot, fresh, and cooked right. See ya soon!

    Chicharron empanada
    Jose A.

    The chicharron empanadas was tasty and crunchy even after the drive home in a hot steamy box. The cashier who attended to me in the morning was friendly and polite. I rate places by asking myself would I go back, and the answer is no! For $5.17 for a tiny empanada that's pretty much high way robbery! Not worth it in my books.

    John A.

    Came out with the wife and in-laws for some breakfast. Very good empanadas. Chill vibes & good service. Salsas are always good.....

    Silvano G.

    The Empanada Spot is literally the spot for empanadas! The make them per order so you know it's fresh and hot! Service was good order taker was helpful and friendly! Ambiance was good. Enough space to sit and eat a dozen if you dare! Check them out and get the chicharrón one!

    Phamhong G.

    Worth it to try if you're in the area. Good customer service. We ordered a dozen and our favorite was the Quesabirria. I also enjoyed the pepperoni one, it tasted like a fancy hot pocket and had plenty of pepperoni. The empanadas are a little overpriced but a good size. The 3 salsas are all AMAZING and definitely add to the flavor of the empanadas. $6 is very steep for an agua deluxe..basically an extra $2.50 for a chamoy candy rim. The main negative I have is that you have no idea what you're biting into and basically have to guess based on the ingredients listed on the menu. I wish they added toothpicks with little signs or something to each empanada that indicate which one is which, but I guess the surprise is part of the experience. I'd come back if I needed a quick snack and to also try the dessert empanadas.

    Riley S.

    Supppeeerrrrrr excited that starting this year they open early !! I'm always craving these fire ass empanadas but work alllwwaaayyysssss gets in the way :( today we went in for some coffee and their " OG BREAKFAST SANDWICH " bomb. Basically a whole breakfast plate inside a sandwich !! Super bomb. Affordable and filling !! Super happy this sandwich legit had me full all day until dinner time so thank u guys for opening early. The coffee shop next store is fire !!

    Mural commissioned through local middle school
    Maniel D.

    Amazing empanadas! Alejandro greeted us with a smile and "thank you for being here!" Super sweet and friendly! Nice decorations as well beautiful mural!

    Cute wall

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    5 months ago

    the empanadas was crispy and good. The OG i didn't enjoy at all. Service was quick and multiple salsas.

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    3 months ago

    Best empanadas ever! I tried with my sister who absolutely loves this place and definitely did not disappoint!

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    House Of Cuban Flavor

    House Of Cuban Flavor

    4.6
    (994 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Food: 5/5 Portions: 5/5…read moreAtmosphere: 3/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Customer service: 5/5 Speed: 5/5 Price: $ Takeout: yes Outdoor seating: yes ADA access: yes Dogs: outside Kid Friendly: yes Vegetarian options: yes Vegan options: yes Ambiance: casual Pros: authentic Cuban food. Friendly staff. Affordable prices. Cons: the parking lot is a little sketchy so be careful where you park.

    The last time I visited this business, it was still called Los Pollos Rotisserie and Cuban Bakery…read more That shows you how long it has been because House of Cuban Flavor has been the name for more than a few years now under the same ownership. It's located in one of the middle suites between an auto parts store and a supermarket in an Otay strip mall of Chula Vista. Parking was plentiful as there were way more spaces in the lot than customers even at peak hours. There were a few tables placed on the sidewalk in front of the suite, but no seating was available inside. The coffee making station was to the right when you walked in. To the left of the service counter were glass displays containing the baked goods and desserts. Four small menu boards hung behind the counter. From left to right, the category on each board was Sandwiches, Cuban Specialties, Plates & Combos, and Bowls. Several trays in the display case were empty during my afternoon visit. The cashier ensured me that nothing was sold out. Items that were not displayed still could be ordered and made fresh by the kitchen. The Cuban Specialties were broken down further into Stuffed Potato Balls, Empanadas, and Pastries. Each offering cost $2.45 regardless of its composition. That was disappointing because I have encountered similar bakeries in which there were similar choices for less than $2 apiece. My order started with one of each of the potato balls (meat, spicy chicken, jalapeno & cheese) including a variety that wasn't listed (spicy pork). These were fried and then placed inside a cardboard takeout container. Each of the four had a slightly different color and/or texture to distinguish them from each other. The size was slightly smaller than a tennis ball. The meat filling was my favorite because it had the least heat as the other three contained noticeable spiciness. I also bought a meat empanada, a guava pastry, and a mango & cheese pastry. The pastry dough was light and flaky. The portion size was less impressive for $2.45. I recall when some of these were sold for one dollar less so the value has decreased over time. The fruit flavor of the guava and mango respectively was sweet but not over the top. For this recent experience at House of Cuban Flavor, I gave a 3.5 star rating.

    Photos
    Inside: display area
    Inside: display area
    Half of gauva pastry
    Half of gauva pastry
    Exterior seating

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    Exterior seating
    La Concha Bakery

    La Concha Bakery

    4.2
    (307 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$
    Grab-and-go
    17 years in business

    La Concha Bakery is one of my all time favorite panaderia's. Located in the heart of Chula Vista,…read moreit is a family-owned bakery that specializes in traditional pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), and custom cakes! Known for their fresh, daily-baked pastries, it features a self-service (tray-and-tongs) experience in a clean, welcoming environment! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Always making great recommendations for their customers! Parking can be a bit tricky with very few spaces available. Pricing is somewhat higher than it used to be, but then again so is everything else (like gas, lol). They have a great selection of conchas, polvorones, fresh bolillos, empanadas (chicken, beef, jalapeño cream cheese), and custom cakes! Typically, I get the empanadas de piña 10/10! They're so freaking delicious! They feature a golden, buttery, and flaky crust that shatters perfectly when bitten. Inside, they're filled with a rich, jammy pineapple filling that balances bright, tropical sweetness with a sharp, fruity tartness! Highly recommended!

    I came in for the first time during Día de los Muertos and honestly the experience was a mix of…read morehighs and lows. The moment you walk through the door, the smell of fresh baked pan hits you and it is everything. The selection of pan dulce and bolillos had me feeling like I was back in Mexico City. So many options, beautifully displayed. That part alone almost made the trip worth it. But the customer service... yeah, I'm not the only one who noticed. I asked the lady at the register in Spanish if there was any chocolate pan de muerto and she completely ignored me. Like, didn't even look up. Just called someone from the back in Spanish, which, mija, I understood every word. The girl who came to help me was a little better but not much. She told me the chocolate pan de muerto was sold out, which fine, I get it, it was a holiday. But that's literally all you had to say. No smile, no "sorry we're out," nothing. Just took my money and that was that. The panadería itself deserves five stars. The staff needs some work. I'll probably go back for the pan because it really is that good, but I'm keeping my expectations low on the service side.

    Photos
    La Concha Bakery
    La Concha Bakery
    La Concha Bakery
    La Concha Bakery

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    Valerio's Bake Shop

    Valerio's Bake Shop

    4.5
    (343 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $
    46 years in business
    Family-owned & operated

    Another spot if you're craving Ilocos Empanada and looking for Filipino pastries and breads…read more I bought (to-go) the last two (2) empanadas at around 9:15 a.m. An easy option with no pre-order needed and no limited days availability. Crunchy and full of delicious fillings. Love the vinegar dipping sauce too. This is where we buy our regular pandesal and cheese pandesal. We will try their drinks next time when I'm with my wife since they have a café now inside.

    Very disappointing experiences. I stopped by a few weeks ago after getting food next door and…read morepurchased some stuffed filled breads. I walked up to pay with no one up front and the cashier ignores me and then begins to help another customer that walked up behind me. I had two items and was already waiting to pay. Not saying anything to me the cashier continues to help the other customer and takes about 10 minutes. Figure I'll be nice and wait. The bread was okay. Nothing special. Today, I decided to stopped by again after getting food next door. This time there was a different cashier and no one is paying. I quickly grabbed one item and walked up to pay. Again the cashier ignores me and helps someone else that walks from behind me. While helping me, the cashier gives back my change and it falls all over the place. No word from the cashier. I don't get it. Do these cashiers have no manners or being rude is their way of customer service. The first time they ignored me to help an old Filipino man. The second time they ignored me and helped an old Filipino woman. Very rude in my opinion. I was going to walk out but decided to stay. I even kept my mouth shut even after the cashier spilled my change. I bought their pineapple cheese bread. Figure I'll give it a try. Got home and noticed it was half soggy. Chunks of cream cheese and pineapple spread. Not good at all. I will not be going back to this place. Rude cashiers who think they can just ignore people and give favors to other customers. When you give money back to customers especially coins, why not put it in their hands instead of dropping it into their hands. Better yet, why not take off your stupid gloves when dealing with money. Whoever the owners are, I hope you address this with your staff. Better yet, get rid of them. Your bakery won't last long with this type of customer service and mediocre food.

    Photos
    EmpanadValerio's Chicken Empanada a flaky Filipino pastry stuffed with savory well-seasoned chicken fillinga
    EmpanadValerio's Chicken Empanada a flaky Filipino pastry stuffed with savory well-seasoned chicken fillinga
    Cheese rollsValerio's Cheese Roll a soft and buttery Filipino bakery pastry filled with rich melty cheese inside
    Cheese rollsValerio's Cheese Roll a soft and buttery Filipino bakery pastry filled with rich melty cheese inside
    Valerio's Spanish Bread also called Seniorita Bread, a soft roll with a sweet buttery filling inside

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    Valerio's Spanish Bread also called Seniorita Bread, a soft roll with a sweet buttery filling inside
    Paraná Empanadas

    Paraná Empanadas

    4.0
    (478 reviews)
    12.3 mi
    $

    I love empanadas and have had these empanadas before when at Pacific Beach open market…read more I kind of stumbled on this place and immediately I knew I wanted some empanadas! Empanadas are stuffed turnovers, originally from Spain and Portugal, and eaten widely across South America, including Argentina, Paraguay and also eaten in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Phillipines too. They are a delight and delicious! This spot is an Argentinian place and I got 3 empanadas. They have many different stuffed options and I chose a beef, mushroom and spinach as my three. I asked how spicy the spicy beef one is and the very nice lady working said it was about 5/10, so I passed. She said it wad spicy, unfortunately, I cannot handle too spicy. So far, I have eaten the beef and spinach one and like them both. I was given chimichurri sauce, but I dont think I like this version, its a little too lemony for me. I like a more parsley forward chimichurri and this one too sour for me. For 3 empanadas, it was about $11, which isnt too bad! The empanadas are delicious and I will def be back again and again!!

    I really like the empanadas here. I do not like fried empanadas so to me these are close to…read moreperfect. I like the texture of the baked dough and usually these are filled pretty full. I prefer the spinach, mushroom and beef empanadas. I tried the Malbec beef but it was too mushy and sweet for me. I'll stick with the traditional one, with olives. I lived in S. FL and baked empanadas are everywhere and usually were $1.50 each (now maybe $2.00-$2.50) so it does bug me to pay $4.00 for an empanada. On the other hand, they make a great snack or meal, depending on how many you get. And they are not as easy to find here, especially baked, so I'll keep coming to Parana.

    Photos
    Great service!
    Great service!
    Malbec Beef Empanada
    Malbec Beef Empanada
    Paraná Empanadas

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    Jochi Resto Grill

    Jochi Resto Grill

    4.1
    (309 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I've been coming to Jochi for years but have never done a review and it's long overdue. My go-tos…read morefor Filipino food for sure in San Diego are a certain place in Nat'l City that has a "Kitchenette" and Jochi. As far as Jochi I've never been disappointed with their food. Everything has always been delicious. I think the key to a Filipino joint is the turnaround of food. Usually there's a line of people waiting to get their food so the cooks are always churning out freshly cooked food. The key is to not have the food just sitting for a long time and that is the case at Jochi. For this recent trip I got a plate that includes either rice or pancit and 2 items. I got half and half of rice and pancit an pinakbet as my 1st item and sisig as my 2nd. Both the pinakbet and sisig here have always been some of my favorites. Both are full of flavor and never disappoint. Also, Jochi's portions are always huge! This day I ate at the restaurant and for sure I had leftovers. I almost forgot to mention that I asked for a complimentary sabow (soup). It's the soup from their sinigang. As they ladle the soup into the container they sometimes (usually) includes chunks of pork which is very much appreciated. Jochi will always have a customer in me. Also, whenever I need a bunch of anything for a party like lumpia, empanadas, pancit, sisig, or anything else I always go to Jochi.

    Lumpia's are delicious and hits the spot. Even if you preorder over the phone days in advance,…read moreyou're still probably going to wait a bit when you pick it up.

    Photos
    Food display
    Food display
    Lumipia 7/15/26
    Lumipia 7/15/26
    Outside

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    Outside

    The Empanada Spot - empanadas - Updated August 2026

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