Went there for dinner before watching a play at Broadway. The place was very busy and we didn't…read morehave a reservation but they had a table for us right away for 6 people. I would say that this was lucky cause the place was packed. Generally loud but you can still talk with people on your party. One of the first things I look for is if a restaurant serves you water when you sit and here they do and the waitress would often make sure we were topped off. That is something that is always appreciated and noticed by me. The food was generally good and service was fast. I tried various dishes and while great tasting nothing really stood out like lots of the reviews said and I tried a bit of everything that was recommended in the reviews. (Even ox tail empanadas which sounds weird but weren't bad). I think the biggest appeal here is that it's 24 hours so you know you always have a quality place to go to that is great. I would recommend it to anyone in the area but I don't know if I would go out of my way for it. I know that if I'm watching another play, it is a great stop for either before or after.

The place never disappoints!! The staff is so welcoming and friendly as soon as you walk in. The…read moreplace is decorated for Halloween and it's so fun! Our waiter was amazing. So friendly and fast! I ordered a blackberry margarita rice and beans with two empanadas, cuban and chicken. The empanadas were fresh and flavorful. The rice and beans were so good! The margarita was a perfect accompaniment for this meal. The portions are generous and you leave feeling stuffed!!

Beef empanada is very good, the meat filling is delicious & dough is perfectly done. Small business…read moreunderground at a subway station, small tables for dining in. Really good.

Really bummed to say I didn't love Criollas. As someone who grew up in an Argentine family eating…read morelots of empanadas and chimichurri, I was super excited to try Criollas. The Argentine empanadas was good and I would eat it again, but the "chimichurri" was so bland that I struggle to even call it chimichurri. I was excited about the spinach and cheese empanada as well, but I wasn't expecting it to be pure liquid inside that spilled out the bottom after the first bite. That was a bummer. My search for amazing Argentinean empanadas in the city continues!

Mmm delicious!! we all enjoyed what we ordered. I got the spinach & cheese and it was sooo good…read more Staff was friendly too. Would recommend!

I ordered Empanada Mama for a weekend lunch meal and it really exceeded my expectations…read more I got the two empanadas, rice and beans combo (chose the El Jefe and Shredded Chicken Corn). Both empanadas were hot and delicious. The El Jefe was my favorite, the meat was so tender and flavorful. The chicken was a little bit dry but taste was still great! I also got a Pollo Guisado as well. The stew was a bit too salty for me but otherwise the flavor was great and paired so well with the yellow rice. All in all, will definitely be ordering from Empanada Mama again in the future for a fast and tasty lunch option.

The kids who work here are friendly and competent, and it's definitely a place to grab a bite and…read moremove along. But don't let the casual vibe deter you. The empanadas are creative and next-level delicious. All ordering is online so better to put it in on your phone ahead of time.

I got the reggaeton which was delicious. I also got the pineapple juice which would be better in a…read morebottle versus a cup so that a straw isn't wanted. The service was ok, I ordered at the counter. The floor space was was littered with napkins but otherwise was a comfortable environment.

We found this spot snuggled around the corner in Times Square. We were immediately greeted and had…read moretime to browse as there was someone ahead. Very comfortable space and simple seating. The food was very good, my favorite was the Brisket style pulled beef. So delicious! At a very good price as well, around $5 each

Delicious options for vegetarians and vegans. The empanadas are a bit small for the price point but…read morestill worth it, and given the location really not that bad. The spinach and cheese empanada is rich enough for a small meal, while the funghi empanada is a lot lighter and better as a snack or maybe a meal if you order something else with it. A really nice find for good empanadas in this area and I'm glad Yelp brought me to it.

I just want to take a moment to give a shout-out to this restaurant and, especially, the amazing…read morestaff! Even though I had to wait a little longer than expected for my food, the experience was still really enjoyable because of how welcoming and down-to-earth everyone was. The employees were so cool, friendly, and easy to talk to. While I was waiting, I had a chance to talk with some of the staff, and one of them said something that really stood out to me: "We are one big happy family." And honestly, you could feel that energy! Everyone seemed comfortable with each other, and they made me feel comfortable too. Sometimes great customer service is about more than just how quickly your food comes out--it's about how you're treated while you're there. The wait was a little long, but the positive atmosphere, friendly staff, and genuine hospitality definitely made a difference. I appreciate businesses where the employees are down-to-earth and make you feel welcome. Keep that family energy going!

MANHATTAN | LOWER EAST SIDE…read more If you are an empanada lover, Empanada Mama is the motherland! With more than 40 varieties on the menu, every empanada arrives with that perfect golden crunch on the outside and a flavorful, generously stuffed filling on the inside. One is surprisingly filling, but good luck stopping at just one. The menu pulls inspiration from Latin, Colombian, Mexican, Greek, and other global flavors! Beyond empanadas, you will find arepas, soups, salads, Latin-inspired entrées, and plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. And then there are the drinks. We couldn't resist trying the slushy piña colada and the frosty nutcracker, and both were the perfect complement to our meal. Our original plan was to grab takeout and continue exploring the city. Instead, the staff welcomed Brie inside, pointed us toward happy hour specials, and suddenly our quick stop turned into a relaxing meal complete with half-price drinks. No complaints here! Leashed and friendly dogs are welcome indoors when it is not too busy and between the dog friendly atmosphere, incredible food, and endless menu options, it is easy to see why this spot has such a loyal following. Pro tip: Arrive hungry!

Like a lot of food establishments on the UES, everyone is getting delivery and if you walk in and…read moretry to dine in, your food order takes longer than the stacks of pickups that are being churned out even if you're getting something super simple like a small container of rice and beans. The dine in folks are never prioritized. I have enjoyed shakes, rice and bean combos, veggie and meat empanadas here. Today's service felt off because the air-conditioning wasn't working inside and it was at least 10 degrees hotter inside than the hot sidewalk. The middle-aged cashier/attendant had a hearing issue or was slow on the pickup because they entered my order incorrectly on the cash register and made me repeat everything 1-2 times (what? what?) or speak louder than I typically would. The food itself was fine but the avocado shake I ordered was not tasty at all. I am not sure if it was added ingredients, the quality of the avocado itself, the lack of ice or cold water in the mix but it was undrinkable. I asked for a refund because it tasted SO horrible I did not want another sip and the cashier gave me a look like that wouldn't be possible so I asked for ice but there was no saving the terrible shake. I returned to ask for a refund and you would think that I asked for something never heard before. The cashier said that I can step away because this is going to take awhile. They texted and called a manager and after awhile returned to tell me they couldn't reach that person. I don't understand why they can't issue refunds at point of sale. You have my credit card and the transaction number. After a longer wait, I finally insisted on some method of resolution and they gave me cash back. I generally like their food and would like to support this place but today was an off putting experience.

For $12 and change for an empanada and fruit milkshake, I actually was fuller than I expected to…read morebe. The light meal wasn't as light as I thought and that's a good thing. The empanada is thin, crispy shell served piping hot and stuffed with meat and cheese while the shake was thick, refreshing and perfectly tart. Service was efficient and the place was clean and bright, perfect for looking out the window and people watching.

It was our first time trying this place and it definitely did NOT disappoint. The steaks were…read morecooked exactly as ordered and they were seasoned perfectly. The sides were equally as good but could have been a bit bigger since they are labeled as "for 2 " people. We met the new owner and wished him nothing but success. We will definitely be back .

Casual restaurant with friendly staff, amazing empanadas, and great wine. Not only were the…read moreempanadas great but also the 2 homemade dipping sauces - I loved the one that was super spicy. Lots of bold Argentinian wines to select from that won't break the bank. Not only were the staff great but also the other customers were all Argentinian and clearly this was the "go-to."

Very cute little restaurant with absolutely spectacular food…read more Everything we tried was delicious. Service was great and we felt well taken care of. We celebrated coworker's birthday and it went a perfect place for the event. A must try place

We were seated upstairs where it was very cold and had no ambience. Service was just ok. Appetizer…read morecame fast but our main course took forever to arrive. Empanadas were ok. Rib eye was over cooked and nothing special and it was expensive! Prices are high especially when you consider the below average food, service and atmosphere. Based on this, we won't be returning.