I love getting the empanadas from here. They are authentic crispy fresh and gluten-free. I also…read morelove their salsa. Very good. Definitely recommend trying a few different ones. This restaurant offers walk in or to go and offers a lot of indoor seating options.

The woman who took my order behind the counter was just so friendly, and she had a smile the entire…read moretime we talked. After I placed an order for 2 empanadas, she pointed to a blackboard I had missed to let me know I could convert that to a lunch special which included a small salad and a lemonade, which I did. For a salad that, as far as I could tell was just lettuce, shredded carrot and dressing it was quite tasty, and I wonder what their dressing is. The lemonade was mango infused. I do not like overly sweet lemonade, and this had very little of the overt sweetness you might get elsewhere - all flavor. The empanadas are well made. Of the ones I tried today, I preferred the chorizo and cheese, which had a taste and texture of meaty and gooey. I had expected the chicken in the other empanada to be a bit firmer, until I remembered that it is more of a chicken stew. Both were very good, and I enjoyed both of the sauces that came with them. It's getting tougher and tougher to come to Galleria 7 and know what I want to get, all the choices are so tempting.

I have a new ideal for comfort food. It's the Arroz con Pollo lunch special from La Empanada Llama…read morein Albany. I wasn't having a bad day and I wasn't looking for comfort --but one bite of that Arroz con Pollo--and my day got even better. It's all in the seasonings which at times seem magical. The restaurant serves up Peruvian cuisine. I placed the takeout order by phone. The woman who answered was very nice. Of course, I had to try the empanadas, too. They were plump, hot and crispy. I ordered one beef empanada, which came with delicious light green cilantro sauce. I also ordered the Dulce de Leche empanada which was filled deliciously sweet gooey goodness. I also had a purple corn beverage called Chicha Morada. It was very tasty. The staff is efficient. My order was ready in 20 minutes. The restaurant is small, but you'll find there's seating for casual dining. There are two large toy llamas on display to "greet" you as soon as you open the front door. What an enjoyable lunch. I can't wait to visit again and work my way through the rest of the menu.

Food was alright! Took about 15-20 mins to get food after ordering. Parking is difficult. We…read moreordered a few different empanadas and unfortunately they mislabeled or the lid moved idk but their system of labeling on the lid didn't work for us. I'd like to suggest wrapping each in a labeled parchment or something to prevent this from happening again. Try the yucca fries and another suggestion to the restaurant or those ordering this is to offer pink sauce for these fries :) (mayo catchup and small splash of vinegar)

I have had these epanadas at three different events and they have ALWAYS been AMAZING!!…read more - And service with a smile!! Food and service are tops!!

If you're anywhere near the Troy Farmers Market on Saturday, do yourself a favor and seek out…read moreLidia's Empanadas on the top floor. I first encountered Lidia there, and even though it's about an hour's trek for us, we happily make the trip--honestly, as much as we enjoy the market, we mostly go for the empanadas. She has so many vegan and vegetarian options but also meat empanadas too. I was a vegetarian for many years... but not anymore, thanks to Lidia's. There are plenty of delicious vegetarian choices but I couldn't resist branching out. The pork and beef are excellent, and the chicken is probably my favorite--perfectly seasoned and so satisfying. And then there are sweet empanadas too. Ohhh mama! There was one that I think had cream cheese and caramel... that one absolutely knocked my socks off. I genuinely needed a quiet moment just to savor it. The empanadas themselves are wonderfully crispy on the outside and absolutely packed on the inside--no skimpy fillings here. Each one is stuffed with generous portions and really interesting flavor combinations, with different textures that keep every bite exciting. And I cannot forget the green sauce. Don't even get me started. It's bright, dreamy, and full of lime and cilantro flavor. I basically pour it onto my plate and use the empanadas as little sauce sponges until the plate is spotless. Another thing that makes Lidia's Empanadas so special is Lidia herself. When you look at her Instagram, you can't help but fall in love with her commitment to her family and her community. You can really see how that love pours directly into the food she creates. She's passionate about making delicious food, about creating a warm and safe space for children and families at the farmers market, and about sharing her beautiful family and culture with others. That pride and care come through in every single empanada--and somehow make them taste even better. Every time I tell myself I'll try a different vendor, I end up right back at Lidia's--and I have zero regrets. Totally worth the trip upstairs at the Troy Farmers Market. Absolutely delicious.

Absolutely Outstanding Colombian Food!…read more Hands down, some of the best Colombian food we've ever had! The restaurant is small but absolutely beautiful, with a warm, inviting atmosphere. And the music was amazing, it really added to the experience and made us feel like we were transported to Colombia. From the moment we arrived, John Eduard, the owner, and Valentina, our waitress, were absolutely fantastic, warm, attentive, and genuinely committed to making sure we had a great experience. I enjoyed the Bandeja Paisa and asked if they could substitute the flank steak for skirt steak. Even though it's not on the menu, they made it happen and it was absolutely delicious! My husband and son had the La Tabla Mixta for Two, and the meat was incredibly tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. And the desserts were to die for! Every bite was better than the last. The food, service, hospitality, atmosphere, and attention to detail were all exceptional. We will definitely be coming back every time we're in the area! Highly recommend this little gem to anyone looking for authentic, delicious Colombian food and a truly wonderful dining experience.

Yuca fried, lengua, and deep fried red snapper are my personal favorites to order. Their frozen…read moremargaritas are so great you can just tell they're not shy on vodka Mango margaritas are the best of everything I've tried. The staff are very friendly and they will explain the menu if you aren't familiar with the menu. The music and the margaritas combined, makes you wanna dance Don't sleep on their desserts too, tres leches and flan

Incredible spot for a delicious lunch! I stopped in on a…read moreweekday for lunch with a friend and was delighted to see so many tables and a fully stocked buffet that smelled amazing. You first choose your size: either the medium, which will run you between $8-10, or the large size for $11.50-13.50. I got the medium stewed chicken with yellow rice. They filled it to the brim and it was $10 - you cannot beat that! It was absolutely delicious. I got a bottle of water too and sat in their comfortable dining room. They had several different protein options: salmon, pernil (pork), stewed beef and more. There's definitely something for everyone. Do yourself a favor and stop in!

Can you guys stop selling those humongous steroid baked chicken that looks like turkey parts but…read morethey not cuz it's steriods..... And put some "whole" red beans in your red beans instead of red bean soup slop.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

They have really good empanadas. I wish they had a bigger variety though. I would definitely try…read moreall of them.

My wife surprised me by bringing me here because she knows I love empanadas. They are located in a…read moreside room accessible only by going through a gas station convenience store, and it has all the makings of being a big disappointment. BUT IT ISN'T! Though set up with only one large table and the blare of saxophone jazz music droning in the background, we were warmly welcomed by the Chef and her Uncle... a two person crew. They took orders and made empanadas from scratch while we waited. It was about 20 minutes for our food to arrive because they were busy, so ordering ahead wouldn't be a bad idea. Their menu is extensive and probably has several dozen types listed. She said she had 150 types that she rotated. Some are what I might consider "authentic" (jerk chicken, beef) and some are clearly inspired by other parts of the world (Italian meatball, Sesame chicken, Pot pie, etc.) My wife and I tried six, including two that were off the dessert menu. All were good, though a few standouts. The "Sweet and Spicy" chicken one was loaded with real chicken meat and a flavorful sauce that I couldn't pin down, but it was so delicious. The Sesame chicken was good but the sauce wasn't as pronounced. My wife ordered the Jerk chicken one mild which they called it "sweet jerk" (that could be a reference to me) and it was a great combination of jerk seasonings with some nice sweetness to round over the peppers' edges. We also ordered the "Nique" (with fried chicken, sweet yams, and macaroni and cheese) but sadly it got lost in the process and came out without the fried chicken. It was still good and they offered to remake it for free, but we moved on to other things. Their prices are about $4-6 per empanada which seems a bit steep compared to those from the freezer section. But these are so much better, and made to order. And, they have a deal ($15) that includes two empanadas, two sides (usually variations of rice, or vegetables, or mac and cheese) and a drink. Their drinks include a fruit punch that they make which includes real fruit in it, as well as fruity ice tea with the same thing. Not a bottled drink. I had the special with mac and cheese and french fries. The fries came with a seasoning that reminded me of cajon seasoning and lemon pepper seasoning, with some herbs too. I couldn't figure it out during the time I took eating my fries, which sadly went all too fast as they were very good. The mac and cheese was thick and stood up from the plate... not a creamy mass, but not bad either. Like church pot luck mac and cheese. For dessert, my wife had the strawberry cheesecake empanada and I had the peanut butter cup one (they have a special name... "Raj's" or something like that). Both were good, though I definitely liked mine more. It was loaded with peanut butter candy topping and chocolate sauce. We talked for a long time with the owner who was super friendly. Upon commenting that we wished she was closer to our house, she told us where her location was before this current one and it was about 5 minutes from where we live now. DOH! Oh well, we will be back. PS: I suggested she create one with salami/mozz/tomato sauce and call it the "Italian Stallion" (named after me, of course), but she said it was already on her menu. Drat!

Los Chamos ("the kids/the guys") is a Venezuelan restaurant on State Street. This stretch of…read moreSchenectady offers some diverse family-owned restaurants - Pakistani, El Salvadorian, Jamaican, etc., to name a few. In this case, the cuisine offered at Los Chamos is Venezuelan. Upon entering the establishment, I noticed a music/karaoke machine in the front corner. Tables were interspersed in the main area which surrounded a bar and ordering station. A preteen sat at one of the tables, playing on her phone. A young man worked the ordering station. Early on a Saturday afternoon, noticing a fridge with beers displayed, I ordered a Modelo and looked through the menu. I ordered a Chile Colorado and empanadas con pollo to go. Two things right off the bat - 1. First taste - It was good food. It was satisfying in a way that spoke of generational recipes rather than or despite culinary training. It is soul satisfying stuff. 2. If you can finish this meal in one sitting, good on you! Generous portions and the heartiness of the meal add to the "warmth" of the experience. A couple of details - the mayonnaise-based sauce for the empanadas was something I'd never tried before - lots of garlic, cilantro, a bit of water to loosen it, maybe some vinegar for acid...I liked it. The braised black beans had a little chili heat to liven it up. I'll definitely go back. I may not be fluent in Spanish or be knowledgeable about Venezuela but I find the food to be inviting and soulful.

My wife and I have been there twice! It is outstanding with its fresh homemade ingredients and…read moreservice! Prices are great! This place ,in my opinion , is one of the best in Schenectady!

On this visit to Encebollados El Idolo, I brought along my daughter who is always interested in…read moretrying new foods. We decided to try Bandera or flag. It's a rice dish featuring a combination of beef tripe, tuna, goat and shrimp, inspired by the yellow, blue and red colors of the Ecuadorian flag. It was a big dish that was priced at about $28. We decided to share it. It was the first time I had tripe or goat. The tuna was cooked through. It was very fishy but I think it was intentionally so. The shrimp and plantain were great. The dish was nicely prepared and beautifully plated but I never would have been able to finish it alone. Our server was a friendly young woman, who came back a couple of times to make sure we were okay. It helped that we knew some Spanish. The restaurant has plenty of seating and was clean. My daughter was so happy to eat such an authentic dish. She looks forward to coming back.

Food was sooooo good. Portion was huge! Great value for price, I think I got at least 3 or full…read moremeals out of it. The one pet peeve I had is I ordered from the printed menu, 2 items. 1 was listed at $19 and the other at $22. My bill was $58. I don't know if the menu was old or what happened, but it was more than I expected. I'll try it again.

El antojó de comida auténtica me llevo 40 minutos a Albany. El sabor de la carne era súper rico y…read morefresquito . Muchas gracias!! The craving for authentic food took me on a 40 minute drive to Albany. I can't.. the flavor and freshness of the Burrito was soo good! I'll be back again y prontito!

Food was good for the price!! We got the chips and guac which was really flavorful and burritos…read morewhich were really hearty but could use more flavor! Everything was really well cooked so definitely a good place for take out at home!

I love a grab and go buffet. This one has a lot of different options to choose from. I have only…read moredone grab and go but there are seats there to dine in. The place is a bit on the smaller side but looked well kept. The workers were nice every time that I went in! I loved the fruit punch, collard greens, and fish! The macaroni and cheese was a bit on the bland side but as a mac lover I still get it every time. Prices are based on weight if it's takeout. I felt the price was great for the value. Went back again soon after my first visit and recommended to friends! Great place if you're indecisive or just in the mood for a yummy variety.

I litterly ate the plastic fork...... yes it was that good…read more I don't write reviews at all. Shrimp and meats are nicely sautéed and warm, good quality for an all you can eat. Staff is very helpful and the place is very clean