"You’ll have to twiddle your thumbs a bit after ordering at Empanadas Cafe, a small takeaway counter in Corona. That’s because they’ll take the time to bake or fry your empanadas to order. The 10-minute wait is well worth it. These hot, crispy, and colorful empanadas are stuffed with fillings ranging from classic—like spiced ground beef and cheese—to some more interesting ones, like sweet plantains and cheese, or the Hawaiana, which has ham, cheese, and pineapple. This Colombian family business has been around for over 20 years, and if you live in the neighborhood you should probably be grabbing food from here once a week. If you don’t, it’s a fantastic spot to get a couple of inexpensive bites before a day at Citi Field, or walking around Flushing Meadows Park. Food Rundown Beef and Cheese Gooey and slightly spiced, this basic empanada should be a part of every order. We prefer this one in a corn shell. Maduro Y Mozzarella Sweet with banana’s foster-esque plantains, but balanced with salty cheese, this empanada also deserves a consistent spot in your rotation. A bubbly, blistered wheat shell holds it all together. Brócoli So many empanada spots have a spinach and cheese option, but Empanadas Cafe is different. They’ve got broccoli and cheese, fried inside a Dr. Seuss-like green empanada shell. The fluffy texture of the broccoli florets works nicely." - Will Hartman
