Boludo

"Chef Facundo DeFraia learned the secrets of Argentinian cuisine in his grandmother’s Buenos Aires kitchen, and after a stint on the west coast, he landed in Minneapolis, where he helped his friend Danny del Prado open Martina. In 2018, DeFraia struck out on his own and opened Boludo in south Minneapolis. The tiny Nicollet Avenue restaurant, styled with black and white tile and Argentinian mementos affixed on the walls, really does feel like a pizza and empanada shop straight from the avenues of Buenos Aires. The menu is succinct: DeFraia’s empanadas are crispy and densely flavorful, and the chewy pizza crust has a touch of sweetness that makes a dreamy complement to the tangy tomato sauce." - Eater Staff

"Grab a couple of empanadas or a diamond-shaped pizza for a lunch straight from the streets of Buenos Aires. Boludo’s ham and mozzarella-stuffed empanadas are perfect portable bites for a meal on the go, and the pepperoni pizza, some of the best in the city, is topped with generous globs of mozzarella and perfectly cupped pepperonis. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available too. Keep in mind that Boludo opens at 11 a.m. every day except Monday, when it opens at 5 p.m." - Justine Jones, Stacy Brooks, Eater Staff

"Argentinian chef Facundo DeFraia’s pizzas have a unique diamond shape, and the extra touch of olive oil and Maldon sea salt on the finished product sends them to the next level. The menu is slim but enticing in this tiny, counter-only spot. The Peras, made with slivers of ripe pear, gorgonzola, pine nuts, and fresh dill, is delightful marriage of sweet and tangy; the Campo combines savory chorizo and mushrooms. Multiple locations." - Alex Lodner, Eater Staff

"Devotees of Martina’s vaunted empanadas rejoiced when its progenitor, Facundo DeFraia, left to set up his own shop. His “Puerro,” a variety featuring creamed leeks and gorgonzola, remains on Martina’s menu and is on Boludo’s, too; it’s one of six Empanadas currently on offer at each of his two outposts in Minneapolis. And it’s as good as we remember: pastry is swollen and flaky while the filling is generous and satisfying. Multiple locations." - Jon Cheng, Justine Jones

"Chef Facundo DeFraia learned the secrets of Argentinian cuisine in his grandmother’s Buenos Aires kitchen, and after a stint on the west coast, he landed in Minneapolis, where he helped his friend Danny del Prado open Martina. In 2018, DeFraia struck out on his own and opened Boludo in south Minneapolis. The tiny Nicollet Avenue restaurant, styled with black and white tile and Argentinian mementos affixed on the walls, really does feel like a pizza and empanada shop straight from the avenues of Buenos Aires. The menu is succinct: DeFraia’s empanadas are crispy and densely flavorful, and the chewy pizza crust has a touch of sweetness that makes a dreamy complement to the tangy tomato sauce." - Eater Staff