Ryan T.
Yelp
If you're on the hunt for a true hidden gem in the Sunset, Chalos is the spot. The empanadas are hands down the highlight here--authentic, flavorful, and made with a lot of love.
The experience started off on such a warm note. We were greeted by two people (later found out they're the owners) as soon as we walked in. They were super welcoming and friendly, and the guy took the time to educate us about the empanadas and the culture they come from. It's always cool to see people so passionate about what they do--it made us appreciate the food even more. And now we can pass that knowledge on to whomever. We basically followed what they used to do in his home country, where you get a variety of empanadas and you just pick at each and share amongst your tribe holding with a napkin.
We tried a variety of empanadas, and honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them. But let me tell you--the Carne Dulce? Addicting AF. It's the perfect mix of savory and sweet that keeps you coming back for more. We started with one, and by the time we finished, we knew we needed more for the road. Yes, we ordered extras to-go, and no, we don't regret it.
Now, about the empanada crispiness--man, these things are on another level. The outer crust has that perfect balance of golden, flaky crispness that holds together just right with every bite. It's not too thick, but it's sturdy enough to keep the filling in without falling apart. The moment you bite into it, the crunch hits, and you get that satisfying contrast to the tender, flavorful filling. It's a textural masterpiece.
The vibe here is super chill too. They've got a nice indoor seating area and a cozy outdoor space with window seating where you can soak up that vitamin D while you snack. Perfect for a sunny SF day.
5/5 stars--Chalos is a must-visit if you're in the Sunset and for empanadas.