Criollas | Baked Empanadas - Hell's Kitchen

Had a quick afternoon bite before a broadway show, their baked empanada feels healthy yet delicious! Love to visit again for a bite of sweets too! (I got Spinach with Chimichuri and such a great combo)

It's surprisingly difficult to find good empanadas (Argentine or otherwise) in Manhattan, so I'm really happy to have found Criollas, a legit Argentine empanada spot. The two must-tries are Malbec-beef and the ham and cheese, which are two very different experiences but both very good. The beef is a great size, the dough is great and the meat is tasty (get it with chimichurri). The Ham and Cheese is very creamy, in line with the Argentine style of empanada, but very different from what you'll find elsewhere in Latin America. I also tried the smoked chicken and the fungho, which were good, but not my faves I'll def be back to try all the rest.

Excellent, had beef, chicken, cheese and ham/cheese. All were excellent, made right on site. Small shop so no tables, just counter to order.

Good spot for a quick lunch or snack. The service is very attentive and nice. I got the beef empanada and a chipa. The beef is flavorful and juicy. However, it was a bit cold in the middle when i got mine. The chipa is delicious like a cheese ball. I would get a whole bag of those. Definitely recommend for a quick pickup. I would come back to try the other flavors.

My second time here - the place is great! My favorite empanadas here are beef amd spinach. Chipa is also really good! The atmosphere is welcoming and the staff is very friendly. Would definitely come back again when I am in NY

Now first let me say the flavors are fantastic. The service was helpful and friendly. The only thing that almost turned me off was the price point. For only 1 empanada is $6.15. Thankfully they do have special box prices that let you get 3 or 6 empanadas and a drink or two. The empanadas were delicious and filled to the brim. There was no half-filled with filling and the rest air. One empanada isn't much but three can get you through the day as a light lunch or a quick snack. If you do try this, I would recommend getting the box deal and trying the Argentine Malbec beef, the smoked chicken, or the Fugazzetta (4 cheese) empanadas. The desserts they had were all $4 a piece and very delicious and sweet. Definitely would be great with a strong espresso or bitter coffee to balance out. This is located in the underground market located at the 59th St-Columbus Circle train station for the A, B, C. D, AND 1 trains. Parking is very difficult in the area but there are paid parking garages. This location is a takeaway only but there are standing tables available near the shops for anyone to use. Cash and credit are both accepted. No public bathroom is available. 04/2024

This was the very first time I've tried baked empanadas. So delicious! Friendly atmosphere, very nice and clean place overall

The empanadas were salty y overpriced. They charged me $32.00 only for 4 empanadas and 1 alfajor.

Criollas Baked Empenadas stands out in this area of Hell's Kitchen. There's plenty of fast food, cafes and pizza joints - but empanadas? Very unusual and that instantly drew me in. Criollas is a medium sized space, but most of it is dedicated to the counter (there is a small amount of seating). Along the counter you see the empanadas and various baked goods. The place is very modern and clean looking but still manages to feel small and warm. I wound up ordering six to go (two of each flavor). Each empanada is shaped slightly differently so you can tell them apart. They are packed into a nice box but if you want sauces you have to pay extra. You can choose between a hot sauce which is smooth and tasty with some heat. The Chimichurri Sauce is fresh and gives each empanada an extra savory flavor. Here are the ones I chose: Argentine Malbec Beef Empanada (Juice grass-fed beef, olives and caramelized onions) One of the great things about baked empanadas is the lack of grease. The outer shell is beautifully baked and full of flavor. The beef was super tasty and I even liked the olive flavor (and I'm NOT a big olive fan!). If you're visiting for the first time this is a must try. Spinach & Cheese Empanada (Fresh spinach, mozzarella and onions) This is one of the classic empanada combinations and I really enjoyed it. The shell on this one was not as thick as the one used for the beef empanada but it held together just fine and tasted great. The spinach, cheese and onions were mixed perfectly so every bite got you all three flavors combined very nicely. Funghi Empanada (Shiitake, cremini, white mushrooms, onions and corn) This empanada is their vegan option. I am a BIG mushroom fan so this one really tempted me. Again, the shell had a different texture than the other two. It was thinner than the other two and a bit stretchier but it was great all the same! I really enjoyed both my visit and the food from Criolla's. Definitely check this out!

This place was amazing! The empanadas were fresh and delicious. The staff was great and answered every question with a smile. This small but adorable storefront was cozy and decorated beautifully. Definitely worth a trip.

I enjoyed the charming ambiance of Criollas empanadas, and the customer service was excellent, the lady that took our order at the register was so sweet and attentive. Unfortunately, the empanadas did not align with my taste preferences, and they were super overpriced - $18.00 for 3 empanadas and a water. I was really looking forward to the ham and cheese since it is my favorite, but this one wasn't good (imo) and also since they had already been baked prior they weren't hot, mostly warm. Would have been nice to get a fresh batch, overall cute place :)

Lovely above ground spot not far from the original in Columbus circle. Delicious argentinian malbec beef empanada that tasted fresh, savory, and wholesome ingredients. Alfador was crumbly, creamy and great little treat

Riquísimas las empanadas, sobre todo la de espinaca. Ideal para compartir en un evento de cumpleaños o reunión de trabajo. Las medialunas son excelente! Lo chicos son muy amables con la atención, explicando los sabores.