Empanada's Place

I was craving empanadas and stumbled upon this place. It was a Saturday and I found parking easily in the adjacent lot but there was plenty of street spots open as well. The staff were so friendly. It’s cash only but there’s a gas station with an ATM across the street. The food came out within ten minutes and it was so fresh. I absolutely loved the flavors of each empanada I ordered plus there were plenty of vegetarian options for my friends. I will definitely be coming back!

Great food and exceptional service! Shane greeted me immediately and I felt right at home there :) The homemade empanadas were very filling and tasty. The dessert cookie was special. Will be returning, highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Shane for a wonderful experience!

Great service and excellent food. Empanadas are enormous lol here. I will definitely be back.

You can taste genuine Empanadas here. I recommend ordinary one and spicy chicken one. The master was kind and gave us the macarons for free since maybe there was no other customers at that time (but don't demand it). Note: Cash only

Best empanadas in LA! I'm picky when it comes to empanadas: the dough, the fillings and how it's cooked... these are top notch the best ones. They're big! so the price is fair for the size and quantity. also you can tell they fry them in the moment

Authentic, welcoming over 40 years serving the community. Owner/ operator. Cash only. Not only are the empanadas huge, delicious, savory & crispy. The Milanese sandwich was Amazing & the chimichuri THE BEST in L.A.

This is a family owned and run little hidden gem in Mar Vista, I can’t believe I haven’t been there before! I had the Arabe empanada and the Spicy Cheese empanada with Chimichurri sauce on the side. They were both delicious! The owner was very kind and sweet, he gave me a complimentary Alfajor that was insanely good. I’m definitely going back to try more of their food and drinks. PS: Make sure to bring cash because they don’t accept any other payment method!

Absolutely amazing empanadas! It’s cash only, but completely worth it. This place is run by the sweetest man who goes out of his way to make sure you enjoy everything. 10/10

I've been coming here since I was in high school. I have so much love for this place. The owners are so sweet and the place always has that homey vibe. I know people are complaining about their price increase, but I'd rather pay this price to support this local business compared to chain restaurants. Empanadas are always delicious!

Delicious empanadas! All of the options we purchased were super flavorful and flaky, but I was especially blown away by the criolla and the potato and cheese. I was a bit surprised by the price, but I also acknowledge that this might be necessary given the realities of inflation right now. I was extremely grateful for the server's kind offering of a free empanada to try since it was my first time! Note that the store is cash only, which, while being right next to a gas station with an ATM, was still quite inconvenient. Definitely a bonafide mom and pop store, but worthwhile for a hearty lunch or takeout (note that the shop is not open past 7pm and closes at 6pm on Sundays). They also have alfajores (which I hear are delicious!) and an assortment of Argentine products, including mate and tea supplies! I look forward to returning.

The go to for the best empanadas around - been coming here for over 30 years and it's hardly changed from the food to the decor - but why should it - the empanadas are still cooked to perfection - piping hot fillings and perfect crunchy outside fried doughy pockets. And the secret dipping sauce, gosh I think I could just drink that stuff it's soo good. Each one is quite a good size but I like to eat two. This place is like a time warp and never disappoints! Come! Enjoy!!

Wow what a hidden gem! This has to be the best empanada spot I've ever tried. Tons of vegetarian and vegan options everything made fresh to order! Most places always have that frozen taste to their empanadas but not here. Rocky the owner is also super friendly. I love this place I'll definitely be back

Empanadas are the best, and the owner here knows from empanadas. And they even have Argentinian grocery delicacies, like Dulce de Leche. I'm headed there now.

The food was amazing crispy with so many flavors and our server gave us free cookies at the end i'm definitely going to go here again

Literally the only empanadas I'll eat. Criollo and arabe are my faves, but their other ones I can vouch for too considering the folk I'll see crowd that tiny storefront. Don't skip on their lunch special either (2 empanadas and a sizable salad). And be sure to bring cash.

Small family owned place with a cozy small interior consisting of 5 bistro type tables for 2 people inside and 2 outside. Most people probably get to-go since the place is so small. But this place is on legit. Flaky and crispy outside crust, delicious fillings. Empanadas cost more but they are also a little bigger. We tried three Empanadas while we were there and took home another dozen. Dont expect superior service. The people are nice but it is one of those mom and pops so they are "realistic" and it's CASH ONLY! Free parking on the left side of restaurant when facing it.

Been going here for 13 years but WAY less as of late.. empanadas were $3.00 back in the day. I understand inflation but at what point do you cap the price of an empanada? $7.30 is absolutely robbery for something no bigger than a dollar. Sadly this is no longer feasible.

A long-time, family-run establishment, Empanada's Place is the answer to all things Argentinian food, and I'm glad I got to try some incredible empanadas! The empanadas don't come cheap, but each is humongous and very filling. I had the spicy beef and spinach cheese, and I really enjoyed the fried and flaky crust, as well as the tender, flavorful beef and creamy spinach cheese inside. I'd go back to get more, should the empanada cravings hit!

Ordered 4 beef empanadas Hot and Crispy outside and a great mixture of beef and stuff on the inside. What a great meal

Really amazing authentic Argentinian empanadas!!! Go there and get a mixed box of all

Yo benia aquí ace 10 años!!! Mesa mucho gusta de pasar y saber que todavía están estables!!! This place is family owned! The best pastelitos Argentinos que e probado afuera de Argentina!! Todo es sabroso y con mucho sabor! I recommend this place 100000000% They will not disappoint! Can't wait for my family to try them.

The empanadas I tried were delicious! Each empanada is generously filled and full of flavor. Spicy chicken is shredded chicken with tomatoes, onions, and peppers (reminded me of chicken tinga). Arabe is ground beef with onions and spices (lemon flavor is bright and balanced). Spinach is the best and not overpowered by cheese. Despite being fried, they weren't oily. The crust seals in the juices and flakey. Raffi, the owner, was so sweet to offer me an alfajore on the house! He made sure I was taken care of without doting too much. He offered to go containers in case I wanted it, and their spicy sauce (like a very liquidity salsa). He suggested other breakfast options like Jelly Donut and YumYum (he recommended their ham and egg sandwich and gave an approving whistle). The space is incredibly cute and well-kept. The walls are adorn with pictures, little knickknacks from Argentina, and beloved plants make the space appear more welcoming and personable. Even the table linens matched the winter holiday season! I came in as they opened and waited a little less than 15 minutes for my order. $7/empanada is steep but well worth it. They are cash only, so please remember to tip!

I grew up with this spot. It's been around since before I was born and it remains my favorite spot in the area for empanadas. I always get the chicken or spicy chicken with extra jalapeño juice on the side and the quality has always been consistent. I usually order take out but on the occasions that I do dine in the service is consistently good as well and you never have to wait long for your order. The environment is very cozy , nostalgic and peaceful just as it was when I was a kid. Prices have definitely gone up since then but it's not bad for what you get. If you're ever in the area and want a quick comfort meal then be sure to call in and place an order for the Combo Special which is 2 Empanadas of your choice and a salad but if you're absolutely starving then I'd recommend adding an extra empanada to your order. It is CASH ONLY here so that's something to keep in mind, don't pass up on this spot and don't forget to request jalapeño juice for your empanadas especially if you get chicken, it's a game changer!!

Great Food Great Service Great Ambiance See Roque, he'll take good care of you! I'm done with my review but they're asking for more characters, happy now?

This place has been around for decades, and for good reason. The empanadas are authentic, with lots of tasty choices, and fairly priced. Our go-to restaurant for empanadas.

I've lived up the street from this place for 4 years and finally made my way in. The owner is extremely nice and welcoming. I ordered 2 empanadas - spicy beef and picante. Picante was truly the highlight! Really delicious poblano pepper and cheese with other flavors. They even give you a special sauce to try. The breading/crust is so flakey and perfect. Will definitely come back. Cash only but there is an ATM next door. Check it out!

If I were you...and you have never experienced Empanada's Place, I'd scoot right down there now before you miss out on the westside's only real Muso and Franks before it's not so young owners retire. You don't want to miss out on authenticity like this! It is not fancy, very affordable and full of CHARM. When I'm in the neighborhood, which is rare for me, I beg my wife to head over there. The food is yumptuous, the scene memorable beyond time and space. Even if you have never been to Argentina, EP will make you nostalgic for comforting, romantic snacks that may inspire you to learn the tango, improve your Spanish or just dream about possibilities. Your life will be better for it and your stomach will rejoice!!!

We had takeout but I'm definitely eating in next time. Cool vibe, like you are not in the States. Great photos on the walls. Tried three different empanadas-fillings were just right-not too little not to much and the dough was crispy perfection. Combo of 2 empanadas and salad was great bargain. Man behind counter very kind. Please note cash only!!

I haven't been there since I moved out of Culver City in 2011 but I recall I was always pleased when I ordered empanadas. I think my favorite was the cheese and onions but I enjoyed them all. I'm happy to see you are still putting out your excellent creations.

Excellent food, the best empanadas in town!!! The service is phenomenal and the ambiance is cozy and comfortable. Definitely a top place to frequent in Los Angeles!

Even after 12 years since I last came here the location remains the same, friendly service, empanadas taste as great as I remember them.

This is THE place to go for empanadas! They have so many different filling varieties, including meat and vegetarian options. Each empanada is $7.30... which is a significant price increase from last year, but it's decently sized and has a good amount of filling. We got the Criolla and Ham & Cheese. The Criolla was stuffed with ground beef, eggs, green onions and they were well seasoned. The Ham & Cheese was more creamy with the mozzarella cheese and the ham was a classic addition. Both had incredibly crisp and flaky pastry on the outside. We also tried their Grilled Steak sandwich ($15.99) which was delicious as well. The sandwich was huge and came in a French roll with French fries on the side. The steak was so tender and was complex in flavors from the chimichurri sauce, mayo, lettuce, tomato and sautéed onions. Overall, this is definitely a must try if you like empanadas. Important note, this place is CASH ONLY so make sure to bring enough cash so you can get more empanadas!

One of the best empanadas I have tried! I uncovered this place from a Facebook group who vouched for the high quality of this place, and I decided to visit for a casual afternoon snack with a friend. I got the $15.99+tax combo - 2 empanadas plus side salad. The 2 empanadas we got were the criolla and spicy chicken. The criolla is a beef empanada with raisins and eggs, which provides a nice contrast of sweet and savory. The spicy chicken has chicken (of course), bell peppers, and onions, which was also good. I personally like the criolla one more, but both are excellent. Both empanadas have a nice crispy exterior texture with a slight buttery taste. 1 empanada is sufficient for a satisfying snack, and 2 would make it about a meal or less. The person working there is pretty nice, but do note that this place is CASH ONLY!

The food was amazing. Handmade fresh empanadas. The owner behind the counter was extremely helpful and so nice! And did I say the empanadas are HUGE!!! Cute little restaurant very reminiscent of old world style. I'll be back!

I am giving this place a 1 star due to the fact that they have surpassed the price for an empanada, come on now. I used to come here back in 1999-2000 and prices were reasonable slowly they started raising the $$$ & now they have more than doubled. Ive gone back to NJ and NY where they really know how to make Argentina empanadas and nobody sells empanadas for over $7 each unbelievable. 1 Doz over $80 really...

Charming hole in the wall, best Empanadas on the West Side. A bit overpriced nowadays, but worth it to support a delicious small business once in a while. Our favorite empanadas are the spicy chicken, ham and cheese, and corn. Family owned and operated, friendly service, food to die for!

Let's keep yelp real!!! Overall experience was great! FYI it is CASH ONLY. This is a quaint place to get your empanada fix. Upon entering I was greeted warmly, provided recommendations, and just given an overall warm feeling. After eating we were given complimentary alfajores (nice touch). My wife and I really enjoyed our food we had the criolla, spicy beef, beef, & potato and cheese. The empanadas are sizable and stuffed, we were pretty full after 4. My only trouble with the establishment are the prices. I understand we are on the Westside but $30+ dollars for 4 empanadas is a tough pill to swallow. If your in the area and want to support a local empanada spot, check it out.

This place doesn't ever disappoint. I have been coming here for many many many many years.... Entire family loves it. Even my granddaughter asks to come when it's my day to pick her up from school. The parking is a bit of a Chanel le ge... but do NOT let that keep you away. The empanadas are totally worth it. I have literally have had every single item in the menu at one time or another and I have to say I have never had something that I didn't like. They are super friendly. And the table and decor are super cute. It's a nice cozy place.

I was STARVING when I had this and so this might be a slightly biased review, but I'm still thinking about this many weeks later, so I deem it fair and honest. The service here was warm, homey, kind and cheerful - so obviously they have my loyalty forever. On to the food - I had the Spicy Chicken Empanada and it was perfect. Freshly made with a piping hot, perfectly seasoned filling, and a flaky buttery crust, this was a HUGE empanada with a perfect crust - filling ratio. I also bought a bunch of alfajores to inhale and distribute to friends and they were a big hit. I am very partial to dulce de lece, so this made for a joyous teatime treat. This spot is cash only, so word to the wise. I was a little surprised at the prices, but these were so good, and the people behind the spot are so lovely that I can't wait to go back and try more flavors.

Spinach empanada - very good Beef empanada - okay, had some egg. Kind of like a fried mini breakfast burrito lunch salad - very good Went for for lunch special which came to almost $20 after tax / tip. Empanadas are larger than usual so that filled me up, but was not too heavy either.

I actually live around the corner and had always wanted to stop in, but it wasn't until this weekend that I got to try them Can only attest to the hours-old empanadas that were brought to a beach rave - but I will say this if after being ravaged by hungry 20-year-olds while music is blasting and sauce is everywhere, and these still held up, then definitely check them out A friend who arrived at the beach brought a dozen or so - he had an array, but after all the pickings, and hours after them being out, I ended up trying their ham empanada very flavorful, and regretfully I wish I had tried it sooner, but honestly so good Cash only from what my friend told me, so they suggest pulling funds from the atm located across the street at the gas station definitely will be back to try other flavor options

Love their empanadas! We travel from Pasadena just for these. We've tried many places but these empanadas are the best. We've tried them all and all are good. The dough is flavorful and all the fillings are tasty. Owners are super nice. Quaint interior. There is parking in the back.

The service was great the owner himself took our order and served us. He was very friendly and made us feel at home with some history of the establishment. One of the best Empandas and chimichurri I have had in Los Angeles by far. With a quaint rustic feel.

I don't know too much about empanadas but I've heard this place is the real deal! I got the Criolla (the classic), Ham & Cheese, and Corn. I thought the Criolla was going to be my least favorite of the 3 but it actually turned out to be my favorite! The ground beef and egg was juicy and jam packed with flavor from all the spices. I like that the crust is not too thick and is flaky with the perfect amount of filling.

Sooooo good! Love the size of the empanadas, love the customer service and the fact that this place feels like family as soon as you enter! I ordered the spicy chicken, beef, criolla and the arabe. My fave were the criolla and arabe due to their unique flavor and fresh ingredients. Definitely worth trying!

The best place! Not from around here, but wonderful customer service, and clean. The gentleman at the counter was very accommodating and attentive- yummy options.

Known by many patrons, Empanada's Place has been around for a very long time and has staked itself into my list of LA's food staples for they are historic to fact of over 30 years. Their focus for this favorite hand pie, and being an Argentinian focus is amazing. Sawtelle, being their original location has survived the decades. Some may even recall their Hollywood location, so intimate a place, the walk-up bar atmosphere brings back many memories of how simplicity is so underappreciated. The selection of empanadas are plenty, and I do not recall any single flavor being poor. They are all rich in flavor encompassed by both vegetarian and non-vegetarian examples. There are also other entree items and an excellent Argentinian Milenesa that is delicious. Being a patron for many years, I just don't quite understand the hike in pricing. I hate to harp on the yesteryears of affordability, but the sense of value comes to mind. Fortunately, my taste buds make the argument that there is no better example of a favorite Argentinian empanada. Bring your proud crisp bills, for "cash is king" here.

Oh my nom the picante was delicious!!! Served at the right temperature and the combo of the tomatoes, onions, and cheese was nicely balanced.

The best empanadas in town. Family owned. Make sure to have cash since it's cash only.

This place is amazing, from the service to the best tasting empanadas I've ever had in my life! It's a cute little hole in the restaurant that is totally worth the price! You won't regret eating here! Our whole family loves it! My favorite is the spicy chicken empanada :) and I normally don't even like chicken haha

This place is amazing! I love the atmosphere and the food was even better :) The service was friendly and prompt.

Yeah it's cash only. Yeah they don't deliver. Yet it is the best empanadas you are going to get in the USA (just a wild guess here). Get em!!

Large empanadas. Tasty. Mom and pop shop. Didn't dine in -- but it looks to be a very casual, divey place.

Empanadas were great. Service was friendly. Small but fun place. We came from Thousand Oaks for lunch with my Aunt. Worth the drive. Just remember to bring cash no CC.

I had the mushroom one and the spinach one eat while there took some home and rewarmed they were dry

Didn't know this place existed. Loved it!!! The owner was a nice man who walked me thru the menu. I felt like I was in Cuba or something. Food was really good!

What a great little place, the food the empanada's are simply exquisite, the service is great . The owner is a great guy and he does his empanada with love . The ambiance is like you left LA and been in Argentina all along . Try it ,it's amazing