Mina H.
Yelp
Empanola has two locations, and this one on Magazine just opened about 3 months ago. The little empanada shop is spacious with a casual vibe. The Christmas tree in the window is cute! When you walk in, you can see all of the empanadas displayed in a glass box, and each one is baked fresh upon ordering. You always know you'll get a freshly baked treat. I also love that they have SO many flavors and about 5 vegetarian options. I think they have a few extras that are not listed online as well.
I tried 7 different flavors and they were all FANTASTIC!! Seriously delicious!! Each empanada is about the size of your palm with plenty of filling in every single one! No skimping on the best parts (the filling, obviously) with these! I would say eating 3 or 4 is enough to fill you up for a meal, so the portion is fair! Especially for being located on a hoppin' popular street like Magazine, the empanadas and the desserts at Empanola are VERY reasonably priced! Not expensive for what you get at all!
I also bought a few extra sauces to try, but in all honestly, the empanadas are flavorful enough on their own, that you don't really need the sauces. However, that being said, the cilantro lime sauce and the chumichuri sauce (blend of oil, herbs, spices, and garlic) were really yummy. I put it on the "crusts" of my empanadas after I ate all the parts with filling in them!
I was able to pick out 3 to try complimentary with my Yelp Elite Perk, but I also purchased 4 extras to try. I had the:
*Crawfish Etouffee ($4.75) - Amazing, just what you would expect. Very "New-Orleans-y"
*Gumbo ($3.75) - I would prefer it to be a little runnier and zestier, but still really good! *Shrimp and cheese ($3.75) - Creamy and delicious
*Chicken Peruvian ($3.75) - Flavorful and perfect
*Mushroom and cheese ($3.75) - Fabulous, just what I wanted as a mushroom lover
*Yellow curry ($3.75) - This one was a little but bland, but still yummy! (Keep in mind, I have high standards for curry though, since I'm used to eating great curries due to my boyfriend being Nepali and an amazing cook!)
*"Impossible" empanada - Fantastic!! (This is the same as their Beef Argentina, but using the vegetarian "Impossible burger meat" instead.)
I also got to try their alfajores complimentary with the Yelp Perk. The alfajores is a traditional Argentinian cookie, but the ones at Empanola have a New Orleans praline twist. It was two cookies with a soft praline filling sandwiched in the middle with pecans surrounding it. The cookies are crumbly and light with the praline cream being rich and sweet. It was delicious!
Because I was feeling particularly hungry that day, I also purchased their torta tres leches dessert ($4). It was like a creamy parfait minus the fruit. Soft moist cake with cream and meringue on top! Plus, you get a good amount for the $4, so it's not overpriced at all.
I will definitely be coming back soon! I LOVED this place!!