JAVI’S COOKING "Empanadas Argentinas"

Javi’s Cooking is an absolute gem. The empanadas are hot, crispy in all the right places, and delicious is every bite. The steak milanesa is enough for lunch, dinner, and a snack tomorrow! The bread is fresh but crispy, the lettuce and tomatoes and the perfect proportion and the way the cheese melts and pulls is an experience. The steak is perfectly cooked with the exact amount of breading and seasoning. The service was impeccable and I can’t wait to be not full so I can eat here again!

I love the empanadas…….. But one of the workers or maybe she’s the owner not sure some times her hair is dyed blue but every time after I make a purchase she literally begs for a tip!!!!!!! I think that’s so unprofessional. I feel that’s at the customers discretion. I’ve never experienced that anywhere but there, I really wanted to tell her that’s why I never leave one because she literally tries to guilt you into it or just down right asks…… have some pride and let the customer decide. The food is pretty pricey at that. I’m just saying.

Having eaten delicious empanadas before I wanted to give this place a shot - we got a couple different ones Chorizo breakfast empanada Pollo Pulled pork & pineapple Caprese It was crispy, well cooked and delicious. My favorites were the chorizo & caprese from the 4 that I got. The other 2 were average. I felt like the chimichurri was flavorful too but a tad too salty for my preference. The empanada filling was generous and overall good - but left a little more to be desired. Reheat value was great, still crispy and delicious. Maybe even better the next day. Overall good and I would get more again!

Absolutely phenomenal! The food to the service was so welcoming and warm, especially Carolina! The empanadas are spectacular and I’ll definitely be going again soon, I went with my boyfriend and we both are definitely coming back again, love that its close to the freeway too!

Empanadas are so delicious, and crust is buttery and flakey!! Catered three dozen empanadas in 6+ flavors for a toddler birthday party. Order arrived on time, hot, and flavors were nicely labeled. Management even called to confirm we had everything needed because we placed an extra order late the night before. We’ll be ordering again soon!

OMG we’ve been dreaming of their milanesa sandwich for years and we just discovered that this location makes them fresh to order! Allow 15-20mins but trust it’s worth the wait 🤩 hands down one of the best milanesas! Grab some empanadas while you wait- we had the mushroom and carne empanadas and they were delicious. Going to grab some empanadas to go as they can be reheated later and enjoyed 😋 if you haven’t tried Javi’s this is your sign that you must 😉

Super friendly staff! Great coffee. Tons of empanada options, including vegetarian and vegan! Parking can be tricky. But their outdoor seating is super cute and the whole place has a great vibe. Next time I go back I’m going to buy the whole coffee beans which are from all over South America: Argentina, Colombia & Guatemala. Love this sweet spot. Also: very quick service!

Really awesome unassuming spot with cute outdoor seating, great service and delicious food! Hot mate was perfect and dulce de leche empanada was tasty and comforting although there was more banana and walnut than I expected. Highly recommend checking this place out!!! Stock up on frozen empanadas when you are there. Heating instructions included on top of if box. Was ready to find parking on the street.

Absolute fire! The empanadas are out of this world - worth trying every single flavor. Amazing home made sweet treats, too, and a fridge full of take-out meals. Very well-curated offerings, and the best thing is the warm, welcoming folks who run it. I'd eat here every day if I could.

We ordered this as a delivery via Grubhub and that is pertinent to the review. It was close to their closing time but we ordered a selection of Empanadas, beef, ham and cheese, chorizo and a triple meat affair called "La bestia" which I assume means "the best"? Was it the best? I couldn't tell you because what we received was missing the chorizo and the aforementioned "bestia" and in their place were two mushroom empanadas. I do not like mushrooms at the best of times and the mushroom empanada did nothing to change my opinion of our fungal friends. The mushrooms were slimey and not pleasant in the mouth. The beef and ham and cheese ones were delicious, as were the apple and dulce de leche dessert options we had. The chimichurri was also a delight and I was glad we ordered a big jar of it because it is such a versatile condiment that we will use in the future. I assume Javi had run out of the ones we ordered and decided to sub in mushroom. Honestly, I wish they'd rather modify the order and not charge me than sub in something that you may not like. We will definitely give Javi another try though despite this small misstep.

This place instantly gave me homey vibes with the family working! The empanadas are displayed in a case, and they are a pretty good size. Took about 7-10 mins for them to heat them up and it was well worth the wait! Super filling and flavorful ! You cannot sit inside, but they have a few tables outside for you to enjoy your empanadas ! Would recommend for sure!

Driving back from a errand in Oakland, and decided it was time to stop at Javi's. We are so glad that we did. The service was good. The clerk was very friendly. The chef came out to see how we enjoyed our food. The dining is casual. There are tables outside and one tall table inside. We started with the champinones and puerco empanada with the chimichurri sauce. The sauce is spicy. The empanadas were delicious. They do not skimp on the filling. Aj had a Humita and I had a Dulce. I had the Dulce plain but could have had cream cheese and strawberries added. Looks they have a steady take out business as well. They sell beer and coke products.

Fantastic, fresh, homemade, authentic empanadas. Nice people, good variety. I only tried two vegetarian empanadas; both were excellent. (Championes, y 4-queso)

So this review is a revisited one for me, I already had mentioned in a past review that the staff is super friendly, what i didn't say is that if you are a soccer fan this place hosts parties for that. Mainly the big events (copa America, World Cup, boca vs river ) yall might want to follow them on instagram for their announcements of when they pull out the tv for good ol association football. Another thing that I didn't mention in their previous review , was the choripan . A simple and delicious chorizo and chimichurri sandwich. I also like their new bison empanada and the salmon one!!! Place is a chill place to hang, you should go visit it!!!!

First Fridays Review: This food truck always has a line for a good reason. It's affordable and simple comfort food that remains undefeated. Who doesn't love empanadas? Plus, there are varieties of flavors and combinations to choose from. The line goes by fast. They have desserts too. I like the staff, they're friendly and remember to support small, local owned businesses.

Amazingly good empanadas. I wish the parking situation were better as the location doesn't have a whole lot of spots to park and run in and grab yummy food. Staff are friendly and service is fast. I just wish the location had some off street parking as it can be tight around there.

Javi's is AMAZING. A neighborhood gem. The empanadas are delicious, I have not had one comparable in the east bay. Dulce De leche coffee is soooo good. Carolina always gives me, my partner and our dog the warmest welcome. Great conversation and sweet people. It's always such a treat to come here! We love you Javis, thank you! ‍

I love empanadas, so couldn't pass up on this food truck at the Autumn Lights Festival at Lake Merritt this past weekend. The champiñones had pretty good flavor, comparable to other mushroom empanadas at similar eateries. The jamon y queso was super cheesy, with just small bits of ham inside. The pollo was decent, though the chicken and overall filling a bit bland, so this one was our least fave. The pastry shells were cooked nicely, but not buttery and flaky like I prefer when it comes to empanadas. The chimichurri sauce was super tasty with just the right spice, so that made up for it. The service was excellent, the guy serving us was very friendly and got our order out quickly. Although not perfect, we were satisfied with our savory snacks from Javi's Cooking and were glad to have found this food truck at the special event we attended.

Nice cute place in Oakland. I admire the colours and the decor both interior and exterior. The lady the served me was very bright and happy to be there. She recommended me her favourites and the many options to drink. They have wine! I ended up with 3 empanadas. Chicken Minced meat And ham and cheese They were so warm and delicious. Even after having them to go and placed them in my backpack, they were still very warm. I believe the chimichurri is extra but it was good and fresh. I recommend it putting it on everything. I ended up making some at home after being here. Bring a friend and enjoy a little peace of Buenos Aires in the bay. I even want to bring my 'mate' to drink in the patio. AC Transit 88, and 72, 72R, 72M being you here with a short walking distance.

Me quedé así de son deliciosas las tortas y las empanadas no se diga son riquísimas y el lugar es súper agradable

Great food for the family Many authentic choices Good service Parking Will return soon

Solid empanadas with a myriad of flavors to choose from. They have a separate, smaller location a few blocks down, but this location seems to be the larger "main" one as it has more seating and a kitchen in the back. The empanadas are $5.50 each regardless of flavor, I think their vegan ones, though, are more expensive? They also have deals on Mondays - a little under $4 per empanada. I've tried pollo (chicken) and carne y queso (beef and cheese). Unfortunately, getting it warmed up is a hit or miss here. The flavors are good, but often times the middle part is cold as it's not fully warmed up. Ask for them to warm it up for 30 more seconds! We liked it so much, we ordered from them for a work lunch as well. They also have dessert empanadas - dulce de leche (bananas & walnuts) and manzana (apple). Both are good, the apple one is reminiscent of McD apple pies. I personally like the bananas and walnuts one more. You can also order chimichurri sauce extra, which is excellent! They also sell the empanadas frozen/in bulk. Overall, their empanadas are pretty good, flavorful fillings, and crispy crusts.

The empanadas here are absolutely delicious - there's different kinds for whatever you're feeling in the moment. What I love about this spot is the cozy mom & pop feel - the owner was so sweet and you can tell her puts a lot of love into these crispy, doughy goodness.

Today I went for the first time. I used to order online when I lived in Oakland. Small place with seating area outside. Friendly service. I don't believe they have public restroom. They have THE BEST empanadas. The dough and filling are tasty. Also, they have milanesas. 3 empanadas are enough for one. I usually order 2 savory and a sweet one. The milanesa is HUGE. I always order one and share it. They also sell frozen empanadas, dulce de leche, yerba, chimichurri and wooden's table alfajores (which I don't recommend). Support this amazing place during hispanic month (and all year round). GO! Ignore the bad reviews, 5usd for an empanada is fine. Totally worth it if you love good empanadas.

We ordered 5 different empanadas. My son needed lunch and I brought my home for dinner -- Carne Y Queso, Empapizza, Puerco (lunch ) / Acelga, Fugazzeta (dinner). Top #2 : Acelga & Puerco Tasty and full flavored with no additional seasoning necessary! Such a great find

Every now and then I have the privilege of experiencing an entire country through the flavors, friendliness and food options in one restaurant. I feel so traveled and enlightened. The Alfa horse was dense and satisfying. The empanadas made my car smell like an Argentinian kitchen. I have a new "destination " restaurant! Come and take a trip for yourself!

It's been a few years since I spent a month and a half in Buenos Aires, but the camaraderie of the parrillas (neighborhood steakhouses) and the taste for the food have not left me. Luckily Javi's Eats offers a glimpse into the joy of Argentine good right here in the East Bay. We headed over on a sunny, temperate February weekend for the parklet seating. Eating our way across the menu, we had both savory and sweet empanadas: * carne (ground beef, red peppers, hard boiled eggs, green olives, yellow onions), * champinones (mushrooms, pepper Jack cheese, caramelized onions) * chorizo (mild Italian sausage, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, potatoes) * jamon (ham, Mozzarella, Fontina) * Dulce (dulce de leche, banana, walnuts) All were delightful, especially when split in half and shared with my sweetie. The only surprise was that the chorizo was milder than I expected; no punch of spice. We also split two sandwiches: * Milanesa (deep-fried breaded steak on a deli roll with lettuce, tomato and mayo) * Choripan (mild pork sausage on a French roll with chimichurri and sauteed onions and peppers) The milanesa was my favorite, by far. It's crunchy, savory, and the chimichurri just brings out all the notes that I remember from Argentina . The choripan, if you're unfamiliar with it, is the Wiley popular sidewalk food of Argentina. Just as hot dogs from carts in New York City litter the landscape, it's choripan in Buenos Aires. The choripan was my sweetie's favorite. She really liked how the mild sausage worked with the multicolored peppers. It's got a great mouthfeel and it has the potential to make some people homesick :-) Without reservation, this is added on the mellow weekend rotation list. Staff was great, passersby were fun to watch, and the food was both relaxing and satisfying.

Amazing Empanadas!!! I ordered a bunch for a party They were a HIT!!! Great Flavor!!! The Ham and Cheese

We loved our experience at Javi's today. We tried the gluten free mushroom empanadas, gluten free beef empanadas, and gluten free chicken empanadas. I couldn't even tell you which was my favorite because they were all amazing. The place has a homey, comfortable feel and the service was great. We finished the meal with delicious cappuccinos. Can't wait to come back!

The empanada was delicious and fresh. It's not heavy as I thought and just the right amount of meat in there. The crust is thin and fluffy so it's easy to eat without feeling like eating lots of carbs. The portion is good and should be able to get food coma status with 2 to 3 empanadas. I ordered the Carne & Queso, Pollo and manzana. The owner was kind and friendly and cares about the customers. There aren't a lot of empanada restaurants around so try this place if you're in the area and you won't be disappointed

What a delightful business! I was driving through the neighborhood feeling hungry but not quite sure for what, when I saw the sign for empanadas and realized that's exactly what the doctor ordered. Hopped out of the car, popped in, and a few minutes later was enjoying a delicious, nutritious, chard-and-ricotta-filled empanada (thoroughly filled, no skimping)! My vegan daughter came in to see if there was anything she could eat, and not only were there two (possibly more, but I noticed the two) options, the descriptions of each began with "Yes, it's vegan!," avoiding the common uncertainty about whether apparently-vegan food is actually-vegan. Hers was delicious, too. And the guy behind d the counter was friendly and helpful. We recommend Javi's!

Worth a trip over the bridge to check out. All Argentine empanadas. I had the chicken. Fantastic! I am looking forward to try their other savory ones. The dulce de lèche & walnuts would be amazing for you. The sweet apple with cinnamon was Michelle's favorite. The lady running everything was SUPER welcoming. Small place but it felt cozy, not cramped.

I pass this place while getting on the freeway all the time and was curious if it was good, so naturally I went to Yelp and it did not disappoint. I ordered online for pick up around 3:15pm, keep in mind they only open until 5pm. Only street parking available. When I arrived it wasn't ready yet as I was a little early. They were in the oven. The cashier was very friendly and welcoming. I ordered 6 total, 2 beef, 1 ham & cheese, 1 chicken, and 2 chorizo. The crimp Javi's on the crust and initial of what it is. I don't think we paid attention since my husband ate them all and he didn't know which one was which. He said they were all good and wanted me to pick up more the next time I was nearby. I tried the beef and the chicken, both were tasty. I definitely needed a sauce and it does not come with a dipping sauce. Next time I will ask if they have a sauce to go with it, I did see Chimichurri in the case so next time will grab one. I made do with sour cream. Overall solid empanadas and will definitely be back for more to support this small business.

We got some take out empanadas and all were delicious but my fave was the veggie one.Will be buying more in the future!

Fantastic empanadas here. We got a variety which we loved. We ordered takeout, and it didn't seem like any quality was lost. Perfectly crispy, great filling, and the chimichurri was excellent. I also loved the dessert. This place is perfect for a tapas-style portioned meal where you can order exactly the amount you want to eat.

I've never had chimichurri before. This place gave me hope into being more open to the sauce. The food is great but as with this economy food is a bit on the high price. It is worth the money. I enjoyed the ham and cheese one which was made fresh. Overall delicious food and friendly service

I'm such a fan of empanadas and now I'm a fan of the ones from Javi's Cooking! The Empanada de Pollo was my absolute favorite--the filling was packed with flavor, juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions, and I loved the texture of the dough. I also surprisingly enjoyed the Empanada Impossible Vegan and the heartiness of the mushrooms, olives, onions, and impossible meat, but we actually ordered the Vegetarian Vegan version with potato, zucchini, mushrooms, and peas, so not quite sure what happened, but all good. I didn't get to try the dessert Empanada de Manzana because everyone ate them lol, which means they must have been really good. Just a note that the Empanadas de Jamon are strong!!! Maybe that's the way they're supposed to be? The fontina cheese kind of overpowered everything for me. But I have an on again, off again relationship with dairy, so maybe that's just my tastebuds. Other thoughts: I liked the size of the empanadas as they were filling and a bit larger than some other places. Can't wait to try more on their menu, including their milanesa sandwiches.

This was my first time trying empanadas and Javi's was the perfect place to do so. The lady at the counter was so sweet and patient, and she spent a lot of time setting up the outdoor seating for us. We tried the carne, champiñón, and the humita. All the empanadas were packed to the brim with filling, which were well seasoned. My favorite was the carne since the champiñon filling's texture was a bit too thick and humita was slightly too sweet. I do wish that they had come out hotter -- when served, they were only lukewarm. For anyone who hasn't had these before and are familiar with the Chinese chive and egg boxes (jiu cai he zi), it reminds me of that! We also bought some chimichurri to take home and try with some future dinners. There's lots of goodies and frozen empanadas to also buy from here. Definitely check it out if you can!

Welcoming neighborhood restaurant with delicious empanadas and milanesa sandwich. Good selection of craft beer. Parklet offers outdoor seating. Also, empanadas available in packs of four for take away.

I got the chorizo, steak,, and mushroom empanadas. They were all really tasty. And don't forget the chimmichurri sauce.

These empanadas are the closest to actually eating them in Argentina! Well, that's what my husband says! Regardless, I too think these are the best I've ever had in the US :) The coffee shop by our home serves them. But, we were in the area and decided to stop by the mothership! The have them freshly made. Someone is in the back making batches as they sell out. And then there are the ones that are frozen to take home and bake yourself! They make a Dulce de Leche type Latte. And it's so good! The coffee isn't to sweet! They use some strong coffee! And they sell Cafe Santana (in Laurel District) beans! So how can you not love a place that supports a fellow small business! The owner is such a sweet woman. So friendly! And a delight to chat with. She truly is passionate about what she has to offer the community!

I love me some empanadas and Javi's hits it out of the park! Very small storefront located right off the freeway so expect to eat the goodies outside in the front patio. Seating is pretty limited but most parties don't stay too long since these are quick to eat because they are so delicious. There are roughly 6 different empanadas to choose from and each is around $5. I opted for the carne con queso (beef) and the champinones (mushroom). Both were absolutely great with a good balance of cheese and flavors all wrapped with the protein of choice. I personally loved the mushroom one but loved them both. The woman taking our orders was very warm and welcoming and made our experience that much better. If you ever have an empanada craving go check Javi's out

This is the chorizo empanada. Needless to say you'd have to use a magnifying glass for your eyes & for your taste buds to pick up any chroizo flavor. It's really an egg and potato empanada with chorizo for some reason listed as the first ingredient. However, the atmosphere is lovely and the other empanadas (i had the mushroom one) are really great. Not to mention, they serve wine but have no public restroom???? Wow

Sliders were absolutely amazing as were the fries. The man knows drunkie-food well, and a hell of a human being to top it off. He cooks up magic.

Their acelga/swiss chard empanadas are amazing! We bought them frozen for a dinner party of mostly vegetarians to complement the mushroom paella and garbanzo/spinach salad. They were fantastic! We bought 3 dozen for 10 people, and all were eaten, even though the empanadas are generously sized. We followed the optional guidance to brush them with an egg wash before baking. Definitely the right choice! They browned so nicely, and the filling bubbled up in a delicious way. We also got a small jar of their chimichurri sauce to accompany the empanadas, at their suggestion. Again, right choice! It's delicious. I'll definitely order from Javi's again. Yum!

So delicious and the kindness and upbeat nature of the family that works there is contagious! I wish the empanadas were a little cheaper.

I love empanadas and Javi's makes some of the best in the area. I tried a few of their meat and vegetarian empanadas and both kinds are tasty! My favorites were the beef with cheese, mushroom, and vegan with impossible meat. I really like how they're not too pricey compared to other places that make and sell empanadas for the size and amount of filling you get. Their online ordering system is convenient and saves time. I didn't catch the name of the woman behind the counter, but she was very warm and welcoming. Javi's is a gem in this neighborhood and a must stop before you head onto the 580 or 24.

this restaurant is AMAZING! my partner and I went for Sunday dinner and were literally astounded. I grew up eating empanadas often and these are the best ones I've ever had. we got frozen ones to go and the woman running the store is incredibly kind. super cute place. if you haven't been here, change that immediately.

Our family worked with the awesome team at Javi's Cooking for catering our son's bar mitzvah. We love their empanadas! Our guests raved about how good the huge salad and many types of empanadas (including gluten free and vegan) they served were. We were so happy to have some leftovers too! Highly recommend them for their reliability, professional and kind service, and absolutely delicious food. We continue to be frequent visitors to the restaurant, which is adorable and offer up our highest recommendation for restaurant take-out/dine-in and catering.

Empanadas, Argentinas!!! And better yet, empanadas I can get in the Oakland! Thet have a lovely little parklet where you can bring your four-legged family members! Carolina will guide you through the menu with a smile. Delicious variety of empanadas and the menu isn't too long. Champioñes, tomato & mozzarella with pesto -- can you say yum? Javi's Cooking is vegetarian friendly but has food for meat lovers. There are sweets for everyone. Yes, you can wash your empanadas down with beer, wine or water! Sit outside in their flower lined garden and have a grand time! I highly recommend this place!

This place has the best empanadas in town. The family that runs it is wonderful, you feel like you're at home. The place is casual, clean and a little exciting during a soccer (football) game.

I ordered the CHAMPIÑONES. It was so good with just the right amount of spice. Great food with a convenient location!

We wanted a snack before our dinner so I found this nearby to where we were at. We weren't disappointed!! We got here a couple minutes before closing and thankfully, only one type of empanada was unavailable. We tried the following: * Dulce (I didn't like it, but my fiance did) * Carne * Puerco * Fugazzeta I recommend the other three! I surprisingly liked the puerco over the carne. I say I was surprised because I'm not usually a fan of pulled pork. There was a good balance of every ingredient in the empanadas and def didn't skimp out on the meat. The only minor downside is that they're pretty oily. The oil dripped onto our clothes, so sad. Haha. Other than that, I highly recommend it.

Do Not Share This Review with my husband who is from Chile where empanadas are also made and whose mom has made empanadas plenty of times. Listen up...these are the absolute best empanadas I have ever tried!!! OMG, they are so good. My favorites are the carne and the queso empanadas. Top each bite off with some chimichurri and oh boy, let me forewarn you to have some napkins on hand to catch all the juices from each bite of these amazing little meat stuffed pastry pockets. Ughhh so good!!! I have to admit, I always complain that they are kind of expensive--I eat 2 and am full but my husband could definitely eat more, yet we always keep coming back for more!

This was our first visit and we loved the flavor of the baked empanadas especially Carne, Mushroom, Pollo. excellent ingredients and a very friendly place. The atmosphere and friendly of staff and outdoor dining is sooo great. We like the ability to have frozen empanadas for surprise visits from friends who would love these! Continued success Cary and Mary M

Fantastic service and food!! Very cozy feel to the restaurant!! Owner was so sweet and welcoming and came out to talk to us! Made me feel at home

For lunch I arrived to sample some empanadas. I ordered 3 empanadas ($4.75 each pre-tax) - the carne, pollo, and puerco. All empanadas tasted quite rich and did not skimp out on meat. The carne, my favorite, carried a touch of heat and spice. The puerco balanced the savory w/pineapple sweetness. The pollo, with peppers and onions, tasted like a homemade chicken meal stuffed into an empanada. While the price seems a touch expensive at just under $5 for what looks like a snack, the quality, to me at least, justifies the price. Since I came w/some co-workers (8 others) and occupied the entire storefront (not difficult given the size), the kitchen managed to back up so I waited about ~20 minutes for the order; co-workers ordered together to get the 15% on a dozen empanadas. However, this does not represent standard wait times; the establish has ready-made empanadas in case you only want a few.