Pikalo JP

Another Day ; another Pikalo adventure into paradise " : Yo Amo Pikalo ; lol Omg ! These Cuban sandwich's here are better than the Cuban sandwich's in Cuban . How is that even possible? Well anyhow my husband and I got " Cuban sandwich's ". We made the most delicious and tasteful choice , it comes with fries & that was so good. The portion sizes are big . Lots of filling inside . I devoured every last bite . My taste buds were taken into an adventure in paradise. The service is friendly. The vibe is welcoming. We also got strawberry & Pina smoothies . The best smoothies I have had . Definitely the best smoothies in JP. In freshness and cost wise plus consistency. Today they ran out of mango ; please get more . I missed my mango smoothie intake today . lol ..... Parking is street metered or a little parking lot next door . Or you can park quickly at the abandoned church only to run in to get your food . Because I don't know if they tow . Please always read the signs before parking .

No frills takeout spot featuring a TON of different empanadas — from savory to sweet. Ordered takeout with friends and we each ordered 3. These are huge and we quickly realized two would be sufficient. Dough was great. Would definitely encourage cheese with the meat variety otherwise they can get a little dry. More descriptions on the menu would be helpful.

Used to love coming here but everything has changed I order chicken a shredded beef with ground beef I repeated my order 4 times cause it seems liked no one understand they told me they got it I got my order it was still wrong items were missing things were added they weren’t supposed to be there and no one decided to refund me or remake it .

Pikalo JP has an appealing appearance, yet the prices don't match the quality of the food. Despite claims of fresh-squeezed orange juice, I found it to be neither fresh nor pleasant, with a notably bitter taste. The cheese used in their empanadas also seemed to be of low quality. Unfortunately, I won't be returning. I had initially planned to share a positive review and create some social media posts with the photos and videos I took, but after my experience, I've changed my mind.

i go here every time i’m in jp! always delicious and warm empanadas, with friendly service. could not recommend enough for a quick , affordable, and filling snack/meal

THE BEST empanada in Boston. Their Pikalo Club was also phenomenal, and not too expensive. The salad was a fantastic portion, and it had fresh ingredients. The dressing is homemade, as well as the Flan, which looks fantastic.

We all ordered Cubans at this place for the the Sandwich was Delicious. Hot, Fresh, cheesy and a very Generous portion...

I love their empanadas, especially the guava cheese which they usually make to order, though it is quite sweet.

" Mango Smoothie" The mango smoothie here is absolutely the best . It's not pricey at all . It's made pretty fast , they have lots of stuff on hand . The vibe is welcoming. They have always good music playing as well ; so you're able to enjoy yourself more in the vibe. The service is constantly attentive and helpful. Parking is limited but manageable.

Wow!! The number of creative empanada choices blew my mind! Empanadas are beautiful and chock full of delicious ingredients! This was a welcome surprise. I will definitely order from Pikalo again!!

I visited the Jamaica Plain location. I've been coming to this location for years. I haven't been in a while and noticed that this establishment moved a few doors up the street. This new location provided more space than the previous location. It was clean and the staff were friendly. I called ahead to order as there usually is a wait while the food is prepared. Upon my arrival, I noticed this establishment had adopted the food warmers similar to the Dorchester location. I was pleased that calling ahead paid off and my empanada was made fresh. I love this place!

Came here on a whim looking for a small bite while waiting for my pet at the vet. We tried their beef/chicken and cheese empanadas. Personally, I enjoyed the beef and cheese one a lot more. We also tried their tamarind juice, which was delicious. Would recommend!

got the chicken and cheese and devoured it, it was so filling for lunch. it was so good and such a good price. going to be coming here all the time for emergency meals and also just when hungry. There are some chairs to sit but the quick service and the way it is packaged makes it really easy for to-go meals. Can't wait to go back

Behind an unassuming storefront are some amaaaazing empanadas!!! There is a single display counter and you order at the register. I tried the chicken one and the beef with cheese, both were great - super flakey on the outside and warm and savory on the inside! At only $5 each they were very affordable. Would highly recommend!

Ordered these empanadas and was impressed at the size of them! They are twice the size of a regular one. The crust is very flakey and definitely super fresh. I was slightly disappointed on was the flavors inside and fillings didn't meet my expectation. The fillings had no spice or special taste ! The empanadas I recommend chicken, corn and cheese and the salami queso. The cheese inside is very gooey which adds to the crunch of the crust and the heartiness of the filling well. Dipping sauce for the empanadas was too basic; tasted like thousand island sauce.

5 star ratings are hard to come by but I believe Pikalo deserves it based on their price point, taste and portion size. The empanadas are huge and generously filled, as was their Cuban sandwich. I split 3 empanadas and a Cuban sandwich with my husband and we were stuffed. We ordered the shredded beef with cheese, the chicken corn and cheese and the 5 cheese empanada. My favorite of the 3 was the shredded beef with cheese. The chicken corn and cheese was a close second, and my least favorite was the 5 cheese. One empanada would be enough to satisfy you, however, I would recommend ordering two if you're really hungry.

These are hungry people empanadas. Like empanadas worthy of saying I'll eat that for dinner and that's it. They are so generous with portions, and the mayo-type sauce is soooo good. Every time I come here I kinda wanna get all the empanadas but I know my stomach could only eat three max realistically. Great spot for takeout.

Delicious spot for empanadas in JP Boston Food: They offer a variety of Dominican food items but the star of the menu is the empanadas Got the lobster empanada and the cheese and guava empanada. Good amount of filling. The lobster was cooked perfectly without a fishy smell, could have used a little more seasoning and filling. The guava was a jam that melted with the cheese and was not overly sweet which was good. The best part of the empanada was the dough - buttery flaky crust with the right amount of crunch and soft filling. Comes with a chipotle dipping sauce! The size of the empanadas is impressive for its affordable price (most are $4 or $5). Two is more than enough for a meal. There are so many great options to choose from and you can't go wrong with any of them. Other: Friendly staff, fast service Small casual place for takeout TLDR; Come here for authentic huge flaky empanadas

The empanadas were so delicious loved the food and service. Thank you I can't wait to be back and have some more.

The empanadas are a really nice size. Ordered the shredded beef which was excellent and the crust was light and flaky yet it held together perfectly all the way to the last bite. It was $4.50 and worth every bite

Good empanadas and sandwiches all very cheap. Definitely worth the stop id be here everyday if I was local , you get your bang for your buck for sure

Stopped by this place cause I was in the area. I was surprised to find that this was an empanada shop! Overall, got four empanadas. They were shredded beef, chicken corn and cheese, chicken and cheese, and shrimp and cheese. To describe the shell, it's a really nice fried and flaky outer covering. I'll speak about the shredded beef one because that was my favorite. The beef was really moist and had good flavor. I like the fact that they provided their own sauce, which was a nice sort of sweet and tangy addition to the breadiness of the shell. The chicken and cheese one was also pretty solid. To be honest, it would be really hard to eat more than a couple of these due to the heavy nature of the food. I also ordered a passion fruit tea, which was really tart and had a good tang. I recommend having a refreshing drink to eat these bad boys with. As just a warning, you do need to give the restaurant about 15 minutes or so to prepare the food. Overall, I would definitely stop by again to have a snack here. In terms of the pandemic precautions, employees do wear masks and have sanitizer use out for public.

I have never felt so content after a meal. The empanadas were perfectly golden brown and the beef was seasoned just right. To top it all off, the sauce was a perfect balance of savory and sweet. 10/10 recommend. best empanadas I've ever consumed

We were at a great new brewery, Drawdown Brewing on Washington St, and they recommended Pikalo. We got Cuban and chicken sandwiches. The best sandwiches we've had in years. No joke! The staff was very friendly. We didn't try the empanadas, but they were huge. We're looking forward to trying them next time. We'll be back!

Not really impressed with their empanadas. I ordered a beef and cheese empanada. The empanada was more room temperature than warm. Also, the crust was very doughy and not flaky/crispy as you expected for a fried empanada. Service was fast and friendly.

Incredibly good empanadas. I typically go for either the spinach and cheese, beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, or buffalo chicken. I have wonderful memories of walking over here and snagging an empanada on a summer day with my friend who lived around the corner for a couple years. I still make an excuse to grab one anytime I'm close by. Interior decor isn't bad but the aesthetic is nothing to write home about. There's a couple stools you can sit on and look out the window while you munch, or they have two small bistro tables. I've stayed to eat before, but it's really more of a takeout spot. Their empanadas are a good size for a meal but I'd probably recommend getting 2 if you're starving. Great prices!!

The craziest cubano sandwich I ever had!!! Fresh and Full of shredded pork and layers of ham.

Horrible service!!!! They don't care if you have the order right!!!!!!! They give you whatever they want to and ask why you don't want it!!!!!! They'll take your money and send you on your way hungry!!!!!!!

The food is delicious I mustly order the fried plantain Sandwich sorry donT remember the name, the empanadas are amazing, nice and freshly friend witch is a plussss!! The food is great and I would visit again. Keep the ggreat freshly food Pikalo! Amazing food

We just moved to the area from California. I'm vegetarian and my husband came here to try out their empanadas (he loves empanadas), and ordered me a cheese and corn empanadas. After he got home, we noticed it read chicken, cheese, and corn. When he went back to get a cheese and corn empanadas for me, they apologized for writing it incorrectly, gave him two cheese and corn empanadas, and allowed him to keep the one they labeled incorrectly. He said they were so nice that we must leave them a review. ;) Aside from their service, the empanadas were pretty impressive. So much that I went back for seconds within 1 week! It's uncommon for me to go back somewhere so quickly. Pikalo did a great job with their food that left me wanting them again! I really enjoyed their spinach and cheese (better than any spinach I've had from other places) and their eggplant parm. So, so good. Should definitely check this place out!

Yum what took me so long to check out this place? My second time I got the chicken cheese and corn empanada for $4. It was bigger than my hand, super flaky with a good amount of filling. My one recommendation is order 15 min ahead. First time we made the mistake of walking in thinking we'd just pick it up and go. But since these are fresh and not sitting in a display, that doesn't happen. I called 10 min ahead today and had to wait a minute or two and that was all. Totally worth it and nice to know you can get a great snack for $3-5. I don't know why i can't access the photos but imagine a big lightly fried pastry and a happy consumer. (Where the heck did the camera icon go?)

I'm in love. Who doesn't love empanadas. Little addicting pockets of meat and deliciousness. And Pikalo has tons and tons of options. I've never seen more than a few choices at any restaurant, but they have so many from Bolognese to Conch to your typical Beef/Cheese. They really do live up to their slogan: "big taste in one bite." We ordered two: the chicken/corn and the shrimp/cheese. Oh my goodness, they're huge and come out piping hot. The pastry dough is flakey and buttery, and there's plenty of filling stuffed inside. It might not look like it since the breading is so puffed, but there is a lot! We also ordered a cubano to share because we didn't think the empanadas would be enough. We were wrong but made ourselves eat some anyways. It comes with seasoned potato wedges that can you dip in the mayo like sauces on the table. The cubano itself is also pretty good, and at $8.50 for a hearty sandwich it's a good deal! There's not a lot of seating (3 small tables) so you'll probably be better off getting your food to go if it's crowded. Regardless, you'll be getting a treat.

Trash food!!!!!! Trash service!!!!!!! I asked for a simple bacon egg and cheese they gave me ham egg and cheese when I asked for what I ordered they said they don't make it even though over the phone the lady said yes we have it but when I got there to get it she said they don't make it like that and instead of giving me a refund I'm bombarded with questions on why I don't what ham and what wrong with ham the point is I didn't ask for it so it should not be on there I'm honestly disappointed and never going back there again please everyone do go horrible service they just want your money then send you on you way with what they've selected for you

Great food to enjoy with your family the Cuban sandwich is unbelievable a must have and will def be returning

Yummy! stopped by here on the way to the bonsai garden in Jamaica plains. Nice small business. And they make it fresh for you. I got the chicken/corn/cheese, spinach/cheese, and shrimp/cheese. My fav was the shrimp and cheese! Very juicy on the inside. Lovely flavors and a crispy crust. Cheese was nice and gooey on the inside. The spinach was also fresh spinach which was a nice surprise. Would come back to try new flavors!

My favorite was the big papi #2 bolognese beef #3 chicken corn cheese I prob would not ever order the lobster empanada it tasted like pasta sauce

Called and placed order at 7:10pm for a sandwich and 1 empanada and was told the order was going to take 20 to 25 minutes. Arrived at location at 7:33 pm and was told that the order was going to be a few more minutes because they were rushed. The cook and the cashier were joking around and dancing all the time. At 7:55pm I asked how long would I have to wait for my order and was told that it would be at least 10 more minutes. I just cancelled my order and left. In the 20 minutes I spent sitting there they finished orders for other clients and deliveries that clearly came after me. This is not the first time this has happened either, but it certainly was the worst. Other times they just take an extra 10 minutes to give you your order but they are upfront about it and you can see that the staff is rushed and not dancing and joking around like tonight. Great food but a shame that the staff working tonight lacked professionalism and punctuality. I have to say that after months of eating here this is by far the worst treatment and waste of time they've put me through. TL:DR; They are slow as hell and never have the order ready by the time they tell you. Worst case you're sitting there for 1 hour waiting for a sandwich while they joke and dance and, depending on the cashier, you'll get sass if you mention something.

Just swung by this place because it was close and my friends and I are impressed! The service was awesome, she was helpful in showing us sizes and explaining the options. The food was amazing, I tried 4 different kinds and would 10/10 recommend the chicken, cheese and corn empanada. Super bonus: it's such a reasonable price! One would be a great snack and 2 empanadas make a good sized meal. Will definitely be back!

The food is fantastic but make sure you call ahead because otherwise it will take a ridiculous amount of time. Waited 30 minutes for an empeñada and two Cuban sandwiches.

I visited the reviews prior to purchasing empanadas here and I should've known better. The empanadas are more authentic tasting next door at Alex Chimis or even down the street at the bakery. These empanadas just don't taste good. They're huge though. They just don't taste like DOMINICAN empanadas.

I'd never go here again. 30 minutes for a single sandwich and the staff clearly weren't working to serve the customer.

No complaints about the food here - it has been great all three times I've gone. The Cuban sandwiches are especially fantastic! However, for each of the three times I've had to wait for much longer than they told me. This most recent time, I was initially told that the food would be ready in 15 minutes, but was left waiting for well over an hour! The woman working the register expressed no sympathy at all regarding the long wait (and she was the one who said that it would take 15 minutes). Many other customers were having the same experience. This would've been a much better experience if the restaurant had just told me the appropriate wait time!

I have been following Pikalo on instagram for quiet sometime. I always kept saying I had to try it eventually. Well it finally happened today. It's in the Jp area that has many other Spanish influenced restaurants around. I love that the focus at PikaloI is pastelitos or Empanadas as most call it. I got the chicken and cheese Empanada. Which for the cost was HUGE AND FULLY LOADED. Nothings worst than getting a empanada that barely has filling and is all dough. I liked the flavor of it, but I dunno I just wasn't wow. I feel like my homemade ones pack a more flavorful punch. I'll say though if you have a taste for a empanada then this place is it. They make so many kinds of empanadas catering to all taste pallets. I'm have to go back and try the shrimp one for sure.

Love this place! The empanadas were really good. I got the buffalo chicken and it was spicy and a great pocket. Pricing is good. You can get a ton of food. I think each empanada is 4-6 bucks but they're really big. I also have the mango juice which was made from scratch and really fresh. I love this place. Anytime I'm in the neighborhood I always stop by!

Very fresh, made to order. Main thing to go there for are the empenadas which have a great flavor outside. However they do have some other items like sandwiches and desserts. Can occasionally lack filling. Very good smoothies as well.

We were looking at open houses in the JP area, which really built up our appetites. Came across the bright orange storefront on Centre St, and decided to try some local food. Our lunch was very tasty, served hot and fresh, and good value. Recommend: * Beef and Cheese -or- Shredded Beef empanadas - delicious fried goodness. Make sure to add some of their zesty house sauce. I'm on a mission to try all *THIRTY* TYPES... yes 3-0, treinta. Note: you can even order a custom one! * Cubano sandwich - as good as the the ones I've tried in Little Havana in Miami. * Oatmeal juice (jugo de avena) - sounds gross but it's a popular & very refreshing Dominican drink - loved the passionfruit flavor! I also tried the "Big Papi" empanada (ham, chicken, eggplant, cheese, and other vege), but wasn't a fan of the mushy stuffing and flavor combination - only comes in large size. Be prepared to wait a while for your food to be ready since they do cook everything fresh to order. Hmm... I might have to buy a house in JP now so I can become a regular here.

Heard about this place from our friend. We were recommended their empanadas and their sandwiches. The Empanadas were quite good but the pork sandwiches were the definite highlight. The one negative is how long it takes them to prep the food so make sure to order ahead. I think we waited 30m+ for 2 empanadas and a sandwich. The employees were nice, but they definitely operate on island time.

Service was fast. I placed an order for pick up through Seamless and it was ready about 15 minutes later. The pastry doubt was crisp and flaky and the filling was super flavorful. I got the beef and cheese and chicken and corn cheese empanadas and enjoyed both of tThe prices are great as well. The empanadas cost about five dollars depending on which one you get, but are huge.

I was just walking by and decided to go in, I had the Big Papi Club which comes with fries. I didn't know what I was getting into, it's huge. I could only finish half, but it's a good warm sandwich and it's made fresh. It's a small place so I took it to go but I would recommend stopping in

The empanadas are very large and extremely delicious. Pizza, Beef, and chicken are my favorites. So flavorful! The service is fast and the staff are polite. It's a small place so I recommend getting your food to go rather than dining in.

The cuban sandwich & empanadas (esp chicken, corn & cheese) were so tasty. The portion sizes are also huge and the sandwich. Highly recommend!

The food is so delicious!!! I drive all the way from the North shore just for their empanadas and desserts. Only negative is that they need better packaging for their takeout. The tres Leche cake leaked out of the container and the empanadas ripped through the paper bag. It caused such a mess in my car. It happened more than a handful of times but I still come back.

Great food - terrible service. Second time I put in an order for pick up. Both times they did not start the order until I arrived. Then they included the wrong items and forgot an item each time.

Delicious empanadas! Filing is plentiful and full of flavor. Prices range from $3 to $7 per empanada. These are not pre-cooked sitting under a heat lamp so be prepared to wait about 12 minutes for your order.

Good lunch spot: Get one of their empanadas. They are big with multiple veggie and meat options. They also have: Patacons and Sandwiches (they look tasty but no veg options), Smoothies, and some Latin desserts. The Caesar salad is really mediocre but large and a good deal. Smallish place but with cool decor. Repurposed metal tables, cork stools. They definitely care about presentation.

Empanadas galore! I've never seen such a large selection in one place, ranging from chicken to even Hawaiian pizza. The smell is also just plain intoxicating. My boyfriend had been here a few times before taking me so he decided that we were getting the shrimp and cheese (I'm a sucker for this combination to be honest). The pastry is so buttery and perfectly cooked, and so were the shrimp inside. No rubbery chewiness at all. They also have a sauce that tastes like Thousand Island dressing that goes well with the buttery package. One of my only complaints is that the pastry is rather puffed up so there's a lot of air inside compared to filling. This just makes it so the filling falls toward one end of the pastry while you're eating (at least for the one we had). Still delicious nonetheless! All in all, a great place to get your empanada fixing. One was enough for me but I imagine you could get a pretty filling meal, especially as many of them are cheaper than the $5+ shrimp one. Just to note, the shop is pretty small with limited seating but empanadas are easy to walk with!

Don't shy away from this small spot, the empanadas are so good and big! We tried the codfish and a chicken, corn & cheese and they were excellent! The sandwiches were a good size and delicious! Loved it!