The Empanada Spot

I stopped by The Empanada Spot around 2 PM, looking to try something different, and it did not disappoint! Located in a shared storefront with multiple establishments, it’s easy to spot and has parking available in the lot, which is always a plus. Food: I ordered the Chipotle Chicken and Beans & Cheese empanadas to-go, and they were incredible. Both were perfectly crispy, flavorful, and packed with just the right amount of filling. You can tell the ingredients are fresh, and the quality shines through. My food was ready in about 8 minutes, so it’s a great option if you’re in a hurry. Service: Friendly and efficient. The ordering process was smooth, and the staff were welcoming. They even accept tap-to-pay (but no AmEx), which made checkout super convenient. Ambiance: The establishment itself was very clean, with a laid-back vibe. There’s a mix of seating—two small tables outside and a few inside. Music videos were playing, but the volume was low enough not to be disruptive. It’s a comfortable spot to hang out if you decide to eat in. Overall, The Empanada Spot is a hidden gem. Between the excellent food, clean space, and quick service, I’ll definitely be back! Highly recommend it if you’re craving something crispy, flavorful, and satisfying.

This place popped up as a suggestion in my DoorDash app and I thought they looked good so I gave it a shot. My life will never be the same. I ended up going back two days later for more. The pastry on these empanadas is melt-in-your mouth delicious, and the filling is even better. I got a mix and match dozen so I've tried most flavors. While they are all delicious, the Quesabirria is hands down my favorite. Lord have mercy! The sweet options also leave nothing to be desired. The Churro Cheesecake is a beautiful buttery cinnamon sugar pocket of heaven. Seriously, go give them your money. You won't regret it.

The empanadas are delicious. They have meat, vegan sweets ( today churro 🤤) for all appetites. Make sure to check them out. They also have bundles and catering too. Tell them Juan Ma sent you 😉

Went to this establishment today for first time with a friend. Wow! What a diamond in the rough. Clean, small and welcoming. The service was awesome and the food was well worth it. A few options to choose from, from original to pizza style. Prices are great. The sky is the limit for this place. I will be back.

First time trying this place out and it was delicious!!! My husband and son ordered the pepperoni one and it was really good! The sauce they used was tasty and on the sweeter side, which I loved! I ordered the Chicharrón and The OG. Loved them both!!! Soooo tasty. Delicious flavors. They were juicy and with the housemade salsa they were even better! We were surprised that they had sweet empanadas too! We ordered the apple and a sweet bean. I loved them both. My son and husband loved the apple pie. This is a new family favorite. We are definitely going to become regulars!!! Great service too. The gentleman who attended us was very friendly and kind. Dining tables and chairs available. Kid friendly. 100% recommended. Many options to choose from!!!

I came across some reviews for Empanada Spot and decided we MUST drive down to give them a try. We love well made empanadas and this place, specializing in a Mexican version of empanadas made with love, didn’t disappoint at all. We were greeted by an extremely friendly and courteous employee as we walked in. I’ve seen him on the Instagram posts that we checked out beforehand but I forgot to ask his name. We each ordered two on this trip. I had the Quesabirria and The O.G. Empanadas and my partner had the Bean and Cheese and Rajas Empanadas. They both came out pretty quickly and were hot to the touch. They gave us two types of sauce and I had a side of consomé with my Quesabirria empanada. They aren’t huge empanadas but being savory we were pretty satisfied with just the two each. They were a perfect brown and had just the right about of crispiness and flakiness on the outside. Inside the birria was tender and juicy and there was plentiful cheese. Dipped in the consomé it was a heavenly bite. The O.G. was more savory with plenty of red sauce, black olives, steak and potatoes. Definitely glad I tried it. My partner loved both the Rajas and the Bean and Cheese options. Both were super cheesy and the sauces were on point. There are limited tables inside as well as a few tables outside. We definitely left knowing we will be back again. I want to try one of the pizza versions and the Shrimp and Cheese next time. My partner has eyes set on the Chipotle Chicken for the next visit.

This place has gone significantly downhill. My family and I have been eating their empanadas since the pandemic. You can tell the empanadas are frozen and it messes with the flavor. We have recieved orders with missing items like actual empanadas (like today) or salsas (also like today) and sodas that they upcharge for. Not only that but the empanadas are falling apart as well as you can see in the pictures. Breaks my heart to see a chula vista lose pride in their work. Edit: posted review before we got to the dessert empanada. Ordered two plain nutella empanadas. Recieved nutella and banana. Didnt realize until after we bit into it. As someone that has worked in the hospitality industry on BOH for the past 15 years, this is unacceptable. You are making a huge profit off flour and a smear of filling. Even if you have them frozen, you have them either improperly stored, labeled or completely ran out and didnt bother to make a new one. Invest in quality employees, I would like to see this local business thrive. My friends and family all recommend this place but the fact that they constantly mess up our delivery orders triggered this rant.

Saw a lot of hype on social media and went to try it out. The empanadas are good. The service from just one particular person was terrible. There were 3 people working there. 2 girls and 1 guy. The girl that was initially at the counter was soo nice and attentive. Before leaving I made another order and I saw that they are part of clovers reward system, but the guy bypassed where I needed to put in my phone number, I asked him twice if he could go back so I can out in my phone number. He kept looking elsewhere, very distracted, it was just so odd and rude. I noticed he had his earbuds in, so perhaps that’s why he couldn’t hear me? He just made me feel like I was a annoyance/burden for ordering. His demeanor was off putting. We were in no way rude, we just wanted to try the empanadas and we did, they are good.

I rarely write reviews cause they're biased as hell. Regardless, this spot deserves recognition. Great food and service.

A random craving for empanadas struck and when I was looking for a new place to try, The Empanada Spot popped up. It was worth weathering the rain and wet socks. It's a smaller shop with seating. Cute wall art and clean. They're in a plaza with a good amount of parking, which is a bonus. The empanadas are $4.50 each and they're made to order. Fried up to crispy perfection. -Shrimp and Cheese: mild flavor but pairs well with the complimentary salsas. -Quesabirria: immaculate cheese pull & tender beef (you can order consume on the side for a bit extra.) -Peanut Butter and Jelly: I think this was my favorite. I'm a sucker for a good PB&J.. and this was fried, so bonus lol I do think you should wait a couple of minutes before eating do the peanut butter won't drip out though. After it sets, it's petfect. -Churro Cheesecake: Yum, it's a cream cheese filled churro. Tasty. A bunch of people ordered ahead of time for pick up, so if I'm feeling generous and want to actually bring some home to share, I'll definitely do that. Lol

So simple & so good. There's a reason why they have 5 star reviews. This place did not disappoint. TheOG, birria, chipotle chicken, shrimp and cheese, & churro cheesecake *drooling*. Everything is made fresh when you order. Our first time and had to order a dozen. The amount of filling in each empanada is enough and the breading pairs perfectly. & they have 3 diff types of hot sauce/salsa that adds more flavor. My new spot for parties/potlucks. Best of all the gentlemen that helped me was so nice and place is clean. I work down the street, so I'm def coming here to pick up dinner.

I stopped by The Empanada Spot around 2 PM, looking to try something different, and it did not disappoint! Located in a shared storefront with multiple establishments, it's easy to spot and has parking available in the lot, which is always a plus. Food: I ordered the Chipotle Chicken and Beans & Cheese empanadas to-go, and they were incredible. Both were perfectly crispy, flavorful, and packed with just the right amount of filling. You can tell the ingredients are fresh, and the quality shines through. My food was ready in about 8 minutes, so it's a great option if you're in a hurry. Service: Friendly and efficient. The ordering process was smooth, and the staff were welcoming. They even accept tap-to-pay (but no AmEx), which made checkout super convenient. Ambiance: The establishment itself was very clean, with a laid-back vibe. There's a mix of seating--two small tables outside and a few inside. Music videos were playing, but the volume was low enough not to be disruptive. It's a comfortable spot to hang out if you decide to eat in. Overall, The Empanada Spot is a hidden gem. Between the excellent food, clean space, and quick service, I'll definitely be back! Highly recommend it if you're craving something crispy, flavorful, and satisfying.

Absolutely Love this place! They are all incredibly delicious! Great, hardworking, wonderful people. I can feel the Love Thank you for your hard wo

I only been to this place only one time so far, but the food was very tasty. I tried four different types of empanadas and they were all delicious. They make the order fresh and relatively quick. The business is located in a small shopping center that is quiet and plenty of parking available. The gentleman that helped me choose my order was friendly and courteous. I will be back for sure.

We were looking for some place to grab lunch and since we weren't too far away, we thought why not come here. So glad we did! The workers didn't hear me come in which gave me a chance to look through the menu. After about 5 minutes, a friendly young woman came out and apologized. But I was ready to order! Two chicken chipotle and two OG. Both were soooooo good! Love the flaky crust! There are outside tables and chairs and Cako Approves! Definitely worth coming to this hidden gem!

These are little pockets of heaven ,Flakey pastries stuffed with meat. The OG is a solid choice if this is your first time. Pretty much all of them are going to be a good from savory to sweet. Service is friendly and helped with picking a few favorites. Shop is small typically I wait in the car and take my food to go.

Talk about comfort food! The empanadas here are like a snackable meal and at around $4 each are a great deal. Tucked away in a small plaza this family establishment serves a variety of savory and sweet empanadas. It's a great place to stop by if you're in the area or get catering for small events. I got the Chipotle Chicken which is slightly creamy and smoky (not spicy), and the Rajas (shredded poblano chile) Con Queso. Both were good. The Rajas were more spicy than I expected and the chipotle chicken was perfect. I've also had the shrimp and cheese before and it's one of my favorites. The dough is crispy flakey and not like pie dough which is good, and the trifecta variety of sauces they give you to go with the empanadas are all super good. The service is quick and friendly, and if ever I feel like skipping a hot dog from the nearby Costco I'll stop by this joint!

are you kidding me? not only was it such a positive atmosphere but these are seriously the best empanadas that I've ever had my entire life. The shrimp & cheese truly surprised me. So crisp and tasty. The Rajas chilies reminded me of a classic childhood chimichanga but wayyyyyy better. The agua fresca samples were such a great compliment to the empanadas. The owner was kind to give my husband and I a complimentary side of potato salad. It was flavorful and delicious.

This place is amazing. Constantly crave and always recommend it to friends. This is coming from someone who originally didn't like empanadas too!!

So glad I found a great spot for empanadas that is close to me. Their empanadas are huge and while I was there, I saw lots of patrons, so you know it's legit. I tried the a variety of them and you can mix and match a dozen for only $43. They even have sweet ones like apple pie, churro cheesecake, banana Nutella, and more! My favorite was definitely the rajas, which came with roasted chile poblano, corn, sauteed onion and cheese. You can also add their spicy salsas, but they are flavorful on their own. I also tried their macaroni and potato salad as well. Their agua frescas are very refreshing and service is prompt and friendly.

I would not have ventured here but I saw a doordash promo for this restaurant so I decided to look it up on Yelp and gave it a try. This restaurant is located in a pretty old and dead plaza. The restaurant is more like a fast food take out style shop. The store was very small. There were 2 tables outdoors for dining. I got two of the chipotle chicken empanadas. The items were made quickly and ready for pickup within minutes. Despite sitting in a box for a few minutes, the empanadas were still so perfectly crispy. The well-trained staff initiated to give me one of each sauce which was perfect as I did not know what sauces they offer and it was not on display. Ideally they should have a self serve sauce bar. The empanadas had a mild chipotle flavor. The shell was thin and had a perfect crunch and crispiness. Most empanadas I've had had a thicker shell but I enjoyed this thinner shell more. The chicken was moist and tender. The red spicy hot sauce paired well with the empanada. Overall, I enjoyed the empanadas here and the doordash promo definitely helped market the restaurant.

Every time I'm in the area this is a MUST! CONSISTENTLY delicious and reliable. I have no hesitation recommending this place to ANYONE! The service is so friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. Thanks to everyone for being amazing!

Excellent!! Birriai and the OG are delicious. I'll definitely consider them for catering during.my.next event

I have been wanting to try these empanadas for so long and finally got to today! The empanadas are so tasty and full of flavor and stuffed to perfection! I ordered the dozen mix & match, the flavors that I chose were 2 of The OG, 1 Chicharron, 1 Pepperoni, 2 Quesabirria, 1 Rajas, 2 Costilla de Puerco, 2 Chipotle Chicken and 1 Bean & Cheese. I also ordered the Churro Cheesecake sweet empanada and a Mango Agua Fresca with the rim around the cup. 10/10 recommend this place for your empanada cravings!

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOOWWW!!!! This place is a gem! First of all, the customer service is unmatched! The second I entered, I was greeted with a warm smile and welcome by, could be the owner? I hear it's family owned which is beautiful. It was my first time and he made me feel so welcomed and right at home! He went over the menu in great detail with me, offered me a free sample of their fruit agua water and threw in a free pasta salad! Now about these phenomenal empanadas!! 10/10!!! They had absolutely no business being that goooood! They were delicious and full of flavor!! I wanted to try them all!! I honestly couldn't even tell you which was my favorite out of the 4 I bought lol then I purchased one for dessert because why wouldn't I?! I ordered the pepperoni pizza, quesabirria, chipotle chicken and bean and cheese. The dessert one was the churro cheesecake. *chefs kiss* I will definitely be back to try more or just get what I purchased today. Each empanada was $4.30 and worth every red cent! I want to bring my family here, they would love it!

I love to support small, family owned businesses. This one is worth it. This is a hidden gem in a small, unassuming, older strip mall. Parking is not difficult. Walk up to a small store that is large on genuine hospitality and amazing flavors in empanadas. The price for a dozen has risen by $3 since I last visited, but still worth every penny. I usually eat two and I'm satisfied. My favorite savory ones are the Rajas and Quesobirria. Favorite sweet empanadas for me are the Strawberries and Cream and Churro cheesecake. The newest flavor is chicken pot pie, which is packed with chicken, peas, carrots, and flavor! Today we got a free sample of their aguas frescas in Strawberry and plátanos. Bonus! My nephew says these are so good they're criminal. The last time I brought some home, he ate some for lunch, dinner, and then breakfast. My friend took her visiting family here, and they ended up coming back three times in one week, even taking a couple dozen for their flight home. Give them a try, it's worth the trip!

Food was so delicious!! It was our first time here... we were in the neighborhood and found it across the street. My husband had the chicken pot pie, pepperoni pizza and birria. I had the OG and the birria The green sauce was also super tasty, a little sweetness to it and it was my favorite one! The place is clean, service was awesome and we will definitely go again. Next time I'll probably try a dessert empanada and the horchata

Just went today and I loved it. They make your food when you order it so it's nice and fresh and hot. The owner gave me some of their new watermelon drink for free while I waited. The customer service is great here. I did wait a while because it started to get busy but it was definitely worth the wait. The shrimp and cheese is amazing! I will be back again! So many people started coming and I know why now! SO GOOD

Small dining room.. very nice workers these things are made to order so call ahead if possible or there will be a wait. But these pockets of goodness are well worth it.. ! Rajas.. / .. .. my favs.

I love their empanadas here. My favorite is the chipotle chicken one. These empanadas are on the pricey side, but well worth it as it is of high quality! They have an empanada for everyone, they have sweet and savory. The crust is flakey and not dry as other empanadas can get. Everytime I order from here I find myself eating it immediately even before heading out the parking lot, but trust me with how delicious these things are, I'm pretty sure you will do the same!

You haven't had empanadas until you've had these!!! The employee was very friendly and polite. It's extremely clean and inviting when you walk in. The food is absolutely!! I wish I lived closer, would come very often! Soooo yummy!

Omg, it was a random look up spot while in the area, and it was the best decision I made! We order a dozen, 10 savory and 2 dessert and it was all delicious!! The place was cute too!!! A couple seating inside and outside. The salsa was amazing, the 3 went well with the variety we got! Had to order some salsa for home! You can tell it was a local spot... whoever owes it, know what they are doing! Totally would go back, or if they decide to ship within CA, totally would order!!!

The empanadas were delicious! I purchased a dozen to try different flavors, including their Original, Quesabirria, Costilla de Puerco, and Chicken Pot Pie. My favorite was the Quesabirria, but all of them were tasty! I will definitely return. If you plan to visit, be prepared to wait, as they do get busy. I recommend calling ahead if you're ordering for takeout.

Their empanadas are ridiculously delicious. I stopped by this past weekend and ordered a dozen empanadas. I ordered 3 sweet ones: churro, apple, and Reese's. Those were all great however apple was my favorite. I then ordered 9 savory ones: 3 OGs, 1 pepperoni, 2 quesabirria, 1 chicken pot pie, 1 chichirron, and 1 Costilla de puerco. Those were all really good but my favorites were the pepperoni, chichirron, and quesabirria. Also they give you hot sauce both green and red which were a perfect spicy pairing. I was pleasantly surprised on how good all of them were. The service was pretty quick as it only took about 10 mins or less. I'd highly recommend others trying this place out and will return in the near future!!!

Love everything in their menu only they have delicious empanadas my fav is shrimp, but their side salads pair so well. Very clean place pride in their ownership amazing service. Thank you !

Delicious, excellent customer service. My favorite is the OG and banana Nutella empanada, and the watermelon agua fresca amazing. Thank you

The service is great! The food is up to par in taste and the sauce choices that come along with the food are a perfect combination! The atmosphere is Very clean and comfy

The empanadas are fresh and tasty! They also have amazing salsas to go along with them. Service was spot on and we felt very welcomed. (:

Excellent empanadas and excellent service! Definitely recommend! Lots of different choices!

The empanadas are just delicious. I am obsessed. I would eat these every day. My favorites are the Chicharrón and Rajas. My kids really enjoyed the pepperoni and Birria. I'm probably going to be eating this at least once a week. This is my second time coming here in a two week period. Haven't gotten around to trying their dessert empanadas but I plan to and I will update the review. The Agua Frescas are really good here. I'm super happy with the food. The service they are super nice. And sweet. Can't wait to see how this place blows up.

So sorry I did not give you a photo, I usually do, especially when the taste is so wonderful and flavorful busting with fresh ingredients that will make your mouth BEG for more! My first time, (Another Yelp recommendation) and I was delighted. Clean and friendly to the extreme, cozy seating too. Outdoor, of course, but only on a nice day. Easy of the wallet. They are all the way in the back, you will locate them on your right. Long Drive from Linda Vista, but worth it!

The empanadas are delicious, I've had multiple flavors but my favorite hands down is the chicharrón. Every time I come in, the staff is super nice and helpful and encouraging to try different things. They keep a very clean and minimalist dining area, but you may also sit outside if you prefer. 10/10

Empanadas were very tasty. I had a sweet one and Raja con Queso. I definitely will be a returning customer.

We got a dozen variety, I love the shrimp and cheese. These are fried empanadas, they cook as you order, we waited for about 20minutes. The empanadas are good but the churro cheesecake was lacking the churro flavor, seems like they forgot the cinnamon sugar or something. The place is tucked in the corner so may be a bit difficult to find. The restaurant is clean, with seating inside and outside. I like that each table has a sanitizer bottle. The staff taking orders was accommodating and suggested the best sellers.

We're back six months later and everything is still wonderful! Clean shop, indoor & outdoor seating, friendly staff, and delicious, fried to order empanadas. With an almost 5 star average rating you can't go wrong here!

We discovered this spot after a long day of shopping. These empanadas are da bomb. For $4 you can get a large and crispy empanada filled with homemade ingredients. The crust was so flavorful and crunchy. Uncle had the chicken pot pie empanada as warm and nostalgic, just like his mom used to make. I tried The OG which was a juicy blend of marinated steak which I dipped in the mouth-watering salsa verde. Finally, the horchata was medium thick which the perfect amount of sweet and rice. We will definitely be back for more empanadas when we visit from Maui.

Wonderful empanadas. Bought some for a super bowl party and they were well received. The staff was generous with salsa and pickup was flawless.

Service is friendly at this tiny out of the way spot in a big strip mall with adequate parking. It's a small menu but you can get both sweet and savory types. I've only had takeaway but there are a few small cafe style tables and chairs for those that want to eat in. The food is Mexican style and you order by the piece. It's then fried to order. They have prepackaged small cold salad sides and 3 kinds of delicious salsas. I tried a steak and potato one and a beef birria one. Both were good with a fair amount of filling. Order as many as you want with a side dish or two for a more filling meal. Otherwise, one or two are enough for a lighter meal or snack. It was just before Christmas and people were coming in and ordering trays for pickup the next days. I would go back again next time I'm in the area.

I am glad I came across this place on Yelp, even better that my boyfriend was just recently talking about empanadas. I looked over the menu and saw that they had so many delicious empanadas flavors I wanted to try. They offer a mix and match deal for a dozen for $40 which saves you about the cost of two empanadas! My order: The OG - Flaky dough with savory steak and potato flavor. Lots of delicious filling in each bite! Chipotle Chicken - Good amount of filling from the seasoned shredded chicken combined with the slightly smoky and sweet flavor from the chipotle sauce. Oddly enough the firm texture did kind of remind me of canned tuna but don't let that deter you from trying because the flavor was good. Quesabirria - Packed with flavor from the tender beef stew meat and cheese. Exactly what I expected birria to taste like and it did not disappoint! Costilla De Puerco - Delicious pork and meaty flavor and the chiles add a nice touch to it. Churro Cheesecake - Perfect dessert to cut out the savoriness of the other empanadas. Warm, sugary, rich and creamy flavor with a slightly tangy and sweet taste from the cheesecake filling. Shrimp & Cheese - Loved the contrast in flavors with the tendered seasoned shrimp, blend of melted mozzarella, and perfectly sautéed onion and bell pepper that offered a nice touch to all flavors combined. This was both me and my boyfriend's favorite. Agua Fresca and Agua Delux (Pineapple) - Refreshing pineapple flavor and if you want the salty, sweet, sour taste of the chamoy rim than the Agua delux is the way to go! The sauces are must! Very tasty with the empanadas. Service: The girls behind the counter are very nice, they are both efficient, professional, and display a courteous manner. One of the girls even helped me carry my drinks to my car because my hands were full. This kind gesture meant a lot to me.

For my husband's birthday all he asked for was good empanadas. We searched all san diego for them. We came here because of the reviews and because it's a local family owned shop. My whole family was really impressed with the food and customer service. It's been a while since we've experienced amazing food and great customer service.

Didn't even have time to take a photo the lady and I demolished these empanadas. We got the OG, pizza, rajas and queda birria. Thank you to the owner, cook and front of house for being so polite and bringing out the food. The spot is definitely hidden, I will say clean! Most importantly 10/10

Came here around brunch hours... a small spot, just a few tables inside. The empanadas are made to order with savory options and a few sweet dessert ones. The staff working were friendly and the place was very clean. But these empanadas are legit. They have wonderful flavored filling and a crisp shell. Im amazed bc it was not greasy at all. The sauces paired with the empanadas are perfect too. If you want some realllly good empanadas, go here! Nothing else on the menu so keep that in mind!...

Best empanadas! We've gone to several empanada places in San Diego and they were ready-made and the dough is incredibly delicious!

Visited the Empanada Place for the first time. Absolutely loved it! I was taken aback by the clerk offering his handshake as a welcome. Immediately made me feel welcomed to the place. The man was very friendly and easy to talk to. The empanadas were delicious! Will be back soon! Oh, and no blaring music to drown out conversation with guests.

How did I not know this place has been here for two years. This place is a must try. Empanadas are one of my favorites so my hopes were very high. Boy were these impressive. I got the OG and each bite of those olives was the best treat. Their salsa is a great addition to these. They have a nice variety to pick from. The next one I got was the pepperoni this one was full of meat. The flakey crust with pizza sauce was a hit. The last one I got was the Nutella banana. It was better than most desserts you'll find at an expensive restaurant. Reminds me of a flaky beignet full of melty chocolate with powdered sugar all over. The service was also 5 stars. The owner wants to make sure you're one happy customer. I just finished my meal and I've already sent pictures to everyone I know. They sell a dozen for $40 I can't wait to try every single one.

Stopped in on a whim. So glad we did. Three of us, and we were able to try most all of the empanadas. Not a bad one in the lot. Definitely will return!

I usually am not a fan of empanadas but these were delicious! They were crunchy, hot and savory. The prices were good and their menu was simple. Service was quick and they will give you a salsa flight if you ask for it. It's small inside but they also have some outdoor seating.