Empanada's Place

I lived in Argentina for two years so maybe I am a little picky about empanadas, but to pay over 2 dollars for one empanada is ridiculous. Over 30 bucks for a dozen? No thanks. In Argentina you can get a dozen for about 5 bucks. My advice is go to the El Gaucho Meat Market in the south bay. Cheaper and better. About $1.50 an empanada. more

Had a beef empanada for lunch today. Was a very lovely combination of spices with ground beef, boiled egg, olives (love olives mmmm) & white onions. The flavors went great in harmony, in particular thought the sweet of the onions complimented the olives & beef. Crispy shell (always a plus), dough was of a consistency of my liking, tender, moist & slightly chewy, and the best thing was that it was thin but held shape really good while eating. Was larger in size than what I had thought, and the amount of filling was good too, maybe about 1/3 of a cup. Would like to go back to try other kind, place had lots of variety in meat & in veggie section. Pros: flavor, ambience, service, accessibility, prices Cons: been there once, haven't encountered problems yet, will update? more

After reading about this place in a guide book and on Citysearch, I decided to try it as I love empanadas. My first hint that the food was going to be good/authentic was that Argentineans actually were eating there. That said, I was extremely pleased with both the service and (espcially) the empanadas. They were great! I tried the corn with mozarella, arabe (ground beef with lemon juice and onions), and potatoes with cheese and cilantro (my favorite, although it was a tough call as all were wonderful). The dough was perfectly fried and the fillings were nicely spiced - my kind of comfort food. The woman at the counter was very nice and labeled my to-go box so I would know which empanada was which. \r \r Another thing I would mention is that the prices listed on the Citysearch editorial review are not correct - click on the menu link for the correct pricing. And cash only - the guy in front of me had to run to the ATM after he ordered when he realized it. But no complaints, and I will definitely be back! Pros: Empanadas(!), service Cons: cash only, parking can be tricky more

My coworker and I checked this place out one night in December to see if the empanadas would be good to have at our company's holiday party. After sharing a plate of about 6 different kinds, we were HOOKED. The delicious little dinner pastries are unbelieveably good, perfectly spiced, and delightfully crispy AND soft at the same time. We ordered 10 dozen of the cocktail sized empanadas for the party, and they were gone in literally 15 minutes. \r \r The only (seriously, the only) negative thing about this place is that they take cash only. So bring some Lincoln's and enjoy -- you will not be disappointed. Pros: everything! Cons: cash only more

We love this place for a quick bite to eat. The whole menu is empanadas, but their salad is good as well. more

they've got an outpost on ventura blvd in tarzana too. criollo is great but i really like the chicken too. moist and tender inside this flaky crust. more

my parents have been taking me here since i was a kid. we'd go into LA or they'd visit me at UCLA and while we stuck in traffic on the 405, wed order and our food would be ready to pick up by the time we'd exit (the restaurant is right off the 405, exit Venice blvd).\r \r ive tried empanadas everywhere--even in south america--and these are the best yet. ive been stuck on Criollas for years until I discovered the Arabe--its seasoned with lemon juice. delicious! the Alfajores (very dry sugar cookie sandwiches stuck together with dolce de leche, a thick carmel-like spread) arent too bad either--sometimes they buy them from different places, but usually they are good. Pros: food (great finger foods for parties--warm them up a toaster oven, not the microwave), right off the 405 Cons: the atmosphere--its a little dark but i like all the decorations on the wall more

I tried all the empanadas except those with beef and I must say they are all delicious...I loved the one with ricotta cheese in it. I'll be back to this place!! A little expensive though because the empanadas are pretty small and u need 3 or 4 at least to fill u up. Pros: empanadas!! Cons: value, price more

Heavenly fillings wrapped up in flaky pastry and cooked to a crunchy golden brown. Faves include corn, potato and cheese, criollo (seasoned ground beef with egg and raisins--sounds weird, tastes awesome). Get the cocktail size (only available by the dozen) and wow your party guests; or go for lunch or dinner and lose yourself in the quaintness of the lacy curtains and tango posters while munching with Argentine nationals looking for a reminder of home. Pros: crazy-delish food, excellent party food Cons: parking can be hard, service a little slow more

i have been coming here for years and cant say enough positive things about the place- try the arabe- my friends and i get ridiculous cravings for this lemon-juice soaked amazing beef pastry- the original criolla (spelling?) are very good as well. the inside is a bit bare bones but call ahead and pick up the food and you will find yourslef craving it all the time! Pros: food!!!!, prices Cons: ambience, limited selection more

For first timers, like me, Empanada is a deep fried flour shell filled with something. There are plenty of meat and vegetarian options, but little or no options for vegans. If you are like me, you may be tempted to get 3 empanadas, but since they are deep fried 2 may fill you. The food comes in a few minutes; so you can always get more later. Each Empanada was priced $2.65. Very good value! The lady, who was the host (or owner) when I visited, was very pleasant. Suspecting it's my first visit she showed me what an Empanda is and suggested getting 2-3 of them for lunch. Pros: Tasty, Parking lot, Cheap more

I love the Empanadas here, of course, but if you're missing Argentina this is such a nice place to go - the decor, the various types of dulce de leche for sale, the alfajores, it's all great. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming to me. The mini-empanadas are an installation at my parties! more

Decent empanadas, but wild horses couldn't drag me back to this place again. Not only was the service non-existent, the counter person was downright rude. I asked for mate and was condescended to and I wasn't even given the watery chimichurri sauce. Cons: no parking, no waiting area, rude service more

The closest i've had to homemade. the just about as good as moms . But nothing ever compares to moms cooking. Pros: Great food, Good Atmostsphere more

If I didnt know any better, Id think these were the best empanadas in the world. Too bad Id already tried the empanadas place in Monrovia. These pale in comparison, though if you live/work on the Westside and youve got the craving, then this really is your best bet. The companion sauces are good, and I really like the traditional empanadas versus the more Americanized ones. Parking can be a problem, as this section of Venice Boulevard is always busy due to its proximity to the freeway. Pros: inexpensive Cons: so-so food more

I had almost every variety and they're all perfect. Grab a twelve pack and enjoy them at home...if they make it that far. Hand made, cripy on the outside and full of awesome stuff on the inside. You really can't beat the taste for the money. more