Empanadas in Kensington Market?

A few months ago there was an article in the Star about street vendors -- it featured a woman who had an empanada cart who was subsequently shut down by the city. But she relocated to a store front in Kensington Market. The empanadas sounded awesome and I was wondering if anyone knows the name of her store and where in Kensington Market it's located?

Tried some today, very nice! Not as spicy as I thought but still tasty. The salsa on the side is a neccessity. There was a long wait, maybe due in part to this forum. :)

Just to let you know of a bakery/store on Wilson Ave., North side in a strip mall 2 blocks or so west of Dufferin.

They sell their own, similar Empanadas.

The name of the store begins with CHILE, so can be easily found. Maybe the Yorkdale area here will be useful for you, if not maybe others!

Oooh, that's awesome to know. I live near Yonge and York Mills, so that right in my area. Thanks!!

The place you are referring to is Emporio De Los Sandwich at 894 Wilson. Its a Uraguayan (spelling) bakery with awesome cakes, pastries and as mentioned wicked empanadas. I found it by accident because I was curious about the name, and what was inside. It's family owned and they also own the two stores to the east. My one year old son and 5 year old daughter can't get enough.

Enjoy!!

Actually, the place they were referring to is (I believe) Rosa Chileno which is closer to Dufferin. However, I think that the Empenadas at Emporio de los Sandwiches, which is closer to Keele, are far better. The beef Empenadas are not too spicy and are mostly ground beef. The Rosa Chileno beef Empanadas have more things in them, if you prefer that recipe. Also, I think they have more choices than Emporio which only offers Ham and Cheese Empenadas as their other choice, which I have never tried. Also, the Columbus Bakery on Dufferin, right next to the wonderful City Fish Market, seems to now be owned by Latin Americans who also make Empenadas. My advice. Head back to Wilson.

I was in Kensington Market in June and tried the empanadas from the butcher shop....these are Chilean empanadas (I am pretty sure the place across the street is too, but I didn't try it)....I only tried the empanadas de pino at the butcher, complete with meat, onions, hard boiled egg and an olive. Delicious. I wish I was back in Toronto right now, but instead I am in Boston. The one chilean empanada I have had here was not nearly as good.

Dave M.P.

I also tried that empanada at the butcher shop. Not bad, not spectacular. it was the curry beef one. wish they had the chorizo one in stock..

That same article mentioned the little grocery shop that sells papusas from a kitchen in the back. I can't recall the name but it's on the east side of Augusta, just a few doors up from Baldwin. The papusas are awesome and the women that work there are lovely!

Hi!
Could you tell me what a papusa is? Never had or heard of one.
Maya

I'm no expert but it's something like a pancake made from corn flour. You have your choice of getting it filled with cheese, beans or meat (or a combination). Then it's grilled and served with a couple of sauces. So yummy.

There used to be a shop on Augusta where a woman was making them fresh just outside the entrance in the covered storefront.

She made them filled with cheese, refried beans, and chicharron (ground, seasoned and fried pork skin I believe) and served them with a spicy kind of "coleslaw". Delicious.

I drove up Augusta the other day, but I didn't see the store. Hopefully, they didn't close up shop, and I just missed seeing them while driving.

[shiro miso]

The place you are thinking of is still there! Perola Supermarket... east side of Augusta north of JE, in the back... they have Gorditas, Papusas, Tamales, and VERY humble surroundings. You might have to sit on a milk crate. ;-) I go there for the character of the place - and the spicy and salty tamarind candies they sell near the counter. They are like little rectangular fruit leathers wrapped in a yellow wrapper. In the candy section. Check them out!

Their kitchen is open on weekends only I think. A couple of doors south is another El Salvadoran place that is more organized with a semi-professional setup in the back and a hot table. I go there for Churros (like donuts) and fresh sour cream. They have a white entrance and some counters when you first walk in, then up some stairs to the cash and kitchen. Don't know the name, but I think it is the first place south of JE.

Enjoy!

The store is located on Augusta just north of Baldwin
on the east side. Can't remember the name offhand but
there is a small area with tables outside and a sign
with "Empanadas".
I would personally reccomend them.

Great, thanks!!

Jumbo Empanadas is the name, I think.

I have never gone there so far, mainly because there is a small butcher across the street that sells homemade (smaller) empanadas just across the street - they are quite lovely and just the right size to freeze and microwave at work for lunch.

I always get them at the butcher shop too. The spicy chorizo is one dense little package.

That's good to know, thanks. I sense an empanada taste test in my future!

Both are worthy, but check out Jumbo
if only for the homemade salsa that
comes on the side. Fresh and sporting
a decent kick.

I would definitely recommend Jumbo Empanadas for authentic and delicious empanadas. The veggie ones are pretty good, but it's the traditional meat ones that rock. Travelling in Chile we these were best served with a side salad of tomato and onion or on the side of the road like we see hotdog stands. The JE ladies are super nice. Be sure to buy an "humita" as well - it's fresh corn grated with onion and basil and steamed in the corn husk. If you take empanadas and humitas home to reheat later, from my experience the best way to reheat the empanadas is the oven (tough to do at lunch, I know!) and the humitas are best placed in a veggie steamer so they don't get soaked in water - or place them in a pot with maybe an inch of water and watch that you don't boil them dry. Enjoy!