Best Empanada in NYC

[FDAJoe]

Hi everyone, I need to find the best Empanada place in NYC. Don Juan? Havana Pies? Ruben's? When you think empanada, authentic and delicious, what comes to mind?
Thanks!

[gaucho25]

I also like Gauchas. I am still craving an empanada like the kind I had in BA. But , for the meantime Gauchas is good enough. You might also try Buenos Aires in Alphabet City. They also had good baked empanadas, including humita...yum!

[KimberlyC]

When I lived in the UES, i frequented GAUCHAS (on 1st Ave between 9oth & 91st) for their empanadas... crust is very flaky and they have a variety of flavors. They were once featured on some Food Network show where the chef demonstrated how they make their empanadas..... mmmm....soooo good. My favorite flavors were the spicy beef, spinach, and the corn...oh, I miss that place!

[KimberlyC]

When I lived in the UES, i frequented GAUCHAS (on 1st Ave between 9oth & 91st) for their empanadas... crust is very flaky and they have a variety of flavors. They were once featured on some Food Network show where the chef demonstrated how they make their empanadas..... mmmm....soooo good. My favorite flavors were the spicy beef, spinach, and the corn...oh, I miss that place!

[jp328x]

I'll second Empanadas del Parque on 108th and VanDoren.

They have both Caribbean-style wheat flour empanadas and Colombian style corn empanadas. Specially good are the chicharron empanadas and the ripe plantain empanadas.

Also, have some of the tropical ice cream. They're delicious.

[marye]

Sofritos on east 57th btwn 1st and sutton has really tasty empanadas with very flaky crust

[Peter Cherches]

I used to love Ruben's, but now that I'm working downtown and went back after a while they've taken a major nosedive.

http://petercherches.blogspot.com

[Dave_G]

A couple days ago I decided to try Mama's Empanadas on Northern BLVD in Queens. I tried their chicken empanada which was dry and bland. I also tried a sweet empanada that made the trip worth it. It had fig, caramel and cheese in it, and it was delicious. Disclaimer: This was my first empanada so I don't really have a basis for comparison. I'll give Native Specialties a shot the next time I'm in the area.

[swept]

There's this great empanada place in Corona, Queens - called Empanadas del Parque Cafe on 108th and Van Doren STreet.. wow.. amazing stuff... not very traditional fillings, but they are delicious just the same.. here's their website: http://www.empanadascafe.com/

[Cheesy]

Queens is the place to go, and in my opinion Native Specialties (Northern BLVD and 83rd Street) makes an outstanding empanada (and they have been priced at $1 dollar for the 15 years I have been visiting).

[ayc200]

The restaurant has expanded all the way into the former movie theatre next door. That's how good that place is.

[FoodFanNYC]

The empanadas in my mind at Reubens are far overrated and over priced. I usually get mine in Queens.