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Ever since I came back from Argentina last winter, I have been haunted by the empanada. It is a deep-fried pastry shaped slightly like a croissant that is filled with some filling. Down there, the most popular ones are beef and well…beef (Argentine beef was the best I have ever had). Because of the exchange rate, I was able to eat one for the equivalent of 50 cents.

Coming back to the States, I quickly realized that I wouldn’t be able to just find my empanadas just anywhere. The only Argentine place that I’ve been to in LA was Gaucho Grill on 3rd Street Promenade. Suffice to say that their empanadas didn’t live up to my standards as well as the rest of their menu.

And yet, in the most unlikely of places I have found my salvation. Empanada’s Place, located on Sawtelle just south of Venice offers a wide variety of empanadas for very reasonable prices. The different varieties are meant to reflect the regional flavors of Argentina.

I sampled the eggplant, spinach, criollo (beef with egg and raisin), chicken, cheese & onion, and spicy beef. The chicken was moist and very juicy. The spinach was very much like creamed spinach, but in a good way. Both beef empanadas were extremely tasty. I wasn’t as much a fan of the eggplant due to the somewhat bland flavor. I wish I had tried the beef Arabe, which is lemon-herb ground beef, but I guess I’ll have to wait until next time.

At a price of $2.75 an empanada, I expected to receive a healthy serving and I was not disappointed. Close to the size of my outstretched hand, each empanada gives you plenty of time to enjoy the combination of the pastry outside and the filling. You’ll only need 2-3 empanadas to be completely full. A note on the pastry, it is meant to be a very thick and doughy, so don’t expect anything you might find in a bakery. However, it is this thick skin that really gives the empanada its distinct texture and flavor.

In addition to the empanadas, there are Milanesa (which is breaded steak) sandwiches and Argentine-style tamales. You can also have a mate flavored drink, which is a flavor particular to Argentina.

Overall, I would highly recommend giving this place a try. Having been to Argentina, I can honestly say that these are the real thing. Trust me, once you’ve had an empanada at Empanada’s Place you’ll be going back again and again.

Empanada’s Place
3811 Sawtelle Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90066

By Jeff (see more of his posts).