We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Empanada Mama

763 9th Ave, New York City, NY 10019
(212) 698-9008
Website
Menu
Update restaurant details
Ranked #150 of 8,929 restaurants in New York City
Price range: $5 - $10
Cuisines: Colombian, Latin, South American
Good for: Dining on a budget
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Takeout, Delivery, Late Night, Dessert
Restaurant details
Good for: Dining on a budget
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Takeout, Delivery, Late Night, Dessert
Write a Review

255 reviews from our community

91% Recommend
    140
    92
    13
    6
    4
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Saratoga, California
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
15 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 12, 2013

The food was great. Be prepared to wait. The chips are amazing and go for the chile cab. The salads are great and love the dressing. A nice stop after the theater.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 6 more reviews by mdh95070 for New York City
New York City, New York
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 29, 2013

Can I say that I go here ALWAYS!!!!!! The best!! I've never had an empanada that compares to these. The staff can be a lil rude but the food is great!!!

Was this review helpful? Yes
Houston
Senior Contributor
47 reviews 47 reviews
24 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
46 helpful votes 46 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 27, 2013

If you don't know where it is, you may just walk right by it without knowing it's there. More so if you are driving. We happened to notice it after being stuck in traffic for about 5 minutes right in front of it. Found a parking spot on a side street, and the place ended up being a great diversion... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 7 more reviews by BallenitaAzul for New York City
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

The Chicken and Rice meal was great and to have such ethnic south american food on the West side was a treat. The place is always packed and they still get everyone's order out in a timely fashion. Great place to get your Colombian Fix!!

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 4 more reviews by Emdprez for New York City
Novara
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 6, 2013

We had dinner at Empanada on the 28th April. The room is quite small and we had to wait 15 minutes to be seated. Food quality is good and the price is low. I was impressed by the guacamole sauce with fries.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by Tiziano M for New York City
Yonkers, New York
Top Contributor
60 reviews 60 reviews
50 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 27, 2013

Found the place by accident... walking past the place and saw it was hopping. I went in to see if they sold empanada's that were not cooked or baked. Luckily for me they did. I had just eaten so I wanted to try them. I ended up buying 20- a pair for each variety. My family and I enjoyed the... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 14 more reviews by rkounsny for New York City
Huntsville, AL
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
10 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 20, 2013

We discovered this little restaurant the last time we were in NYC & absolutetly loved it! Usually, we don't venture too far off the subway line (to give our feet our break), but this restaurant was not a bad walk from our hotel in Times Square. Every empanada I've tried is wonderful...and cheap! The sangria is awesome and goes down... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 5 more reviews by Sara256 for New York City
Cumberland Center, Maine
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
9 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 18, 2013

We stopped by a second time as the first time there was a longer wait - a good sign! Lots of good choices starting with great sangria. We had tamales and arroz con pollo but the empanadas looked really good at the tables next to us. Guacamole was great served with plantain chips. A nice restaurant in Hell's Kitchen.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by 927lisam927 for New York City
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 10, 2013 via mobile

My family and I have gone 2 years in a row and great both times. I had the typical Colombian breakfast with Chorizo. We all had plantain chips and guacamole, which was outstanding. They've upgraded the interior, but it's still a hole in the wall. Go for the food, it's a tow thumbs up!

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Glassboro, NJ
Top Contributor
62 reviews 62 reviews
34 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 8, 2013

We visited our son over Easter and he recommended we pick up some empanadas, guac and chips for the return trip. I ate mine in the car and it was sooo good! I could not possibly finish the chips and guac, so I put the guac in the fridge, figuring the chips would be not so good the next day,... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 9 more reviews by NJJoyful for New York City

Travelers who viewed Empanada Mama also viewed

 

Been to Empanada Mama? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Empanada Mama, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing