Empanadas are a type of fried or baked turnover consisting of pastry and filling. Most often, they are filled with a protein like pork, chicken or beef and can even be filled with sweets for a dessert. The word empanada comes from “empanar” which means “to wrap or coat in bread” in Spanish and these delicious treats were first cited to be from Portugal and Galacia, Spain. Since then, many adaptations of the empanada have been created all over the world and some of the best are right here on Long Island!
In no particular order, here are Going Local’s top 3 places for empanadas on Long Island:
ANGIE’S EMPANADAS
Angie started off selling her empanadas at farmers markets back in 2021 and sold out every single time. She soon realized she had a product people wanted and needed to find a way to expand her business. Her husband, Moe, had been selling his own products like salsa and coquito that paired with Angie’s empanadas perfectly so they decided to buy their own food truck!
This was a game changer which allowed them to cater events, be vendors at large festivals and share Angie’s empanadas with all of Long Island. They offer customizable menus for your events and a catering menu that suits everyone’s taste buds! They specialize in empanada flavors like Cubano, Beef and Cheese, Chicken, Mushroom, Jackfruit and Eggplant! You can find Angie and Moe’s food truck at farmers markets, local breweries, and events so follow them on Instagram here to find out more!
*Angies Empanadas won BEST Empanadas by Best of Long Island this year!!! Congratulations Angie and Moe!
NELLY’S EMPANADAS
Chef Nelly grew up in the Dominican Republic and started her culinary journey at a very young age cooking and learning from the women in her family. It was among these women that Chef Nelly learned the secret family recipe that was passed down from her grandmother: the art of rolling dough and making pastelitos (known as empanadas in the Dominican Republic).
After graduating culinary school in the Dominican Republic, Chef Nelly spent years experimenting with dishes and flavors from all over the world, but always found herself making empanadas. It wasn’t until she married into an Argentinian family that Chef Nelly started exploring the methods and recipes for making the perfect Argentinian Empanada and decided to start selling them at farmers markets. She too sold out super fast at every market she attended and soon realized she needed to expand. At that time, she was working full time as a guidance counselor in Queens, which was another passion of hers: working with children with our without disabilities and wasn’t sure how she could balance her two passions.
One day, her husband found a listing for rent and it was then that she decided to combine her two passions by making empanadas and teaching adults with autism how to work in a restaurant! Today, they make “Empanadas with a Purpose” and are employee partners of the Winter Center for Autism. When you buy an empanada from Nelly, you are also helping adults with Autism make a dream come true!
You can find Nelly’s Empanadas at 3 different locations in West Babylon, Glen Cove and Tanger Outlets Deer Park and follow them online here!
CATALINA’S BAKE SHOP
Located at 1155 E Jericho TPKE, you’ll find Catalina’s Bake Shop…one of the prettiest bakeries on Long Island. Inside, you’ll be tempted with sweet treats like cookies, cupcakes and cheesecakes, but there is more than just sweets in here. There are also some of the best empanadas I have ever tasted located on top of the counter on the left hand side.
Their homemade Argentinian Empanadas is a recipe that they have perfected for many years. They offer five different types to serve the flavors you are craving for: pulled pork, beef, chicken, sausage and vegetable made with fresh peppers and onions. They’re baked to a light flaky, golden perfection and accompanied with cilantro sauce on the side. Need I say more?
They are available every day they are open, but I recommend calling ahead to reserve your flavors or order a party tray for your next event or get together! For more information, check out their website here.
If you love Empanadas as much as we do, make sure to check out Angie’s Empanadas, Nelly’s Empanadas and Catalina Bake Shop and support local!
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