I’ve never met an empanada I didn’t like, though this statement is particularly true when talking about Mi Empanada. The year-old Lawrenceville shop has beef, chicken, lamb, ham and cheese, sweet potato and black bean, and more. Owners of the pop-up-turned-storefront, Argentina-native Ivan Gil-Silva and Rachel Jenkins, wrap their fillings in a flaky dough, just golden-brown enough to leave a few crisp crumbs behind with each bite. Thankfully for Pittsburghers, Mi Empanada isn’t the only city shop putting out authentic empanadas, a street food found – with slight differences and variations – across South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. We’ve outlined a few of our favorite spots for empanadas in Pittsburgh, each one showcasing a different culinary tradition.
The Best Empanadas in Pittsburgh
Cilantro & Ajo
South Side & Lawrenceville
With two locations in the South Side and Lawrenceville, Cilantro & Ajo serves up authentic Venezuelan empanadas. Try their deep-fried, white corn patty stuffed with anything from chicken to chorizo to sweet plantains and cheese. Wash it down with their traditional brown lemonade.
La Feria
Shadyside
Many East Enders love Pamela’s, but right upstairs is La Feria, a relaxed Peruvian restaurant with folk art pieces and textiles for sale along with their deliciously crispy empanadas.
Mi Empanada
Lawrenceville
You can’t go wrong at Mi Empanada. Order their empanadas hot and to-go or get the take-and-bake frozen option. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the chimichurri.
La Palapa
South Side
Once you cross over the Birmingham Bridge, you’ll turn right towards one of Pittsburgh’s best Mexican restaurants. La Palapa’s empanadas come in ground beef, chorizo and cheese, and the ever-delicious plantain and cheese.
Arepittas
Downtown
This Venezuelan hole-in-the-wall is tucked away on Cherry Way downtown, but it’s well worth the sleuthing to find it. Their empanada lineup is stacked, Venezuelan-style with toppings like pabellon and “Domino” (Venezuelan queso and black beans).
The Colombian Spot
Oakland & South Side
At this Colombian restaurant, empanadas come in three varieties: chicken, beef, or vegetarian. Find them all wrapped in corn, fried, and stuffed with potatoes, tomatoes, and onions.
Zorro’s Restaurant
Dormont
Zorros’ traditional Dominican empanadas are made with housemade dough, then fried. Get them with one of the eatery’s 11 flavors: chicken, guava and cheese, mac n’ cheese, and more.
Story by Maggie Weaver
Photography & Styling by Keith Recker
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