Empanada Day is Everyday

By John Valentine

Empanada Day was on Saturday, April 8, but if you love Empanadas as much as I do then Empanada Day is everyday. The Greater Downtown has places to help you celebrate the savory hand pies that can easily serve as a snack, appetizer or entrée. Empanadas are a culinary cousin of the pierogi, which is probably why Downtowners love them.

Cilantro & Ajo,

Cilantro & Ajo specializes in Venezuelan street food, and empanadas are their best seller. The white corn patty is stuffed, folded and deep-fried, and fillings include shredded beef, chicken, sweet plantain with cheese, shrimp, and bacon and gouda. 901 E. Carson St., South Side

Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

Want an Argentinian spin on the empanada? Head to Gaucho. The restaurant serves beef with olives, chicken with chorizo or veggie varieties. Can’t decide? Order a dozen along with a flight of chimichurri sauces. Happy dipping! 146 6th St., Downtown

Arepittas

Make Arepittas your stop for a taste of Venezuela. You can get fried cornmeal dough packed with a variety of ingredients, from ground beef or pork to chicken or choriqueso. Like seafood? The Marinera is a mix of shrimp, squid, octopus, mussels and scallops with house seasoning. 412-428 Cherry Way, Downtown

Edgar’s Best Tacos

Edgar Alvarez is a taco king, but he also makes a mean Mexican empanada. Varieties include Picadillo with marinated ground beef, the vegetarian Soyrizo and Carne de Cangrejo, a blend of crab meat and shrimp. 108 19th St., Strip District

The Colombian Spot

This Colombian Spot on the South Side will be adding a second location in Oakland. The restaurant’s empanadas are stuffed with your choice of beef, chicken or veggies, along with potatoes, and minced and sautéed tomatoes and onions. 2019 E. Carson St., South Side

Enjoy!