The Empanada Maker Costa Mesa

Lol, we tasked my wife w finding a place for dinner. She was jonesing for empanadas. Ok. She chose empanada maker, assuming it was a legit sit down restaurant. My son and I show up. Son is perturbed as it's kind of a fast food lunch counter. Wife shows up, famished. We stay, order. The place was out of salads, so swing and a miss. Got a bunch of empanadas, all were good. Beverages? The water thing was broken so the employee comped bottle water, which was nice. So all in all not a bad experience for food and service.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5

On the website it says each empanada is 2.99 and they charged me 1 dollar more. In addition, the empanadas have potatoes and peas.

Food: 1

I don’t ever get tired of their delicious and flaky empanadas. They have so many to choose from that sometimes it’s hard to pick just two… or three lol. Their potato salad is to die for. The store is very cute and the staff is always so friendly. My favorite empanadas are Philly, Spinach and the cinnamon apple.

Opening hours on Saturdays are not 7:30am

The empanadas are amazing, and they have a large variety of fillings, do yourself a favor and come and try them, service was great!!

Wet empanadas!!?? They all have pretty good taste as I’ve tried ham and cheese beef, chicken and spicy pork buuut unfortunately they’re not cooked too well so they’re all wet empanadas which I’ve never really had :/ I know everyone makes empanadas differently, but this is the first time they were soggy

The food taste is good, quality wise,,,, it was cold no kidding, price,,,,,,,,,,4 dollars 50 cents for an enpanada that easily fits in the palm of your hand?? It's a rip off.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 4

Empandas are delicious and they have a huge variety too.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bacon Ranch

Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to my first review of 2023 and thank you for witnessing my first failed resolution...eating out less, lol.This wasn't my first time here, but it was the first time I could attempt to enjoy the meal instead of scarfing it down on the go.I got a combo with two empanadas - the Philly cheese and the chicken bacon ranch - a side of chimichurri rice and a drink. Although the pies were perfectly cooked and had the gorgeous flaky pastry shell that is essential, I was not a fan. The Philly had a frozen mass-produced quality to it while the chicken bacon ranch didn't taste like chicken, bacon, or ranch. It may as well have been filled with one of those pouches that you give to your toddler to shut them up while you post another TikTok. The rice could have used more salt.I've been here before and had a breakfast steak, and ham and cheese, both of which were very good.The space itself is small - just a few tables inside and some seating on the outside, but who wants to sit along busy Harbor blvd?!? A people-watching spot this is not! A coke fountain is available as well as canned options.Still, I recommend it over the struggling Pasta Connection, clearly feeling the pinch now that they're offering their own at a discount.Can't wait for Mardi Gras!

Vegetarian options: Four cheese and spinach empanadasFour dessert empanadas are available including chocolate creme brulee, cinammon apple and berry cheesecakeThe salads and side dishes are also vegetarian friendly.

Parking: Large shared parking lot

I went in for first time by accident and enjoyed beef and spinach empanadas with chimichurri sauce very much. In addition great and kind attendance by the lady at the counter. Really good experience !

I'd tried most empanadasThese are my favoritesThe chicken FlorentineChicken Bacon RanchPhilly cheese steakChimichuri RiceLemon TartBlue Berry

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Cilantro Avocado, Chicken Florentine, Chimichurri Rice, Cilantro Avocado Sauce, Gourmet Empanadas, Lemon Tart, Original Beef Empanada

They deleted my review, the food had zero taste and it made me feel sick!

Delicious and super nice staff. We had a big order and everything turned out perfectly. Definitely ordering more for future events.

Best empanadas ever. 10 out of 10 highly recommend. Chile Verde empanadas are to die for

Must try!! Everything seems to be made in house from the sauces to the amazing goodness that is stuffed inside ever Empanada. You can order a few to go or get them frozen and throw them into the oven when you get home. Do yourself a favor and try every option.