Bought two four pack of take and bake empanadas on their website and picked them up on my way home from work for an easy night before Thanksgiving dinner. There were issues.1. There was a man standing outside the business with a bandanna covering his nose and mouth and carrying a metal pipe. I realize this isn't the businesses issue but I really wanted to hurry up and get back to my car and the employee took his time even though I mentioned I was uncomfortable. 2. The empanadas tasted so bad (both the beef and the chicken) that myself, my husband, and my friend threw them away after only a couple of bites. They were sour. I don't know if the recipe just doesn't taste good or if the food was spoiled, but it was a total disappointment and I basically just threw $30 in the trash.
Alfonso Centeno
Opening hours on Saturdays are not 7:30am
Cris B.
The taste is amazing and have been craving this and surely it did the job. The place is clean and a miss hidden place if not looking for it. The service is fast and the employee was kind.
Calvin H.
Fast food empandas sounds great on paper. Please go to an argentinian deli for real empanadas. You don't even save money by going here. It's just as pricey. Tasted like someone put hamburger helper in between smooshed white bread. Tasted like frozen food slop.. It was so bad. I have tainted my peoples blood having put this in my mouth. Please hard pass this place and go to a deli instead. I'm getting mcdonalds out of desperation to get the flavor out of my mouth. These aren't the real deal. Big waste of money lol
Valerie B.
In the area and wanted to look for food to go after visiting Road Runner (across the street). So I yelped inexpensive take out (since I just spent $$$ for kids shoes) that was good yet affordable. This was listed as one of the suggested places. Went in, not know what I'm gonna order. Luckily I know empanadas, but wow, they have a variety that I never see beyond the traditional. They have from chicken, beef, pizza, Philly cheese steak, etc. I ordered 3 beef and one Philly. Side of fries is seasoned and really good. The beef has a good amount of filling. Strong on the olives for sure. I ate two of them. Lol. It was good.The place is small but it's for take out only.They have a hot display case of already made empanadas to choose from. Also, there is a fridge for Take & Bake option as well. There is a smaller fridge for day old empanadas that are sold for a lesser price. Can't go wrong with 4/$8 day meat and savory pies. Ill come back again when in the area.
Angie Villegas
The empanadas are amazing, and they have a large variety of fillings, do yourself a favor and come and try them, service was great!!
Jacquie W.
I come out to Costa Mesa about once or twice a week for business and I never fail to visit The Empanada Maker. My daughter loves the Veggie, but I'm a traditionalist and love the beef choice. I do recommend because staff is friendly, the place is clean and I do believe that it's priced perfect for its value. Definitely give it a try. Just be warned; you may get addicted
Danica V.
Good grab and go spot to get your empanada fix. They offer a variety of flavors from breakfast, gourmet and even dessert empanadaTheir top 2 sellers are the chicken and beef empanadas. Between the 2 I like the beef. But they also offer other yummy and savory flavors like Philly Cheesesteak, chicken bacon ranch, chicken florentine, spinach and cheese, Diablo which is their pulled bbq pork Overall great choices here. I recommend to eat it warm n toasted. Perhaps reheat it in your air fryer!
Erick Pulido
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
Elliot Guerro
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.
Picked up a two empanadas combo with one chicken and one spinach and cheese with some deviled egg potato salad. Was decent price. Good flavors. Super quick. I will be back to try other empanadas for sure
Stephanie Lopez
Empandas are delicious and they have a huge variety too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Ranch
Brad C.
We don't get to experience the food diversity in TN that I find so exciting in SoCal. Every time I travel here I make a point to find new places to eat and coming across The Empanada Maker was such a great find!I wish I lived close by so I could try them all, but I had to limit myself this visit. I need to admit that prior to this visit, I've never had an empanada, so I was a little intimidated by the number of choices. I asked for a couple of recommendation and stuck with the meats rather than the desserts. I chose the philly cheesesteak, the beef, and the chicken and bacon ranch. Try not to judge, but I ate them all. Great flavor in every one. Enjoyed the experience very much and my only regret is that I won't be back here for awhile. On the plus side, I am going to keep my eye out for Empanadas from now on while out and about. I'd love to have a second experience to compare; although the bar is set pretty high now. I highly recommend this place!
Teddy Sainphor
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
Agustin Arizti Ortuzar
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 !
Bought two four pack of take and bake empanadas on their website and picked them up on my way home from work for an easy night before Thanksgiving dinner. There were issues.1. There was a man standing outside the business with a bandanna covering his nose and mouth and carrying a metal pipe. I realize this isn't the businesses issue but I really wanted to hurry up and get back to my car and the employee took his time even though I mentioned I was uncomfortable. 2. The empanadas tasted so bad (both the beef and the chicken) that myself, my husband, and my friend threw them away after only a couple of bites. They were sour. I don't know if the recipe just doesn't taste good or if the food was spoiled, but it was a total disappointment and I basically just threw $30 in the trash.
Opening hours on Saturdays are not 7:30am
The taste is amazing and have been craving this and surely it did the job. The place is clean and a miss hidden place if not looking for it. The service is fast and the employee was kind.
Fast food empandas sounds great on paper. Please go to an argentinian deli for real empanadas. You don't even save money by going here. It's just as pricey. Tasted like someone put hamburger helper in between smooshed white bread. Tasted like frozen food slop.. It was so bad. I have tainted my peoples blood having put this in my mouth. Please hard pass this place and go to a deli instead. I'm getting mcdonalds out of desperation to get the flavor out of my mouth. These aren't the real deal. Big waste of money lol
In the area and wanted to look for food to go after visiting Road Runner (across the street). So I yelped inexpensive take out (since I just spent $$$ for kids shoes) that was good yet affordable. This was listed as one of the suggested places. Went in, not know what I'm gonna order. Luckily I know empanadas, but wow, they have a variety that I never see beyond the traditional. They have from chicken, beef, pizza, Philly cheese steak, etc. I ordered 3 beef and one Philly. Side of fries is seasoned and really good. The beef has a good amount of filling. Strong on the olives for sure. I ate two of them. Lol. It was good.The place is small but it's for take out only.They have a hot display case of already made empanadas to choose from. Also, there is a fridge for Take & Bake option as well. There is a smaller fridge for day old empanadas that are sold for a lesser price. Can't go wrong with 4/$8 day meat and savory pies. Ill come back again when in the area.
The empanadas are amazing, and they have a large variety of fillings, do yourself a favor and come and try them, service was great!!
I come out to Costa Mesa about once or twice a week for business and I never fail to visit The Empanada Maker. My daughter loves the Veggie, but I'm a traditionalist and love the beef choice. I do recommend because staff is friendly, the place is clean and I do believe that it's priced perfect for its value. Definitely give it a try. Just be warned; you may get addicted
Good grab and go spot to get your empanada fix. They offer a variety of flavors from breakfast, gourmet and even dessert empanadaTheir top 2 sellers are the chicken and beef empanadas. Between the 2 I like the beef. But they also offer other yummy and savory flavors like Philly Cheesesteak, chicken bacon ranch, chicken florentine, spinach and cheese, Diablo which is their pulled bbq pork Overall great choices here. I recommend to eat it warm n toasted. Perhaps reheat it in your air fryer!
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
Restaurantji Recommends
Picked up a two empanadas combo with one chicken and one spinach and cheese with some deviled egg potato salad. Was decent price. Good flavors. Super quick. I will be back to try other empanadas for sure
Empandas are delicious and they have a huge variety too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Ranch
We don't get to experience the food diversity in TN that I find so exciting in SoCal. Every time I travel here I make a point to find new places to eat and coming across The Empanada Maker was such a great find!I wish I lived close by so I could try them all, but I had to limit myself this visit. I need to admit that prior to this visit, I've never had an empanada, so I was a little intimidated by the number of choices. I asked for a couple of recommendation and stuck with the meats rather than the desserts. I chose the philly cheesesteak, the beef, and the chicken and bacon ranch. Try not to judge, but I ate them all. Great flavor in every one. Enjoyed the experience very much and my only regret is that I won't be back here for awhile. On the plus side, I am going to keep my eye out for Empanadas from now on while out and about. I'd love to have a second experience to compare; although the bar is set pretty high now. I highly recommend this place!
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 !