Had to pay a visit here after taking a mini tour around UCSD after both accidentally discovering this place about a year ago, and from word of mouth by a friend of mine who also came around last year.As a first timer, I decided to try with one of the basics & not go for anything crazy as I didn't know what to expect. I went for the Chicken Chipotle empanada with a side of chimichurri sauce along with a cup of Yerba Maté Lemonade.Overall, it was a 10/10, and I ended up bringing a box of empanadas on my Amtrak ride back to LA. Next time I come back to SD, I'm trying out the other flavors!
Fast service. The spicy beef and chipotle ones are pretty good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thanh N.
I ordered 3 empanadas and chipotle chimichurri sauces. I liked the Malbec Beef and Cheeseburger a lot but did not care too much for the Jackfruit one. The former two were well-seasoned and delicious, especially when eaten with the sauce, which was herby and filled with spices. The Jackfruit was a bit dry for me and lacked in flavor compared to the other two. The empanadas could be stuffed better with fillings--I saw big gaps between the dough and filling when broken in half. I could be wrong about this, but from my past experiences with empanadas, they are baked until they are more golden brown; these were a bit softer and more underdone than what I am used to. Overall was still very yummy though and the staff were very nice, friendly, and welcoming.
Eva G.
Stopped by to try out some empanadas. We chose three Spinach, Beef and 5 cheese. I felt they were okay. The dough seemed to be missing flavor and wasn't flaky. I missed the homemade feel. It's still good for a to go treat and a quick in between meal.
Samantha G.
Have to come here every time I am at the UTC mall. I personally always get the beef empanada which is super flavorful in my opinion. The empanadas are big and have a lot of filling in them. This place also brings the empanadas out quickly as well.
Tanya V.
I only have been to Paraná Empanadas in PB but this place was close by so I decided to give it a try! The empanadas were pretty good but not as much filling as the ones I tried in PB. The spicy beef ones are best if you like spice! The chimichurri sauces are also a must.
Lori Joyce
Quick service, delicious flavors. I’ve also ordered the party packs and they heat up nicely. Sometimes they are just a little bit too doughy. Definitely recommend!
Comida buena, totalmente recomendado Servicio rapido y muy bueno del personal Spicy beef mi favorita
Lily W.
Honestly ordering seems discriminatory. We ordered a dozen empanadas and were told it would be 15 minutes. We ordered a variety of flavors and specifically asked what the hold up was in flavors, she said all of them. I specifically asked this because we were willing to adjust our order for more timeliness. We ordered 7 Malbec Beef, 2 mushroom, 2 spinach, and 1 Rojas for reference. I then watched 6 other people order, all ordered between 3-6 empanadas (including the same flavors we ordered) and all magically had their orders filled immediately. And ironically, all were Spanish speakers who ordered in Spanish. We were the only non-Spanish speakers in the establishment and we were the only ones waiting. After I noticed this and asked why the inconsistent treatment. She claimed "they all ordered one or two of each flavor". I responded: "Besides the Malbec Beef, we also ordered 1-2 of the respective flavors". She said "you ordered 7 Malbec beef" and I responded "I asked you when you told me there was a delay, what the holdup would be, and we could change flavors, but you told me all of the flavors had a delay, which is CLEARLY not the case." Then she asked if I wanted to change flavors after we had already been waiting over 10 minutes and all of the Malbec Beef in the case had gone to fill the orders of the SIX people that ordered after us. Draw your own conclusions but I saw and experienced the discriminatory behavior firsthand. That's not how you run a food establishment, it's first in first out, as with all businesses. We were the first to order but were literally the last out.
Stephanie P.
Whenever we're at UTC we have to get some spicy beef empanadas. ALWAYS good. You don't even need the sauces. The flavor just parties in your mouth. The service is quick and friendly. The food is incredible. It's a tiny little spot, perfect for a bite that satisfies.
This was my first time here, and I'm glad I stopped by - perfect spot to grab a quick snack / bite if you enjoy empanadas! It is a cute little place and was immediately greeted with a warm welcome as I walked in. The atmosphere was pleasant with bright natural lighting which I adore! They have several choices and I've decided to try their chipotle chicken empanada which was packed with flavorful filling!The service was very quick - received it immediately and It was hot and fresh! If I wasn't planning on eating lunch, I would've ordered more!
Robert R.
I've been getting empanadas here for years. They are always in point and authentic, the service is always super fast and the chimichurri is sensational. There are plenty of food options in the mall, of course, but if you're looking for something small and fast and affordable, I highly recommend this place.
Reece Salmons
A Flavorful Journey to Self-DiscoveryParaná Empanadas at UTC Mall isn't just a place for mouthwatering bites – it's a catalyst for personal transformation. As a high school jock navigating the twists of self-discovery, the jackfruit empanadas became my unexpected guide.Each bite was an explosion of flavor that mirrored the vibrant mix of emotions within me. The savory jackfruit filling, wrapped in perfectly golden dough, symbolized the layers of my identity waiting to be unraveled.Empowered by the bold taste, I found the courage to embrace my true self. It wasn't just about the empanadas; it was about breaking free from the confines of my own fears. The journey to authenticity is as delicate as the pastry, yet as fulfilling as the rich, spiced jackfruit within.In a moment of vulnerability, I shared my truth with my parents. The warmth of their acceptance mirrored the comforting embrace of Paraná's culinary delights. The restaurant, once a mere backdrop, transformed into the stage for a significant chapter of my life.Paraná Empanadas is more than a culinary haven; it's a sanctuary where flavors intertwine with personal growth. To those grappling with self-discovery, I say, take a seat at Paraná's table – let the jackfruit empanadas be your catalyst for courage and authenticity.Vegetarian options: Jackfruit empanada
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caren R.
I love this place. The empanadas are delicious and reasonably priced (my go to is 3 for $11) and every single member of the staff is wonderful and so nice. Favorite varieties are beef, malbec beef, and the jackfruit! One day we tried every single flavor lol and all of them were worthy, but we keep going back to those three. They have happy hour on weekdays from 3-6pm where you get 1 free if you buy 6.
Lisa C.
Came here to try their empanadas and they're absolutely scrumptious! They're HUGE and reasonably priced. You can taste the freshness and quality of ingredients. I tried the chicken and beef and just those two pieces alone filled me up! My tummy was very happy. Like other folks on Yelp, I was also very impressed at how they label their empanadas with the initials engraved outside to let you know what it is. Very creative!
Had to pay a visit here after taking a mini tour around UCSD after both accidentally discovering this place about a year ago, and from word of mouth by a friend of mine who also came around last year.As a first timer, I decided to try with one of the basics & not go for anything crazy as I didn't know what to expect. I went for the Chicken Chipotle empanada with a side of chimichurri sauce along with a cup of Yerba Maté Lemonade.Overall, it was a 10/10, and I ended up bringing a box of empanadas on my Amtrak ride back to LA. Next time I come back to SD, I'm trying out the other flavors!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yerba Mate, Chicken Chipotle Empanada, Chicken Chipotle, Chicken Empanada, Chimichurri 8oz Jar, Margherita, Beef & Chicken Empanada
Fast service. The spicy beef and chipotle ones are pretty good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ordered 3 empanadas and chipotle chimichurri sauces. I liked the Malbec Beef and Cheeseburger a lot but did not care too much for the Jackfruit one. The former two were well-seasoned and delicious, especially when eaten with the sauce, which was herby and filled with spices. The Jackfruit was a bit dry for me and lacked in flavor compared to the other two. The empanadas could be stuffed better with fillings--I saw big gaps between the dough and filling when broken in half. I could be wrong about this, but from my past experiences with empanadas, they are baked until they are more golden brown; these were a bit softer and more underdone than what I am used to. Overall was still very yummy though and the staff were very nice, friendly, and welcoming.
Stopped by to try out some empanadas. We chose three Spinach, Beef and 5 cheese. I felt they were okay. The dough seemed to be missing flavor and wasn't flaky. I missed the homemade feel. It's still good for a to go treat and a quick in between meal.
Have to come here every time I am at the UTC mall. I personally always get the beef empanada which is super flavorful in my opinion. The empanadas are big and have a lot of filling in them. This place also brings the empanadas out quickly as well.
I only have been to Paraná Empanadas in PB but this place was close by so I decided to give it a try! The empanadas were pretty good but not as much filling as the ones I tried in PB. The spicy beef ones are best if you like spice! The chimichurri sauces are also a must.
Quick service, delicious flavors. I’ve also ordered the party packs and they heat up nicely. Sometimes they are just a little bit too doughy. Definitely recommend!
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Chipotle Empanada, Beef Empanada
Comida buena, totalmente recomendado Servicio rapido y muy bueno del personal Spicy beef mi favorita
Honestly ordering seems discriminatory. We ordered a dozen empanadas and were told it would be 15 minutes. We ordered a variety of flavors and specifically asked what the hold up was in flavors, she said all of them. I specifically asked this because we were willing to adjust our order for more timeliness. We ordered 7 Malbec Beef, 2 mushroom, 2 spinach, and 1 Rojas for reference. I then watched 6 other people order, all ordered between 3-6 empanadas (including the same flavors we ordered) and all magically had their orders filled immediately. And ironically, all were Spanish speakers who ordered in Spanish. We were the only non-Spanish speakers in the establishment and we were the only ones waiting. After I noticed this and asked why the inconsistent treatment. She claimed "they all ordered one or two of each flavor". I responded: "Besides the Malbec Beef, we also ordered 1-2 of the respective flavors". She said "you ordered 7 Malbec beef" and I responded "I asked you when you told me there was a delay, what the holdup would be, and we could change flavors, but you told me all of the flavors had a delay, which is CLEARLY not the case." Then she asked if I wanted to change flavors after we had already been waiting over 10 minutes and all of the Malbec Beef in the case had gone to fill the orders of the SIX people that ordered after us. Draw your own conclusions but I saw and experienced the discriminatory behavior firsthand. That's not how you run a food establishment, it's first in first out, as with all businesses. We were the first to order but were literally the last out.
Whenever we're at UTC we have to get some spicy beef empanadas. ALWAYS good. You don't even need the sauces. The flavor just parties in your mouth. The service is quick and friendly. The food is incredible. It's a tiny little spot, perfect for a bite that satisfies.
Restaurantji Recommends
This was my first time here, and I'm glad I stopped by - perfect spot to grab a quick snack / bite if you enjoy empanadas! It is a cute little place and was immediately greeted with a warm welcome as I walked in. The atmosphere was pleasant with bright natural lighting which I adore! They have several choices and I've decided to try their chipotle chicken empanada which was packed with flavorful filling!The service was very quick - received it immediately and It was hot and fresh! If I wasn't planning on eating lunch, I would've ordered more!
I've been getting empanadas here for years. They are always in point and authentic, the service is always super fast and the chimichurri is sensational. There are plenty of food options in the mall, of course, but if you're looking for something small and fast and affordable, I highly recommend this place.
A Flavorful Journey to Self-DiscoveryParaná Empanadas at UTC Mall isn't just a place for mouthwatering bites – it's a catalyst for personal transformation. As a high school jock navigating the twists of self-discovery, the jackfruit empanadas became my unexpected guide.Each bite was an explosion of flavor that mirrored the vibrant mix of emotions within me. The savory jackfruit filling, wrapped in perfectly golden dough, symbolized the layers of my identity waiting to be unraveled.Empowered by the bold taste, I found the courage to embrace my true self. It wasn't just about the empanadas; it was about breaking free from the confines of my own fears. The journey to authenticity is as delicate as the pastry, yet as fulfilling as the rich, spiced jackfruit within.In a moment of vulnerability, I shared my truth with my parents. The warmth of their acceptance mirrored the comforting embrace of Paraná's culinary delights. The restaurant, once a mere backdrop, transformed into the stage for a significant chapter of my life.Paraná Empanadas is more than a culinary haven; it's a sanctuary where flavors intertwine with personal growth. To those grappling with self-discovery, I say, take a seat at Paraná's table – let the jackfruit empanadas be your catalyst for courage and authenticity.Vegetarian options: Jackfruit empanada
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this place. The empanadas are delicious and reasonably priced (my go to is 3 for $11) and every single member of the staff is wonderful and so nice. Favorite varieties are beef, malbec beef, and the jackfruit! One day we tried every single flavor lol and all of them were worthy, but we keep going back to those three. They have happy hour on weekdays from 3-6pm where you get 1 free if you buy 6.
Came here to try their empanadas and they're absolutely scrumptious! They're HUGE and reasonably priced. You can taste the freshness and quality of ingredients. I tried the chicken and beef and just those two pieces alone filled me up! My tummy was very happy. Like other folks on Yelp, I was also very impressed at how they label their empanadas with the initials engraved outside to let you know what it is. Very creative!