El Porteño Empanadas

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⭐☆☆☆☆
This morning, after an early run by the San Francisco waterfront, I stopped by this spot for some Argentine empanadas — one of my favorites. I arrived a bit early and waited patiently until their stated opening time: 8:00 a.m.

When I asked politely if they were open, the woman working looked at me with visible irritation, as if I were bothering her just by being there. Still, I got in line and ordered a few empanadas. But when it came time to pay, the card reader wouldn’t work. I mentioned it to her, and she instantly blamed my phone — saying it must be my issue.

For context, I had just bought a coffee nearby using the exact same phone. No issues. Clearly, the payment device hadn’t been activated yet. Instead of checking that, she doubled down on the attitude.

And yes — it was the same girl who appears in the photo here on Google.

If working at 8 a.m. brings that much frustration, maybe it’s worth rethinking the shift. But don’t take it out on customers who show up early, respectful, and ready to support your business.

I came in for empanadas. I left with a bad taste — and not because of the food.

The best!

It was good with out being great. Beautiful pastry, but filling was missing something. Service seems like it's more of an inconvenience to them. Definitely worth trying, for the pastry alone.

Try these supposedly Argentinian empanadas and then do yourself a favor: travel to North Argentina and try the real deal. Then you won't bother coming back here again.

Went here at the end of the day, still had good selection. The mushroom Empanada was quite tasty. Wasn’t heavy, had good flavor and easy to grab and go.

Before leaving home, I checked Google to confirm the store’s closing time, which was listed as 8:00 PM. I walked for 25 minutes and arrived at 6:45 PM, only to find the store already closed. My negative review is solely due to the lack of respect for customers. If you advertise specific operating hours, you need to honor them. Wasting a customer’s time because you couldn’t follow your own schedule is unacceptable. Update your Google listing or stick to the posted hours—this is basic professionalism.

Delicious Argentine empanadas! As a Colombian tourist in San Francisco, I didn't think I would find a gastronomic offer of this type! Excellent!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: La Maradona Empanada

The empanadas are tasty but Unfortunately this place is losing clients because of the staff ! they are rude and Impolite! The company needs to reorganize things ! It happened to me twice !

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Selection of Empanadas

Too overpriced for me

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Went at 4:30 pm, expecting a limited selection, however it appears, except for a few dessert empanadas they had almost everything available.

While I love my meats, my favorite remains the mushroom and the cherry dessert empanadas.

At $7 a piece, you can't eat one of everything, but whatever you choose, it's hard to go wrong with the flaky, buttery crust and the warm sweet or savory filling. They also microwave well for reheating.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Selection of Empanadas, Desserts

Heavenly Empanadas!

Until a couple of weeks ago I thought I had my Empanada situation under control and then WHAM! I had an El Porteño Cordero Empanada and my Empanadas life was never the same again!

El Porteño's Ferry Building location has been there for a long time and I have walked by it often, but never tried anything. Finally, due to the urging of a friend we stopped by and picked up a few, a Cordero, a Carne, a Pollo and a Cereza. I fell in love with their Cordero or Lamb Empanada! The Carne (Beef, onions, green olives, raisins and hard-boiled eggs) is very good too, but what also suprised me, in a good way, was the Cereza.

Their Cereza Empanada is filled with black cherries cooked in Malbec and it is a delicious "dessert" Empanada. If I was not worried about the calories, I could have two or three of these every day!

Going back to the Cordero Empanada, it is heavenly! I don't know what they put in it, besides the lamb of course, but it is to die for! I just wish we had a good bottle of red wine with us so I could wash more of these down in one visit!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Carne Empanada, Beef Empanada, Lamb Empanadas

The food. Excellent attention. It's terrible how it's possible that they don't know what a mate is and they can tell you where you can get that.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 1

Some of the rudest service we’ve received whilst in the US, everywhere else has been friendly until now. Expensive for the portion sizes and average empanadas.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Their mushroom one is my favorite! Store has colorful signage , prices are extortionately high because mushrooms are not cheap. But I offered them free ones from my garden, they won’t agree. Mine do put mammals to sleep!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Unfortunately every time I’ve gone they’re out of the pizza one. The cheese and mushroom one is pretty good, and the sweet banana one is fantastic!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Maradona, Fugazzeta