Empanada Mama East Village (14th St)

this is an empanada mama TO GO which we did not realize until we arrived, but luckily there were a handful of counter seats (about 8 total). we ordered and received the food quickly, the avocado salad and the empanadas were wonderful. the empanadas come with both sauce options automatically to go and were extremely fresh. we love empanada mama and always recommend!! they had about 5 vegetarian empanada options and I believe only 1 or 2 vegan. the greek spinach pie was FABULOUS will absolutely order again and again!

Vegetarian options: about 4 options besides a cheese empanada

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I was here before it was nice will never come back. I put the money in the female hand to pay for my order I'm holding my hand out for her to put my change in my hand she refused and set it on the counter. And walked away. I felt very uncomfortable with that so food great. But this would be my last time coming here.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 1

Food is typically good & service is nice. BUT what tables? The place is too small and gets crowded with 5 customers. Little to no table space. I mean , I could have purchased more but I couldn’t. No space here at all for anything . Will make sure not to visit this location again.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 4

Really take out but there is a little seating. The staff was nice. Great for grabbing and go and you can wait for many crosstown and uptown buses on this corner

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

10 minutes for 1 cheese empanada, don't bother.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Great comfort food. I used to order all the time but why remove side of rice and increase prices on dishes that are mostly eaten over lunch. If the store doesn’t offer delivery it really makes no sense to pay $17 for a very small lentil soup on Ubereats. Sad

Empanadas are very tasty - plenty of flavors to choose from and they’re all packed well for a hearty bite and perfectly crispy/flakey exterior. Open late as well so great for a late night meal - I recommend the shredded chicken and El Jefe (whole wheat empanadas), and the cheese (corn empanadas)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very franchised empanadas. They are good, though. A bit pricy, $5 each. I liked the birrira one more. They came with delicious sauces, a nice spice kick. The green one in particular was great.

Clean place. Kiosk to order. High tables for sitting.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Bombay Wheat Empanada

The wheat flour crust is amazing! Hoping it's baked. At about $4.80 each before tax is expensive. I got El Toro & El Jefe. The second was mostly meat and dry, the other missing important ingredient--plátano! The deserts are outrageously overpriced for a take out place at like 9-12$. Waited 10 mins. Drunk loud people will make the tiny store unbearable if you are sober. I would return so long as my orders contained all ingredients listed on the menu. Nice they take cash card and tap

Food: 4

Service: 3

I’ve been a loyal customer of Empanada Mama for the past 13 years and have always loved their food. Their empanadas are consistently amazing, and I’ve had no complaints about the quality. However, I have to address the recent price increases, especially for sides like rice and beans. Charging $8.50 for a small side that used to cost $4 feels unreasonable. Rice and beans are inexpensive to begin with, so this sharp increase seems excessive and reflects a level of greed I can’t support. While I still enjoy the food, these pricing changes are disappointing and make me reconsider my visits.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Brasil Wheat Empanada, Sauce

I used to love this place. Unfortunately today I walked in and was completely ignored by the three people who were working there. I understand it gets busy, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and waited until every customer had left and they still ignored me as I stood right in front of the register with cash in my hand, ready to be acknowledged. It’s like they were playing a game of who can crack first and make the first move. When the girl wasn’t yelling out numbers/ orders she was cowardly hiding in the back corner on her phone. The other gentleman besides the cook walked up to the register, counted some money and then proceed to coward in the back as well. I was the last person in the shop. Unacceptable.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

very small

Kid-friendliness: empanadas

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Desayuno Colombiano Empanada

They don't have the impossible/beyond beef empanadalas here

They told me I couldn’t stand and drink my water.

They told me to sit down.

Sir, this is an Empanada Mama.

Get off your high horse.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

At $5 an empanada, I expected a bit more. The cheese and spinach empanada was good, but I'd much rather get large $3 empanadas at a food truck.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 4