We had 3 empanadas, our favorite were the spicy beef and cheese and regular beef. They were fresh and really yummy! We’ll be back. Yes they are expensive, but so is everything everywhere. Inflation sucks
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dean Perez
As a fellow Dominican, I’ve always thought my Puerto Rican cousins made better empanadas than us 😂
The empanda de pernil; which is the most traditional Caribbean option, ended up being just as I expected. Full of flavor, love and reminded me of being a kid. Soft, great texture and a perfect amount. Recommend 2 is good for each person.
What I love most is the atmosphere. It’s a cultural experience for those wanted to get a glimpse of Latin Caribbean vibes. Tasty empandas, a side of tostones, a beer or soda and the sounds of the island in the background. I appreciate vendors that bring a slice of paradise to Texas.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shikha Midha
If you’re looking for real Puerto Rican flavor in Dallas, this is the spot—no debate. I come here often, and it never misses. I recently moved here from the NJ/NYC area, where good Puerto Rican food is everywhere, and I’m telling you right now… this is better than a lot of the local spots back home. Trust me.
The empanadas are made from the owner’s mom’s homemade recipes, ( which is already generational) and you can taste the authenticity in every bite. This is true PR flavor—seasoned right, cooked with love, and absolutely not watered down. I bring everyone I meet here when we want something fresh and savory.
The ambience makes it even better. Old-school everything, hip hop , freestyle, and Puerto Rican classics set the vibe, and if you ask, you can hang out playing board games or dominoes like you’re right back on the island or in someone’s living room. It’s warm, welcoming, and community-driven.
On the weekends, they take it up a notch with additional plates featuring pernil and tostones—and yes, they are as good as you’re hoping they’ll be.
And let’s not skip the details that matter: this is the only place in Dallas where you can get Maltas, Champagne Cola , etc to have with your plate. If you’re feeling dangerous enjoy a frozen drink outside behind the store on the patio. If you know, you know. 🤷♂️
On top of everything, it’s a woman-owned business, which makes supporting this spot even better. Amazing food, real culture, and genuine vibes—check her out. You won’t regret it..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
R J
I absolutely love this place everything is made to order so you will have to wait but it has always been worth it and it doesn't take long. I love the spicy beef, chicken, pork and pineapple coconut for dessert. I never get dipping sauce b/c they dont need it! also you can never go wrong with the Miami Vice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diane Gonzalez
Loved the empanada Joint . Empanadas were home made and true to puertrican taste. A little expensive but hey we are not in Puerto Rico and I have made them before and it is a lot of trouble to make
Francisco León
Empanadas taste good but they are overpriced at 4.50 each and they are very small, even smaller than advertised at the counter. These should be 2.50 tops
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Shana B
Amazing food you have customers for life!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hector Montoya
Nothing to do with a real empanada...overpriced plus $1 for a little bit of sauce...do you want a real empanada? Look for La preciosa in Carrollton.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Gabriel Torres
This how fake Puertorrican food looks like. Tasty yes, but overpriced and the portions are tiny. They literally be selling appetizers for the price of a regular empanada.
Extremely overpriced the empanada was the size of an fortune cookie! Extremely disappointing $5 bucks Wow!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Melissa Gatto
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Empanada Joint is an absolute MUST-TRY!
I can’t say enough good things about this place. The Empanada Joint delivers flavor, freshness, and pure comfort in every single bite. Their empanadas are perfectly golden, crisp on the outside, and packed with generous, mouth-watering fillings that taste homemade and full of love.
Whether you go for the classic flavors or something more creative, every option is a hit. The seasoning is spot-on, the ingredients are fresh, and nothing ever feels greasy or heavy—just delicious and satisfying.
The staff is just as amazing as the food. Friendly, welcoming, and always ready to help you pick the perfect combo. You can tell they take pride in what they do, and it shows from the first bite to the last.
If you haven’t tried The Empanada Joint yet, you are seriously missing out! This is the kind of place you recommend to everyone and keep going back to again and again.
A solid 10/10. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christian Argueta
The food is amazing they have this Puerto Rican empanadas that taste amazing and have the best flavor inside super tasty I highly recommend this place plus the owner is really nice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeffrey Farmer
I eat here once a week and I live 40 miles away. That should tell you something!
The empanadas, both the sweet and the savory, are phenomenal! The sauces are also amazing, and the service is always fast and super friendly. Cannot rave enough about this place! Also, my wife loves the pina colada!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tostones, Apple Pie and Cherry Pie
Ali
I desperately want to give 5 stars, but I have to knock off a star for the pricing. I acknowledge as a local dive, prices tend to be a little higher, but at nearly $5 per empanada (plus extra for additional sauces), I think that’s a bit steep. That being said, the service was excellent and the flavor profiles were delicious! They also have a wide variety of drinks, including several imported Latinx favorites.
We had 3 empanadas, our favorite were the spicy beef and cheese and regular beef. They were fresh and really yummy! We’ll be back. Yes they are expensive, but so is everything everywhere. Inflation sucks
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As a fellow Dominican, I’ve always thought my Puerto Rican cousins made better empanadas than us 😂
The empanda de pernil; which is the most traditional Caribbean option, ended up being just as I expected. Full of flavor, love and reminded me of being a kid. Soft, great texture and a perfect amount. Recommend 2 is good for each person.
What I love most is the atmosphere. It’s a cultural experience for those wanted to get a glimpse of Latin Caribbean vibes. Tasty empandas, a side of tostones, a beer or soda and the sounds of the island in the background. I appreciate vendors that bring a slice of paradise to Texas.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you’re looking for real Puerto Rican flavor in Dallas, this is the spot—no debate. I come here often, and it never misses. I recently moved here from the NJ/NYC area, where good Puerto Rican food is everywhere, and I’m telling you right now… this is better than a lot of the local spots back home. Trust me.
The empanadas are made from the owner’s mom’s homemade recipes, ( which is already generational) and you can taste the authenticity in every bite. This is true PR flavor—seasoned right, cooked with love, and absolutely not watered down. I bring everyone I meet here when we want something fresh and savory.
The ambience makes it even better. Old-school everything, hip hop , freestyle, and Puerto Rican classics set the vibe, and if you ask, you can hang out playing board games or dominoes like you’re right back on the island or in someone’s living room. It’s warm, welcoming, and community-driven.
On the weekends, they take it up a notch with additional plates featuring pernil and tostones—and yes, they are as good as you’re hoping they’ll be.
And let’s not skip the details that matter: this is the only place in Dallas where you can get Maltas, Champagne Cola , etc to have with your plate. If you’re feeling dangerous enjoy a frozen drink outside behind the store on the patio. If you know, you know. 🤷♂️
On top of everything, it’s a woman-owned business, which makes supporting this spot even better. Amazing food, real culture, and genuine vibes—check her out. You won’t regret it..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I absolutely love this place everything is made to order so you will have to wait but it has always been worth it and it doesn't take long. I love the spicy beef, chicken, pork and pineapple coconut for dessert. I never get dipping sauce b/c they dont need it! also you can never go wrong with the Miami Vice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved the empanada Joint . Empanadas were home made and true to puertrican taste. A little expensive but hey we are not in Puerto Rico and I have made them before and it is a lot of trouble to make
Empanadas taste good but they are overpriced at 4.50 each and they are very small, even smaller than advertised at the counter. These should be 2.50 tops
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Amazing food you have customers for life!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nothing to do with a real empanada...overpriced plus $1 for a little bit of sauce...do you want a real empanada? Look for La preciosa in Carrollton.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
This how fake Puertorrican food looks like. Tasty yes, but overpriced and the portions are tiny. They literally be selling appetizers for the price of a regular empanada.
This is Puertorrican food for Americans.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Great service and very tasty empanadas!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Extremely overpriced the empanada was the size of an fortune cookie! Extremely disappointing $5 bucks Wow!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Empanada Joint is an absolute MUST-TRY!
I can’t say enough good things about this place. The Empanada Joint delivers flavor, freshness, and pure comfort in every single bite. Their empanadas are perfectly golden, crisp on the outside, and packed with generous, mouth-watering fillings that taste homemade and full of love.
Whether you go for the classic flavors or something more creative, every option is a hit. The seasoning is spot-on, the ingredients are fresh, and nothing ever feels greasy or heavy—just delicious and satisfying.
The staff is just as amazing as the food. Friendly, welcoming, and always ready to help you pick the perfect combo. You can tell they take pride in what they do, and it shows from the first bite to the last.
If you haven’t tried The Empanada Joint yet, you are seriously missing out! This is the kind of place you recommend to everyone and keep going back to again and again.
A solid 10/10. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is amazing they have this Puerto Rican empanadas that taste amazing and have the best flavor inside super tasty I highly recommend this place plus the owner is really nice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I eat here once a week and I live 40 miles away. That should tell you something!
The empanadas, both the sweet and the savory, are phenomenal! The sauces are also amazing, and the service is always fast and super friendly. Cannot rave enough about this place! Also, my wife loves the pina colada!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tostones, Apple Pie and Cherry Pie
I desperately want to give 5 stars, but I have to knock off a star for the pricing. I acknowledge as a local dive, prices tend to be a little higher, but at nearly $5 per empanada (plus extra for additional sauces), I think that’s a bit steep. That being said, the service was excellent and the flavor profiles were delicious! They also have a wide variety of drinks, including several imported Latinx favorites.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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