House of Empanadas

I had the beef empanada. The pastry was thin and flaky, very good. The filling was tasty and contained beef, onions, green olives, and raisins. I did not like the raisins, but it was very well executed.

I am surely sad to hear the went out of business. I kind had my last meal there while I was in Vancouver… It was my last week and we wne to have a dinner party with friends in there.
Great food, great crew.
I am so sorry they are done.

I’m sorry, but what a disappointment. I should have read more into the reviews before actually driving here. It’s no longer in business.

This location is no longer in business.

i’ve had many an empanada in my day. But these ones here just aren’t up to snuff. I’ve tried so many different of the fillings available at this location and they were all quite bad or even weird-​tasting unfortunately.
Which sucks because I often totally crave a good empanada and can’t seem to find one when I’m in Vancouver.
Positive things I can attest to — the staff is consistently friendly and the chimichurri is quite good.
To the Argentine woman (Victoria R.) who said she should make her own & sell them… please do! I will pre-​order a case of them from you now.

Love the ambience, has the feeling of a quaint little West End café. There’s a bench for the single eaters, and little tables for couples and friends.
There’s also tons of little dessert-​y items that look amazing.
But I wasn’t here for the ambience, I wanted some meat-​stuffed pastries! And this was before heading to Zakkushi, so it was time to kick off the protein overload.
I wasn’t a fan… I had the spicy-​pork picadillo while my friend went for the traditional beef. I found the pastry to be fairly dry inside and out, with the pork having seemed to have sat under a heat lamp all day… therefore it was dry and not-​so-​flaky.
The chimichurri sauce was a saving grace, but next time I’ll ask for two containers if I it’s that dry. My friend’s beef empanada was more succulent and was a better match for the chimichurri.
Have to try the other items at a later date… I’m not out in the West End often, but we’ll see where my stomach takes me!

In my last summer in Montréal a few years back a buddy of mine and I got hooked on a shop that specialized in making empanadas. At the time, that was the first empanadas I tried and thought, «damn these puppies are good» (not literally puppies. They’re for cuddles not for eating).
Once I left town to come out here I was a little worrisome but seeing as that was the only empanada shop I’d ever known in my relatively young life I remained very optimistic in finding another shop that could rival and maybe even exceed the quality and the taste of these declicious meat-​packed pastries. This naïve optimism faded with every empanada I tried since then. Recently when I saw this shop on Unilocal,a light sense of optimism I once held for finding good empanadas returned… only to be crushed.
These empanadas are too doughy and the fillings were just so-​and-​so. They had an overall «dryness» to them — both the filling and the dough (AND in combination). The chimmichuri they served it with was a bit of a saving grace as they moistened the meal a bit and chimmichuri itself was good. Perhaps I’m too harsh on them — it was okay and the price was what I expected but I was disappointed and my search continues.

I’m Argentinian, so I take my empanada quite seriously. I make them in the Porteno-​style from scratch, and have long searched for a restaurant that produces them, so I’m giving myself some license for elitism here.
They were all right. The dough was a little on the thick side (it should be thin and flakey if you’re doing the baked style, and for the deep fried version. well, who cares, it’s deep fried!
I wasn’t overly impressed with the fillings, but probably because I’ve eaten my grandmother’s and they don’t hold a candle to her 70 years of cooking experience. Like I said initially, they were all right. Just all right.
I will agree with others that it’s a bit on the pricey side. Makes me think I should start selling my home made ones since people are willing to pay that much!
The location is small (Davie one) and wasn’t really anything to write home about. If I need a latin fix and I’m too lazy to make my own, I might consider stopping in here. but that’s only because I have yet to find another empanaderia.

Delicious product, but I think the price point is a little too high. $ 3.50 + tax = $ 4.42 for (admittedly, a really great) little meat-​filled pastry. One isn’t really very much food, but if I get two then I’ve spent $ 9, which is just way too much for this kind of thing.
There are many varieties, including miniature dessert versions for $ 1.50 each. I could understand buying a whole bunch of these to cater an event or for a dinner party or something like that, which is probably the market they’re aiming for anyway.

This is for their Davie location, but their new one on Denman is a new, spiffy-​looking that earns a 4 star.
Had the beef enpanada, first time, I think it’s a bit too hard for my liking. I was offered to try out this cake, which was kinda nice, kinda like an angel one. Seems it’s freshly-​made and give marks for its uniqueness in its décor.
Friendly service but not exactly itching for a return anytime soon.

Ordered a mushroom empanada and got home, took a bite, and it was ham and cheese. I’m a vegetarian…
Tried to call and not only doesn’t the new location NOT have a phone number listed but the phone number for the location on Davie’s phone number goes straight to a full mailbox :/​
Well, that was a waste of money.

Delicious. Loved the Spicy Pork (not too spicy, just a hint of chipotle) and the chimichurri sauce is the best I’ve ever had. We bought a little jar ($ 3) and have been eating it on just about everything — yum! Tried the Tres Leche de Coco as well and were not disappointed, very moist (as tres leche should be) and the flavour was fantastic. Lovely ladies working here, very friendly and helpful. A great find.

I’ve eaten here 4 times in the past month and I’ve enjoyed it each time.
While going to university in Montréal I discovered Empanadas at a small Portuguese bakery that was on my way to work. I quickly grew addicted to them and bought 1 or 2 daily for lunches. Back then it cost about $ 2.50/empanada or 2 for $ 4. When I moved back to Vancouver i kept trying to find a good place to fill my Empanada cravings and my 7 year search is finally over!
There are so many things I like about House of Empanadas that I have to list them off:
1. Owner, Chef and staff are very friendly. The owner has given me free food every time I’ve seen him there.
2. The pastry chef is very highly trained and has worked at 5 star restaurants before.
3. They use high quality products: grass fed meats, organic vegetables, no plastic bottles, home made paletas with real fruit, etc…
4. CHIMMICHURRI!!! If you’re not aware of what this is then you definitely need to go here asap. Chimichurri is an Argentinian sauce that they serve as a dip/​sauce. It is basically a Parsley Pesto with oil and lots of garlic. It’s not spicy but it’s packed full of flavour. I was in there a few days ago and saw that they are starting to sell the Chimichurri in bottles to take home and use! (I immediately bought 2 jars)
5. The ambiance is very homey. After speaking with the owner, he told me that the majority of the furnishings were his own that he brought from all over the south america. It definitely feels like you’re in his livingroom having a home cooked meal.
These are my favorite empanadas: Classic Beef, Spicy Pork and Spinish & Feta. You have to try it for yourself and ask for extra Chimichurri sauce!!!

Great hidden gem along Bute St and just off Davie St. One of the many locations that should have the recognition of places along Davie, but aren’t so they are what I call — «Off Davie».
Friendly people with great food and great service. The main attraction which of course are the varieties of empanadas some filled with organic ingredients such as corn or the more expensive ones such as wild salmon.
If I need something more fulfilling than a samosa, but not as big as a calzone, I reach for an empanadas. For $ 3.95, it’s a meal replacement in itself.
Talk to the guys behind the counter and they will gladly help you out with any questions you may have and even provide a sample to try.
They offer it in ready-​to-​eat hot and toasted or if you plan on getting a couple for the next day or a party, they also have the cold ones so you can heat them up yourself and they will be as fresh-​tasting as the toasted ones like you just got them straight from the store.
Kudos to the owner. I don’t mind it being Off-​Davie. It keeps the prices low and the quality ingredients high. This place has potential. I can’t wait to see what other filling he can concoct next.

I went here the other day after walking by nearly everyday and saying «I need to try that place sometime.» I am glad I did! The empanadas are tasty and affordable. The staff is also very friendly! I got the Chicken empanada and the husband got the smoked salmon one. I really like the fact that the meat is organic and grain-​fed (huge bonus in my books!) We also split a squash and garlic mushroom empanada which was very interesting and yummy. For dessert we tried the bite-​size strawberry and pecan empanadas which really hit the spot. Yum. Definitely will go back and can’t wait to try the goat cheese and spinach empanada *drool*
Oh and that Chimichurri sauce is divine! (Even if I smelled like a garlic factory afterwards!)

Warning: if you have a close quarters meeting after eating here you’d better hope your associates like garlic breath.
I grabbed a couple of colleagues yesterday and we went for a stroll down Davie in seach of HOE. We each got two empanadas at $ 4 a piece. I chose the spicy pork and the beef options. I ordered a drink but don’t think the server heard me. No problem — they have a water station if you’re thirsty.
The empanadas I remembered from Argentina had flakier pastry but these HOE ones were delicious nonetheless. I loved the currants, olives and egg in the beef one. The green chimichurri sauce that was served on the side looked like a lot but it was so good I added some to every bite. Two empanadas was definitely really filling. I will be back to try the curried chicken one next.

Here’s why you’ve got to Go. There. Now.
Guava + Cream Cheese = Bite size bodaciousness!
Filipino Spicy Pork = fusion, yes, but damn, delish!
Chimichurri* Sauce — It’s homemade! HOMEMADE!
Whether you’re a seasoned empanada lover or a novice, you’re in for a treat with these baked pockets of meaty goodness. And yes, they’re a meal size indeed for $ 3.95. But if you want my advice, go with a friend, order 3 different types and split them all down the middle. It’ll be like your very own sampling plate! And if you’re like us, you’ll end up buying more for tomorrow’s lunch too. Yup, they’re that good, and portable!
But… Get. There. Early. They sell out.
*Haven’t had chimichurri before? It’s a green sauce with parsley, chilies, oil and vinegar. Great on grilled meats and slathered a top of a empanada. And the bottle I brought home from Argentina (where it’s from) doesn’t even begin to compare to the homemade goodness of House of Empanadas.

Do not be fooled by this little hidden location, these empanadas are worth checking out! OMG! I had walked by this place pretty much twice a day to and fro work, and after reading Marc D’s review I had to stop in and check out the goods. And they were good goods!
I guess I hadn’t bothered to try this place because I always think of empanadas as having meat in them, so I figured it would be a waste of my time to bother checking for veggie options. As it turns out, they have a whole selection of veggie empanadas! The first time (yes, I liked it so much I went back before I even had time to write my first review!) I tried the spinach and goat cheese one, and it was super good. It could have used a bit more goat cheese, but I always want more cheese, you know, cheese please! People always ask me, did you want some more wine with that cheese? What a silly question, of course I want more wine with my whine…
The second time I tried the mushroom one, and the BF tried the squash and red pepper one, they were both pretty deluxe. I got a little cranberry/​almond/​goat cheese one too and it was super flavourful. I also really liked the green sauce (its kind of like pesto but not) that they give you to go with the empanada. But my favourite part was the super cute boy working in there, hubba hubba! Haha! Ok maybe there was another reason I went back so soon, but that’s just the cougar talking. Maybe I’ll take a beefy empanada after all… to go!

Tasty bite sized empanadas from 1.50z. Curried chicken. Pulled pork. Coconut pineapple! All your heart desires! Larger meal sized ones for 3.95. Home made in the kitchen just behind the counter. Highly recommended

* Empanadaria Fusion *
Combine some traditional recipes with some West Coast ones, throw in some classic West Coast food norms like grass-​fed meats grown on organic land, cane sugar and fresh organic greens and you have this fusiony empanadaria.
They have a wide variety of flavours in their multiple display cases (
) — everything from «traditional» beef empanada to Pacific Wild Smoked Salmon Salad Nicoise empanada to cranberry almond goat cheese empanada back to dulce de leche empanada. You get the drift.
I ordered the traditional beef empanada (yes, I’m old fashioned) for $ 3.95. It was served piping hot, nicely plated, with a side of fresh made chimichura sauce. Photo:

Breaking into the empanada revealed a generous amount ground beef (which was slightly under seasoned), mixed with hard boiled eggs, olives, and plump raisins. The crust itself was nice and flaky. The chimichura sauce added a nice flavour punch to round things out and it made the slightly under seasoned beef make sense to provide overall balance to taste. I must say this empanada was much better than I expected based on the fusiony aspects of the menu. Photo:
Service was extremely friendly as well — really going out of their way to make everyone feel very welcome.
I will certainly be returning!