In Search of the Ultimate Empanada

WonderGuera · 09-20-2011

Hello all!

:P I LOVE empanadas. :P I have been searching for the best empanadas in Playa the entire time I've lived here. My absolute favorites are empanadas de carne (ground pork with spices) from a little place called Tres Patitos in Cozumel. They're not skimpy with the meat, the meat is well flavored, and the masa is thick and not soggy with grease.

I have had a hard time finding really yummy empanadas in Playa. Usually there is little meat, the meat is very bland, and the masa (dough) too thin and soggy... So, I thought I'd check here and get some opinions.

I don't discriminate - I love Mexican empanadas, Argentinian, Panamanian, Ecuadorian - any type. I have been to Dona Maria (I think is the name - the popular place on 30) but was disappointed by the sogginess of the dough and lack of flavor in the carne. Right now my preferred place is on Calle 15 with 20 (I think... I don't pay much attention...) but it's really a so-so empanada.

I don't really like the ones from Don Tomate (Argentinian), they flavor the carne with lime - which makes me think they're covering the taste of meat turning bad... and it's just a weird taste to me. Although their chicken ones are good. I have also tried them at various restaurancitos, but with no luck...

My boyfriend makes fun of me because every time I go to Cozumel for work, I bring back a couple for the next - not too good cuz they're old, but still not better than most I've tried in Playa!

So - Playa Peeps - where do you like to go for your empanada fix?

Sue · 09-20-2011

I have heard that the empanadas at Ostera are really good, though I haven't tried them. They are across the street from the Beer Bucket, on Calle 10, between 5 and 10.

Babaloo · 09-20-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by WonderGuera

My absolute favorites are empanadas de carne (ground pork with spices) from a little place called Tres Patitos in Cozumel.

de cerdo?

Russell · 09-21-2011

Look for a girl with the phases of the moon tattooed on the back of her calf - carrying a pink plastic basket...
Inquire - I kid you not. You'll die and go to heaven.

Otherwise - Take 38th St, cross the highway, make your first left, make your first right, 1/2 way down the block on your left is a local seafood restaurant... banging seafood empanadas; and you can go in the back and watch them make 'em. If you go at lunchtime you may have to wait, or share a table with locals.

Necie · 09-21-2011

I like the spicy meat empanadas here
On 5th between 32nd & 34th.
Enjoy!

Ranger · 09-21-2011

These were good, but light on filling 4th street @ 20th maybe 25th

moke · 09-21-2011

We had very good empanadas at Tango Taco

Ranger · 09-21-2011

These were awesome on 10th between calle 2 and 4, sadly they did not have them my last trip.

Empanada de sesos

Ranger · 09-21-2011

These were really tasty but oily

Empanada de pescado @ La Tarraya

tdiaz · 09-21-2011

Russell is on it with the roving empanada sales person, I was in the Jellyfish light store across from Carboncitos when they were selling them to the clerks, bought some, not sorry I did. Took them back to Hotel Cielo for a late night snack!

Adie · 09-21-2011

Does anyone know if empanadas are made with strictly corn flour or a white flour/corn flour mix? I love them, but am always nervous to eat them because of my allergy to wheat.

snappysammy · 09-21-2011

good empanadas at manolos, 32 and fifth
also on 38th just west of fifth, very good

and a new place empanadas only on fifth around 48 on corner

these are all south american style, and not greasy like mexican ones

mexisv · 09-21-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

These were good, but light on filling 4th street @ 20th maybe 25th

yep, cheap and good!

Also on Ave 30 north of Calle 4, just under Mom's. Good with the best smokey sauce.

**Jesus** · 09-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adie

Does anyone know if empanadas are made with strictly corn flour or a white flour/corn flour mix? I love them, but am always nervous to eat them because of my allergy to wheat.

You have to ask the vendor, an empanada would be almost the same thing as a quesadilla in Mexico city, and those are made with corn dough (nixtamal) same used to make tortillas.

Also salbutes in other areas of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo are made with corn.

Quesadilas and sopes, made with "blue/green" corn fluor

Huaraches are also made with corn fluor

kathy.web · 09-22-2011

I like them at La Cueva del Chango, and La Tarraya makes good fish empanadas.

09-20-2011	#1 (permalink)
WonderGuera beachaholic Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: playa del carmen, mexico Posts: 352	In Search of the Ultimate Empanada Hello all! :P I LOVE empanadas. :P I have been searching for the best empanadas in Playa the entire time I've lived here. My absolute favorites are empanadas de carne (ground pork with spices) from a little place called Tres Patitos in Cozumel. They're not skimpy with the meat, the meat is well flavored, and the masa is thick and not soggy with grease. I have had a hard time finding really yummy empanadas in Playa. Usually there is little meat, the meat is very bland, and the masa (dough) too thin and soggy... So, I thought I'd check here and get some opinions. I don't discriminate - I love Mexican empanadas, Argentinian, Panamanian, Ecuadorian - any type. I have been to Dona Maria (I think is the name - the popular place on 30) but was disappointed by the sogginess of the dough and lack of flavor in the carne. Right now my preferred place is on Calle 15 with 20 (I think... I don't pay much attention...) but it's really a so-so empanada. I don't really like the ones from Don Tomate (Argentinian), they flavor the carne with lime - which makes me think they're covering the taste of meat turning bad... and it's just a weird taste to me. Although their chicken ones are good. I have also tried them at various restaurancitos, but with no luck... My boyfriend makes fun of me because every time I go to Cozumel for work, I bring back a couple for the next - not too good cuz they're old, but still not better than most I've tried in Playa! So - Playa Peeps - where do you like to go for your empanada fix?

09-21-2011	#5 (permalink)
Necie beachaholic Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: in my own little world Posts: 288	El Asador de Manolo I like the spicy meat empanadas here On 5th between 32nd & 34th. Enjoy!

09-21-2011	#9 (permalink)
Ranger añejo Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: 40 miles south east of Boston Posts: 5,515	These were really tasty but oily Empanada de pescado @ La Tarraya Last edited by Ranger; 09-23-2011 at 07:49 AM.. Reason: sp

09-20-2011	#2 (permalink)
Sue añejo Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 16,243	I have heard that the empanadas at Ostera are really good, though I haven't tried them. They are across the street from the Beer Bucket, on Calle 10, between 5 and 10.

09-21-2011	#4 (permalink)
Russell beachaholic Merchant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Playa del carmen Posts: 478	Look for a girl with the phases of the moon tattooed on the back of her calf - carrying a pink plastic basket... Inquire - I kid you not. You'll die and go to heaven. Otherwise - Take 38th St, cross the highway, make your first left, make your first right, 1/2 way down the block on your left is a local seafood restaurant... banging seafood empanadas; and you can go in the back and watch them make 'em. If you go at lunchtime you may have to wait, or share a table with locals.

09-21-2011	#6 (permalink)
Ranger añejo Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: 40 miles south east of Boston Posts: 5,515	These were good, but light on filling 4th street @ 20th maybe 25th

09-21-2011	#7 (permalink)
moke very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27	We had very good empanadas at Tango Taco

09-21-2011	#8 (permalink)
Ranger añejo Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: 40 miles south east of Boston Posts: 5,515	These were awesome on 10th between calle 2 and 4, sadly they did not have them my last trip. Empanada de sesos

09-21-2011	#10 (permalink)
tdiaz way into it Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Joseph, Missouri Posts: 242	Russell is on it with the roving empanada sales person, I was in the Jellyfish light store across from Carboncitos when they were selling them to the clerks, bought some, not sorry I did. Took them back to Hotel Cielo for a late night snack!

09-21-2011	#11 (permalink)
Adie into ruins Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 62	Does anyone know if empanadas are made with strictly corn flour or a white flour/corn flour mix? I love them, but am always nervous to eat them because of my allergy to wheat.

09-21-2011	#12 (permalink)
snappysammy añejo Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12,271	good empanadas at manolos, 32 and fifth also on 38th just west of fifth, very good and a new place empanadas only on fifth around 48 on corner these are all south american style, and not greasy like mexican ones

09-22-2011	#15 (permalink)
kathy.web añejo Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Missouri-North of KC Posts: 3,626	I like them at La Cueva del Chango, and La Tarraya makes good fish empanadas.

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