by Susannah Richardson | Feb 26, 2024 | Eat, March 2024
Get your fill of empanadas at these Raleigh spots.
“I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine…” Empanadas—aka those half-moon-shaped pastries stuffed with a variety of sweet and savory flavors—are having a moment. From spiced beef to sweet corn to bacon and eggs, Raleigh has no shortage of tasty pies just as good on the go as at a sit-down meal with a marg. Say less. Here, handpicked local spots to up your snack game.
The Arepa Bar
“It’s always better when we’re together.” … For a match made in heaven, choose your own duo of fillings via the authentic Better Together Corn Empanadas. It’s corn! @thearepabar
Che Empanadas
For a little slice of Argentina, bite into pocket-size joy—er, any of Che’s flavor-filled empanadas (think al pastor, shepherd’s pie, potato knish…). Chimichurri dipping sauce on the side, natch. @che_empanadas_nc
Mike’s Nice Empanadas
What’s in your pocket? If it’s not this authentic food truck’s Boricua, Pollo Loco, birria or cheese empanada (or, heck, all of the above), you’re doing it wrong. @mikeniceempanadas
Barcelona Wine Bar
Too stuffed? No such thing. There’s always room for these spiced beef empanadas with a red pepper dipping sauce. @barcelonawinebar
Makus Empanadas
When Harry Styles said “you’re so golden,” he was def talking about these bad boys, filled with everything from beef to chicken to pork chimichurri to sweet corn. @makusempanadas
Taco Bamba
By night, fulfill the “American Dream” via a carne asada flavor bomb, and, by morning, dive into the B.E.C. with fancy sauce. Iggy Azalea would surely approve. @tacobamba
Pana’s Flavor
Proudly the “biggest empanada in the Triangle,” your choice of chicken, beef or cheese is packed to the brim into a soft pastry shell—making for a massive flavor bomb (!). @panasflavor
by Anna Beth Adcock | Mar 28, 2023 | April 2023, Eat
4 Raleigh-area food trucks we’re loving right now
Che Empanadas
We’re on a knead-to-know basis… and we need you to know about this fab Transfer Co. Food Hall spot’s recently launched food truck that’s tempting Raleighites to make a quick pit stop for handmade baked/fried Argentinian delights—think empanadas (natch), pastries and more—all over town. The empanada party continues via a pickup window at the soon-to-open The Mixx (!). … And you can be sure they’re prepared to stay servin’ up the good Argentinian eats no matter the occasion—from weddings to zombie apocalypses. Ready to get stuffed? cheempanadas.com
Mama Churros
Bringing handcrafted churros from Mexico to the Triangle is this sweet truck throwing you for a loop—that is, a dipped loop, stick or dipped stick, depending on your churro order of choice. NTM these fried dough-lights even come with sprinkles (*cues up mental image of Salt Bae sprinklin’*)! Time to churr up!
@mamachurros_
Lee’s Kitchen
Meet the self-proclaimed best-known secret in town. “A taste of Jamaica with a touch of soul,” this truck blends tropical and Southern flavors to produce appetizing ops of all kinds—from oxtails and curry chicken to yams, collard greens, and mac and cheese. Warning: One bite may mentally transport you to the Caribbean. So if you haven’t yet stumbled upon this gem, well, curry up. leeskitchenjamaican.com
Mr. A’s Beignets
They say you are what you eat, so we rec chowing down on some hot and sweet fried fritters via this authentic New Orleans-esque sup spot that sources its beignet supplies directly from Louisiana (that’s how you know it’s legit!). Pro tip: Getting powdered sugar everywhere is highly encouraged. … And be sure to grab a coffee, hot cocoa or spiced cider to wash it all down. Beignet, done that. Or have you?!
squaredoughnuts.com
Looking for a specific truck? Check out the street food finder to find your fave food truck. streetfoodfinder.com/c/nc/raleigh
