Classic Burgers in La Jolla is now sharing space with Empanada Kitchen which offers an Argentinean-style handmade version of the popular Spanish pastry.
Both businesses co-exist at 613 Pearl St.
An empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover consisting of pastry and filling, common in Spain, other Southern European countries, Latin American countries, and the Philippines. The name derives from the Spanish empanar (to coat with bread), translating as “breaded.” Empanadas are made by folding dough over a filling consisting of meat, cheese, tomato, corn, or other ingredients, then cooking the resulting turnover, either by baking or frying.
Argentine empanadas are often served during parties and festivals as a starter or main course. Shops specialize in freshly made empanadas, with many flavors and fillings. Every region of Argentina has its characteristic variant. Those of Salta (salteñas), for example, are small, juicy, and spicy, and contain potatoes, peppers, and ground chili.
Co-owned by Matias Rigali and Dan Housenga, Empanada Kitchen was born in 2016 when the owners envisioned bringing Argentine culinary culture to San Diego. Originally, they began freshly baking and selling their empanadas in multiple farmers markets citywide. They became so successful, that they felt compelled to open a brick-and-mortar storefront to keep up with demand.
The flagship Empanada Kitchen was launched at 819 C St. Downtown in early 2018. A second branch opened in the fall of 2019 on El Cajon Boulevard in North Park. A third location opened recently within Little Italy Food Hall.
Rigali noted they sold their empanadas at La Jolla Farmers Market as a prelude to setting up shop in the Jewel. “We are in love with La Jolla, we’ve always wanted to open a store here,” said Rigali noting, “We had this opportunity with the owner of Classic Burger to partner with them in sharing space, with us supplying our brand and our product.”
Added Rigali: “We also have an interest in expanding Empanada Kitchen. For us the key is location. A lot of our (storefront) customers are from the time when we were doing farmers markets.”
What makes Empanada Kitchen’s empenadas Argentine-style? “Nothing in particular other than the fact that we’re extremely crazy about empanadas in Argentina,” answered Rigali. He pointed out, “The origin of empanadas is in Spain, and they spread all over Latin America. It’s a meal for lunch or dinner in Argentina. We never eat them for breakfast.”
The contents of an empanada can be whatever you want them to be, like ones filled with scrambled eggs. “There are a lot of varieties with different types of fillings,” explained Rigali. “Think hand pies from England or India which are very similar, dough pastries with different types of savory fillings like beef. We’re crazy about meat in Argentina. We serve ground beef with different types of spices. You can go from there (in an empanada) to chicken, ham and cheese. We have a few vegetarian options, like mushrooms and goat cheese or sweet corn with basil. Those are probably the most popular.”
Empanada Kitchen is operating out of the space that last housed All Things Ube Desserts next door to Classic Burgers. When you try out their empanadas, expect flavors like traditional beef, braised lamb, ham and cheese, and sautéed chicken, as well as vegan options like ratatouille alongside the various other vegetarian choices. There is also a selection of coffee drinks made with beans from Bump Coffee.
For more information, visit empanada-kitchen.com.
EMPANADA KITCHEN
Where: 613 Pearl St.
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Info: empanada-kitchen.com, 858-732-0023.
