Empanada Mama LES — Restaurant in New York

This is a mixed review. I love this place and always have. What a great array of things to eat. And they're usually always on point and very cordial.

They were slammed so I get a part of this. But as I order our waiter tells me they do not have any Vinegar or oil for me to get some dressing changed. He also proceeds to bring me my Salad with no utensils for at least 5 min. Then he also didn't bring us any hot sauce for the empanadas like they usually do, nor water. I had to get up ask for water and the others. Then he brings the food. Forgets the other stuff and we don't see him again. The younger fellow def helped us out so much and I finally got the dressing I was told they didn't have. Even tho this is my Go-to place. I'm very surprised... I get it ppl can be mistaken. But it might be a good habit to learn what exactly your kitchen has or go ask before ademently saying no no no. Even tho I've been there before and wasn't looking to argue and I had got the exact thing I asked for. I will for sure eat here again and stay clear of this one light skinned waiter. What a surprise. I've never had a single issue here EVER. Yes I also get ppl can have bad days and the array of things that happen. But I'm also not one to accept any type of excuse except to own ones behavior, especially in dining. But I think some of us forget the policy the customer is always right. I for one would memorize the entirety of the menu and all the options before I give a blanket answer. That's my Job, plain and simple. And yes we all treat work and professionalism differently. And I'm not even upset. I'm genuinely surprised. I think this would have also been resolved if the guy came back and just owned his mistake and said sorry. Owning your mistakes goes a long way. And many young folks are not learning these things because we are divided more than ever thru technology.

Sometime it's wise to go back to basics, learn how to look someone in the eyes. And learn to own your mistakes. Especially when...

We were sat at a decent time. Me and my friend order brunch items. I ordered steak and eggs and he ordered pancakes. My dish came and his didn’t. After 30 minutes his pancakes still never came as my food was getting cold sitting in front of me waiting for his. It was hard to get our servers attention. So I had to get up and find her to find out the kitchen skipped his order. I found the server printing out a receipt of our food to go back to kitchen with it. They looked at the ticket like they never received it. We then waited another 15 minutes with still no food. After trying to get the servers attention again we asked her for a to go box for my food and drinks to go and the bill b/c we were just over it at this point….. she couldn’t even bring us that. Again, we got up to find her. Again, they brought out just one drink and had to wait about 10 minutes for the next one. When making orders why do it partially? I never got my to go box so I had to leave my food. The server decided to only charge us for the 2 drinks & as we were leaving the pancakes finally came out and we just took them to go.

Lastly I wanted to add that there should be NO REASON a baby is at the bar! I brought it to security’s attention and I don’t think he understood English and I brought it to our servers attention & she said “oh that’s not my baby” like girl I know that … The baby should not be at the bar!

Poor service very disappointed . The steak I had was...

Empanada Mama is great every time and open 24 hours a day. It’s easy to order ahead online, use the kiosks in-store, the take-out counter, or have a seat for table service, including a bar. I’ve never had a bad experience, at any location, since I started going regularly over 5 years ago. Everything is full-flavor from food to sauces.

The Buffalo Chicken Empanada is the best way to eat buffalo chicken. It is one of their fried wheat varieties. The outside is crispy, thin and light and the inside is packed, as full as possible, with shredded buffalo chicken. The empanada breading gives way to a pleasing crunch. The chicken is soft with a sweet, savory, and spicy flavor. It is already so delicious that you don’t need a sauce, but it comes with one that balances everything with a creamy tanginess that ups the flavor.

The Banana Nutella Empanada is one of my favorites - one of their baked wheat varieties. It is topped with cinnamon and sugar that gives a caramelized and crispy outside. The center is filled with warm Nutella and a banana. It’s very fun to eat.

They have over 40 varieties of empanadas. They serve baked wheat and fried wheat and corn empanadas. They are a first-floor, store-front with no stairs to enter or dine. The decor and atmosphere are bright and exciting. It can get loud...