Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes — Restaurant in Tacoma

Been craving empanadas on a rainy day and did a simple google search for empanadas near me and came across this place as I was close by. I placed the order on the phone and the man who took my order was so sweet and chill. I went inside to pick up my order and he was really sweet. My order was ready on time and it was a smooth transaction. The place itself, is quite big since it was a sit down before Covid so now they have blocked off seating areas and have been operating mainly as take outs and deliveries. But from the closed off area, I could tell that this restaurant had a 80s diner kind of vibe - chill, cool and welcoming. Since this was my first time trying, I ordered their 6 variety mix empanadas - 2 chicken, 2 cheese, 2 spinach. The food overall was flavorful, the chicken was really nice - shredded chicken and nicely seasoned, the cheese one tasted like melted string cheese and the spinach one was like the cheese one with spinach. My favorite was the chicken one. I am sure their other meat ones will be flavorful too, I just don't eat beef or pork. The crust was really crispy and crunchy. The filling ratio was great. My only complain and it's a big one is that their empanadas are extremely oily - I understand they are deep fried but just holding one literally soaked my fingers in dripping oil. They look pretty innocent until you touch them. And eating then left a oil streak down my throat. I just hope, they can find an alternate to the oiliness. So if you are really in the mood of great tasting empanadas and don't mind the oil, do check out this place. It's definitely...

We arrived about 35 minutes before closing, hoping to sit down for dinner, but were told they were only accepting takeout orders for empanadas. That was a bit disappointing, but we decided to go ahead and order the six-empanada deal for $17.99. We chose two beef, two ranchera, and two lechona.

I tried a ranchera while it was still hot, and unfortunately, it was one of the toughest empanadas I’ve ever bitten into. The filling lacked flavor, and it tasted like it had been sitting in the freezer for too long. When we got home, the empanadas were still warm, but my wife struggled to finish even half of one because the texture was rough on the roof of her mouth. She did enjoy the white sauce that came on the side, while I preferred the pink.

Of the three flavors, the lechona was the most underwhelming, even more so than the ranchera. The beef had the best flavor, and dipping it in the sauce helped. I wish we had the chance to try more of their menu, but based on this experience alone, I’m not sure...

We recently had the pleasure of stumbling across this charming Colombian restaurant that boasts an array of authentic Colombian delights. From mouthwatering empanadas to delicious Arepas and alfajores, they’ve truly captured the essence of Colombian cuisine. I was particularly impressed by the option of gluten-free empanadas, a delightful surprise.

The restaurant’s attempt to create a retro ambiance added to the overall experience. The only drawback, however, was the price point. My husband and I ended up spending close to $70 for 8 small empanadas and 2 shredded beef arepas, including tips.

In summary, the food here is good, and the uniqueness of the dishes is a strong point. While it may be a bit costly, the culinary journey and flavors you’ll savor are worth it if you’re willing to indulge a bit. If you’re a fan of Colombian cuisine, this restaurant is definitely...