Empanadas Have Entered Downtown

Papa Luna's, which opened their Pacific Beach empanada shop in 2012, has a new store in downtown's Core-Columbia neighborhood.

Owner Simon Baer's new 625-square-foot shop, which is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., has patio seating and an expanded menu. At the core are their empanadas, which come in sweet and savory versions that range from the traditional Argentine carne molida filled with beef, raisins, egg and green olives to Philly cheesesteak and banana/nutella; March's empanada of the month, dubbed the Chupbeetcabra, is stuffed with roasted beets, goat cheese and blood orange. The downtown location also has full espresso bar from Cultivo Coffee, plus pastries, ceviche and a soup of the day. They're also applying for a beer and license.

Though there aren't any other San Diego stores currently in planning, Baer says "hopefully in the near future we'll have another one in the works."

Do mark your calendars for Monday, April 9th, National Empanada Day; both Papa Luna's locations will be offering a bogo deal on their carb-y treats.
· Papa Luna's Empanadas [Official Site]
· All Expansionwire Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]