Empanada Kitchen Emerges Downtown

A featured vendor at local farmer’s markets since 2016, Empanada Kitchen is now running its first storefront in downtown San Diego. The eatery will continue to have a presence at the La Jolla Open Aire Market every Sunday, and its empanadas can also be found at Bump Organic Coffee Roasters in Encinitas and Meraki Cafe in University Heights.

Founders Matias Rigali and Dan Housenga bake many different versions of the Argentine hand pie, from beef, braised lamb, and chicken to vegan ratatouille and sauteed chicken, as well as a vegan ratatouille, mushroom and goat cheese, and even a breakfast variation filled with bacon and egg. Served with homemade chimichurri sauce, they’re available in sets of three for $9.50 as part of the eatery’s meal deal. Currently open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Empanada Kitchen is celebrating its grand opening this Friday, March 30 by offering free dessert empanadas with the purchase of an empanada meal deal.