Robyn Lane

Robyn Lane

Robyn Lane

The Tastiest Empanadas Can Be Found At These Monmouth County Eateries!

Empanadas have become incredibly popular. I remember I first heard about empanadas was when I was growing up in the suburbs of Long Island.

My friend Maggie and her family made them all the time and always shared them with us after school.

I don’t think I can truly pinpoint exactly where empanadas originated, although I’ve read that the earliest references are found in ancient Persia, long before Jesus was born. But I believe it was the Spanish who brought them to North America.

I love anything wrapped in dough that can be baked, boiled, or fried.

I have enjoyed many cultural variations of dough filled with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and seafood.

The Italians have calzones. The folks from India have samosas. Then there is the Jamaican beef patty, one of my favorites. The Eastern Europeans gave us knishes & pierogis. The Chinese created bao, and the Greeks created spanakopita. I can go on all day talking about all kinds of food surrounded by dough.

I’ll Take Yummy Stuff Wrapped in Dough for a Thousand, Alex.

Robyn's Chicken Sausage Empanadas with Provolone & Asiago

What Kind  Of Empanadas Can You Make?

I’ve been making empanadas for the last few months using ready made Goya brand empanada discs  You can find them in the frozen section in just about any grocery store. I like to bake rather than fry them.

I’ve made chicken sausage empanadas, pulled pork empanadas, and blueberry cheesecake empanadas in recent months.
I plan on making the dough from scratch in my next attempt.  It’s really easy and a lot cheaper than buying the ready made discs.

An empanada dough recipe requires only a handful of ingredients, all purpose flour, salt, egg, cold water and butter, and it comes together in no time flat. We’re talking less than 15 minutes.

 

When I’m not making empanadas, I enjoy getting them from a few different places. I often ask others for their opinions on which place makes the best empanadas. I used to go to the Empanada Guy’s food truck whenever he popped up at a local event, but now I can find his empanadas in some of the local grocery stores.

Right now, I’m going to share some places in Monmouth County County that are known for making great empanadas. All of these places were suggested by the locals and people on my favorite food pages.

  • Mambo Nando's - 293 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734

    Another family run eatery using recipes that have been passed down for generations. The empanadas are flaky and the fillings are flavorful. Puerto Rican Cuisine never tasted so good thanks to the Diaz family.

  • Latin Diner - 1007 Memorial Dr, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

    The pernil asado is a standout dish at the Latin Diner. But one should never skip out on the beef or chicken empanadas. Nice people and great service.

    Latin Diner in Asbury Park

  • Chamo's Bagel & Grill - 1516 NJ-33, Neptune City, NJ 07753

    Family owned and operated offering breakfast and Venezuelan cuisine in Neptune City  Have you ever had a breakfast empanada?  Chamo’s has got it going on. They also have a variety of non-breakfast empanadas, including spicy chorizo.

  • Ada's Gojjo - 1301 Memorial Dr, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

    Ethiopian & Dominican cuisine that will knock you out. Their empanadas are savory fried  pastries served with a homemade sauce. Choose from Beef, chicken, or the vegan empanada which is Ethiopian spiced vegetable fritters with a house dipping sauce. 

     

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    A post shared by Adanech Asghedom (@adagojjo)

  • El Rinconcito de Mama - 129 Main St, Matawan, NJ 07747

    Elena S. loves the traditional Mexican dishes served in this Matawan restaurant. She especially loves the chile rellenos, carne asada, and the steak empanadas. She said to make sure to order the guacamole, it’s some of the best she’s had.

  • Bom DMais Lanchonete e Pizzaria - 545 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740

    Serving a nice menu filled with Brazilian cuisine. The empanadas are large and chocked full of filling and flavor, according to Sammy D. Sammy loves the cheese and beef empanadas the best.

    Order Bom Dmais Menu Delivery【Menu & Prices】| Long Branch | Uber Eats

    Use your Uber account to order delivery from Bom Dmais in Long Branch. Browse the menu, view popular items, and track your order.

  • Empanada Guy - 568 Park Ave, Freehold, NJ 07728

    I’ve never been to the restaurant, but I have visited his food truck many times. To find out where his trucks will be next, click HERE for the schedule.  Love his beef and chorizo empanadas! I’m dying to try the the dessert empanadas. You can also buy a variety of his frozen empanadas at the restaurant and just heat & eat.

     

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    A post shared by Empanada Guy™ (@empanadaguy1)

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