Lito's empanada's, is this the best out there?

I'm a huge empanada fan, and recently went to Lito's in Lincoln Park and wasn't very impressed. They serve them quick since they seem to be premade, but there was something very fast foody like about the overall texure. I had one of each type and although they filled me up, it wasn't memorable enough to inspire a craving within me to return. The green hot sauce was, however, to die for, they compliment the empanada perfectly and if I could buy a huge jar of this I would asap. Lito's is a nice little place that only does empanada's, which makes it unique, but just wondering if there are any other places like this in the city or in chicagoland that specialize in empanada's but do it with a bit more zest.

Lito's Empanadas
2566 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-857-1337

I had some of Lito's empanadas last Saturday. Frankly, I was happy to find anything halfway decent on that strip of Clark. The spinach & cheese was pretty bland. I also had a beef one (not the kind with the raisins) and enjoyed. I mean, it's basically an overgrown pizzaroll. My one year old liked it, too.

I think there are posts about other empanadas places (wait, I think I have even written a few) but it is late for me so I will just tell you . . . got to El Mercado, the corner shop at Southport & Grace, it is connected via family to Tango Sur next door. They have empanadas, for sale in a little hot case by the cash register, to stop you in your tracks and stop your heart if you eat too many. I like the beef over the chicken but have been known to snarf down a pollo version happily. I have never had any sauce with them as I am almost always eating them vertically (standing, walking) or vehicularly (driving). They now serve both baked and fried versions and I like both, but um, er, prefer the fried. I am told they serve the same at the restaurant and also at the bar their son runs on Elston.

Another place that doesn't get a lot of love here is La Fonda on Broadway in Edgewater. I think their empanadas are lovely, they too do both fried and baked versions and they have 2 different green sauces to compliment them. And then there is, of course, El Nandu over on Fullerton in Logan Square . . . is it still open? If it is, the empanadas were my go to item on their menu but I haven't been for years.

I know I am kind of all over the map and a bit vague but it might get you started.

bjt

While I'm not familiar w Lito's, I always used to go to Las Tablas for Empanadas after soccer games, as well as their more popular and filling entree, 'El Matrimonio'. Columbian fare. Not sure if the place is still there since I spend more of my time in the burbs now. Worth a try since I remember it being yummy.

hth,
Pedro

FoodSnob77 wrote:other places like this in the city or in chicagoland that specialize in empanada's but do it with a bit more zest.

FoodSnob,

Not a empanada per se, but Caribbean American Bakery beef patties certainly qualify in the "more zest" category.

Enjoy,
GAry

Caribbean American Baking
1539 W Howard St
Chicago, IL 60626
773-761-0700
http://www.caribbeanamericanbakery.com

bjt wrote:And then there is, of course, El Nandu over on Fullerton in Logan Square . . . is it still open? If it is, the empanadas were my go to item on their menu but I haven't been for years.

El Nandu most certainly is still in business. Their empanadas are pretty good, with excellent and reasonably authentic fillings (i.e., they remind me of what I ate in Buenos Aires), although I'm not a fan of the large, heavy, fried shells. Basically, they are too big and filling to be appetizers, at least to my taste.

El Nandu has great empanadas. My favorite though probably are Ñ - the aforementioned bar on Elston & Wellington that is owned by the tango sur crowd.

Still, i'm a bit biased. Earlier this year I went to Argentina and went for a day to this family's house. The Antoinettis. Former Italians, they owned a small vineyard connected to their house and cooked a lot for us. Their wine was fantastic, but it was their homemade empanadas that made the trip. The wife had a huge stone oven in the backyard and made hundreds of them. All I ate that day was empanadas & wine! Mmmmm..

Wow - those look like my Mom's - the gorgeous brown blisters from the egg wash and oven-baking (I always forget the egg wash.) Are they using grapevines for wood?

i don't recall, but it sure looks like they were in the first pic.

Lito’s Empanadas, a casual spot that’s been serving Latin American pastries for 11 years in Lincoln Park, has opened a new location inside Revival Food Hall in the Loop.

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/7/16/175 ... on-opening