The Empanada Girl's Kitchen

An empanada lover's happy place! We first met the Empanada Girl at the Lakewood Ranch farmer's market at Waterside. Stefania was the kindest food cart person we had met as she worked the orders and also took the time to chat with us and go over how she came to this fantastic gluten free and plant based recipes. We ordered one of each and honestly loved them all! They are each stamped on the crust with the type and come frozen or you can order one on the spot to be heated up. Stefania shared that she sold her items out of her then parent's store Peperonata Pasta Store. Well fast forward to today, we saw her in person working the store with her little one Ari! She chatted with us about taking on the store from her family and carrying on the tradition of their family and her amazing empanadas. Tips for ordering if you want them warm, call ahead! They take about 15 mins to warm but it's always fun to sit in their cute eatery and meet others who come thru the store. So many regulars and newbies like us! They carry an amazing amount of homemade items including pastas, sauces, desserts, and branded items. Definitely stop by this store and support this wonderful family owned business and their growing family! Thank you Stefania and crew we'll be back!

This place is fantastic! Our group loved the atmosphere, the food, and the incredible service. They made us feel at home. We shared several different empanadas and enjoyed them all. The pasta was fresh and delectable. They have something for everyone; vegan, vegetarian, meat options, and gluten-free options.