Original Mama’s Empanadas
“It's more like ~30 since the store offers 2 TYPES of empanadas (CORN and WHEAT) that repeat the same fillings.”
“I agree with previous reviews the corn based empanadas are crunchier and seem less oily.”
“This is a satellite branch of Mama's main location at 85th and Northern Blvd, one Jackson Height's many affordable food finds.”
Original Mama’s Empanadas
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Inexpensive
8 reviews
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A decent place for a quick and cheap lunch. The empanadas are crispy and very tasty, and even better with their hot sauce. The soups are less good but still OK.
Great place for cheap eats. Each empanada is between $1 and $2. They have a huge variety! The corn empanadas have a crisper shell and are usually lava hot in the middle. The wheat empanadas have a softer shell and are usually the less traditional fillings. My favorites are the basics, the steak and the chicken. The fancy flavored empanadas are good too, but I'm a purist.
The cheeseburger (wheat) empanada was amazing, eat them while they are hot. The food was pretty good, decent prices but the customer service doesn't exist there, at all. They shout your number and if you don't jump up immediately and run to the counter they start barking at you!
The 2 guys behind the counter were serving up some bad attitude. There was some kind of altercation between a customer and an employee. The customer was telling the tall kid working behind the counter he was being disrespectful/rude ect. The kid replied why get the f*** out and don't ever come back. Which just added fuel to the fire, they were shouting cursing in front of children, the mother said "respect children" One couple with a new born baby waiting for food, walked outside for safety! It was ridiculous, be professional.
The place is a little small, little dirty, small trash left around. Bar countertops and stools line the walls and front window.
I think everyone's favorite words to describe food are cheap and delicious. You really can't hate empanadas unless you hate fried foods.
I've been coming to this location when the prices of some empanadas were still $1. The prices have increased, but only by 25 cents more. It's much cheaper than the location across from Queens Center Mall!
I recommend:
Empanadas:
Broccoli & Cheese
Hawaiian
Caramel & Cheese: (must tryyyyy) Eat it while it's still hot though. It's a hit or miss, but if you like caramel and cheese separately, I promise the combination works!!!
Sauces: GREEN – it's a little spicy but goes really well with all of the salty empanadas.
I know a lot of people get the beef and potatoes, but I avoid it because the beef they use aren't from the best parts. I've had several times when I've gotten some tendons.
If you have a somewhat small-normal appetite, I'd recommend ordering 2 empanadas (AND the caramel & cheese bc you ALWAYS have room for desserts) & 3 empanadas if you have a normal appetite.
It does take some time to make, about 10-15 minutes? So if you're in a rush, call ahead. Also, they have bar styled seating — it's meant for customers to eat & go.
It's been a while since I've had some of these delicious little treats. My favorites are the cheeseburger, Cuban and chicken parm. So good!
Empanadas are very cheap at this place. They are around $1.25 for beef and chicken. $1.5 for cheese. They taste really good for their cheap prices.
Their green sauces are great to go with the empanadas. They only offer one sauce per two empanadas.
Also, they are open 24 hours on Saturday and Sundays.
Worth coming for this place if your are on budget.
A store that specializes in empanadas…what a rare find! I happened upon this place as I was exploring the surrounding area. All empanadas were priced at around at least $1 and no more than $3. There were a whole bunch of unique flavors on the menu that it was hard to decide what to order. I settled for Chicken Parmigian and Hawaiian. Similar to a fast food joint, your order is ready when the number on your receipt is called. The wait time felt sort of long, like 5+ minutes? I mean since empanadas are small and all, it shouldn't take so long to prepare or make. Understandably, it's probably made from scratch, so I shouldn't even be complaining.
"#183!"
These babies were warm when I picked them up from the counter. Chicken Parmigian tasted like a pizza with chicken toppings in hot pocket form. The juice of the pineapple in the Hawaiian empanada was too sweet and resembled that of canned pineapples. It did not taste good with the salted ham, and had this unpleasant aftertaste. The accompanying hot sauce(which I had to ask for because they forgot to give it to me, I suppose) was clumpy, and took some effort to dip into.
Although it's cute that Original Mama's Empanadas has been around since 1978, but I felt that I've had better empanadas elsewhere.
Psst… If you happen to change your mind last-minute about empanadas, OME also offers soups, and the typical Colombian-fare: rice with salad, meats, and beans.
I've been coming to Mama's for going on 5 years now. I've been to 2 locations, the other being Astoria near 30th Ave. I always order the Cheesesteak, Greek, Biagra (Crab & shrimp). All delicious. I have taken people here who have never had Empanadas and they were blown away. I love that they are cooked when ordered. They aren't sitting around for an hour and stale. Each Empanada is filled generously with meat, cheese and whatever your flavor. Warm, crisp, fresh and never too hot to the point where you burn your tongue.
I have also ordered the Hen Soup here that is delicious and the best way to beat a cold. I love colombian food and this place is just a blessing. The green sauce rules, the red is more zesty with vinegar. The pink sauce is simple mayo and ketchup. For each under $2 you can't ever do better.