An empanada excursion 🥟

7 places to eat empanadas in San Diego

Tastier by the dozen — the box of empanadas at Paraná is perfect for sharing. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Oh, the humble empanada. The baked or fried turnover with a global history is a staple of Latin American cuisine and beyond.

In San Diego County, there are many places to get your fill of exceptional empanadas — stuffed with all kinds of things — depending on their cultural influences. Let’s eat. 🥟

Paraná Empanadas, Liberty Public Market

The smell of these delicious Argentinian empanadas wafts through the food hall — so listen to your nose and get yourself to Booth 26. We recommend the traditional beef, chicken, margherita, and spinach varieties — and don’t forget the chimichurri. Pro tips: If you’re with a group, order by the dozen. There’s also a location at Westfield UTC.

SD Chula Vista The Empanada Spot — These beauties at The Empanada Spot are filled with love.

The Empanada Spot, 1223 3rd Ave., Ste. C1, Chula Vista

When it comes to empanadas, this South Bay spot knows what it’s doing. The made-from-scratch menu features savory options like the Costilla De Puerco (pork rib and roasted chili poblano), plus sweet treats like the Apple Pie Empanada.

Yerba Mate Bar & Empanadas, 956 Garnet Ave., PB

Don’t miss the Malbec Beef empanada — ground beef marinated in Argentinian wine for 24 hours, mixed with raisins and sautéed onions. Pro tip: Go between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and snag the lunch combo, which includes three empanadas, a drink, and a small soup or salad.

SD Empanada Kitchen — Empanada Kitchen does those crispy edges right.

Empanada Kitchen, 819 C St., Downtown

“Happily baked” is the motto of this Argentine-style hotspot with locations in downtown San Diego and North Park (2855 El Cajon Blvd., Ste. 3). The crispy edges on these creations are unmatched — and the Caprese and Ratatouille empanadas cannot be missed. Pro tip: Order extra chimichurri.

Eli’s Peruvian Kitchen, 4979 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights

Yes, there’s Lomo Saltado and other savory Peruvian dishes on the menu, but you’ll definitely want to start with the beef or chicken empanadas.

2 MORE EMPANADA SPOTS

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Friday, Jan. 27

Kobey’s Swap Meet | Friday, Jan. 27-Sunday, Jan. 29 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | Free | “A pair of socks, a pair of shoes…” (if you know, you know) — browse the open air shopping hub offering clothing, sneakers + other goodies.
Fun Animal Friday: Tide Pool Creatures | Friday, Jan. 27 | 10 a.m. | San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, 320 N. Broadway, Escondido | $11.50 | Children can learn about tide pool creatures at this engaging presentation.
San Diego Têt Festival | Friday, Jan. 27-Sunday, Jan. 29 | Times vary | Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem St., San Diego | Free | The community event presented by the Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance and Vietnamese Federation of San Diego features live entertainment, vendors, a pageant, and more.
Prince Again | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $25-$35 | Wear your “Raspberry Beret” and “Party Like It’s 1999" at this tribute concert to the dearly beloved pop icon.
Disney’s Frozen | Through Sunday, Jan. 29 | Times vary | Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego | $39-$139 | Don’t let it go — it’s the Broadway musical’s final weekend in town.

Saturday, Jan. 28

R&B Block Party | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 5-10 p.m. | Quartyard, 1301 Market St., San Diego | $20 | Dance it out — just as a Saturday night would want you to.
San Diego Gulls vs. Ontario Reign | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 7 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | $21-$106 | Check out the special jerseys on Disco Night.
The FABBA Show Dancing Queen Disco with DJs Keith Sweaty & Copay | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 9 p.m. | The Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego | $19 | Mamma Mia — now this is a tribute show.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Rendezvous with Paint, an Art Exhibition | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The San Diego Watercolor Society, 2825 Dewey Rd., San Diego | Free | This water-based media exhibition juried by award-winning artist Nancy Oleska also features works for sale.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

HUNGRY FOR MORE FUN?

Weather

67º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️
Yesterday’s strong Santa Ana winds toppled trees in Balboa Park, prompting the city to shut down public access to the landmark — a rare occurrence. City crews spent the blustery day removing branches that were blocking streets and walkways. The park is expected to fully reopen today. 🍃

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:47 a.m.
Set: 5:17 p.m.

Tide

Low: 8:05 a.m. + 7:36 p.m.
High: 1:36 a.m. + 1:42 p.m.
Water Temperature: 58°

Civic

The Board of Supervisors voted to impose a 2% tax on all retail sales of cannabis products at existing, licensed cannabis businesses in the unincorporated area of San Diego County. This is a step in implementing Measure A, which San Diegans approved in the 2022 Statewide General Election. 💰

Announced

Spring, is that you? The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch reopen for the 2023 season on Wednesday, March 1, and tickets are now available by time slot. Pro tip: If you plan to visit the beautiful blooms more than once this spring, opt for a season pass for $48. 🌸

Coming Soon

WestBrew in Del Mar is temporarily closed for a major remodel. The brewery is demolishing its patio to make way for a new dining room housed inside a glass-enclosed pavilion that’ll operate alongside the existing taproom and kitchen. The brewery plans to reopen in phases — with everything completed by March. 🍻 (SanDiegoBeer.news)

Real Estate

San Diego County’s median home price in December 2022 was $756,000 — down nearly $100,000 from its record-high of $850,000 in May 2022. Home sales also declined to their lowest since January 2019, and houses were on the market longer: a median of 30.1 days compared to eight days in March 2022. 🏡 (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Ranked

Four San Diego County restaurants snagged spots on Yelp’s 2023 “Top 100 Places to Eat” in the US: Beyer Deli in Otay Mesa at No. 4, Carlsbad’s Gonzo! at No. 20, Baba Kabob in Miramar at No. 35, and Mike’s Red Tacos in Clairemont at No. 52. 🥪 (Yelp)

Community

Sesame Place San Diego will offer free admission to first responders this weekend as part of its Super Grover’s Everyday Hero event to celebrate heroes in our community. To get your freebie, register in advance via ID.me; you can also get 50% off tickets for up to three friends. 🎟️
Your voice matters. The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center wants community members to join a workshop tomorrow, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., to help the organization decide how to spend $50 million in state grants in Barrio Logan and Logan Heights. Childcare and food will be provided; RSVP. 🗣️

Traffic

SANDAG crews working on the Bayshore Bikeway plan to soon install a new crossing gate near the Harbor Drive Grade Crossing, between Schley and 28th streets — right at the train tracks. Once this is completed, the gate will stop travelers as trains approach the roadway. Stay up to speed on potential construction notices. 🚧

Pets

The San Diego Humane Society has launched Lost2Found, a text messaging tool for locals whose pets have gone missing. The one-way system sends owners 28 automated texts over a 60-day period featuring tips and resources. If your pet is lost, text “LOST” to 1(858)-SAN-LOST to start using the platform. 🐕

Edu

US News & World Report ranked San Diego State University’s online education master’s program No. 7 in the country. SDSU launched its program in 2014, and it has ~500 graduates thus far. The program has landed among the list’s top 10 three times, but this marks its highest placement ever. 💻 (SDSU NewsCenter)

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Traffic

What we’re buying for our cars: Dash cams. The REDTIGER Dual Dash Camera captures both the front and rear of your car and can be a lifesaver when it comes to contesting traffic violations and recording evidence of collisions. Plus, it connects to your mobile device. 🚦*

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The king has arrived ⚱️

‘Beyond King Tut’ begins its San Diego run at Del Mar Fairgrounds

“Beyond King Tut” is in San Diego through Sunday, March 26. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

It’s good to be the king. 👑

National Geographic’s traveling exhibition — “Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience” — makes its grand, gold-drenched debut at the Wyland Center at the Del Mar Fairgrounds today, where it’ll be on view through Sunday, March 26.

The buzzy, one-hour experience takes visitors on a self-guided adventure to ancient Egypt, focused on the captivating history of King Tut — and the discovery of his tomb 100 years ago. ⚰

Multimedia rules this exhibition. Through massive, colorful screen projections and nine multi-sensory galleries, visitors learn the 3,300-year-old story of the iconic “boy-king,” Tutankhamun. ⚰️

Tickets are now available starting at $21.99 for kids ages 5-15 and $37.50 for adults.

🎟️ Pro tip: Upgrade to a VIP ticket, and you also get access to “Enter the Tomb,” a virtual reality experience that gives you an in-depth look inside King Tut’s tomb — as in, you’re literally “soaring” above it.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Monica.

Editor’s pick: Happy Friday, friends.

Today’s food chatter got me thinking about Chilean Empanadas de Pino — a savory staple in my home growing up. I usually make them for Chilean Independence Day, though the dough is my biggest challenge (attempt pictured above). 🇨🇱

I used to love the Chilean empanadas from Berta’s Latin Cuisine in Old Town, but sadly, the restaurant has permanently closed. Fortunately, we’re a city with vast empanada options — but if you find an authentic Chilean one locally, please email us the deets. 💌

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Turn it up: The Sound music venue debuting in Del Mar. 🎶

Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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