Macondo Colombian Coffee and Empanadas

It was my first time here and I must say I was impressed. The service is friendly and the place is really cute. The empanadas are kind of small but with 2 orders you’ll have more than enough to eat. It is delicious. I just had every type of empanada they have and after the fourth one I was stuffed. I kept eating though, they were that good.

Awesome $ 5 steak sandwiches! 5 stars for the sandwiches.
The empanadas are ok, but nothing mind blowing. Instead of flour, the shells are made out of yuca or potato. I’d give them 3 stars.

This is a great spot for lunch!
It’s really cute inside, the staff is friendly, the food comes out quick, the food is tasty, and they have good lunch specials.
I had the chicken empanadas, chicken special, and a large hot chocolate. I loved the empanadas and the lunch special. The chicken in both was well seasoned. The special came with chicken or steak, rice and beans, and sweet plantains.
The hot chocolate was good, it had nutmeg in it!

Finally, after wanting to try Macondo for months we made it today! I am so happy to say that Macondo did not disappoint! This place is really cute, and the guy at the counter was very nice and helpful. I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed by the menu, maybe because I was expecting only to find empanadas, and instead got a menu with empanadas, and then some! They have soups, sandwiches, breakfast items (made all day), arepas, several dessert items (in addition to the dessert empanada), many coffee options. In addition, they have several specials. Also, they have many cute Colombian items in the café, food items, CDs, etc.
So, we had two orders of empanadas: Tradicional (shredded beef and potato) and the Arequipe con Banana (Colombian dulce de leche with banana). FYI — Macondo’s empanadas are gluten free for those who prefer or need this option.
We also had the Almuerzo Corriente which was a choice of skirt steak or chicken (we chose the steak) with rice beans and sweet plantains.
Everything, and I mean everything was excellent. If we had one complaint it was that the rice and steak may have been a tad on the salty side, but that was minor.
The empanadas came in orders of two small empanadas. They are nice and crunchy on the outside, the fillings were full of flavor on the inside. They looked like they may be a bit on the greasy side, but I didn’t really get that when I bit into them. They were just crunchy little pockets of yummy goodness.
I had a large cup of regular Juan Valdez CafeReale Coffee. It was delicious. And, for those of you who are interested, their coffee is Fair Trade Colombian Coffee.
For those who are always looking to try different kinds of empanadas, please try Macondo! Besides being an adorable café, the food is really, really good!

Some of the best coffee I have ever had! Good strong flavorful cappuccino.
But what really makes this place worth it is the empanadas which are out of this world. All three favors we got– beef, cheese and papaya, and cheese and sauce were all excellent. I can’t wait to try the banana ones next time. This place is worth a trip to just to try an empanada. dip them in the special sauce for even more flavor
Also has cool artwork
Great neighborhood place and authentic

Hi, my name is Linda D. And I’m an empanada addict.
I’m not really sure how it went down. I think it may have involved a Unilocal deal. I don’t know, it all happened so fast. One minute I’m at home working, going on with my life, you know, the usual. The next minute I’m scarfing down empanadas and slurping down Columbian coffee like a maniac. And I’m not talking about just chicken. Sure, you think, «I’ll just have this little chicken one and I’ll put them down. I’ll be full.» But no, chicken is just the gateway empanada. Before you know it, you’re eating beef and potato, chipotle and mozzarella, vegetable, and believe it or not, dulce de leche caramel and mother effin’ bananas. At $ 2.50 a pair, I’m lucky I ever step foot in this place without OD-​ing.
I knew it was getting bad when I brought them home to my boyfriend. I feel so awful for dragging him down with me. But I was eating them and he walked in, and geez. The look on his face. I couldn’t hide it. I offered him one, just because I thought it would be nice not to feel so alone in this addiction. The next thing I know, he’s calling me while he’s on his way home from work and asking me to pick some up for him. One order of each. It’s a disease, I know it is. And now I’ve given it to someone I care about. When will it end? I need help, desperately.

I have been dragged in here for three reasons: Latin American Empanadas (gluten free at that!) + Café with Wi-​Fi + Unilocal Deal = Macondo. Also, having been to their main restaurant across the street, Las Tablas, I knew the empanadas would be the same, if not better.
Attempt 1: I came on a chilly Fall day, nose-​running and all, and it was dark, closed and a big bummer. A young Latina walked out and smiled while stating, «We’re closed.» I didn’t know if they were out of business or remodeling. Thankfully it was just the latter.
Attempt 2: I pleasantly saw the red OPEN sign blinking rhythmically. I stepped in and my glasses fogged up due to the hot ovens which bake the empanadas – their specialty. I then noticed the fun shop of Colombian souvenirs under the texas shingles and the chalkboard menu listing 8 different types of empanadas ($ 2.50 for two): Traditional (Beef), Pollo (Chicken), Carne Molida (Ground beef), Camaron (Shrimp), Queso chipotle (Mozzarella cheese with chipotle salsa), Queso con bocadillo (Mozzarella with guava), Vegetales (Vegetarian), and Arequipe con banana (dulce de leche caramel with banana). I chose an order of Traditional (isn’t this a requirement with such a name?) and Pollo. Colombians sure know how to fry anything and make it taste delicious. Dipped in aji casero (their mild salsa) they’re heaven. I also had to have an Aborrajado which is platano maduro (ripe plantain) filleted and topped with melted cheese and guava. I hadn’t bitten into guava in quite some time and I’m glad it brought back pleasant memories. You must be a cheese lover though. I should have ordered a coffee instead of hot chocolate being that they serve Juan Valdez Coffee… Next time perhaps.
For those who are computer carriers, they offer free Wi-​Fi (password-​free) with the network name of ‘Cisco’. Just a heads up that there are very limited power outlets so charge your device prior to your visit. I am currently sharing a plug with Christmas lights lol. The outlets by the window on the northside of the shop do not function.
Now I have a new empanada joint on my list to share, plus the aroma soaked into my sweater to enjoy throughout the day.

My long overdue update. Ever since I discovered that they had arepas, I could not wait to go. Over the summer, I made couple failed attempt to visit Macondo and many many many phone calls to check when they’d reopen (the sign on their door kept changing without really saying when they’d be back). Needless to say I was pretty pissed and upset, and the thought of them never opening again really crushed my little heart.
But they’re back. They’ve been back for a while actually, and I’ve since been here multiple times. Their empanadas are divine. I’ve tried the vegetable, guava with cheese, traditional (beef and potatoes, and chicken. ALL ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD! I would usually feel bad (physically and emotionally) for eating deep fried food, but I could have live on those empanadas alone. Strongly recommend the traditional and the vegetable ones. Better yet, they are gluten-​free, so anyone with gluten sensitivity can still enjoy these.
They also have other south america’s specialties: yuca and plantain, both are soooo good they certainly satisfied my craving for south american food. They also have lunch and breakfast meals as well, but I’ve never tried them, since I could never resist the temptation to order more empanadas. And an order or two of empanadas surely filled me up.
And last, but not least, COFFEE… Colombian coffee, of course. And they have perhaps the best coffee I’ve ever had. Anytime I got a coffee con leche, I told myself to never come back to starbucks or any other chain coffee store, or any other coffee shop at all. I usually put sugar and cream in my coffee (a lot actually, sometimes this habit makes me think whether or not I think coffee or just sweet cream?), but I never have to add anything extra here. Their coffee is perfect the way it is.
Their employees have always been super friendly, I’ve yet had a bad trip here. The only minor thing I can think of about this place is that it has an oily feel/​smell to it, I guess because they deep fry lots of their stuff in the kitchen. It didn’t bother me much but I smelled like it after I walked out of there. Oh yea, and the fact that they closed for couple months without letting customers know when they’d open again. Oh well, I’m willing to forgive them, as long as they keep the empanadas and coffee coming.

Customer service sorely lacking here. When I called for delivery, I was told to hold, and had the pleasure of hearing what went on at the bar last night. After waiting, I was told that delivery was not an option.
Did you have to put me on hold for that?

Their gluten free empanadas are pockets of happiness! A co-​worker, knowing my need to eat g-​free, found the Groupon deal last year. I was one day away from expiration (couldn’t waste the $ 5!) so off I went for empanadas and coffee. YUMMY! Not only did I find a delicious treat, they helped me make a new friend… that’s how it works with good food!
With my Groupon I got 3 types of empanadas, two beef and one chicken, and a cup of coffee. It was that in between breakfast and lunch time of day. I skipped breakfast and was so glad I did. Portions are generous for the price and they served them up warm along with a mean cup of coffee.
I had eaten one of each empanada and couldn’t figure out which one I loved the most when I stopped at Target to pick up cat litter, toilet paper, and tank tops (you know, the important stuff) and started talking to a sales girl who had recently been diagnosed with celiac disease and was lamenting about how she hadn’t eaten anything substantial in almost a month. Guuurl, I knows your pain! How could I not share the other half of my empanada order? She did a happy dance, gave me a giant hug, and (honestly) saved me. I was minutes away from shoving 3 more empanadas in my mouth — willpower begone when it comes to deliciousness.
Good food makes good friends and Macondo’s gluten free empanadas are the GOODEST!

Macondo is close to home, but even if it was across the city I’d be back. It’s one of the very, very few locations in the city where you can get authentic Columbian pastries, and the empanadas are fantastic. Even better, not only do they taste great, they are a terrific value as well. Make sure that you get the house-​made salsas for them. You may need to wait a few minutes for the empanadas — but that’s because they are all made fresh-​to-​order — you’ll never get an empanada that’s been sitting under a heat lamp.
Great food, a great value, in a comfortable environment — this is definitely a favorite!

Guava and Cheese empanadas?
Yes, please! Serve ‘em up!
They are SO good here. For $ 2.50, you are treated to two empanadas. Great deal if you’re looking for a quick snack. Also enjoyed the Tradicional (beef and mashed potato) and Veggie (‘shrooms, tomato, spinach).
Heard the coffee is amazing here, too. Oh, and they have larger breakfast-​y empanadas (like, egg, cheese and ham) for $ 3 and a selection of sandwiches. I’m all about empandas, though, so I just blatantly ignored everything else on the menu. Ooops!

They have awesome delicious empanadas of all sorts! Prices are super reasonable, coffee is good, and service is awesome — everyone I’ve encountered here has been super friendly.
I work from home but when I go into the office at work, it’s usually partially inspired by the fact that it’s within walking distance of this place!

My brother and I hit up Macondo, of course, because he had a Groupon. I am so glad we did it! Macondo is exactly the type of place you want to discover with Groupon, or as it were, to rediscover an old favorite location. For those who remember, Macondo is located where the original Las Tablas was, and when you walk in you’ll be reminded of it, the large wooden tables, the two window alcoves, and the fake tile roof jutting out that used to connect to the larger dining room (now serving as a cute storefront for Columbian goods).
I had Café con Leche, the light roast. Better than Starbucks, cheaper than Starbucks. Go here, don’t go to Starbucks. We also had the beef empanadas, which were very yummy, crispy and not too greasy, although they were fried (um…the only way to have empanadas! I’m FIlipino, we fry ours too… yes you could bake them, but what’s the fun in that?) The green sauce could have been spicier though.
We also ordered the aborrajado (sp?), which is essentially friend sweet plantains with guava spread and melted cheese on top. Nice mix of sweet and savory.
Music played softly in the background, and the atmosphere was laid back. There is free wifi, so I would definitely come back to do work in this café (there is also outdoor seating) although, be warned that there is really only one working outlet for laptop users. That would be the only thing deterring me from staying the whole day!

Delicious empanadas! Crispy on the outside and nicely filled on the inside! I was actually quite impressed on how crispy it was. I wonder what type of oil they use to fry the empanadas? The thickness of the shell was just right, not too thick and not too thin.
I ordered:
tradicional-​shredded beef and potatoes (my favorite of all of them, beef was really tender)
carne molida-​seasonal ground beef
vegetales-​mushrooms, tomato, onion, spinach, chipotle (all I tasted in this were the mushrooms)
Arequipe con Banana-​Columbian dulce de leche caramel with banana (an outstanding sweet dessert!!!)
Each order comes with two empanadas for $ 2.50. I only found out about this place from groupon, otherwise I would not have known this place was here. Its not really close to any «L» stop.
They have indoor and outdoor seating here. They also have a little area were you can buy Colombian coffee and other accessories. The place loses a star because the cashier asked me what I wanted to order and then proceeded to ignore me. He did apologize for ignoring me which I appreciated, but for a first timer like me, first impressions matter!

We went to Macondo for a light dinner in late July with our car.
We didn’t know it yet but it was our last dining excursion with it. We are indeed donating our beaten-​up, dented, single-​eyed Elantra to Kars-​4-​Kids and if you have the commercial stuck in your head from now on because of this review — I am really sorry.
Excuse me while I wipe my tears before finishing this review…
So — since we were still happy and oblivious of the fate that was awaiting our beloved companion of (many) debaucheries, we were totally delighted by the place.
Empanadas, I mean — what’s not to love?!? Carbs, meat, cheese… not as good as arepas IMO but a pretty good second. Crispy deliciousness always finds its way to my stomach.
The guy behind the counter was so enthusiastic about its products that it was contagious. Seems like it since we ended up ordering a serving of all the options available that day. Gluttons?!? Hmmmm… hungry hippos, yes.
Each order comes with two; get the traditional — shredded beef and potato -, it’s the best of the lot. But all of them are super delicious and satisfying: chicken, grounded beef, shrimp, cheese and chipotle, vegetarian, cheese and guava… and the caramel and banana is a little wonder of a dessert. I was dreaming of just a hint of vanilla ice-​cream to make it just per-​fect but it’s probably a little too greedy.
I am like that.
A bit too much.
The place is cute as hell (or paradise?) and you can even buy your Colombian coffee and other treats if you are so inclined.
Juan Valdez will thank you.

What a cute little slice of Colombia! Fair trade and organic coffee, gluten free empanadas, books, jewelry and Colombian candies and foods.
Per usual, I had checked out Macondo’s website and made a mental note of what I wanted to try. Unfortunately, on my first visit I missed the «New for 2010» board off to the left of the register with one of the items on my list. I was bummed, but it did give me a reason to go back.
On my first visit I got 2 orders of the Queso y Chipotle empanadas (4 in total) for just under $ 6. The online menu bills them as containing mozzarella in a spicy chipotle sauce, but I didn’t find the sauce spicy in the least. For the record, despite the Latin blood in my veins, I don’t have a high tolerance for spice. The aji casero hot sauce, also seemed pretty mild to me, but helped give them a touch more kick. Don’t get me wrong they were good, just lacking the heat I was expecting.
On my next visit I was determined to try the spinach, goat cheese and shrimp empanadas, I overlooked last time. I got an order of these and gave the chipotle ones a second shot, but still found them very mild. The shrimp empanadas were good, served with a creamier green sauce on the side, but seemed to be lacking the creaminess of goat cheese I was hoping for. Again, the empanadas were fine, just a bit of a letdown.
Service has always been friendly and the space is really cute. In addition to the savory empanadas they have some sweet ones, other pastries and breakfast items too.
Bottom line: 3.5 stars — I really like the place, people and prices; I’m just not blown away by the food.

I’m so happy to see another empanadas joint pop up. These things are probably my favorite cheap/​street-​type food out of all the wonderful possibilities. Macondo has a staff of gracious, helpful young men and women to serve you and a small, very handsome dining room in which to eat. I love the heavy wooden furniture in here, and the Colombian cultural accents on the walls.
How are the empanadas? Pretty darn good. Not my favorite around here but very good. Their shell is a little heavier and crispier than most others that I have had. The minced onion/​cilantro/​etc salsa that comes with each order matches up very well with some of the plainer varieties.
Traditional (beef and potato): B+, a little mushy but tasty
Vegetable: B-​, sort of bland but you can easily jazz this up with the salsa
Pollo: A-​, very savory
Carne molida: A-​, simple (just seasoned ground beef) but very tasty
Camaron: B+, shrimp with goat cheese and spinach
Queso chipotle: B, just cheese and a little sauce, kind of boring but ditto the note on the salsa
Arequipe: A-​fucking-​plus; dulce de leche caramel with banana – the Platonic ideal of the dessert empanada manifested in real life. Pair this with a bit of vanilla custard from Scooter’s and I could die happy. DIE, I said. Yes. But there is no way that you will make it from Macondo to Scooter’s before devouring the empanadas. And who wants to die young anyway? So just eat them in the restaurant and go about your day with a bounce in your step.

I’ve read One Hundred Years of Solitude what seems like one hundred times. You’d think I’d have something witty to say here. Too bad I’m blinded by my love of the veggie empanadas. They are so good! Eat them. Two for $ 2.50.
Coffee was good as well and they have an interesting selection of literature and dvds to check out. I have been scheming about ways to find myself back here. They should just move to Pilsen.
PS– Empanadas! Veggie ones.

I was having one of those weird saturdays. I didn’t quite know what to do with myself… apartment was clean, dog was walked-​fetched and tired. The boyfriend was off taking the LSATS. I wasn’t hungry yet… but i would be. and soon. I stole off to the gap for the two for one top deal, and while on lincoln i remembered about Macodno. Since I was having sort of an unconventional saturday, I figured why not get some empanadas for lunch. something i wouldn’t normally eat.
I had been to Macando once, but sort of only because I had read about it and wanted to try it. I wasn’t especially hungry at the time, and though I remembered liking the empanadas, i didn’t remember too much about them. This time tho… oh boy… just so good. I went with the mozarella and guava and the tradicional. The mozarella with gauva is so unexpected… it’s savory and just the right amount of sweet, the guava is just soo perfect. It’s more like a guava jelly and it is just SO, so good. You can never go wrong with the tradicional either, in which the meat is cooked to perfection and you get a yummy little dipping sauce… all for $ 2.50! Oh and you get free coffee when you order, and let me tell you, this coffee is not to be missed.
I’ll definitely be back to Macondo, I like the atmosphere and love the food… and the guy who works the joint is always so friendly!