Empanada World

This is one of those reviews where I wish we could choose ½ of a star, since Unilocal actually does indicate that in the average rating overall. In this case, my review would be at 3 ½.
The woman behind the counter was simply a wonderful human being who takes an immense amount of pride in her family’s product. One of the other reviewers here was critical of her because she talked to him too much, and that same reviewer has absolutely ZERO FRIENDS here on the website. It is not a coincidence.
My steak empanada was very tasty and since arepas were not available when I visited late afternoon, I chose the chicken salad sandwich as it is something I generally have about once a week at various locations across Tampa Bay. Her chicken salad was not too wet, had a thick consistency and she was happy to add my choice of cheese to it for me at no additional charge.
That sandwich was enormous, and a terrific value for the price. The empanadas do not have the same value and run about $ 6 each, which is basically double what I can pay most other places for a similarly sized product. Obviously these are a specialty and signature item for this family business, but the cost will restrict me from buying as many of them as I would if they were a lower price.
Because so much care and attention is taken to make the empanadas and sandwiches, it is absolutely best to call ahead to place your order in advance. That is what I will do from now on and the wonderful woman behind the counter highly recommended it herself. She also thanked me for my patience in waiting for my food on this first visit. (I’d seen their tent at the Hyde Park fresh market, which I am not necessarily a fan of because of how my LA Fitness parking becomes almost impossible on that first weekend of the month)
And much like a bagel or donut shop, they do run out of items as the day progresses. I’ve already mentioned how I could not get an arepa and I believe I got my hands on the last steak empanada for that particular day. This is understandable to me and does not negatively reflect on the business. If you want something bad enough, get there earlier or simply call ahead and ask if they have it for you.
Oh, and if you have trouble finding it, just know it is right next to Pete’s Place. That should help, because Pete’s Place has been a South Tampa staple for years thriving off misguided locals who find the combination of strong drinks and horrendous Karaōke to be worthwhile. Personally, I would rather have multiple ingrown toenails removed than spend an evening watching people stare at a teleprompter who think their rendition of a classic song entertains anyone but themselves.

I pass this place everyday on my way home from work and on Friday (6÷3÷16) I decided to stop and try it. If it was an option I would actually give this a 4.5 star rating but only due to the prices and the hours. I wish they stayed open a little later and that the empanadas didn’t cost $ 5 — $ 7 dollars just buying 4 cost me $ 25. If I were buying for just me that wouldn’t be an issue but I have plus three I need to feed too. Anyway, I got a beef, a crab, a spinach and artichoke and a coconut. They were all delicious and got an assortment just to try. I will definitely be back for more. Oh, and I only tried their empanadas, next time I will try the baked goods and other items.

Beef empanada was good. Need 2 if you have an appetite which means $ 12. Owner (owner’s daughter?) talks non-​stop. I love friendly and try not to be rude but I literally had to take cash and hold it between our eye contact to get on my way.

This is a review for their empanadas only. I guess they also do sandwiches and other stuff but I have only had the empanadas.
I think in order to truly appreciate this place you need to be a baker, or be able to recognize quality baked goods made with quality ingredients. You also need to be willing to spend $ 5 on what is a really small amount of food. Yes, one empanada costs 5 dollars. But it is a QUALITY empanada.
These are not your typical greasy fried empanadas. They are baked and the pastry is very good and flaky. When you eat these empanadas, they do not sit in your stomach for 3 days. They taste scratch homemade. Which they are. The quality of the fillings are excellent, but I will caution you that some fillings are better than others.
I highly recommend:
Cherry
Guava
Guava & Cheese
Chicken
Coconut
I did not like:
Beef (bland/​flavorless)
I look forward to trying other flavors and will update this list. They have peach and mango empanadas when those fruits are in season, for example.
The guava and guava/​cheese empanada here put every other guava dessert you have ever had in your life to shame. Absolute heaven. THIS is how every guava dessert should taste! Thick, rich, sweet, guava deliciousness.
I am Hispanic and there are painfully few Latin restaurants/​bakeries I would dare to eat at in this area. This is one of them.

I’m a huge empanada lover and will screech my car to an instant halt if I see a place that sells empanadas. On my way home one day, as it was nearing dinner time and I was exhausted, I decided to stop at this little place to grab a few empanadas to share for dinner with my daughter.
On a recommendation, I was advised this place is known more for their dessert empanadas, but that didn’t deter me. I wanted meat empanadas and they had those, too. They also have a few salads and sandwiches. I called Jess to see what she wanted. She wanted the turkey sandwich. I chose two empanadas, one beef and one chicken, and a turkey sandwich for Jess. I waited about 10 minutes for the food to come out, as it was made fresh to order.
The beef empanada was definitely my favorite. It was spiced nicely and cooked to perfection. The chicken empanada, although a little bland, was still very enjoyable. I liked both of them. If I’m ever in the area again (and I’m sure I will be), I’m going to try one or two of the dessert empanadas. After all, that is what they are known for.
They also have assorted items such as chips and sodas, so if you want a little something more to go along with the empanada, you do have those choices.
Nice employees who are very helpful in explaining ingredients. They appeared to be a mother and son operation, but of that I am not really certain. They were getting ready to close, and the young man was bringing in the benches that were outside as I was getting ready to leave.
A nice new addition to the South Tampa area.

I’m a hairstylist and works right across the street from them so for me is convenient and I need to add that the food is really good and the costumer service is great… I always get the Cuban sandwich and yesterday I tried the guava and cheese empanadas and the Chocolate and coconut empanadas and there AMAZING!!! I’m so addicted to this place. Thank you guys for save my life every time that I need you

Quick Read: One of the most special businesses in Tampa, and truly one you NEED to visit before you leave. Tradition, quality, family owned, and food that will knock your socks straight off.
Rosita learned how to cook from her Spaniard grandfather, and was one of the first (if not THE first) to offer baked empanadas in Ecuador. This is a family owned business, and you can tell they put heart into everything they do. They offer these delicious bad boys at the St. Pete Farmer’s Market and Hyde Park Market, but I am so glad they finally have their own storefront. I have literally not had a single bad thing from here. Don’t let the prices fool you, these things are beyond a great value for what you’re getting, and they are tremendously filling. The cheese breads are killer, and so are the beef empanadas. Everything is meticulously seasoned, and they are constantly working to add different flavors in rotation. One of the most special places here. The best beef empanada I’ve ever had (don’t tell my mom) ;)

I tried Empanada World’s food recently at the Saturday Morning Market in DTSP. I wasn’t too impressed.
The staff was disconnected and seemed borderline annoyed and rude. Yes, the market was busy but when you are a new business competing in city full of amazing Cuban restaurants, you had better step it up with your food and your service. Also, prices seemed a bit high compared to their competition.
I tried the hot dog in a pretzel bun which wasn’t too bad, just enormously greasy. I also ordered some sort of empanada with chicken. The guy helping me was no help at all, rude, and rushing me to order so I had no clue what else was in the empanada. The empanada was also greasy. I had one bite of it, and there was some strange taste I couldn’t put my finger on. I ended up just throwing it away.
Thanks but no thanks. Not a fan.

They need to add about 15 more stars for this one and that might not even be enough!!! First let’s talk about the owner!!! She is this delightful little lady who wants to do nothing but please you and make you feel special!!! Then her main man at the counter greeting everyone that comes in the door with his amazing personality and flashy smile… this all makes you want to buy everything they are selling!!! Then… you order their amazing selections and you have gotten a very inexpensive pass to heaven for approximately five minutes while you devour one of their many selections of empanadas!!! Oh my!!! Run… fly…skate…do whatever means you must take to make your way to this amazing little establishment!!!

The original beef empanada is out of this world. What an amazing find for lunch. A new favorite.