Julia’s Empanadas

Lacking in originality and flavor.

The columbia heights location is now closed.
:(

Bestiest junk food in DC. Try the Salteña and the Strawberry/​Cream Cheese.

I don’t understand why people go NUTS over this place; I’ve had a lot of empanadas (and their equivalent in other countries) and these aren’t stellar. However, they are a solid choice — I especially like their deals where you can get two and a drink for something like $ 6. I wasn’t blown away either time I’ve been there, but it’s a much better option for a quick takeaway lunch than some of the chain shops nearby.

There are a number of Julia’s Empanadas in DC and I’m not sure why this one is rated lower than the others. I feel it is my duty to bring the ratings up, because this place deserves it! Best empanadas ever! The crust is thin, fresh, and just the right texture. I got the Chilean Style Beef and the weekly vegetarian special, which had broccoli and a bunch of other things I can’t recall. I also had a bite of my friend’s Jamaican. Two was a complete meal! No complaints about this place. I didn’t try any of the sweet ones, but I love how every flavor of sweet and savory is wrapped in a different style. Who doesn’t want to eat something pretty?

Yum this place was great! 2 empanadas were more than enough to satisfy my hunger and service was instantaneous. I had the Chilean style beef and the chorizo empanadas. Definitely fell in love with the Chilean one, but the chorizo empanada was still very solid. I’ll have to try the fruit empanadas and the spinach one next time.

I’ve eaten here like 5 times since I first posted the review. Sweet empanadas are horribly disappointing (pie filling and the crust tasted old), but yeah, the savory make up for it. Try the Jamaican/​curry thing. Mmmm.

Very excited that my new job is located in Columbia Heights, because I now have a wide variety of choices for lunch, including Julia’s Empanadas. Some of my coworkers have recommended Julia’s and I just recently tried it. These empanadas are delicious, flavorful, and still inexpensive. They give you a decent sized empanada for less than $ 4.00. I had the Chilean; one thought comes to mind, yum. They also have fruit empanadas, salads, and soups; you can get their combo meal for less than $ 7.00. They’re great for lunch or snack. Julia’s Empanadas, I’ll be back soon!

Popular little joint for empanadas located in Columbia Heights across the street from the Target/​Best Buy Shopping Center. I read a lot of great reviews about it and thought myself «Self, you gotta check this out!». As it turns out, listening to myself was NOT a good move. O-​V-​E-​R-​R-​A-​T-​E-​D.
Came on a Sunday evening with a friend who has… let’s say a combustible personality. That’s relevant because upon entering the restaurant and standing there for a few minutes in plain view of the employee… there was no greeting… nothing. In fact, the employee was just standing there shooting the breeze with his friend.
Now, my friend has this thing about feeling disrespected by a lack of acknowledgment at a business and initiated her Incredible Hulk meltdown process. Fortunately I was able to convince her to abort «Operation Whup Some A$$» and focus on trying the food… for Unilocal’s sake.
We proceeded to order four empanadas– jamaican, turkey, spinach and guava. First thing that’s evident about all of them is the crust is very very thick, which can be a turn off if there’s not enough filling to balance things out. In my case, the ratio between crust and filling was something like 60 – 40.
The jamaican and spinach empanadas were my favorites by far. They were both packed with flavors and tasted fresh. The jamaican was filled with ground and chopped beef, onion, potato, curry, and spices, which packed a nice kick. The spinach was also filled with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, and spices that made my mouth sing.
The turkey and guava empanadas were fails. The turkey empanada was filled with spring onions, cilantro and jalapeño, seasoned with turmeric. The turkey meat tasted dry and just off in general. I think guava empanada was more of a preference thing as I just didn’t take to it… should’ve tried a different fruit empanada.
The prices were decent ($ 3.59 for meat empanadas/​$ 2.10 for the fruit ones). Additionally, there are specials that allow you to pair the empanadas with soup, salad, soda, etc.
Perhaps my expectations were just too high but I don’t see myself returning. They should also brush up on their customer service. As for my friend, I see an anger management class in her future!

For under $ 4 a pop, the savory empanadas here are a great, satisfying snack. Two would make a square lunch for a hungry girl like me, and they have sweet fruit-​pie-​esque empanadas here, too, though I have yet to give one a try. The pastries are baked and not fried, which makes for a lighter empanada than I’m used to, and the dough has a nice sweet aroma to it. Walking into the store and breathing in the fresh-​baked goodness, you’ll know you’re in for a treat.
Favorites are the chilean beef, turkey, and the spinach (which has more of the flavor profile of an italian calzone than an empanada, but was surprisingly excellent nonetheless!). Not the most enchanting locale for an eat-​in meal, but the plaza outside, particularly in the summer when adorable children are running amok in the huge fountain, provides an excellent alternative on a sunny day.

To the dos hombres that worked at this store, you can SUCK IT (en español)!!! I walk in out the pouring rain into your store for some empanadas and you look at me like a deer in headlights as if you both are waiting for me to speak first. How sad for me to think I was a customer and didn’t get the memo that it was opposites day and I was suppose to greet you in your store.
*hairflip* Ok, now that I got THAT out of the way, on to the empanadas. My order consisted of the Jamaican, Turkey with Spring Onion, Spinach, and Peach Guava. The spinach one was GRRREEATT! The ricotta was a little excessive but it worked with the spinach and cheese them so I was pleased. The peach guava was something I didn’t expect. It had a light taste, not too sweet but the flavors were definitely true to form. WOW, it certainly packed a fruity punch. I didn’t get to eat much of the Jamaican but the bites I did have had a nice spicy kick to it, I would get it again-​just not from this location.
The turkey one though? Ok, so I asked rude dude if there was white meat turkey in there to which he shrugged as if he didn’t know what I was asking so I erred on the side of stupid and got it anyway. A you can see from the great pic displayed of the turkey empanada, it was some type of dark meat turkey mix. Eww, me no likey, you probably won’t either. If you haven’t been yet, check Julia’s out for yourself… just DON’T support this location. Unless you’re down to serve ya damn self in order to achieve a satisfactory customer service experience.

I was disappointed with this location. The chorizo and black bean empanada looked amazing on paper but was dry and bland. The turkey empanada was better but not great. I’ll stick to the AdMo location.

My milk-​free craving here is the saltenias (a South American hot pocket, basically), but there are a few other milk-​free choices as well. Watch out for the desserts — I think they have butter in them. Bonus: this shop is right around the corner from Sticky Fingers (vegan) Bakery!

This is a cute little shop that only sells empanadas! You have a choice between sweet or salty. or BOTH.
I chose the «Chilean» (ground beef, hard boiled egg, raisins, olive, onions, and spices). $ 3.84
At first, I thought it was a bit pricey. However, each empanada was very large and satisfying. The empanada smelled and tasted delicious. Unlike other greasy and oily empanadas, this was amazing! It was baked instead of fried. So I feel so much healthier. I love the fresh ingredients and the Spanish spices.
Overall: GREAT snack!

I live close to Columbia Heights, so when the weather is warm, I love wandering up here to people watch at the fountains. While it’s still not the proper season for the fountains, this past Sunday was a beautiful day, so the boy and I walked up to enjoy the evening.
Not being completely hungry, Julia’s Empanadas always does, and always will, hit the spot. The empanadas are HUGE, I find them to be bigger and better cooked than at any of the other locales in DC. They were warm and super yummy.
We had 2 Chorizo and the turkey, and all three were cooked just right and the turkey had such a great spice to it. They even offer sweet empanadas now, which looked super good, and I’ll have to try in the future.
They have a great deal for an empanada (maybe 2, I forget), a dessert empanada a soda for under $ 10– AWESOME!
The staff is very nice and helpful, the place clean, and consistently good. Can’t beat a fast eatery with quality food!

This in an all-​around wonderful business run by great people. Perfect for a small meal to eat in front of the fountain in the warm months. Hot and filling snack for the cold months.
It’s a good place to get a small meal/​snack for two for under $ 10, soda included. If you are really hungry, I recommend getting a third empanada to share. They have a few staples such as the curry-​flavored Jamaican, or the black bean-​chorizo and the spinach. Plus a few specialties that they rotate, in addition to the fruit-​flavored desert empanadas (which make a perfect dessert after a meal somewhere nearby).
I have never been disappointed by this place, except for them being out of a favorite when I went by close to closing. Always hot, and always fresh. It’s a great place!

Another fabulous outpost in Julia’s ever expanding empanada empire.
I really hope they do take over the world.
Small place with a few seats inside. They don’t like it when you bring in outside food, but soccerballgirl would only eat a hot dog from the stand across the street and I wanted a Jamaican and a Saldino /​Saltano — whatever the one with olives and egg is called.
Anyway, we smuiggled Soccerballgirl and her hot dog inside and they did not yell at us.
Loved the empanadas too.

Empanadas are a staple in many Latin countries. Some are tiny & fried, others are huge & baked, and others are stuffed with sweet fillings rather than salty goodness.
Alas, the hubs and I love empanadas. We grew up eating them. We both come from 2 different countries in South America so it’s taken us some time to find a compromise. I liked them baked, he likes them fried. The dilemma continues!
We’ve been to Julia’s Empanadas a couple of times. Each time, we’ve tried different variations of the salty empanadas and the Jamaican patty as well.
Yes, the ambiance leaves much to be desired @ the Columbia Heights location — the chairs are uncomfortable and make you feel like you are wearing a back brace. But, the locale is clean. The staff can be less than friendly but my hubs usually busts out the Spanish and they are smiling in no time. Me? I just drool over the empanadas as I muster out a «gracias» before I inhale those babies.
The main reason I didn’t give them 5 stars is because I did find the empanadas were pricey. I know, I know. I’m a cheapskate but when you’ve gorged on empanadas in Miami for several years, you start comparing & contrasting. It’s kind of like comparing NY Pizza you buy in NY versus buying NY Pizza in another area of the country. Makes sense… right?
The second reason is that I’m not too convinced about them selling Jamaican patties. I love me some Jamaican food but it just seems oddly placed and it’s hit or miss flavor-​wise.

Perhaps it’s just bad luck. I went at lunch and ordered a Jamaican patty and was severely underwhelmed. Not spicy, not tasty or really something I’d crave as the pastry was stiff and not tender.
It’s a great idea, and I love the form of the empanada internationalized, but I just don’t like the pie I had.

Friendly service right in the middle of Col Heights.
great for a quick bite to eat, or to add to a meal at home.
also convenient eating on the run.
if you have ever been to Australia or new Zealand, empanadas will remind you alot of the take away pies!
can’t wait to try a dessert one a la’ mode!