DC Empanadas

Every time this food truck is in my neighborhood, I try to go. My favorite empanada, by far, is the Badass (buffalo chicken). So, so good. Other favorites include the El Greco (spinach and feta) and Speedy Gonzalez (cheese). I was not as impressed with my Mr. Miyagi (teriyaki chicken) but that may just be me. Service is usually quick and friendly. This is not the right food truck if you are looking for a healthy choice (the empanadas are deep fried), but they are great for an occasional treat!

We ordered the pork, chicken and cheese empenadas. The first thing I noticed was how amazing the dough of the empenada was. It is hands down the best empenadas shells I have ever had. The outside was crispy while the inside remained chewy with the perfect amount of dough. The empenada was very oily, so I was happy about that and the ratio of the meat to carb made the empenada better.
Although the shells were amazing, the Flavors of the fillings weren’t quite there for me. The bbq pork was a solid order — the pork was a little dry but the meat was tender. The bbq flavor wasn’t anything special, I wish I could say better things about it. The chicken buffalo empenada was what you would expect — nothing super amazing. The cream cheese flavor was almost too much for me. I felt like the Flavors of the chicken buffalo could have been blended better together. The cheese empenada was also just meh.
Overall, I would recommend this place but the fillings could definitely use some work!

It is unfortunate that I’m writing this review based on only one empanada that I had as I would like to try more of their fillings. I was attending a class at Graduate School USA and was outside checking out the food trucks at lunch time. Although I am fascinated by them, but I never bother buying lunch from the trucks as I usually brought lunch from home. I saw the DC Empanadas truck parked away from the rest of the trucks so I decided to walk over. I figured that empanadas would be good for quick breakfast so I bought three for my family to try. I bought the following:
The Hulk
Bad Ass
Divine Swine
I didn’t eat the empanadas right away. I put them in the fridge while I was in class. When I got home, I didn’t feel like eating a big dinner so my son and I each had an empanada and I made a small salad to go with it. I thought the empanada held together pretty well even after I reheated it. The crust (my favorite part) was nice and chewy. I had the Divine Swine and it was flavorful. The filling was just right and not too soggy. My son had the Hulk and he liked it too. The following morning, my husband ate his piece and he really liked it.
I spent the next two days looking for DC Empanadas truck outside of Le Enfant Plaza, but it was a bummer that they weren’t there. I hope to see them again.

We decided to try DC Empanadas during Truckeroo. We waited in line for probably 15 minutes… the line was crazy long so we figured it must be good. Well, they were just ok. They are way overpriced for what you get but that seems to be the theme of DC food trucks. I had the Badass (buffalo chicken), and the Speedy Gonzalez (cheese). The Speedy was boring and tasted like grease, not cheese. The Badass was so so but really it too was just not interesting. I couldn’t even find any blue cheese in it. My husband got the Divine Swine and it actually was pretty tasty. I don’t even remember the other 2 he got. They weren’t memorable. It just isn’t a win for the size and price.

This is one of my favorite food trucks. I get excited when I see them, though I haven’t seen them in a while. I have to try to get to Union Market to look for them. I had some major favorites like the eggplant parm and the Tio. I love their empanadas. I would definitely give them a try!

I needed a quick lunch while in DC so I stopped by the DC Empanadas truck. I opted for the three empanadas for $ 10 deal. DC Empanadas changes up the menu everyday and offers some daily specials. On today’s menu there was the badass (buffalo chicken with blue cheese), the ropanada (shredded beef with rice in a tomato sauce) and the divine swine (pulled pork).
When I ordered my food, my empanadas were ready to go before I finished paying. I guess they keep them hot under a heat lamp. But the empanadas were still hot and tasty when I got them. This probably also explains why there was no line during the weekday lunch rush.
The ropanada was my least favorite empanada. It wasn’t very flavorful and the beef tasted a bit dry. I had to put tons of hot sauce on it to compensate. The divine swine was pretty good. The pulled pork was on the sweet/​tangy side. And the badass was my favorite empanada. It had a nice kick to it and the blue cheese was melted nicely inside.
Make sure you check their twitter to see their location and the menu of the day.

Went to the location in Union Market in the Fall ’14 and I finally have the chance to write a review.
It’s nestled in the middle of the market and surrounded by a bunch of different food options! Finding a seat on weekends and lunch hours can be difficult, but it is possible.
Personally, these empanadas were underwhelming and quite pricey. I expected the empanadas to be larger in size, but DC empanadas do have interesting and unique flavors.
The workers were helpful and accommodating. They recommended their best sellers and personal favorites easily and were attentive to our needs.
While DC Empanadas are not my favorite place to grab an empanadas in the DMV area, they make for a good snack or addition to your meal or other food dishes you might purchase while in Union Market if you have an empanada craving but I personally prefer Julia’s Empanadas but these aren’t bad for a quick bite to eat!

I often visit DC Empanadas stand at Union Market. The empanadas are always freshly fried and tasty. Don’t miss the green sauce– I have no idea what is in it but it makes any empanada better. My favorites are The Badass (buffalo chicken) and the Speedy Gonzalez (my friend and I refer to this one as being filled with liquid cheese gold…). The other varieties I have tried have been very tasty as well!

I have mixed feelings about this place. Let me start off by saying their empanadas were decent… nothing special. they were tasty and plan on going back. I was a little disappointed to only see 4 empanadas on their menu yet their web site boasts about having tons of diff. kinds. up to 15 – 25 kinds. Also, they’ve only got a stand and are located in a food court. Would be nice if they had an actual facility with a seating area. but no bad, they were alright.

Over priced,
Bland, the people are rude, and the out of 3
Of the empanadas I got, I ate half of one because the rest were so awful

We had a work event in Pentagon City and DC Empanadas was one of the trucks to come.
When I see Fish Taco’s on a menu, I’m automatically drawn to them and they’re in the running for my order. When I saw an example of these I knew they’d be good.
I was right.
The chipotle flavor is on point, a bit of spice but not overwhelming. The jicama really adds a nice flavor and the crema for the slaw really enhanced the flavor of the whole thing. They also used Corn tortillas which I do prefer for my fish taco’s
Great lunch, I would not hesitate to try other offerings in the future if I see them around!

This place is sooooo good. I’m not so great with the food truck scene so I visited their pop-​up shop in Union Market. I was torn between the Divine Swine and La Venganza de Tio Shawn. I decided to go for the latter which consisted of delicious chipotle chicken, onions, black beans, corn, and cilantro. It also came with a delicious green cilantro sauce that reminded me of Indian chutney. It was refreshing and enhanced the flavor of the empanada. The portion was pretty big for a snack and only $ 3.50. It went beautifully with the ginger limeade I had picked up from Teaism’s pop-​up shop next door.
I will definitely return to DC Empanadas for their other flavors. I heard their lunch special offers includes 3 empanadas for $ 7!

A year or two in, DC Empanadas continues to be one of the best DC-​area food trucks.
As a Farragut Square worker, I’ve been spoiled by the plethora of food trucks during my weekday lunch hour. I have fallen in love with, and continue to be a huge fan of, DC Empanada’s Divine Swine (pulled pork empanada). However, and not complaining, my visits have consistently aligned with the availability with this succulent BBQ-​y hand pie.
Today, however, my luck ran out, or so I thought. I pondered, what the heck, why don’t I try their fish tacos today? The person in line behind me apparently found that daring, which I took to be a compliment for my taste for adventure.
Well, the decision paid off. I was treated to two delicious fish tacos ($ 10 for two), with perfectly, almost shatteringly crispy Covina pieces, covered in an apple-​jicama slaw and avocado crema, and wrapped in tasty corn tortillas. I even added some of their chimichurri sauce to each taco.
The tacos were unbelievably messy, and wonderful, and are not recommended for first dates. That said, with good, understanding company (inclusive of dining solo), and a shady spot to enjoy your lunch, go for it.
Already was coming back for the Divine Swine empanada, but am now adding the fish tacos to that list as well!

At the Union Market stall, we got 2 empanadas: the Badass (buffalo chicken and blue cheese) and the Thai shrimp. Both were good– fresh, hot, and not greasy. The thai one had shrimp, carrots, and peas. The badass had chunks of chicken and blue cheese sauce. Will return to get the badass again and try others.

I thought this place has great empanadas. I had the chicken one with blue cheese and hot sauce. In addition, I got the quinoa salad. The salad was refreshing and the empanada was a good component to balance out the flavor.
I like how their empanadas have a really crunchy exterior. Great flavor!

Oh my!
Bad@ss Empanada is glorious!!! SOOOO good! Good price too! We also tried the cheeseburger, and the Divine Swine!
Had these at the Snallygaster Beer Fest and this was the perfect food for a beer fest! No forks required! They also have a booth in Union Market if you can’t catch the truck!

The special fried fish taco was amazing, and I was a big fan. It was piping hot, decent portion size, and came topped with some delicious slaw/​sauce. The whole thing was just fantastic and I wish I had gotten two.
I also got the veggie empanada because I wasn’t in the mood for any of the meats on offer for some reason. For $ 4, I thought it was a little small, and it was very greasy and came in a little waxy bag that was soaked with grease — reaching my hand in there I got grease on my arm, yick. I think I would describe the taste as «fairly decent» and I think it could have used a little more flavor.
While eating this meal on the ledge by the Cosi I got pooped on by a jerky little bird for the 3^rd time in my life. Some people manage to live their whole lives without being crapped on by a bird and it has now happened to me three times, and each time I have been eating. I guess it is one of the perils of eating outside and I happen to be extremely unlucky. Watch out for bird bombs if you plan to sit on the ledge under the nearby tree (when the truck is at Metro Center.)
In conclusion, the fish taco special was amazing, but the empanada was underwhelming and expensive for the size. And I love fish tacos and can think of many other places where I can get a great one. So for now I will have to say it is an A-​OK average truck.

Love the offerings at DC Empanadas!!! I mean, the truck is blue and looks like a box. And we all know that there are wonderful things that come in a blue box ;)
Back to the food. Prices are good: you can get 1 empanada for $ 4.00 and it’s a decent sized empanada. They have an extensive menu, but they rotate their offerings daily. I’ve had the El Toro which is a beef empanada with beans, cheese, and corn. Mixed with their spices and wrapped in their flaxy warm wrapping and you have a banging emapanda. Definitely recommend trying DC Emapanadas. Also. thank you for coming to L’ Enfant Plaza!

On our way to the Metro, we spotted a food truck and decided to try out DC Empanadas. At $ 4.00 each, the 3 for $ 10 option is the better deal. I opted for the pork, and beef ones and split the chicken one with a friend.
The flavors on the pork were okay, was not wow-​ed but was not dismayed. The empanadas were a good size with decent portions of meat.
Tip: Accepts credit cards for orders $ 10 and up.
Overall, it didn’t leave me wanting more or missing the flavors.

(3.5) One of DC’s great ways to sample a bunch of food trucks all in one place is Truckeroo. DC Empandas was one of those trucks I sampled during the most recent Truckeroo. I love empanadas and the ones they serve here are good, but I wasn’t exactly impressed. From the 3 different ones they were serving that day, I chose to get a «Bad-​Ass» and the «Ropanada».
The «Ropanada» was stuffed with traditional Cuban-​style shredded beef (ropa vieja, hence the name) that has been tossed in a tomato-​based sauce with onions and peppers. It was disappointingly lacking flavor and failed to excite me. The «Bad-​Ass» was basically a buffalo chicken empanada. Not exactly original, but it had a lot more flavor than the Ropanada.
Overall, the service was good and the empanadas were just okay. So I had generally average experience as far as food trucks go with empanadas that left more to be desired. If you’re only going to have 3 options, they better be the best empandas EVER… just saying.