The Ultimate Guide to Empanadas in Greater Milwaukee

From Argentinian beef pockets to Colombian corn-crusted classics, Milwaukee's empanada scene delivers remarkable diversity. Whether you're craving flaky baked pastries stuffed with chimichurri-drizzled meat or gluten-free Venezuelan hand pies, this guide maps out every worthwhile empanada destination across the greater Milwaukee area—from North Shore favorites to South Side hidden gems.

Milwaukee's empanada scene

Milwaukee's Latin American food community has blossomed into one of the Midwest's most vibrant, with empanada styles representing nearly a dozen countries. You'll find Argentinian-style baked empanadas with their signature repulgue (crimped edge), Colombian fried versions made from gluten-free corn dough, Venezuelan corn-flour pockets, Peruvian pastries with sweet-and-savory fillings, and Puerto Rican empanadillas—each reflecting distinct culinary traditions. For families, empanadas make ideal shared meals: they're portable, endlessly customizable, and perfect for picky eaters who can choose their own fillings.

North Shore and nearby neighborhoods

Cloud Red — Shorewood's gastropub with Argentine flair

This Shorewood social house serves one of the area's most distinctive empanadas: an Argentinian-style beef empanada featuring a complex filling of tomatillos, castelvetrano olives, raisins, mushroom, celeriac, turmeric, and parsley, accompanied by house-made chimichurri. The scratch-made pastries arrive flaky and golden, perfect for sharing alongside their famous Brussels sprouts or buffalo cauliflower.

The vibe: Order at the bar, grab a board game from the shelf, and settle into this laid-back neighborhood hangout. Kids are genuinely welcome—families pack the place alongside young professionals, especially during Taco Tuesdays ($5 shrimp, pork, or tempeh tacos). The back patio offers additional space when weather permits.

• Address: 4488 N Oakland Ave, Shorewood

• Hours: Tue–Thu 4–9pm, Fri–Sat 2–9pm (kitchen); bar stays open later

• Phone: (414) 231-9660

• Price range: $10–20 per person

• Bonus: $1 tap beers and wines during happy hour (Mon–Fri 4–6pm)

Café Corazón — Brown Deer's farm-to-table Mexican

This locally-sourced Mexican restaurant brings their popular empanada program to the North Shore suburbs. Each order includes two golden-brown hand-pressed turnovers served with rice and beans, garnished with lettuce, queso fresco, and lime-cilantro crema.

Filling options: Chicken with cilantro, pork pibil with pickled onion, chorizo (or soy chorizo for vegans), and mushroom with cheddar. Everything sources from local farms including their own urban garden.

• Address: 4102 W Bradley Rd, Brown Deer

• Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm

• Phone: (920) 932-3062

• Family note: Health score of 97/100; extensive vegetarian and vegan options make this ideal for families with varied dietary needs

Milwaukee's premier empanada destination

La Masa Empanada Bar — Brady Street

If you're making a dedicated empanada trip, La Masa stands as Milwaukee's undisputed heavyweight. Owner Michael Demes built the entire concept around his family's authentic Argentine Mendocina dough recipe, producing baked (never fried) empanadas stuffed fresh each morning. Each pastry gets branded with a letter stamp identifying its filling—a helpful system when ordering platters.

Must-try varieties ($4–5 each):

• Argentine Beef: Seasoned beef, green olives, raisins, hard-boiled egg, crushed chiles—the classic

• Wisco Corn: Creamy sweet corn, roasted corn, bell pepper, onion—a local favorite

• Cheese Curds 'N Bacon: Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds with bacon—peak Midwest fusion

• Beer-Boiled Bratwurst: Caramelized onion, kraut, mustard—bratwurst reimagined

• Mushroom Truffle Parmesan: Shiitake, cremini, oyster mushrooms with white truffle oil

• Dessert options: Banana Nutella, dulce de leche, apple cinnamon, ricotta chocolate chip with lemon zest

Order smart: The La Masa Trio (3 empanadas plus jicama slaw, ~$15) works perfectly for individual adults; the dozen platter saves $5 and feeds a family of four with leftovers. Don't skip the sauces—chimichurri and aji amarillo bring essential brightness.

Take-and-bake option: Par-baked refrigerated empanadas let you finish them at home, making this an excellent option for hosting.

• Address: 1300 E Brady Street, Milwaukee

• Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–9pm (brunch)

• Phone: (414) 885-1866

• Coming soon: A second location at the Milwaukee Public Market in the Third Ward

Walker's Point and Bay View

La Merenda — Colombian empanadas in a global tapas setting

This Walker's Point gem has served its Colombian-style empanadas since 2007, featuring a naturally gluten-free corn-based crust that's fried until golden. The filling showcases local partnerships: house-smoked grass-fed organic beef, Clock Shadow Creamery queso menonita, and papas chorreadas (Colombian-style potatoes), all accompanied by traditional aji sauce.

Vegetarian version: Deep-fried corn empanadas filled with Clock Shadow Creamery quark cheese, River Valley Ranch mushrooms, and sweet corn—equally satisfying.

• Address: 125 E National Avenue, Milwaukee

• Phone: (414) 389-0125

• Setting: Renovated woodworking shop with colorful décor; more date-night than family-dinner but works for early evening visits with kids

Café Corazón — Bay View

The original farm-to-table Mexican location in the heart of Bay View's Kinnickinnic Avenue strip.

• Address: 2394 Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee

• Hours: Mon–Thu 3–8pm, Fri 3–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–8pm

• Phone: (414) 544-2774

• Outdoor seating available

Sabor Tropical — Puerto Rican empanadillas

Bay View's Puerto Rican option offers empanadillas—larger, fried empanadas with a distinctive Caribbean twist. Choose from Cuban-inspired picadillo, Mexican-style chicken, or Puerto Rican Creole shrimp, served with Caribbean aioli or chimichurri.

• Address: 2258 S Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee

• Phone: (414) 988-8030

Downtown and food halls

Anytime Arepa — Venezuelan empanadas at 3rd Street Market Hall

This Venezuelan family operation (Leo Farfan and Maria Salas, originally from Caracas) introduced Milwaukee to authentic Venezuelan cuisine in 2018. Their empanadas feature 100% gluten-free corn flour dough—perfect for families managing celiac or gluten sensitivities.

Fillings: Shredded chicken, shredded beef, cheese, ham and cheese (~$3.99 each)

The 3rd Street Market Hall location also offers tostones with salsa—an exclusive item. Their second outpost at Zócalo Food Park (636 S 6th Street) operates in a more casual outdoor setting.

• Address: 275 W Wisconsin Avenue (3rd Street Market Hall)

• Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–7pm

• Bonus: Everything is naturally gluten-free

Cubanitas — Milwaukee's 20-year Cuban institution

Downtown Milwaukee's Cuban anchor has served fried Cuban-style empanadas for over two decades. The ground beef and cheese version delivers classic Havana flavor, while the Cuban Sandwich Empanada stuffs all the sandwich's signature components—roast pork, ham, swiss, pickles, mustard—into pastry form.

Other varieties: Spinach and manchego cheese, chicken with raisins and olives, shrimp with cream cheese, red peppers, and cilantro

• Downtown: 728 N Milwaukee Street | (414) 291-3773

• Oak Creek: 7973 S Main Street | (414) 574-5260

• Hours: Mon–Sat 11am–9pm (later Fri–Sat), closed Sunday downtown

Capybara Café — New Colombian spot at Crossroads Collective

Opened September 2024, this Colombian newcomer from owners Jonah and Valentina (originally from Cali) brings family recipes to the East Side food hall. Their empanadas accompany an authentic menu including arepas, salchipapas, pandebono, and espresso drinks.

• Address: 2238 N Farwell Avenue (Crossroads Collective)

South Side and Riverwest

La Cocina Del Sur — Riverwest's Ecuadorian empanada bar

Owner Pedro Tejada brought Ecuador to Riverwest with this intimate empanada-focused spot offering 12 different flavors, including both baked and fried options. The Colombian-style fried empanadas use gluten-free corn dough.

Standout varieties ($5–6.50 each):

• Salteña: Hand-cut beef or chicken with potato, peas, carrots, onion, hard-boiled egg

• Aji de Gallina: Shredded chicken with yellow chile cream sauce (Peruvian influence)

• Cubano: Shredded pork, ham, mustard, cream cheese

• Mushroom-Asiago-Truffle: Rich, earthy vegetarian option

• Colombian fried chicken or beef: 2 for $5—the budget champion

• Address: 701 E Keefe Avenue, Milwaukee

• Hours: Wed–Sat 4–9pm (bar open until 10)

• Phone: (414) 810-0108

El Salvador Restaurant — Salvadoran pasteles on the South Side

This 6th Street institution serves Salvadoran-style pasteles de pollo—mid-sized empanadas with corn-based dough often colored with annatto seeds (creating a distinctive rusty-red hue). Filled with tender chicken and vegetables, they're served with curtido (traditional cabbage slaw) and lime.

• Address: 2316 S 6th Street, Milwaukee

• Phone: (414) 645-1768

• Also famous for: Pupusas

Ricanmex Frappes & Grill — Puerto Rican empanadillas

Milwaukee's South Side Puerto Rican favorite offers fried empanadillas at $3.25 each—ground beef or chicken cheese. Try the alcapurrias ($5.25) if you want green banana fritters with ground beef for comparison.

• Address: 4350 S 27th Street, Milwaukee

• Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–6:30pm

Mekato's Colombian Restaurant & Bakery — Silver City

One of Milwaukee's only Colombian bakeries, Mekato's offers traditional Colombian empanadas alongside empanadas de cambray (guava or caramel patties, $1.99). The adjacent restaurant serves full Colombian meals with empanadas included.

• Address: 3500 W National Avenue, Milwaukee

• Phone: (414) 383-2233

• Also try: Pandebonos, buñuelos, almojabanas (all under $2)

West Allis and western suburbs

Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen — West Allis

Chef Nicolas Ramos and Citlali Mendieta-Ramos have showcased regional Latin American cuisine since 2006. Their empanada selection ($4.75 each) spans multiple traditions:

• The Yolanda Empanada (Argentinian): Ground beef, onions, peppers, olives, egg whites, raisins—named for Yolanda Costanini, an Argentine native who shared her family recipe; served with chimichurri basil sauce

• Cochinita Empanada (Colombian): Pulled pork and cheese

• Chicken Poblano (Mexican): Chicken breast, cream cheese, poblano peppers

• Vegetable (Vegetarian): Saffron-seasoned root vegetables

• Guava & Cheese (Dessert): Dusted with cinnamon and sugar

• Address: 6207 W National Avenue, West Allis

• Hours: Tue–Sun 4–9pm

• Phone: (414) 321-5775

• Sister operation: Lola's Empanadas food truck

Joney Cafe — Brookfield's Chilean hidden gem

Tucked inside the Shaker House office building, this family-run café serves what may be Wisconsin's only authentic Chilean empanadas. The light, flaky pastry shells encase savory ground beef and cheese in traditional style, baked to golden perfection.

Special deal: 2 empanadas + Chilean donuts + soda for $20

• Address: 17700 W Capitol Drive, Suite 20, Brookfield

• Phone: (262) 439-8159

• Hidden gem alert: Look for signage in the office building lobby

• Also famous for: 1000-layer cake, chacarero sandwiches

Food trucks and mobile vendors

Lola's Empanadas

Named for owner Citlali Mendieta's grandmother Doña Lola—who sold food at night markets in Hidalgo, México nearly 100 years ago—this family truck appears regularly at the West Allis Farmers Market, State Fair Park, Summerfest, and American Family Field.

Varieties: Chicken, Argentine beef, Colombian pork, vegetable, guava and cheese, plus seasonal specials (bacon cheeseburger, Philly cheesesteak, Nutella and berries)

• Website: lolasempanadasmke.com

• Catering available

La Empanada LLC — Traditional Argentinian truck

This dedicated Argentinian empanada truck travels to events throughout greater Milwaukee, also serving churro chips.

• Phone: (414) 400-2068

• Website: laempanadallc.com

• Private bookings available

Pedro's South American Food

This long-running truck (since 2015) serves Colombian/South American empanadas and arepas at festivals including Bay View Bash and Shorewood Farmers Market. Owner Pedro Tejada now also operates La Cocina Del Sur restaurant.

Take-and-bake and grocery options

La Mendocina — Authentic Argentinian by the dozen

Marcela Lagos, originally from Mendoza, Argentina, sells par-baked Argentinian empanadas for home finishing. Order via Facebook for pickup two Fridays per month—she produces about 70 dozen weekly from her Riverwest kitchen.

Price: $35/dozen (includes 2 oz chimichurri) Flavors: Chicken, beef, mushroom and leek, spinach and cheese, corn Storage: Cook immediately or freeze up to 3 months

• Kitchen: 701 E Keefe Avenue (Riverwest Filling Station building)

• Order: Follow La Mendocina on Facebook for order links

El Rey Foods — Budget-friendly deli empanadas

Milwaukee's premier Latino supermarket chain (45+ years) offers chicken and cheese empanadas for $2.99 at their deli counters—the most affordable prepared empanadas in town. Four locations serve the metro area.

• Flagship: 916 S Cesar E Chavez Drive, Milwaukee

• South Side: 5200 W Oklahoma Avenue

• Hours: 7am–8pm (varies)

Olano's Empanadas — Peruvian-inspired from Kenosha

Alex Olano (Lima native) and Leslie Olano produce 13+ empanada varieties from their Kenosha base, appearing at Southeast Wisconsin farmers markets and offering frozen 3-packs for purchase. Their vegetarian options particularly impress: organic quinoa with mushrooms, plantains, and spinach; chickpea with sweet potato, spinach, and garam masala.

• Base: 4800 25th Avenue, Kenosha

• Hours: Wed–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–2pm

• Website: olanosempanadas.com

• Catering and food truck services available

Quick reference by empanada style

Style Where to find it Argentinian La Masa, Cloud Red, La Mendocina, Antigua (Yolanda), La Empanada LLC Colombian La Merenda, Mekato's, Antigua, Capybara Café, Pedro's Peruvian Olano's Empanadas, La Cocina Del Sur Venezuelan Anytime Arepa (gluten-free) Cuban Cubanitas (downtown + Oak Creek) Puerto Rican Ricanmex, Sabor Tropical, Sofrito's Vega Mexican Café Corazón (all locations) Salvadoran El Salvador Restaurant Chilean Joney Cafe Ecuadorian La Cocina Del Sur

Best bets for families

For adventurous kids: La Masa's variety and stamp system makes ordering fun—let kids pick their own fillings.

For picky eaters: Cubanitas' ground beef and cheese empanadas deliver familiar flavors in portable form.

For dietary restrictions: Anytime Arepa serves 100% gluten-free Venezuelan empanadas.

For budget-conscious families: El Rey's $2.99 empanadas or La Cocina Del Sur's 2-for-$5 Colombian fried empanadas.

For a weekend adventure: Make a morning of the West Allis Farmers Market and catch Lola's food truck.

For take-home options: La Masa's par-baked empanadas or La Mendocina's dozen packs freeze beautifully for easy weeknight dinners.

Conclusion

Milwaukee's empanada landscape rewards exploration, from Cloud Red's refined Shorewood gastropub version to the $2.99 grab-and-go options at El Rey. The diversity reflects the city's growing Latin American culinary identity—and for families, these handheld pastries offer perhaps the most approachable introduction to cuisines spanning Argentina to Venezuela. Start with La Masa for sheer variety, venture to Joney Cafe in Brookfield for Chilean authenticity, and don't overlook the South Side panaderias and Puerto Rican spots that locals have treasured for decades.