Description: My previous concept of an empanada was this: a small cocktail-size nibble of pastry with just a hint of spicy filling. Imagine my surprise when entering Julia's Empanadas and seeing huge, bulging, flaky pastries the size of my head! Well, they weren't quite that big, but these empanadas were to be taken quite seriously. No dainty nibbling on these bad boys. Come hungry!
The shop is just a small store front on the popular strip of Connecticut Avenue. If you're looking to sit and eat, you'll have to ask for a table to be brought out from the back. The menu is simple: savory empanadas, sweet empanadas, and soup. There are several flavors to choose from in each category. We tried several of these delicious little packages. The spinach and cheese was reminiscent of Greek spanikopita with a hint of nutmeg. There was also a vegetarian special with chickpeas. The meaty options are plentiful as well. I was less impressed with pear and almond dessert empanada. It was a little too much pastry with not enough filling.
Still, at $3-3.50 apiece, these were an amazing deal. Julia's has other branches at 1410 U Street NW, 2452 18th Street NW, and 1000 Vermont Avenue NW. The location I visited stays open until 3am on weekends, and I can only guess what a warm pastry is like after a wild night.
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