La Cocina

"La Cocina in Recoleta bakes up a handful of empanada flavors sealed with careful repulgue folds. The stewed chicken is a keeper, as is the Pikachu, loaded with cheese, onions, and mildly spicy red pepper flakes. La Cocina also has a second downtown location hidden in Galeria Boston." - Allie Lazar

"It would be easy to walk past this tiny, unassuming joint in the Recoleta neighborhood. But those in the know flock to La Cocina, which is still run by the Catamarca Province family that opened it 40 years ago (the owners’ grandson answers the phone and wraps up lunch orders nonstop). La Cocina’s famous empanadas are oven-baked (as opposed to fried), and this lighter take on the Argentine staple feels like something you could eat every day. Go early for lunch or dinner, as the tiny place fills up at peak hours; don’t miss the picachu , a spicy cheese-and-onion empanada. Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. By Travesías"

"Looking for something quick and cheap without a fuss? Empanadas are the answer. Go by the general rule that less than two empanadas are a snack, three or more are a meal. At La Cocina, most locals will probably order the empanadas to-go, but there are a few tables to sit and eat. Insider tip: downtown business workers go crazy for the the second location hidden in a mall on Florida street (Florida 142). La Cocina specializes in baked empanadas from Catamarca, a province in Argentina's north. Try flavors like beef, chicken, humita (corn), or pikachu, cheese with a kick of spice. During the winter months, most people order rib-sticking comfort foods like locro , a beef and hominy stew." - Allie Lazar