5411 Empanadas

Named after the international dialing code for Buenos Aires, 5411 Empanadas was founded in 2009 with the goal of bringing a piece of Argentina to Chicago.  I was first introduced to 5411 Empanadas when I visited their food truck which frequented my old office. I fell in love with their variety of empanadas that were flaky and crispy, and filled with high quality ingredients. In the five years since they started their food truck, 5411 has opened up four brick-and-mortar locations in Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lakeview, and the Loop. The latest location in the Loop is conveniently located across the street from my current office so I thought I'd check it out.

The Loop location, near Franklin and Lake Streets, has a small seating area, but customers were mostly ordering empanadas to go. The empanadas are each priced at $2.50 and they suggest ordering three or four to make a meal out of them.

5411 Empanadas

The menu consists of 15 different types of empanadas including breakfast and desssert varieties. Malbec Beef, Mushroom / Thyme / Bleu Cheese, Bacon / Dates / Goat Cheese and Ratatouille are just a few of the highlights from 5411’s current offerings. They also make their own hot sauce and chimichurri for topping or dipping those tasty little pockets. 

While 5411 has several types of empanadas already made for quick pick-up orders, they make many of their empanadas to order. I got a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen and oven they use. Each empanada is handmade and hand stuffed and then placed into a 465 degree oven. The conveyor-style oven takes 10 minutes for the empanada to bake all the way through. Once they're done, they emerge brown and bubbly and completely irresistible. 

Oven Temperature

Empanadas Going Into the Oven

Empanadas Coming Out of the Oven

To get a good feel for the menu, my co taste tester, Hannah, and I ordered eight different types of empanadas:

• Chorizo and patatas bravas
• Caramelized onion and Parmesan
• Mushroom, thyme and blue cheese
• Malbec beef
• Bacon, dates, and goat cheese
• BBQ chicken
• Ratatouille
• Banana and Nutella

Eating with your hands is encouraged, and I think really adds to the eating experience. Especially when you feel that soft, yet crispy, dough. 

A Great Motto

Some of our favorites were the Malbec beef (you could really taste the wine), bacon, dates, and goat cheese (a killer combo), Ratatouille (simple, yet fresh), and the banana and Nutella (obvi). But you really can't go wrong! The chimichurri is amazing too! I love scooping a little dollop of the vibrant green sauce onto each bite.

Assorted Empanadas

Not only are they delicious, these empanadas are almost too pretty to eat! If you forget what kind you ordered, each empanada is sealed into a distinctive shape and there is a sign on each table with a guide. This definitely came in handy as we started with the ratatouille empanada, and then moved onto the meat varieties, and finally ended with the banana Nutella.

Assorted Empanadas

With a food truck and four locations, trying these empanadas is super easy. Plus, 5411 Empanadas offers delivery if you have an empanada craving and don't want to leave the comfort of your home. 

Have you been to 5411 Empanadas? What's your favorite variety?

Note: my meal at 5411 Empanadas was complimentary; however, all opinions are my own.

5411 Empanadas

www.5411empanadas.com

175 N. Franklin St.

Chicago, IL 60606

312.877.5522