“Nelly’s – Artisan Argentinian Empanadas”

The Arches Circle, Deer Park, NY

https://www.empanadas-nellys.com/

        Earlier this week, here in New York, it was hot, damp and rainy. However, with the upcoming closing of the Christmas Tree Shops I decided it might be a good idea to take a look around for any good deals. Unfortunately, I found none. Dejected I turned to food and finding something for lunch. While walking through the Tanger Factory Outlets here on Long Island I came across an empanada shop called “Nelly’s – Artisan Argentinian Empanadas.”

        Quickly upon entering this lovely air-conditioned space, Nelly greeted me enthusiastically. After retuning her greeting, I was awestruck by the wonderful selection of home-made empanadas that were lined up behind a glass case like the fine jewelry found at Bloomingdales in New York City.

        I wanted to taste them all but I knew that would never be possible in just one sitting so therefore I selected three as there was a threesome special. The first was Spinach Artichoke. This was a combination of Spinach, artichoke hearts and a mix of cheeses. The next was the La Cubana. This was Pulled pork, Ham and swiss cheese. Lastly, I had to try her classic Beef Empanadas called the Beef Classico. This was made with fresh ground Angus Beef, Sautéed onions, hard boiled eggs, raisins and green olives.  

            Chef Nelly explained to me as I waited for my Empanadas to warm up, that all her Empanadas were hand made from the fillings to the dough. The chef also said that they are all baked as opposed to being deep fried, thus making them healthier to eat. I suppose that is true, as I said to her that when I make my own, I too bake them. Yet for me, this was a rich indulgence of delightfulness that I could never eat every day and still expect to fit into my pants.

        After finding my seat and grabbing a bottle of hot sauce I took my first bite of the spinach artichoke empanada. It was indeed warm and the crust was flaky and delicious. The cheese was just the right mix of cheeses to compliment the spinach and artichokes without over powering those delicate ingredients. It was indeed cheesy! Yet, and I can’t believe I am saying this, but I would have preferred a bit more of the artichoke hearts and spinach inside as it seemed a bit too cheesy. If there is such a thing. However, if you love cheese this is a darn good empanada that needed no hot sauce to be great!

            Next, I tried the Cubana. That was everything I was hoping for. It had the perfect balance of ingredients on the inside and it was wrapped in the same delicious flaky crust as the first empanada I had eaten. It was only made better with a few drops of the hot sauce that I added for my second bite.  I immediately thought this would be something I would order again the very next time I come here.

            Last was the good old standby, the beef empanada. I noticed right away that the beef was seasoned perfectly and I could not even notice the hard-boiled eggs, raisins and green olives. Only upon reading its description did I even know there were hard boiled eggs, raisins and green olives on the inside. All I knew was that this empanada was delicious.  Once again, it was only made better by my own addition of a few drops of hot sauce. YUM!

        If you are ever in the neighborhood of Deer Park on Long Island NY, then please stop in the Tanger Outlets for an empanada or two and say hello to Chef Nelly for me. If you can’t get to Nelly’s then perhaps you would like to try my version of the classic Beef Empanadas found here:

Beef Empanadas

If you have a restaurant you would like me to try or a question about a recipe or review please email me at TheDrunkenChef@mydrunkenchef.com

Until next time, stay healthy, eat well and be happy!

The Drunken Chef (Russ)

© Russ Ahrens and The Magic of a Perfect Pairing, 2023