Rubens Empanada Bakery

Very good empanadas. You have a choice of fried or baked. They also have other yummy stuff. So far I keep getting empanadas but today will try something new. Will share after I try it.

I have been waiting for this «empanada bakery» to open for well over a month. Now I can’t wait for it to close to see what other offerings come to replace it. I wasn’t, aware that this place is actually a chain of Argentinian eateries from Ny. Growing up in queens Ny, the best empanadas you can have are from «mamas empanadas» in queens Ny. I would suggest that the owners of this place go their to learn what an empanada really is, or visit any one of the dozen or so restaurants in Elizabeth to learn what an empanada is supposed to be. This place is proof that white Americans will buy anything. The secret to a good empanada is that it is cheap and delicious. Rubens misses on both of these. When I entered I did not see any menu listing their different empanadas so I asked which ones they have. The kid at the counter was very nice and the bakery is very clean and welcoming. The kid told me they had sixteen different varieties. I noticed that they were expensive, 2.75 to 4.00 but I decided to try them anyway. A good empanada at any restaurant costs 1.00 to 2.00. They are cheap because most people order 5 — 10. I decided to try the beef empanada and the sausage one which came out to 5.98 for two empanadas. After placing my order the server walked towards the front display and pulled my empanadas out of the display case (they are ready made sitting their). Mamas fries them fresh right out of the freezer but a lot of places will make them beforehand. Unfortunately, these are not empanadas they are large calzones filled with ground meet. I told the counter girl they looked like calzones and she assured me they were delicious. WRONG! They are edible but for two empanadas at 6.00, very disappointing. They heat them up in the microwave which eliminates any crispness. The dough was bland and uninspiring. The meat was bland and cheap. My mom makes ground beef empanadas, when I buy them outside i am expecting a better cut of meat. If its a pork empanada it has to be penil, or shredded pork, not ground up sausage meat. I looked at the menu which offers entres such as skirt steak (entrana) and other Spanish dishes but everything is way overpriced. Argentinians are known for their meat but this place is a big dissapointment. If you are going to call yourself an empanada bakery that should be your focus. The owners should have looked into openings mamas empanadas chain. I feel bad but this place will not last long, especially in that location. If you want to try Rubens, save your money and get a beef pattie from 7 eleven or try their empanadas. So much better