When Northwestern students and fellow spoonies alike come together to celebrate Spoonfest, a baby blue truck sells exactly what it says: empanadas. 5411 Empanadas, a participating vendor in the past two iterations of Spoonfest, is returning this year to share the staple, iconic Argentine dish typically filled with savory meats and cheeses.
With this food selection bound to call the names of many students, the empanada brand tags on its numerical component after the international dialing code for Buenos Aires, Argentina, 5411. The SpoonFest vendor opened its first location in Chicago and has since expanded with two additional shops within a four-mile radius, now bringing back its flavors again into Evanston this May for those not willing to make the trek.
While these golden semi-circle pouches are frequently fried, Empanada 5411 bakes their empanadas, replacing the familiar post-frying little bubbles on the dough for an iconic brown crust and lighter feel.
As of now, the restaurant features 18 different empanada fillings on their menu: some traditional picks, alongside some rather exotic ones that entice the tastebuds — and even caught me with a bite of surprise. But now, it’s time to dial into them all.
5411 Empanadas honors its Argentine roots with classics like Malbec beef, sweet corn, or even a sautéed pork chorizo and golden hash filling that’s glued by mozzarella. Drawing from American comfort food, French classic, and North Indian culinary culture, foreign taste profiles bury themselves within the buttery pastry: Mac & Cheese, Ratatouille, and Chicken Curry. I’ll be waiting in anticipation alongside other potential empanada customers as the lineup makes its way into our hands by Spoonfest.
With one empanada, students can make their trip to the blue truck a snack – and with more, a meal. Just a cross-continental bite away, 5411 Empanadas promises to make SpoonFest sweeter than their banana nutella filling, and a finish as unforgettable as their bacon, date, & goat cheese.