Raul's Empanada Town

Dulce:
We've driven by the unassuming orange sign with blue trim on Morris Street hundreds of times, but never took the time to go in.  Today would be different.  Today we were going to enter under the orange and blue sign, through the George Washington cut out door and into the empanada haven that is Raul's Empanada Town.


PB:
Normally I'm the one who exaggerates a bit. I'm not sure we've driven by there "hundreds" of times but Dulce is right, I've never noticed the place. In fact, I never even noticed the life sized George Washington cut out door, until we were actually walking through it.


Dulce:
Upon entering the orange and blue theme was prominent within.  This was definitely a no frills joint.  With the menu largely displayed on the wall, with nearly 40 empanadas and an array of pizzas, salads and other munchies, we picked out 5 empanadas to share.  I picked out 1, PB picked out 2 and we jointly picked 2.  Our choices included Second Heaven (chicken & shrimp), Buffalo Wing, 5 Cheese (Mozzarella, American, Cheddar, White and Pepper Jack), Surf & Turf (Roast Beef & Shrimp) and Rock (Ground Beef & Cheddar).  Before we sat, we examined the 3 dipping sauces and decided to try all 3 of them when our order came out.


PB:
By "we" Dulce really means, I got samples of each of the three sauces and described to her what each of them were.


Dulce:
Then the wait began.  I must say that I was very surprised that the wait was so long for our food to come out.  On one hand I was happy to see that our food would be made to order, on the other, I figured this dive would be quick.


PB:
I agree. The wait was fairly long. The trouble with long waits is that you tend to look around more and find little aesthetic things wrong with the place. Wobbly table, which we eventually moved from, stretched carpet and interesting Empanada shaped designs on the tile floor.


Dulce:
As we sat at the table, I couldn't help but wonder if it would be worth the wait.  Then from over PB's shoulder, I saw our tray approach the counter.


PB:
That's when I got the look that means, go get the food now. Which I promptly did.


Dulce:
Moments later PB was back at the table with our hot empanadas.  With the little checkered paper dishes in front of us like a clock, I took the one at my 6 o'clock.  As I split into the crunchy corn crust with my plastic knife, the steam from the hot filling rose out.  Wow, these were piping hot!!  Now on to tasting!


PB:
They certainly were hot. As the steam rose from my first Empanada, they looked so hot that I was concerned that I couldn't eat them right away. However, the aroma from mine was so enticing that I couldn't wait any longer I took the first bite from my first Raul's empanada and it was delicious. But more on that in a minute.


Dulce:
Second Heaven (chicken & shrimp).  This was my pick.  Quite honestly, I was a little less than thrilled with my very first bite of Raul's empanada.  The crunchy corn exterior was definitely a nice surprise and very different from the traditional empanada that I'm used to.  However, the filling of chicken and shrimp, while perfectly cooked, was little on the bland side.  Having said that, when I added the creamy chipotle sauce, I enjoyed the rest of my bites quite a bit.


PB:
Second Heaven was my least favorite, primarily because it had very little flavor.  The description had promise but the execution was just not even close to the other 4.  It also made me feel good that it was Dulce's first choice and it wasn't great.  I've got to take these moments when they happen, as they don't happen often.


Dulce:
Buffalo Wing.  I knew I was going to like this one, but as this was PB's first choice, I wanted to not like it as much as my picks.  Sadly, for me, I was wrong.  The taste was fabulous. Tender meat and perfectly spicy.  No extra sauce needed on this one. Damn it! His choice definitely beat out my choice of Second Heaven.


PB:
I always try the Buffalo Chicken options at every restaurant we visit.  Dulce knows this but every time she questions it.  You'd think she'd learn.  As I bit into a delicious Buffalo Chicken. It was a perfect combination of texture, spices and overall flavor. Not too spicy but just enough kick to arouse the sinuses. It was by far my favorite of the day.

Dulce:
5 Cheese (Mozzarella, American, Cheddar, White and Pepper Jack).  What can I say, I'm a cheese person.  This one was right up my ally.  This empanada was the only one we ordered with a traditional doughy shell.  The cheese were nice and gooey and when married with the Mango Habenero sauce was heaven!  PB of course kept adding the creamy chipotle sauce.  Hmmmm.....wonder if that was his fave.....You'll learn that he rarely likes to switch it up.


PB:

In my defense, I really liked the creamy chipotle and felt it was the best option for the 5 cheese.  Like Dulce, I loved the 5 cheese.  Not as much as the Buffalo Chicken, but it was definitely my number 2.


Dulce:

Surf & Turf (Roast Beef & Shrimp).  While this was another of PB's picks, I didn't object as it caught my eye as well.  With a definite stronger taste of cilantro, the flavors on this one were much preferable to Second Heaven.  I tried to add the 3rd sauce we picked up to this one....however, it didn't do much.  The sauce was a bit weak....so much so that I don't even recall what it was.  And yes, for my steel trap of a mind, thats a feat.


PB:

The Surf & Turf was my pick and it was excellent.  Good flavor, great texture but I must say it didn't hold a candle to the Buffalo Chicken or 5 Cheese.  Just not in the same league.


Dulce:

Rock (Ground Beef & Cheddar).  The finale to the meal.  And I thoroghly enjoyed it.  Plenty of seasoned meat with a tiny bit of minced onions and cheddar mixed it.  Nice and hearty and probably the most filling out of our selection.  It also went nicely with the creamy chipotle sauce.


PB:

Rock ended up being my Number 3 choice.  It was full of flavor and a perfect mix of meet and cheese.


Dulce:

Overall, it was a great lunch!  Do we plan to go back?  Let's see....its time to break out the scale.

1 = Worst place I've ever eaten, 5 = It was average, wouldn't go out of my way for it, 10 = The best meal of my life.


Dulce:

Scale.  7.  While I really enjoyed it, there were some items that could've used more seasoning.  Also the one sauce was disappointing.  But overall, much more great things about this little joint.  Can't wait to try other items!


PB:

Scale. 8. I really liked it from beginning to end. I agree with Dulce, there could have been more seasoning/flavor in the Surf and Turf and the Second Heaven. However, the over all experience was great and the food was very good. A perfect choice for a quick lunch.