Shauna Eats Sunnyside

Best. Empanada. Ever. and Sacrificing for Fuego

a few weeks ago B and i were wandering up roosevelt ave and we spotted this hole-in-the-wall colombian joint, antojitos colombianos (b/w 54th and 55th sts), where we were lured in on the warm day for an impromptu fruit smoothie treat to complement the trek home:

no larger inside than your average subway platform newsstand, a lengthy angled counter lies opposite several stools and a humble dining shelf. homemade green and red sauce and a handful of slurping customers to the left, enchanting glass display case of various deep-fried cornmeal and meat products the right:

despite the fact that not all of the smoothies advertised in the colorful window signage were available, B and i were more than happy to try the strawberry guava and an empanada for the road.

i will say that my hopes weren’t too high for the little whippersnapper… coulda been pre-frozen mass-produced goya packs, for all we know. but shit was cheap and we love deals. and boy was that empanada stellar:

..the most delicious nug we’ve nibbled in recent history.

a perfectly crispy and grainy exterior indicative that it’s homemade.. stringy, tender meat and creamy seasoned potatoes with a tangy red sauce woven throughout.. steaming with excellence. on my final bite, in a chomping frenzy, i confess i nearly took off B’s pinky finger.

the strawberry guava drink was par for the course… appropriately icy and fresh on the fruit content, though to be honest, it was no pecas y mas.

we sipped appreciatively while relishing our surprise snackage,  and despite an ominous “for sale” sign taped to the store’s front window, we are keeping our fingers crossed that antiojitos colombianos stands strong and continues to provide roosevelt ave with quality empanadas in the months to come.

we also picked up a bag of phosphorescent mexican takis mini tortilla tubes from a nearby bodega:

now, normally B and i strictly boycott MSG. y’all know by now how i feel about chemical compounds. but mini taquito snacks, EN FUEGO?! it was an offer we couldn’t refuse…

the fiery tang of the flavored crunch sticks was intense in its onslaught and lingering in its pungency. our lips, fingers, and clothes were completely covered with red powder, bringing me back momentarily to my last sloppy late-night doritos binge in vegas. throwing the impending doom of future bowel movements to the wind, the roll-up structure also made for quite a fun sunday afternoon snack session:

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Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant
54-08 Roosevelt Ave (b/w 54th and 55th Sts)
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 507-5254