Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in NYC with Empanada Mama

Every year from September 15 through October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the United States. At Empanada Mama, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate something that has been at the heart of our restaurants from the beginning: our Colombian heritage and the incredible flavors found throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Empanada Mama is proudly rooted in Colombian cuisine. From traditional Colombian empanadas to hearty plates, soups and sides, the flavors of Colombia have helped shape who we are.

But with more than 40 empanada flavors, Mama likes to travel.

Our menu draws inspiration from countries and culinary traditions across Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond, making a visit to Empanada Mama a delicious way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in NYC.

🇨🇴 Colombia — Where Mama’s Story Begins

We have to start at home.

Our Ground Beef Corn Empanada features traditional Colombian-style ground beef inside a corn flour shell. The Shredded Beef Empanada brings another taste of Colombia with slow-cooked beef and onion marinated with traditional Colombian spices.

For breakfast lovers, Desayuno Colombiano combines Colombian pork sausage, eggs, cheddar cheese and Spanish onion.

Together, these empanadas offer a taste of the Colombian heritage at the heart of Empanada Mama.

🇲🇽 Mexico — El Jefe & Al Pastor

Mexico brings some serious flavor to Mama’s menu.

El Jefe features slow-cooked birria beef, roasted corn and peppers, Oaxaca cheese and cilantro-lime rice, taking inspiration from the rich flavors associated with Mexican birria.

Our Al Pastor Empanada brings another Mexican favorite into the mix, combining pork shoulder seasoned with chiles, aromatics and achiote with pineapple for a signature sweet-and-savory combination.

🇨🇺 Cuba — The Cuban

Inspired by the flavors of the classic Cuban sandwich, the Cuban Empanada combines slow-roasted pork and ham with mozzarella and sofrito.

It’s Mama’s empanada interpretation of one of the most recognizable Cuban-inspired flavor combinations.

🇧🇷 Brazil — Brasil

The Brasil Empanada features ground beef, olives, onions and potato in a traditional Brazilian-style combination.

While Brazil is Latin American rather than Hispanic, its inclusion reflects the broader Latin American influences found throughout Mama’s menu.

🌴 Flavors of the Caribbean

Mama’s menu also travels throughout the Caribbean.

Pernil features marinated pork slow-roasted until tender, drawing from a cooking tradition enjoyed throughout Puerto Rico and other parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Reggaeton combines Caribbean-style roast pork with sofrito-seasoned yellow rice and pigeon peas.

Mama’s influences extend even further into the Caribbean with Jamaican-inspired creations. Jerk & Cheese pairs jerk-marinated chicken with Swiss cheese, while El Toro combines braised oxtail with Jamaican pepper, chipotle, wine, thyme and maduros.

More Than Empanadas: Colombian Comfort Food in NYC

The celebration of Colombian cuisine doesn’t stop at empanadas.

One of Mama’s signature dishes is Arroz Con Pollo, made Colombian-style with shredded chicken, sofrito, seasoned yellow rice, peas, onions and red peppers and served with fried sweet plantains.

Then there’s Bandeja Paisa, one of Colombia’s most famous traditional meals. Empanada Mama’s version brings together grilled skirt steak, chicharrón, chorizo, maduros, a fried egg, avocado, rice, beans and arepa for a plate packed with Colombian flavor.

Looking for something warm and comforting? Try the Sancocho de Cola, a Colombian-style oxtail soup prepared with yucca, green plantains, corn on the cob, recaito, cilantro and onions and served with rice.

From an empanada on the go to a full Colombian meal, there’s much more of Mama’s heritage to explore.

Late-Night Latin Food in NYC — 24/7

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations don’t have to end early.

Empanada Mama’s Hell’s Kitchen and Lower East Side locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making Mama a destination for Colombian food and late-night empanadas in Manhattan.

Pair your empanadas or Colombian meal with a drink from the bar and turn a quick bite into a night out. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, dinner, drinks or an empanada craving in the middle of the night, Mama is ready.

Celebrate Together with Mama’s Party Packs

Hispanic Heritage Month is even better when celebrated together.

For family gatherings, office lunches, watch parties, school events or celebrations with friends, Mama’s Party Packs make feeding a group easy.

Choose 10 of Mama’s famous empanadas and pair them with shareable favorites like Plantain Chips & Guacamole, Mama’s House Nachos, BBQ Chicken Yuca Fries or Mama’s Picada, loaded with grilled steak, chicken, chorizo, chicharrón, yuca, arepa and tostones.

Party Packs are available for pickup and delivery, making it easy to bring Mama to your Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

Visit or Order Empanada Mama

Looking for Colombian food in NYC, the best empanadas in NYC, late-night Latin food or empanada delivery in Manhattan? Find your nearest Mama:

Hell’s Kitchen — Open 24/7
765 9th Ave., New York, NY 10019

Lower East Side — Open 24/7
95 Allen St., New York, NY 10002

Times Square
200 W. 40th St., New York, NY 10018

East Village
239 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003

Upper East Side
1435 1st Ave., New York, NY 10021

University City — Philadelphia
3300 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104

Order Empanada Mama for pickup or delivery:
https://order.online/business/empanada-mama-115749

This Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrate the cultures, traditions and flavors that continue to inspire Mama every day.

Start with Colombia. Travel through Mexico, Cuba and the Caribbean. Try an empanada you’ve never had before, sit down for a traditional Colombian meal or bring a Party Pack home to share.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from Empanada Mama!