Maria Luisa Empanadas

We didn’t think empanadas in Seattle could make us feel like the protagonist in a romance novel, until we cracked open the ones at Maria Luisa in Ballard. These tender little pastries are filled with a wide variety of meats, cheeses, and/or vegetables, served with zesty chimichurri we’d like have handy at all times in packet form. Takeout is easy (even if you need to feed a big family) and their garage-like space has high-top tables that should work well for quick dine-in lunches.

Don’t make us choose one single empanada, but if we had to give the edge to any, it’d be the one stuffed with steakhouse-quality creamed spinach. Or the one loaded with tangy chorizo. Or the nutmeg-y bechamel with rogue corn kernels. (We rest our case.) And make sure to try the chocolate alfajores sandwiching dulce de leche for dessert.