This article is brought to you by our newest contributor Terence Mosley, Man About Town. The Man About Town’s poison of choice? A classic Manhattan. Please enjoy his coverage of Chicago’s top lounges, bars, and eateries.
empanada
[em-puh-nah-duh; Spanish em-pah-nah-th ah]
noun, Latin-American Cookery
A pastry turnover filled with a variety of savory or sometimes sweet ingredients. Baked or fried.(What I like to call “a little hot pocket of awesomeness”.)
5411, named after the international dialing code for Buenos Aires, specializes exclusively in fresh, baked, mouthwatering Argentinian-style empanadas. What initially began as a popular lunchtime food truck has now evolved into two standalone Chicago eateries.
The second location in Wicker Park is my personal favorite from the two. It’s slightly bigger and conveniently located one block NW of the Damen Blue Line stop. Here, the restaurateurs offer a few wines (Argentinean, of course) and beer on draft, including one of my go to IPAs, Revolution Anti-Hero.
What I always order: Spinach & Cheese and Ham & Cheese empanadas.
What the crowd loves: Malbec Beef and Bacon, Date & Goat Cheese.
I noticed several patrons came in asking for the banana Nutella empanada, which they seemed to be out of. I was told it’s “like eating napalm (in a good way)”, so now I’m definitely intrigued. I’m always on the lookout for good napalm.
5411 is a great place to stop in for a quick, relatively inexpensive bite. All empanadas are $2.50 each, not counting extras like sauces. Although the space at neither location is large, if you time it right the WP location seats at least 6 comfortably. It’s also open until 2am Thursday – Saturday, and let me tell you it’s a MUCH better late night food option than your usual fast food fare.
It also makes for a great simple date spot as the space is intimate and the tapas-style menu encourages experimentation and sharing (unless you’re stingy. Which, in that case, you probably don’t see many dates to begin with). Delivery is also an option, all the way to Harrison going south and California going west, but they’ll deliver further with some advance notice.
What: Perfectly created, authentic empanadas
Where: 5411 Empanadas, (Lakeview) 2850 N Clark St., (Wicker Park) 2045 W North Ave., or Follow the Truck
When: Wicker Park: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sun-Wed, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Thur-Sat, Lakeview: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun-Thur, 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Fri-Sat
Tip: Visit the Wicker Park location if you plan on dining in.
MAN ABOUT TOWN (MAT) RATING, OUT OF 5 MANHATTANS
