Horrible service lady didn’t even say hello smell horrible in there too empanadas $4 each it’s insane this like a corner store so need need for the outrageous price on
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Vladimir Andral
The empanadas were truly bad, worst I've ever had - crust soft, meat flavorless. The rice and beans was just blah and the fried plantains were undercooked. All around not good food. I ended up tossing most of it. To top it off, the cashier was not too friendly and didn't seem to want to help me chose what to order. I rarely leave such a bad review, but I had to on this one.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Hildebrandt Huaman garcia
Very bad service, the last straw is that they prepare the same dishes.
Christeal R
We placed a large order of a variety of food. Unfortunately, we weren’t impressed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Stephen Sudano
The empanada dough was too thick for my liking. Empanada flavors we tasted included chicken; chicken and cheese; beef and cheese; spinach; Peruvian mac and cheese, which seemed like regular mac and cheese to us. Fried plantains are good. Dolce de lecce cookie was so-so. We ordered the dolce de lecce empanada too, which was better than the cookie. The yellow rice and chorizo didn’t taste homemade — when it comes to rice, if it tastes like I could have made it better, it’s a big let-down. We ordered chips and guacamole and didn’t select “extra guacamole,” and were a little disappointed by the size of the standard container, too.
Food: 2
Recommended dishes: Spinach and Cheese, Fried Plantains, Empanada, Beef and Cheese, Cheesy Chicken
Thomas M.
Peru has some of the best cuisine in the world. Sadly this place doesn't nearly live up to that standard. I came to this place years ago when it was in Crestwood Plaza (something like 10 years ago) and it was very good, very fresh and fairly healthy, so I'm unsure why there was a decline in quality. Although the dishes here are very much Peruvian, they seemed tuned to milder Ecuadorian palates. The empanadas I've had have been fairly greasy, lacking in flavor, and not very fresh. Absolutely nothing close to the amazing empanadas I've had in Lima or Peruvian restaurants in NYC. Ají de gallina is one of the signature Peruvian comfort foods, but theirs was fairly bland. The arroz con pollo was very plain and oily. At least their green sauce is good. The place itself has sadly not been kept well - it was a little grungy inside, nothing like the clean space I remember from their old location. The people running the place are nice, even if they seemed a bit aloof. I'm always a little sad when I go by this place. I love Peruvian food, but this place has nothing for me.
Gabrielle Nagle
Beef and cheesy chicken Empanadas came unseasoned on the inside. Green sauce was very good though.
Jess
The woman at the counter didn’t seem to understand me, just said no to everything. Disappointing bc the online menu is not correct so once I went in to pick up, I wasn’t able to add items that I now see are actually on the menu. The food is great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Timothy Stockholm
Well, howdy y'all! If you ever find yourself wanderin' 'round Albany, NY, and you get a hankerin' for some downright delicious grub, you best mosey on over to Llama Empanada at 469 Delaware Ave. I reckon it's a place you won't soon forget.Now, I done went there and ordered myself three empanadas and a passion fruit lemonade to wash it all down. Let me tell y'all, every single bite screamed fresh and homemade. Felt just like when Ma used to whip up somethin' special in our old country kitchen back home.The empanadas I tried? Chicken and cheese, beef and cheese, and - hold your horses - chorizo and cabbage. That last one? It hit me right in the feels. Reminded me of the glucke my Polish Babcia used to make on those cold Appalachian nights. Only difference? This was wrapped in a crispy, tender, flaky crust that'd make any country boy's heart sing.Now, I gotta tip my hat to the folks workin' at Llama Empanada. It was hotter than a summer's day in July inside that restaurant, and yet, these folks were workin' like it was nothin', crafting culinary masterpieces. I couldn't bear that heat myself, but I reckon their dedication's somethin' fierce. Makes the food taste even better, knowin' the love and sweat that went into it.Had to grab my order to-go 'cause of that heat, but you best believe I'll be ridin' back to Llama Empanada for another round of those mouthwatering empanadas.Till then, y'all keep ridin', eatin', and enjoyin' the simple pleasures. And if you're ever in Albany, don't miss out on this gem!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabbage and Chorizo, Empanada
Pauline L.
I have a new ideal for comfort food. It's the Arroz con Pollo lunch special from La Empanada Llama in Albany. I wasn't having a bad day and I wasn't looking for comfort --but one bite of that Arroz con Pollo--and my day got even better. It's all in the seasonings which at times seem magical. The restaurant serves up Peruvian cuisine. I placed the takeout order by phone. The woman who answered was very nice. Of course, I had to try the empanadas, too. They were plump, hot and crispy. I ordered one beef empanada, which came with delicious light green cilantro sauce. I also ordered the Dulce de Leche empanada which was filled deliciously sweet gooey goodness. I also had a purple corn beverage called Chicha Morada. It was very tasty. The staff is efficient. My order was ready in 20 minutes. The restaurant is small, but you'll find there's seating for casual dining. There are two large toy llamas on display to "greet" you as soon as you open the front door. What an enjoyable lunch. I can't wait to visit again and work my way through the rest of the menu.
The staff is nice. The food was not to my liking, but it may be to yours. It may be that I'm just not accustomed to the textures and flavors. I tried stewed chicken, rice, beans, and plantain. We also had roasted pork. It was just okay.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Julio Andujar
Empanadas were delicious and healthy. Bought a dozen...four different flavors. Not greasy and good size.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Empanada
RITA RANTS
They serve some of the BEST empanadas in Albany! The chicken in the chicken empanadas is so tender. The cabbage and chorizo empanadas are fantastic. Don't forget to grab some "green sauce" it pairs so perfectly! If you get a chance, try their rice and beans, too! Also, try to call ahead if you want to place an order.Parking: You have to park on the street. There is no parking lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arroz Con Pollo Empanadas, Cabbage and Chorizo, Avocado, Fried Plantains, Empanada, Tres Leches Cake, Empanadas and Beans and Rice, Arrow Con Pollo, Rice and Beans
S Henson
Best empanadas in the county, interior is not too nice however the food and the atmosphere make up for it. Chicken empanadas are the best here. They also have a stand at the Delmar farmers market.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Empanada, Rice and Beans
Sofia M.
Nothing like a Peruvian grandma's kitchen, food did not have any flavor and the place was not clean by any means. Tables were super dusty and full of food crumbs. Will not be going back.
Horrible service lady didn’t even say hello smell horrible in there too empanadas $4 each it’s insane this like a corner store so need need for the outrageous price on
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
The empanadas were truly bad, worst I've ever had - crust soft, meat flavorless. The rice and beans was just blah and the fried plantains were undercooked. All around not good food. I ended up tossing most of it. To top it off, the cashier was not too friendly and didn't seem to want to help me chose what to order. I rarely leave such a bad review, but I had to on this one.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Very bad service, the last straw is that they prepare the same dishes.
We placed a large order of a variety of food. Unfortunately, we weren’t impressed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
The empanada dough was too thick for my liking. Empanada flavors we tasted included chicken; chicken and cheese; beef and cheese; spinach; Peruvian mac and cheese, which seemed like regular mac and cheese to us. Fried plantains are good. Dolce de lecce cookie was so-so. We ordered the dolce de lecce empanada too, which was better than the cookie. The yellow rice and chorizo didn’t taste homemade — when it comes to rice, if it tastes like I could have made it better, it’s a big let-down. We ordered chips and guacamole and didn’t select “extra guacamole,” and were a little disappointed by the size of the standard container, too.
Food: 2
Recommended dishes: Spinach and Cheese, Fried Plantains, Empanada, Beef and Cheese, Cheesy Chicken
Peru has some of the best cuisine in the world. Sadly this place doesn't nearly live up to that standard. I came to this place years ago when it was in Crestwood Plaza (something like 10 years ago) and it was very good, very fresh and fairly healthy, so I'm unsure why there was a decline in quality. Although the dishes here are very much Peruvian, they seemed tuned to milder Ecuadorian palates. The empanadas I've had have been fairly greasy, lacking in flavor, and not very fresh. Absolutely nothing close to the amazing empanadas I've had in Lima or Peruvian restaurants in NYC. Ají de gallina is one of the signature Peruvian comfort foods, but theirs was fairly bland. The arroz con pollo was very plain and oily. At least their green sauce is good. The place itself has sadly not been kept well - it was a little grungy inside, nothing like the clean space I remember from their old location. The people running the place are nice, even if they seemed a bit aloof. I'm always a little sad when I go by this place. I love Peruvian food, but this place has nothing for me.
Beef and cheesy chicken Empanadas came unseasoned on the inside. Green sauce was very good though.
The woman at the counter didn’t seem to understand me, just said no to everything. Disappointing bc the online menu is not correct so once I went in to pick up, I wasn’t able to add items that I now see are actually on the menu. The food is great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Well, howdy y'all! If you ever find yourself wanderin' 'round Albany, NY, and you get a hankerin' for some downright delicious grub, you best mosey on over to Llama Empanada at 469 Delaware Ave. I reckon it's a place you won't soon forget.Now, I done went there and ordered myself three empanadas and a passion fruit lemonade to wash it all down. Let me tell y'all, every single bite screamed fresh and homemade. Felt just like when Ma used to whip up somethin' special in our old country kitchen back home.The empanadas I tried? Chicken and cheese, beef and cheese, and - hold your horses - chorizo and cabbage. That last one? It hit me right in the feels. Reminded me of the glucke my Polish Babcia used to make on those cold Appalachian nights. Only difference? This was wrapped in a crispy, tender, flaky crust that'd make any country boy's heart sing.Now, I gotta tip my hat to the folks workin' at Llama Empanada. It was hotter than a summer's day in July inside that restaurant, and yet, these folks were workin' like it was nothin', crafting culinary masterpieces. I couldn't bear that heat myself, but I reckon their dedication's somethin' fierce. Makes the food taste even better, knowin' the love and sweat that went into it.Had to grab my order to-go 'cause of that heat, but you best believe I'll be ridin' back to Llama Empanada for another round of those mouthwatering empanadas.Till then, y'all keep ridin', eatin', and enjoyin' the simple pleasures. And if you're ever in Albany, don't miss out on this gem!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabbage and Chorizo, Empanada
I have a new ideal for comfort food. It's the Arroz con Pollo lunch special from La Empanada Llama in Albany. I wasn't having a bad day and I wasn't looking for comfort --but one bite of that Arroz con Pollo--and my day got even better. It's all in the seasonings which at times seem magical. The restaurant serves up Peruvian cuisine. I placed the takeout order by phone. The woman who answered was very nice. Of course, I had to try the empanadas, too. They were plump, hot and crispy. I ordered one beef empanada, which came with delicious light green cilantro sauce. I also ordered the Dulce de Leche empanada which was filled deliciously sweet gooey goodness. I also had a purple corn beverage called Chicha Morada. It was very tasty. The staff is efficient. My order was ready in 20 minutes. The restaurant is small, but you'll find there's seating for casual dining. There are two large toy llamas on display to "greet" you as soon as you open the front door. What an enjoyable lunch. I can't wait to visit again and work my way through the rest of the menu.
Restaurantji Recommends
The staff is nice. The food was not to my liking, but it may be to yours. It may be that I'm just not accustomed to the textures and flavors. I tried stewed chicken, rice, beans, and plantain. We also had roasted pork. It was just okay.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Empanadas were delicious and healthy. Bought a dozen...four different flavors. Not greasy and good size.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Empanada
They serve some of the BEST empanadas in Albany! The chicken in the chicken empanadas is so tender. The cabbage and chorizo empanadas are fantastic. Don't forget to grab some "green sauce" it pairs so perfectly! If you get a chance, try their rice and beans, too! Also, try to call ahead if you want to place an order.Parking: You have to park on the street. There is no parking lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arroz Con Pollo Empanadas, Cabbage and Chorizo, Avocado, Fried Plantains, Empanada, Tres Leches Cake, Empanadas and Beans and Rice, Arrow Con Pollo, Rice and Beans
Best empanadas in the county, interior is not too nice however the food and the atmosphere make up for it. Chicken empanadas are the best here. They also have a stand at the Delmar farmers market.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Empanada, Rice and Beans
Nothing like a Peruvian grandma's kitchen, food did not have any flavor and the place was not clean by any means. Tables were super dusty and full of food crumbs. Will not be going back.