A Moment for an Empanada

There are some places you almost hate to share with others. I think of the lines around the block at Salumi, and how I rarely have the will to wait that long for a porchetta sandwich. The other side of me wants to shout it from the rooftops when I find something so delicious because in Seattle if you bake it, they will flock. Good food can't be kept a secret for long.

But Seattle being a city of neighborhoods, it's easy to miss some things. Like these empanadas from Villa Victoria in Columbia City. Oh why has it taken me so long to find you, you wonderful little pockets of sweet meaty goodness? Perhaps I was too fixated on tahini cookies and pretzel buns from Columbia City Bakery. These beef empanadas are studded with plump raisins and lightly spiced, with a touch of cinnamon. I think dozen of these and some cold beer just became an official weekly staple for me. I still haven't tried the burritos and tamales, mostly because the empanadas and fried plantains are that good.

Villa Victoria
3829 S. Edmunds Street, Columbia City
Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30a to 7:00p