Makus Empanadas Durham – A Taste of Argentina in the Bull City

What is an empanada?  It is a pastry that can be baked or fried, stuffed with a sweet or savory filling such as fruit, meat or vegetables and is cooked to a golden brown.  The cooking method (baking or frying), choice of stuffing and flours used to create these delicious turnovers vary by each country and region in Latin America and Spain.  My first memory of an empanada goes back to my childhood eating a delicious soft baked sweet calabaza (pumpkin) filled pastry sold in my home town panadería (bakery).  My fondest memory, however, takes me back to my days in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Argentine empanadas are not just food, but rather a sense of love, community, friendship and tradition enveloped in a hand sized pastry.  Foreigners identify beef as Argentina’s signature food, however, it is the empanada that reigns as the Queen amongst the Argentine.  I will be presumptuous to say that if you did not have an empanada when visiting Argentina, then you truly did not have the Argentine experience.  After my brief period in Buenos Aires, I did not expect to ever savor the same wonderful flavors of an empanada, until I ran into Makus empanadas.

My first experience sampling Makus empanadas was at a UNC Basketball Game.  I was in awe at first bite of the light golden brown pockets stuffed with spinach filling.  After this delicious bite, I knew a visit to Makus brick and mortar was in order.

The golden brown stuffed mini-pies are best shared in the company of friends.  That said, the day I visited Makus empanadas, my Argentine bestie joined me.  We ordered an assortment of beef, ham & cheese, sweet corn, spinach and veggie empanadas.  We were both instantly transported.  My friend was reminded of her home country and memories of her mom making empanadas.  I fondly recalled my days in Buenos Aires – the food, the people and the culture.  We were both so mesmerized and happy to enjoy these delicious pastries, that we ordered a second round including cochitos, a must try original Makus dessert.  It is no surprise that Makus Empanadas was voted Best new restaurant in 2016 and Best Latin/Caribbean restaurant in 2017 by Best of Durham.

 

Aside from the signature empanadas, guests can order chipa bread which is similar Brazil’s pao de queijo (cheese bread).  Side menu options include a spinach salad, black beans, rice, potato chips and coleslaw.  The empadog, a twist on the American classic, is a hot dog wrapped in an empanada crust, which is a popular with both kids and adults.  Dipping sauce fanatics have a choice of Chimichurri and Red Hot Sauce.  Makus Empanadas dessert options include sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, cochitos and dulce de leche.  I highly recommend my favorite, a cochito.  The house made dessert has buttery phyllo dough layered with dulce de leche topped with toasted coconut.

 

How did this delicious hand size turnover end up in North Carolina?  The story of Makus Empanadas begins with a lifetime friendship between brothers Hernan and Santiago Moyano and friend Ricky Yofre.   Hernan and Ricky have known each other since they were three years old.  As Hernan, Santiago and Ricky entered adulthood, they each took different paths to pursue a higher education, professional pursuits and personal journeys.  It was a chance encounter in Chicago that brought friends Hernan and Ricky together again.  It was during this reconnection that the idea of a business, more importantly a empanada business was born.

When the trio first started to plan their empanada venture, Ricky took a three-month Master Empanada Chef course in Argentina.  Hernan, a UNC Alumnus, led the marketing and sales strategy of the new business while Santiago led the legal and financial operations.  Through trial and error, the trio worked to develop and perfect the Makus empanadas and shortly, thereafter, launched an empanada catering business.  After maintaining a successful catering business and experiencing a demand for their product, the team built their first brick and mortar in Hope Valley Commons.

 

Fans of the golden pockets can also get their fix at the Durham Bulls Stadium, UNC Football and Basketball games and at the PNC Arena during NC State Basketball and Carolina Hurricane sporting events.  The eatery is also a part of the Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh.

Although Makus Empanadas does not provide home delivery, the restaurant has contracted third parties including Grub Hub, Uber Eats and Postmates to deliver locally.   I love sharing Makus at home with friends because it pairs perfectly with my home-made sangria recipe.  For the recipe read: Food Diary of a City Girl’s Sangria.

Makus has grown throughout the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area from the time of its inception to now.  If you do not have the opportunity to travel to Argentina, I can assure you that visiting Makus is a little taste of this beautiful country.  Makus Emapanadas brick and mortar restaurant is located in the Hope Valley Commons,1125 West NC Hwy 54, Suite #304 in Durham, NC 27707.