With an expansive menu, the empanadas from Rincon Argentino are about as good as Argentine hand pies can get. On a recent visit, we opted for a vegetarian trio, three empanadas each with its unique flavor profile and hand-crafted shape. The Espinaca comes full of spinach, onion, peppers, pine nuts and spices with a fresh lemon to squeeze on top of the squared pastry. Filled with a mixture of mozzarella and provolone cheeses along with green onion and spices in a crispy shell, the Queso y Cebolla is a savory treat. But the Hongos is the real star: a combination of wild mushrooms including cremini, oyster and shiitake are stuffed into the empanada dough with ample garlic and spices. Any three empanadas come with your choice of salsa and we typically tend toward the traditional Argentine Chimichurri sauce — a rich blend of fresh parsley, oregano, red peppers, garlic and other spices.Â
Rincon Argentino, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-442-4133, rinconargentinoboulder.com
