Spanish Bakery & Café in St. Augustine: The Empanada Craze

At the Spanish Bakery & Café in St. Augustine, Florida, empanadas are a popular treat that quickly sells out. Manager Carol Miller notes that on busy days, trays of 16 empanadas can disappear within minutes. ‘There are times when we’ll sell through three trays within an hour,’ she mentioned to Fox News Digital, indicating strong customer demand.

The bakery’s reputation has grown thanks to tourists, recommendations, and social media. However, the empanadas have been part of St. Augustine’s culinary landscape since the bakery’s establishment in 1965. Miller shared, ‘We actually make everything from hand ourselves – the doughs, the mixes, pressing them, everything.’

Producing enough empanadas requires effort. Initially, creating 10 trays through hand-rolling took an entire eight-hour shift. A new rolling machine has reduced that to four hours. With 16 empanadas per tray, 160 are ready at a time.

Besides walk-in customers, some visit with the specific intention of tasting the famous empanadas, often spurred by mentions in news and social media posts. Located in St. Augustine’s historic district, the bakery enhances its Spanish-themed offerings in line with the city’s identity. Miller remarked, ‘Because we are mainly Spanish culture in the colonial quarter here, it’s nice that we go back to our Spanish roots here specifically.’

The distinction of having baked instead of fried empanadas appeals to those looking for a healthier option, especially in Florida’s warmer months. Miller explained that some customers mistakenly think the empanadas will be spicy due to Spanish culinary stereotypes. The bakery strives to make its food approachable for its diverse clientele.

The empanadas receive praise not only due to media buzz. For instance, Alexis Rapchak, a 12-year-old visitor from Ohio, tried the empanadas without prior knowledge of their fame, simply saying, ‘I didn’t. I just showed up.’ She found them ‘really good,’ particularly savoring the dough and filling.

With its location and food offerings, the Spanish Bakery & Café continues to attract both locals and tourists seeking hearty and authentic Spanish flavors.