Williamsburg hit Titi's bringing the empanadas to 7th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Titi's, a family-owned restaurant in Williamsburg specializing in empanadas, is opening an outpost at 130 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue A this spring. 

I talked with co-owners (from left) Nate Ramm and Jesus Villalobos inside the space the other day...

Villalobos, whose family also runs the Venezuelan restaurant Cachapas y Mas, which has locations in Ridgewood and Inwood, says they will serve empanadas, cachapas, Cuban sandwiches, and coffee. There will be 18 varieties of empanadas, largely Venezuelan, although some fusion offerings are in the works. 

There will be two, maybe more, vegan options, plus vegetarian choices, and Villalobos tells me that about half the menu is gluten-free. 

"I like the neighborhood — it's a good place for our demographic," Villalobos says. "There are people willing to try different ethnic foods and are adventurous." 

He also pointed out his immediate neighbors. "There is a Latin/Caribbean corner here with Miss Lily's, Yuca Bar and 787 Coffee," he says. "It's a good fit for us."

Plans are for Titi's to be up and running the first week of May. 

Titi's topped The Infatuation's recent "Best Empanadas in NYC" list. (This Eater feature has more on Villalobos and his family.) 

While I was there, Villalobos was working on a donation to Trinity's Services and Food for the Homeless and EVLovesNYC. 

"We embrace community and want to be a part of the community," Villalobos says. 

This retail space was most recently the Instant Noodle Factory.