Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Titi's NYC Inspired Empanadas is expanding from Williamsburg to the East Village (first reported here), opening its new outpost today (yes, Friday the 13th) at 130 E. Seventh St., just west of Avenue A.
"People asked me, are you really opening on Friday the 13th? Why? 'Hey, I gotta pay the rent,'" joked co-owner Jesus Villalobos (below right with co-owner Nate Ramm).
Villalobos and Ramm are bringing their popular lineup of Latin-inspired empanadas to the new outpost, which will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 4 a.m.
There was a friends-and-family test run last night...
The new shop will feature a rotating "empanada of the week" — a limited-run of 100 special-edition empanadas with creative fillings, such as fish-cheek crab curry and a fried eggplant, broccoli rabe, and beef combo.
"We want to be part of the community," said Ramm. Villalobos added that they aim to "pay homage and represent the Latino flavors that are the New York we grew up in."
A walk-up window will offer grab-and-go coffee and snacks. Beer and wine are coming soon.
And while patacones fans may be out of luck for now — they're only available at sister restaurant Cachapas Y Mas. Villalobos and Ramm offered to have a patacones empanada as a special of the week if I showed up to help. (Will keep EVG readers apprised if that comes to fruition!)
