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@_elisamilan

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Flavor Jefa 🇵🇷|Champion of community|Featured in Essence Magazine| Spreading food, culture, and love | #AfroLatina @the_empanada_lady

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Nada time 👏🚨 x @the_empanada_lady

After seeing @_elisamilan share what happened to her restaurant, I knew I had to stop in and show some support.

And clearly, Baltimore had the same idea because they were SLAMMED 👏

The staff was working their tails off keeping up with orders, and despite how busy it was, everyone was doing their best to keep things moving. Loved seeing the community show up for them!

Now, let’s talk about those empanadas!! Crispy, packed with filling & flavor, and absolutely DELISH 🤤

So here’s your reminder to keep showing up! Grab some empanadas, bring a friend, tell somebody & support a local business that could really use the love right now.

#empanadas #baltimore #supportlocal #womenownedbusiness #drinklocal taken in Baltimore, Maryland by @_elisamilan

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7 days ago

When I tell you this Orioles experience has been a WHIRLWIND… whew. 😮‍💨🧡⚾️

Every single day, I’ve been out there HUSTLING.

“EMPANADAS! EMPANADAS! EMPANADAS!” 😂

But behind the chanting is something much bigger.

Every person who walks past our stand is an opportunity for me to tell them who we are, why our food is special, and why supporting a small, local, minority owned Baltimore business matters.

Being inside Camden Yards is an incredible opportunity. We’re meeting thousands of people who may have never heard of The Empanada Lady before, putting our food in their hands, telling them where the restaurant is, and hopefully turning a stadium customer into somebody who walks through our doors again and again.

And if you know me, you know I’m not standing behind the counter waiting for people to find us. 😂

I’m OUT THERE.

Chanting. Talking. Selling. Telling our story. Driving people back to the restaurant. Doing everything I’ve done since the beginning, just on a much bigger stage.

There’s something incredibly humbling about building a business for years and still being willing to stand in the middle of a stadium and yell “EMPANADAS!” until somebody turns around. 😂

No ego. Just hustle.

Camden Yards gave us the opportunity.

Now it’s my job to make sure Baltimore remembers The Empanada Lady. 🧡⚾️🇵🇷

And judging by how many times I’ve yelled “EMPANADAS” this week… they’re gonna remember us. 😂 taken in Orioles Park At Camden Yards by @_elisamilan

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2 months ago

Life lately has been a mix of soft moments, big wins, random plot twists and just enough stress to keep me humble. 😂

Somewhere between enjoying myself, protecting my peace, trying new things and figuring out what I actually want, @the_empanada_lady ended up in Camden Yards with the Orioles Aug 18-23. Still a little wild to say out loud.

I feel more present these days. Less attached to how things are supposed to look, less interested in forcing anything and way more comfortable letting life show me what it is.

I’m learning that everything doesn’t need an immediate reaction, an explanation or access to me. Sometimes you just enjoy the view, order another drink and mind your business. 😂

Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week.

Life is lifeing.

But I like where mine is going. ❤️ taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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2 months ago

You gotta move like you already know God got you. ✨

Three years in business. Thirty five years of life. Countless prayers answered, lessons learned, tears cried, and blessings received.

This journey hasn’t been easy. Building something from the ground up never is. But every setback, every long night, and every sacrifice was preparing me for this season.

I’m celebrating all month because I earned it. 🥂

If I missed you at the birthday celebration, come celebrate with me where it all happens. Stop by The Empanada Lady, grab a meal, raise a glass, and help me toast to three incredible years of business and a future that’s only getting brighter.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, shared, encouraged, prayed for, and believed in this dream. You are part of this story too.

Here’s to Year 3.
Here’s to 35.
Here’s to moving like you know God already made a way. 💛 taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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3 months ago

If you’ve never had Coquito made from an Afro-Latina grandma’s recipe… baby, today’s your lucky day. 🇵🇷💃
Rich. Creamy. Dangerous in all the right ways.
$30 a bottle • $11 a glass • Vegan + NA preorders
Plus the Coquito Espresso Martini because I believe in holiday joy and caffeine.

Pull up. Sip slow. Thank Abuela later. taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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10 months ago

✨ Intimate. Intentional. Flavorful.

Our tastings aren’t just about the food — they’re about connection. Every bite, every pour, every story shared around the table carries the soul of what we do and why we do it.

At The Empanada Lady, these moments are sacred. We get to slow down, be the foodies for once, and really explore what flavor means — the highs and lows, the sweetness and the bitters. It’s where culture meets creativity, and where strangers leave as family.

Our fall tasting was a perfect reminder of that magic — laughter echoing over empanadas, stories unfolding with each sip, people leaving not just full, but fulfilled.

This Saturday, we’re doing it again. 🍶
Our Coquito Tasting is a love letter to tradition — three variations of Puerto Rico’s most beloved holiday drink, paired with a full-course experience that feels like home. It’s nostalgic, soulful, and just the right amount of festive.

Seats are limited because that’s the point — we want it close, warm, and personal.

🎟️ Hit the link in bio to grab your spot.
Come for the flavors, stay for the familia.

Book @khamdoart for all your Videographer needs 📹

#TheEmpanadaLady #CoquitoTasting #BaltimoreEats #PuertoRicanPride #FoodWithSoul #AfroLatinaFlavors #IntimateDining #SipsAndSazón taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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a year ago

Grab your seat at the table! 🪩
Come vibe with @_elisamilan + @charmcitytable this Saturday at 6PM for a Coquito tasting you don’t want to miss! 🥂

✨ Your ticket includes:
💜 Tastings of Traditional, Pistachio, and Coquito Espresso Martini
🍴 Appetizer, entrée, and dessert
🎁 Take home a bottle of Coquito, a recipe card, and a special tea bag

Limited seats. Big flavor. Pure Boricua vibes. 🇵🇷
🎟️ Tap the link in bio to grab your spot before they’re gone! taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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a year ago

👋🏽 Allow me to (re)introduce myself…

I’m Elisa, founder of The Empanada Lady. For the new faces who’ve joined us recently—welcome to the familia. For those who’ve been with me since day one—back when I was frying empanadas out of my apartment kitchen—you already know this journey has been built on faith, flavor, and a whole lot of hustle.

It started in 2017 with a $200 bet that Puerto Rican food could thrive in Baltimore. I rolled empanadas by hand with my son and niece, sold them from my home, in parks, and at pop-ups. No culinary school, no silver spoon—just culture, community, and commitment. Fast forward, we’ve grown from those humble beginnings into a full downtown restaurant recognized as one of Baltimore’s Best All Around Restaurants (Baltimore Times 2024 & 2025), celebrated by Essence as a Top 9 to Visit in 2024, and honored with the Community Champion Award from the Pride Center of Baltimore (2025).

But here’s the thing—it’s never just been about food. Every empanada we serve fuels jobs for Baltimore, mentors young leaders, and preserves Afro-Latina culture. Supporting us means supporting many—because we believe we go further when we go together. That’s why we collaborate with some of the best and brightest businesses in this city, host fundraisers, and always say “yes” to building bridges.

We’re intentional about creating space—not just to eat, but to connect, fundraise, celebrate, and grow. If you want to collaborate or use our space, hit the email button on our page. And don’t forget—we cater! From corporate events to private celebrations, we bring sabor + soul straight to your table.

So whether you’re a foodie chasing bold flavor, a local looking for a vibe, a tourist exploring the city, or a professional planning your next big event—pull up a chair. You’re part of the story now.

Because here at The Empanada Lady, we don’t just serve plates. We serve purpose. And we do it together. 💛✨

📸 @philip.muriel

#TheEmpanadaLady #BaltimoreEats #FoodWithPurpose #BoricuaInBaltimore taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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a year ago

Truth is my name is not Lyndsey and Idk how to fix lights taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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a year ago

The Empanada Lady is creating safe spaces where culture is celebrated, voices are amplified, and community comes first.

We’re impacting the economy of Baltimore — creating jobs, keeping dollars circulating in our city, and showing that small businesses like mine can shift entire communities.

We’re pouring into the youth — showing them what’s possible, creating opportunities, and proving that where you start doesn’t have to be where you finish.

I’m running a restaurant, training a team, pitching investors, and planning for the next chapter — all while building something bigger than me. This started as a bet, but now it’s a mission:
To preserve Boricua culture.
To build generational wealth.
To leave a legacy that makes the next dreamer’s road a little easier.

Some days, I’m winning. Some days, I’m figuring it out on the fly. But no matter what, the plan doesn’t stop. Mood or no mood — we execute.

Baltimore, this is just the beginning. by @_elisamilan

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a year ago

From empanadas to impact 💥
Honored to be named a Community Champion by @pridecenterofbaltimore for my work uplifting the LGBTQ+ community and creating spaces that feel like home.

Grateful. Grounded. Still going.

Tomorrow‼️‼️ we celebrate at The Empanada Lady. You already know—bring your appetite and your whole self.

& thank you ! @maleka_holley my favorite MUA 😘😘

📸 @amgvisualss + @philip.muriel

#BaltimorePride #CommunityChampion #TheEmpanadaLady #RepresentationMatters #QueerJoy #LatinxExcellence taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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a year ago

Another trip around the sun. And what a year it’s been.

I’ve accomplished so much.

I’ve also been humbled—I’ve failed, I’ve been robbed, I’ve been heartbroken.
I’ve hired and fired. Built and rebuilt.
I’ve invested—in people, in this dream, in myself.

I’ve poured into my team. Created jobs. Mentored children.
Took not one, not two, but three accelerators to keep sharpening my edge.
I’m still a student to the game—and I always will be.

My son just finished his first year of high school.
And I’m over here running a restaurant, raising a young Black man, and holding space for growth—even when grief tried to take up all the room.

In just the past month, I laid to rest both my paternal grandmother and my aunt. Two matriarchs. Two losses. Back to back.
I traveled to bury them both and just laid my grandmother to rest this past Saturday.

And now—it’s my birthday.

I spent the entire day fully submerged in water.
There’s something so spiritual and cleansing about it.
Like I was rinsing off the pain and making space for what’s next.

I’m trying—really trying—to shift from grief to celebration.
Because even through the heartbreak, I am:

Grateful.
Healing.
Favored.
Still standing.

So if you see me smiling today, know this: it’s not because life’s been easy.
It’s because I’m still choosing joy. Still choosing purpose. Still choosing to rise. taken in the_empanada_lady by @_elisamilan

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a year ago