With more than 60 years of experience in the city, "Empanadas Famosas" is a classic of Porteño gastronomy. Despite the arrival of social networks and other applications, the empanada factory, located in Salvador Donoso, maintains its popularity thanks to word of mouth, as customers remain loyal by calling them on the phone or waiting outside their premises to eat one of their delicious empanadas.
We talked to Andrea Cárcamo, one of the partners of the restaurant, about the origin of this factory that still maintains a gastronomic image of great richness in flavors.
- Andrea, tell us how did Empanadas Famosas come about?
"One of those owners was a friend of my family and then my family decided to buy the business in '86, the business belonged to my mother, but then she got sick and I took over, and it became mine in 2004".
-And why does it bear this name?
"For as long as I can remember this place has had the same name, before it was called "Las Famosas" now it is called "Empanadas Famosas" but it has always been related to that name, depending on the owner, but it is because it was the first place to sell this product in Valparaíso", she answers.
- It is a redundancy, but why are Empanadas Famosas so famous?
"Because we have a quality product and we have tradition. Within the business I am the youngest working, we have cooks working for more than 37 years as well as the saleswomen and I trust my workers faithfully. In addition, we vary according to the needs of the porteño, before our empanadas were only of meat and cheese but then the factory started with other types of empanadas, we see what people like in order to sell".
-Andrea, what does it mean to you to have this store in a city like Valparaíso?
"I am grateful to have this business because it has fed not only me, but also the workers, however having the business in the center of Valparaiso has had its disadvantages because the social outbreak, street closures and now the pandemic played against us, but we have managed to survive the adversity with effort and thanks to the local public".
Customers can call (32) 222 7497 to order and pick up their empanadas or go directly to the store located at Salvador Donoso #1347, Valparaíso.