Quick empanada fix at Julia's Empanadas

This isn't your coworker's Hot Pocket.

Looking for quick street food in Adams Morgan? Julia's Empanadas is the spot. Located at 2452 18th ST NW, this humble take-away shop offers up a variety of handmade South American-style empanadas, including their vegan/vegetarian option. This special menu item changes weekly and is affordably priced (~$4) for an impressively-sized savory pastry.

According to Julia's online menu, the veggie empanada dough is made with puréed butternut squash. I didn't pick up on that flavor but did enjoy what was stuffed inside the thick, crusty shell. It was a lightly curried mix of pinto beans, cauliflower, collard greens, onion, and carrots. A satisfying, fresh, and fast fix.

They also had vegan black bean soup when I visited and some good-looking packaged salads. Julia's is open late night in Adams Morgan. Sadly, their Columbia Heights location closed recently. (It was too close to Sticky Fingers for me.) But they still have establishments in Dupont and Brightwood.

Julia's Empanadas