The Mamas & The Papas

by Jordana Rothman for Gothamist February 8, 2007

Book-ending 85th street in Jackson Heights, Mama’s Empanadas and Papa’s Empanadas caught Gothamist’s attention on a recent food-finding mission to the borough...

...Wars fought over family recipes, secret ingredients leaked to sources undeserving, bitter enmities born of pockets of dough! An angry pair of merchants courting Jackson Heights with prices plummeting in succession, specials competing for the greatest value, wildly creative fillings fashioned only for the laurels of having been there first—a kind of culinary dueling banjos forever noodling on Northern Boulevard...

...In fact, Mama’s and Papa’s is a friendly affair, the brainchild of Alberto Bastidias...

Mama’s Empanadas
85-05 Northern Blvd.
Queens, NY 11372
718-505-9937

Papa’s Empanadas
84-17 Northern Blvd.
Queens, NY 11372
718-507-0400