Real Deal Empanadas in Tuckerton

El trato real.

What’s in a name?

You’ve read that before in this blog.

In the case of Lakotas Argentine Empanadas at the intersection of North Green Street and Route southbound ensconced in the locale of the former Dunkin’...everything.

When I first noticed the relatively new (opened in late December ‘23) region-specific takeout eatery,  it piqued an immediate culinary interest. Having fished Argentina in years past, I’d been fortunate enough to be availed to the epicurean delights in various parts of the country. From hamlets to towns to cities, from open fire spits to modern gourmet kitchens.

The constant?

Empanadas.

The buffalo wings of Central and South American finger food from Mexico down through Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Hmmm. Could this new player prove to be truly different? The empanadas experienced at various spots in the Garden State’s southern tier counties heretofore were, well, save for variations in fillings, pretty much all the fried fare same.

Enter Lakotas.

First, the name.

Explained Daniela Macias, “Our family migrated from Uruguay in the early 2000’s and lived in Elizabeth. Uruguayans and Argentines are very close in culture. We share the same foods and speak in a very similar way. Almost every weekend we would visit and enjoy empananads from the Uruguayan Argentine bakery. When we moved to the Tuckerton area a couple of years ago, it was a dream for us to share our culture with everyone here. When it was time to choose a name, Lakotas (“crazy fun”) was the perfect name because our customers go crazy for all our delicious flavors.”

Her excitement and pride were palpable in aroma rich storefront. Ditto mom Marcela Castano who arrived from the back with another tray of the headliner fare, sliding it into one of the shelves in the display case housing an expansive variety of the generously filled pastries, all labeled with a stamp telling what was inside the flaky, non-greasy enclosed crust. (Nice touch, that.)

Response has been nothing short of fantastic.

“We went through almost a thousand emapanadas our first weekend, and it’s been steady business since. We’re even getting customers from LBI,” added a smiling dad Gustavo Buran who was leaving for a pick up at one of his specialty meat purveyors in north Jersey.

It’s a 23 strong empanada roster that even includes a pair of dessert varieties. Of course there is the homemade chimichurri condiment, brick thick quiches, and also an eye-popping array ethnic cakes, pastries and cookies.

I ponied for 10 cross section that included the Chorizo, Argentina Beef, Buenos Aries, Caprese and Cuban, and also one of the dessert versions, the Guava & Cheese.

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From the first few bites it was a memory shot to the empanadas savored in Republica Argentina. At the suggestion of Marcela, they were enjoyed with a glass of Malbec wine. Others, like the Pulled Pork, Philly Cheese Steak, and Spicy Chorizo, are a great match with a cold bottle of suds.

Marcela enthused they are constantly experimenting with new fillings and promises that more choices will be added to the menu.

Lokatas’ (609-363-6906) formal address is 109 East Main Street (Route 9) and is open Tuesday through Sunday. There are a few parking spaces to the right of the entrance, with many more behind the establishment.

Es una buena oferta.

No matter how you say it, Lakotas Argentine Empanadas is the real deal.