Take an empanada, a South American stuffed dough, and give it a New Orleans twist and it becomes Empanola.
Bring a franchise to South Mississippi and it will be Empanola Biloxi — opening in just a few weeks next to Smoothie King at 310 Popp’s Ferry Road near the corner of Pass Road in Biloxi.
Everyone he’s ever seen try one of these pocket sandwiches has loved them, said Timothy Lombardi-Benson, who presented his plans to the Biloxi Development Review Committee Wednesday.
Even before they open in West Biloxi, he and husband Frank Lombardi-Benson plan to expand to downtown, he said.
“We’re planning on opening a second location at the end of the year in the Barq Building that’s being renovated,” he said.
NOLA-inspired menu
Empanadas are popular in South America. The owners of Empanola, who are from Argentina and Chili, opened in New Orleans in 2017 with ”Latin-inspired, Louisiana-influenced and lots of vegetarian flavors,” according to their website.
The menu at the Biloxi restaurant will feature New Orleans flavors like crawfish etouffee and gumbo.
“They’re easy to eat,” he said, and for a bit of heat come with spicy sauces for dipping.
Also on the menu are shrimp and cheese, mushroom and cheese, ham and queso, chorizo Mexicana and South American specialties.
They also have a couple of sweet choices for those who want dessert, Lombardi-Benson said.
More selections
The sandwiches are priced at about $4 to $4.50, he said, and will be available as a grab-and go meal and as combinations meals paired with soup, salad and drinks.
A selection of homemade soups, a full salad bar and hot and cold drinks also are on the menu, he said.
Lombardi-Benson said he recently sold a business in New Orleans and this is his first restaurant. The couple are based in New Orleans and also own a weekend home in Biloxi that he said is becoming more of their primary home as they prepare to open their new restaurant.