La Empanada Loca: where every bite tells a story

For the past nine years, William Martinez has been the mind and heart of La Empanada Loca in Oakland. He is from Puerto Rico and first lived in New York, then Tampa, and once he moved to South Florida, he noticed there weren’t many authentic Puerto Rican restaurants, and that’s when he got the idea. 

Situated on a corner in Oakland, a small piece of Puerto Rico offers a taste that feels just like home. La Empanada Loca might not catch your eye at first. Yet, this cozy restaurant is a hidden gem, almost like a portal to Puerto Rico waiting to be discovered. 

Beautiful pictures of the island adorn the outside of the restaurant, and the Puerto Rican flag is painted on the front doors. Once you walk in, you’re instantly transported to the streets of San Juan. The warm hello from owner William Martinez, Marc Anthony music playing in the background, and the inviting smell of garlic, plantains, and pork, make it feel like more than just a restaurant.  

For the past nine years, Martinez has been the mind and heart of La Empanada Loca in Oakland. He is from Puerto Rico and first lived in New York, then Tampa, and once he moved to South Florida, he noticed there weren’t many authentic Puerto Rican restaurants, and that’s when he got the idea. 

“I live nearby, and there was nothing like this here,” Martinez explained. “There’s a lot of Latin food, but not Puerto Rican food. I wanted to bring that here.”

His vision has transformed La Empanada Loca into a place for anyone not only craving food from the island but also anyone seeking the flavors of the Caribbean.

The space itself reflects the essence of Puerto Rican hospitality: simple yet vibrant with music, warm people, colorful decorations, and a welcoming energy.

Mofongo and trifongo: Puerto Rico’s signature dishes

It’s no surprise that two of the menu’s protagonists are mofongo and trifongo. Mofongo, a dish Martinez describes as quintessentially Puerto Rican, is made from green plantains that are fried, mashed, and seasoned with garlic, butter, and herbs. Its texture, similar to mashed potatoes, provides the perfect base for a variety of toppings, from pork to beef and even seafood.

For those looking to mix things up, there’s trifongo, an amazing variation of the dish that combines green plantains, sweet plantains, and yuca. “If you like sweet and salty flavors, trifongo is perfect,” Martinez said with a smile.

And then there’s the chuleta can-can, a jaw-dropping three-pound pork chop. “It’s more than a meal—it’s an experience,” Martinez added, describing the crispy chicharrón topping and tender meat as the ultimate celebration of Puerto Rican flavor. He also noted that while these dishes are traditionally Puerto Rican, the distinct flavors owe much to the chef’s secrets.

A culinary tour of island traditions

As explained by chef Martinez, a big part of Puerto Rican cuisine is rooted in its love for plantains and root vegetables, a reflection of the island’s agricultural abundance. Dishes like tostones, twice-fried slices of green plantains, are essential to any Puerto Rican table. Anything paired with arroz con gandules—a fragrant dish of rice and pigeon peas cooked with sofrito—creates a plate that embodies the essence of Puerto Rico.La Empanada Loca’s menu offers a variety of traditional dishes. The pasteles, a Caribbean twist on tamales, feature masa made from green bananas and yautía, wrapped in banana leaves and filled with seasoned pork. “Every dish has a story,” Martinez shared. 

For appetizer lovers, the alcapurrias, golden fritters stuffed with beef or seafood, are a must. And then there are the empanadillas, Puerto Rico’s take on empanadas, filled with everything from chicken to pizza toppings. “In Puerto Rico, everyone knows about empanadillas de pizza,” Martinez said with a laugh. “It’s a little piece of childhood.”

More than a meal

For Martinez, La Empanada Loca is more than a restaurant—it’s a labor of love and a bridge between cultures. “Food is a powerful way to share who you are,” he said. Every dish at La Empanada Loca tells a story, crafted with care and authenticity.

Whether you’re trying the strong and exotic taste of mofongo, savoring the crispy layers of a chuleta can-can, or simply enjoying the warmth of the space, La Empanada Loca invites you to experience Puerto Rico in every bite.

As Martinez put it best, “Everything here is delicious. Come try it all—you’ll feel like you’re in Puerto Rico.”

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