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Downtown’s dining map just added a new pin. Empanissah’s, the Latin‑American fusion spot from local entrepreneur‑chef Anissah Sanchez, officially opened Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at 38 N. Park Row in the former Catfish Kitchen space. A 2:15 p.m. ribbon cutting launched an afternoon of tastings, music, and one‑day promotions during the 2–8 p.m. grand‑opening window.
On the menu: more than 10 handcrafted empanada flavors—sweet and savory—anchoring Latin‑inspired plates. Two headline ideas define the format: Create Your Plate, which lets guests customize an empanada with their choice of meat and sides, and the kids’ “Lil’ Empanaditos”, meant to introduce younger diners to the cuisine. The kitchen blends Puerto Rican and Dominican influences with home‑style American comfort; empanadas remain the signature.
Who’s behind it: Owner‑operator Anissah Sanchez cooked for Erie for years via a kitchen incubator and pop‑ups before opening a permanent home downtown. Community partners including Bridgeway Capital, the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, Radius CoWork, and Erie’s Black Wall Street helped bring the project to the finish line. Sanchez frames the space as equal parts flavor and culture—family, perseverance, and pride…