Somewhere in Illinois, behind a plain glass door and a case fogged with warmth, someone is folding dough around sweet potato and steak and pineapple. You do not expect much walking in, and then the first bite cracks and everything changes.
The best empanadas in this state rarely announce themselves, which is exactly why they are worth chasing down. Grab your keys and an empty stomach, because these seven spots reward the extra miles.
1. Panaderia Nuevo Leon
Tucked along 18th Street in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, this storefront bakery greets you with cases packed full of pan dulce, conchas, bolillos, and, of course, empanadas. It is the kind of place where the smell hits you before you even reach the counter.
Regulars swear the flavors taste like the panaderias back in Mexico, which is high praise for anyone hunting authenticity. The empanadas here are the draw, tender and generously filled, served up by friendly hands…