National Empanada Day Celebrations

The empanada will have it's day on Friday, April 8. River North restaurants Nacional 27 and Cantina Laredo will celebrate National Empanada Day with discounted empanadas, Latin libations and more.

Nacional 27 will offer an array of empanadas for just $1.50 each on Friday, April 8. Chef Chico Vilchez will feature four flavors from 5:30-10:30 p.m.: Queso with pepper jack, cream cheese, chipotle salsa; Chicken with roasted vegetables and lemon mustard; Short Rib with caramelized onion and pepper jack cheese; and Apple Cinnamon (dine-in only). Pair your empanadas with Nacional 27's extensive list of Latin libations, house made sangria, wine and cervezas.

Cantina Laredo will recognize Empanada Day with half-priced empanadas in the upstairs lounge on Friday, April 8 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. The modern Mexican restaurant offers two types of empanadas: Empanadas de Chorizo y Camarones (chorizo, shrimp, monterey jack, queso fresco, chile de arbol sauce $4.50); and Empanadas de Pollo (chicken, roasted poblano peppers, oaxaca cheese $5). The empanadas are regularly priced at $9-$10 and come three to an order. While noshing on 'nadas, enjoy Cantina Laredo's happy hour drink specials, including half-priced Casaritas (frozen and rocks), house wine and beer from 3:30-6:30 p.m.