Cheeky Latin Soulfood · Wilmington, Delaware

Sharing the flavors of my soul with the community.

Colombian-inspired empanadas made with intention, real saffron, and love — one pocket at a time.

Pockets of Joy.

The Story

First-generation. Full of flavor. Rooted in love.

My Mum Mum Alicia emigrated from Tuluá, Colombia when she was 18 years old. She taught me how to cook with Núñez love and Colombian flavors. I used her guidance and learned how to make empanadas on my own. It all came full circle in 2023 when I taught her how to make empanadas. I am Michelle Alicia — her namesake.

Alongside my life partner Michael Bader and Michael's daughter, my bonus young lady Charlotte, I built Empánalgas from the ground up — one empanada at a time, one community connection at a time. The name itself is a little cheeky, a little bold, and entirely me.

Michelle and Michael in the Empánalgas kitchen

Michelle & Michael — the team behind every pocket

Michael and Charlotte holding the Empanadas banner at a pop-up

Michael & Charlotte — family is the whole point

"Every empanada is a pocket of joy and positive energy."
— Michelle Rodenheiser, Founder

Roots

Tuluá, Colombia

The Núñez family homeland in Valle del Cauca — where the flavors, the warmth, and the spirit of Empánalgas were born.

The Colors

Every color tells a story.

Yellow

Corn. Abundance. The reiki vision that started it all.

Blue

Las Brisas. The strong breeze. Water, freedom, and the open road.

Pink

Maternal love. The warmth passed down through generations.

The Craft

It takes a long time. That's the point.

The guiso — the slow-cooked stew at the heart of each empanada — is made with patience and the best ingredients available. Real saffron goes into every single dough. The masa is prepared by hand. Nothing is rushed.

And then there's the sauce. Ají is Empánalgas' mother sauce. Spicy, alive, and deeply personal — it makes empanadas, soups, eggs, tortilla chips, and so much more dance. If Michelle were a food, she would be her ají (pronounced ah-hee).

Raw dough balls and shaped empanadas on a sheet tray — the masa process

Two golden empanadas fresh from the oven

Victoria tortilla press — Made in Colombia — with a dough ball

Ají: the soul of the plate. Pronounced ah-hee.

Real saffron in every dough. Slow-cooked guiso. Handmade masa. High-quality ingredients, always.

Partners & Community

Built together.

Empánalgas exists because of community. These are the people and places who believed in Michelle's vision — and helped bring it to life.

Find Empánalgas at

Jamestown Catering

Catering partner

Park Café

2510 W. 5th St, Wilmington — our home base

Scout Café

Wilmington, DE

Semilla Bread USA

Wilmington, DE

Swigg Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits

Wilmington, DE

With gratitude to

The Wilmington and Delaware community has supported Empánalgas from the very beginning. Deep gratitude to:

Nick's PizzaFault Line PaperAztec PrintingWilmington Brew WorksAnd many others who believed early

Someone enjoying an Empánalgas empanada at a community event

"Pockets of joy."

News & Events

Come find us.

Pop-ups, happy hours, community dinners — we show up where the people are.

Featured Event

August 13, 20266:00 PM

Empanadas Happy Hour at Park Café

Park Café · 2510 W 5th Street, Wilmington, DE

Join us for a flavorful evening featuring mini empanadas and your choice of beer, wine, or a cocktail. Tickets are $35 per person and include empanadas, one drink, and gratuity.

$35 per person

Get Tickets

Coming Soon

Community Pop-Up

Wilmington, DE

We're planning something special for the community that built us. Stay tuned.

Ongoing

Wholesale & Catering

Greater Delaware Area

Empánalgas is available for wholesale and catering. Reach out to bring us to your next event.

Corporate & Private Events

Bring Empánalgas to your next event.

In partnership with Jamestown Catering, we offer full-service empanada experiences for corporate events, private dinners, and special occasions across the greater Delaware area.

In partnership with

Jamestown Catering

Inquiries

Let's work together.

Interested in wholesale, partnership, or bringing Empánalgas to your event or venue? We'd love to hear from you.

✉

Wholesale & partnership inquiries welcome

☎

(302) 256-7845

@Empanalgas302