El Machetico's signature empanada, legendary among locals for its size and generous filling. The corn dough is fried in plenty of oil, giving it a distinctly golden, almost caramelized exterior. Inside is tender, well-seasoned shredded beef. This is not health food—it's comfort food, the kind of empanada you crave after a night out or before a long day of work.
Tips from diners
Get napkins—lots of them. The grease is intentional and part of the charm. Eat standing up at the counter or take it with you.
At 1,800 COP, this is one of the cheapest meals in El Poblado. Get two and you're full and happy for under 4,000 pesos.
Chicken-filled empanada with the same generous portions and fried approach as the beef.
Tips from diners
Chicken is just as good as beef here—if you can't decide, get one of each.
Fried potato ball stuffed with meat and cheese, a Colombian classic.
Tips from diners
If empanadas are sold out (rare but it happens at odd hours), the papa rellena is an excellent alternative—similar flavor and equally satisfying.
Fried cheese sticks, a simple side to pair with empanadas.
Tips from diners
Great as a side if you're ordering multiple empanadas or to share with friends.
Five empanadas of mixed varieties to take home.
Tips from diners
Perfect for a party or gathering—cheap, filling, and feeds a group. Ask them to do a mix of beef and chicken.
Founded in 1985, Empanadas El Machetico has been a fixture of El Poblado's late-night food scene for four decades. Operating from 3 AM to 10 PM, they've cornered the market on cravings at odd hours—whether you're heading home from dinner or catching breakfast before work. The empanadas are big, greasy, and intentionally so—they're not trying to be refined, just delicious. Multiple reviews mention they're the place 'Colombians' go, not tourists, and the 40-year run proves the locals know what they're doing.
Open from 3 AM (yes, in the morning) to 10 PM, El Machetico covers every eating occasion. Come for breakfast, lunch, pre-dinner snack, or post-night-out food.
This is a walk-up counter operation with no seating. People eat standing at the counter or take their food with them. It's purely street food.
The friendly owner, 'Nico', has been running this for years. It's a neighborhood institution where regulars know their orders by heart.
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