About Us

Not the Plan, But the Dream

How It All Started

It all began with Marcelo, our founder, who had a dream to create a cozy spot that brought together empanadas, coffee, and ice cream. He loved the idea of empanadas as fun, flavorful finger food and wanted to help a family member run a small café on Columbia Pike in Arlington. But life had other plans.

A Twist of Fate

When things didn’t go as expected, Marcelo called in his family — and just like that, a family business was born. That meant all hands on deck: Paola, Gabriela, and Jesse stepped in, and together, we dove headfirst into a journey we never imagined.

From Scratch to Something Special

None of us had planned to be on this culinary adventure, but we quickly found our rhythm. Each of us brought something unique to the table, and those unexpected turns? They led to something beautiful.

Meet the Family Behind Mpanadas

👩‍🎨 Gabriela – The creative force behind our brand. She built our visual identity, handles all things marketing, and made sure Mpanadas looked and felt like home.
👩‍🍳 Paola – The flavor magician. She gave life to our empanadas by crafting original fusion recipes that make each bite unforgettable.
👨‍💼 Jesse – The heartbeat of the café. He keeps things running smoothly, creates community, and makes sure every visit feels like you're part of the family.

More Than a Café

Mpanadas isn’t just a business — it’s a part of us. We’ve put our hearts into every detail, and we love sharing this space with you. We pride ourselves just as much on our service as we do our food. Whether you're here for a quick bite or a long chat over coffee, just know: you’re part of our story now, too.

Our Vision

Bringing people together with great food.

Our Mission

Cultivate moments of connection for all with our flavorful innovations.

At Mpanadas, we create more than just food—we create moments. Through bold flavors and heartfelt recipes, we bring people together, celebrate culture, and spark joy with every bite and sip.

Our Values

Bring joy and positivity to everything we do, being the kind of place our community and team members can always count on to brighten their day, especially when things get tough. We’re here to spread good vibes and make every moment a little lighter and happier.

Joy

We take pride in serving food and beverages that are expertly crafted with care, precision, and creativity. Our menu reflects a commitment to innovation and quality, ensuring every bite and sip is a perfect blend of flavor and artistry.

Craft

Foster a sense of family by treating every client with warmth, care, and respect, just like they’re one of our own. We’re dedicated to giving back and strengthening our local community in Arlington through meaningful charity work, collaborative partnerships, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Serve Community

Create a family-like atmosphere among our team, where we uplift, support, and inspire one another to grow, thrive, and reach our full potential together.

Serve Each Other

FAQs

  • Yes, we do!

    Please check out our Catering page for more info.

  • Our empanadas are a fusion of flavors inspired by various regions, making it “The American Empanada”. We aimed to create a unique experience by blending diverse tastes not commonly found in traditional empanadas, reflecting our mission to expand culinary horizons.

  • Our brand identity is deeply rooted in our Bolivian heritage, reimagined through a modern, minimal, yet creative lens. We wanted to honor our culture while giving it a fresh, contemporary feel—incorporating bold colors like orange to reflect the warmth, vibrancy, and spirit of our roots.

    The llama, an iconic symbol of Bolivia, also plays a key role in our visual story. As a proud family-owned business, it was important to keep the creative process close to home. Our brand’s visual identity was thoughtfully designed by Gabriela Rojas, blending tradition with modern design in a way that truly represents who we are.

  • We were inspired by the universal love for empanadas and how they represent the richness of Latin culture.

    What makes us truly special is our fusion—crafting recipes that step outside tradition to bring something unexpected and uniquely ours. By blending bold, creative flavors, we offer our customers a fresh take on a beloved classic.

  • We're proudly Bolivian—a family with deep roots in our culture. Our business reflects our heritage, and we're excited to share our unique flavors and passion with you.