About Us
Not the Plan, But the Dream
Meet the Team
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![Group of five people smiling in a cafe, holding cartoon food and ice cream props, with a green wall and neon signs in the background.]()
Mpanadas Family
Faces Behind the Business
Mpanadas is our family’s story brought to life through creative empanadas, good food, and a welcoming place for our community. -
![A smiling man wearing a white cap with a bear illustration and the word 'MPANADAS,' a navy blazer, white shirt, and an orange smartwatch, sitting near a window.]()
Jesse Correa
CEO/Owner
The heartbeat of the cafe, keeping everything running and making every guest feel at home. -
![A woman smiling and holding a tray of baked pastries in a commercial kitchen, with baked goods on a rack in the background.]()
Gabriela Rojas
CMO/Owner
The creative behind the brand, bringing Mpanadas to life through design, marketing, and everything you see. -
![A woman smiling at a food stall with trays of cookies, cups of cream, and other items, wearing a black T-shirt with a logo that says 'MPANADAS COFFEE'.]()
Paola Herbas
CPO/Owner
The flavor creator behind our unique empanada recipes and the bold combinations that make our menu different.
How It All Started
Mpanadas began with a simple idea: bring bold empanadas, coffee, and sweet treats to Columbia Pike in Arlington, VA. What started as Marcelo’s vision soon became a true family business.
When plans unexpectedly changed, Paola, Gabriela, and Jesse jumped in—and together, we built Mpanadas into what it is today: a warm, welcoming spot centered around creative flavors, great food, and community.
Meet the Owners
Gabriela – The creative behind the brand, bringing Mpanadas to life through design, marketing, and everything you see.
Paola – The flavor creator behind our unique empanada recipes and the bold combinations that make our menu different.
Jesse – The heartbeat of the café, keeping everything running and making every guest feel at home.
More Than Empanadas
We’re proud to be a family-owned restaurant in Arlington, VA, serving Columbia Pike one empanada at a time. Whether you stop by for lunch, coffee, catering, or your favorite empanada, we want Mpanadas to feel like a place you’ll always want to come back to.
Come hungry. Find empanadas!
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
Connect with Us on Social Media
FAQs
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OHH YES—Mpanadas caters to everything!
Weddings? ✔️
Corporate lunches? ✔️
Office parties? ✔️
Birthdays, baby showers, game nights, random Tuesday cravings? ✔️✔️✔️Visit our Catering page for more info.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.