At the Spanish Bakery & Café in St. Augustine, Florida, empanadas disappear quickly. On busy days, customers eagerly await fresh batches. Bakery manager Carol Miller shares that they can sell three trays within an hour.

The empanadas are popular due to recommendations, tourist interest, and social media buzz. However, they have been part of St. Augustine’s food scene since the bakery’s opening in 1965. ‘We make everything by hand,’ Miller said, referring to the dough and fillings.

Producing enough empanadas requires effort. Miller explained that the old hand-rolling method took eight hours to make 10 trays. A new rolling machine now reduces this to four hours, creating 160 empanadas at a time.

Visitors often hear about the bakery through news coverage or social media posts. Others happen upon it while exploring St. Augustine. The bakery’s location in the historic district connects visitors to the city’s Spanish roots. ‘We relate to the Spanish culture in the colonial quarter,’ Miller noted, emphasizing their healthier, baked option over traditional frying.

In Florida’s heat, baked empanadas appeal to those seeking a less greasy meal. Some visitors, hesitant due to assumptions about spicy fillings, find the flavors accessible and welcoming. Alexis Rapchak, visiting from Ohio, tried an empanada without prior knowledge of the bakery. She simply saw it and decided to stop by. Her feedback? ‘I really like the dough and the inside. It’s perfect.’

Peter Burke, a lifestyle editor with Fox News Digital, provides coverage on various lifestyle topics, focusing on food and drink.