9 Julio Empanada Kitchen is set to debut in June, according to Oaklandside. The empanada pop-up’s brick-and-mortar is almost ready to welcome customers at 5239 Claremont Ave. in Oakland. For owner Erica Sanders, the debut of this storefront was five years in the making.
After successfully popping up at farmers markets in the East Bay, Sanders began searching for a permanent restaurant space in 2017. Her search ended in 2019 and by the following year, she already had equipment on the way. If not for the pandemic, she would have opened that summer.
The pause allowed Sanders to reassess how she could better serve customers in a post-Covid world. The restaurant will now feature a takeout window for to-go orders, but 9 Julio will still offer fast-casual dining service for guests to enjoy their meals on-site.
All empanadas are baked fresh to order. There are over 25 savory and sweet recipes used in Sanders’s kitchen. While traditional Latin flavors such as Chimichurri Beef and Chorizo & Potato are on the menu, there are also more inspired options such as Jamaican Beef and Sweet Potato Pie. For more information, visit www.9julio.com.
