Las Vegas Mixtape v43: Anything Goes Comedy, Essential Empanadas, and Punk’s Unhinged Stories — Track #2 (of 5): Made In Argentina Cocina @S Valley View Blvd

Track #2 (of 5): Made In Argentina Cocina @S Valley View Blvd

These lovingly prepared empanadas are worth the drive. (Image: courtesy of the restaurant) 

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If you crave empanadas, then make your way down S Valley View Blvd, around a half mile from Allegiant Stadium, to Made In Argentina Cocina for those crescent-shaped turnover pastries (baked or fried) filled with sweet and savory ingredients.

My love for empanadas led me to this casual and intimate family-run eatery that’s been open since 2017. The ground beef empanada—crispy and enticingly seasoned—was impressive out of the gate. There are 10 other empanadas including one filled with blue cheese and mushrooms, which may or may not sound appealing, depending on where you stand on the subject of blue cheese.

All you need is cheese—and, well, more cheese. (Image: Vegas 411) 

The menu at the moderately priced Made In Argentina offers six pizzas, highlighted by the popular Argentine-style Fugazetta—made with a thick crust and an endlessly sinful amount of mozzarella cheese, onions, olive oil, and oregano. It delivered the exact thrill I was hoping for, as did the juicy and chewy broiled skirt steak with a distinctive marinade.

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Interestingly, there’s some Mediterranean food like chicken shawarma, schnitzel, and falafel served here.  As the restaurant owner explained to me, the space used to be a Mediterranean restaurant, so he decided to retain some of the offerings that were favorites of folks who once ate there. To my mind, this is a respectful and admirable tip of the hat to the community in a world that’s always rapidly changing.