Anticuchos, native potatoes and more: discover Empapa-t, a space with Peruvian fast food

This is a project that was born in the midst of a pandemic, like many others, and that was an alternative to get ahead for Gardenia Martos and her husband. “He was the one who wanted to venture into this field, which is new for us because we came from the construction field. But we put a lot of heart and desire into it and that’s how we’ve come out ahead”explains Martos.

After a few months of opening, the couple contracted COVID-19 and had to put operations on hold, especially as Gardenia’s husband’s health deteriorated considerably. “He is currently receiving constant medical assistance due to the consequences of the disease and it was my turn to take on the challenge of running this restaurant”says the owner of Empapa-t.

The proposal is simple but no less delicious: combine the best native fried potatoes with different toppings and sauces with unexpected flavors.

Thus, for the more classic, they have options such as the salchipapa with a frankfurter hot dog, but also other delicious and interesting combinations. For example, we can find potatoes combined with wings of different flavors, among which the wings in anticuchera sauce, in BBQ, in spicy sauce or in acevichada sauce stand out.

The latter are delicious and with the perfect point of lemon in the sauce that bathes them. Imagine that typical acevichado maki mayonnaise mixed with a serving of wings freshly fried to perfection. Everything is crowned with a bit of rocoto powder, which gives it the exact point of spiciness.

Peruvian fast food

Without a doubt, the most Peruvian combinations are the ones that attract the attention of diners in this space. Here you can enjoy the classic chicken gizzards or the chicken or beef heart anticucho in its classic Creole dressing. They are juicy, cooked to perfection and with the seasoning that reminds us of the stalls of yesteryear.

Another favorite is the vegetarian Empapa-t, which combines French fries with fresh mushrooms grilled with garlic and chimichurri. If you are one of those who loves cheese, you can choose to add a cheese sauce that makes each bite a dream. If you want to try something different, you can swap out the classic fries for deep-fried sweet potato sticks, or combine them and have the best of both worlds.

How to complete this experience that is already delicious? With some of the drinks they offer and no, we are not talking about the typical soft drinks or soft drinks (which you can also find).

At Empapa-t they believe that the Peruvian pantry offers us the best of the best and they demonstrate it with their combinations such as Kalma-t with lemon balm, chamomile and lemon verbena or Quema-t with muña, lemon verbena, anise and mint. Our favorite is the Jakema-t with matico, eucalyptus, lemon balm and chamomile. If you want something stronger, you can opt for a T-Piteado, which includes black tea with cinnamon, cloves, aniseed, lemon and pisco acholado.