Downtown Mesa’s dining scene gets a boost when Republica Empanada opens its doors for a “trial run” from 6-10 p.m. Friday. The eatery will be closed over the weekend, then officially open Monday.
Republica is the brainchild of Marco Meraz, a Mesa native whose father is from Mexico and mother from Costa Rica. Meraz, who’s worked in restaurants in New York and San Diego, describes his fast-casual concept as “pan-Latin.”
“The menu is inspired by my travels throughout South America and by the different restaurants I’ve worked at,” he says.
Meraz has spent several months renovating the 1,600-square-foot stand-alone building – a one-time Tortas el Guero – on the northeast corner of Hibbert and First Avenue, a block south of Main and just a block from the Mesa Arts Center.
The interior features a long community table that runs down the center of the dining area. Outside, a covered patio overlooks a community garden.
As its name implies, Republica’s signature menu items are empanadas (pictured below), fist-sized pastries stuffed with a variety of fillings. There are more than a dozen savory versions, including:
• El Capitán: Seasoned ground beef with potato, boiled egg, olive and raisins
• Cubana: Slow-roasted pork, ham, mozzarella, and dill pickle
• The Buffalo: Spicy chicken, buffalo sauce, and gorgonzola
• Hawaiian: Ham, pineapple, and mozzarella
• Pernil: Slow-roasted pork with special seasoning
• Achiote potato: Potato blended with annatto seed seasoning
Sweet empanadas include guava and cheese (a South American favorite), Nutella and banana, PB&J, and fig, cheese, and caramel.
Prices range from $2.75-$2.95 for savory and $2.85-$3.25 for sweets. All are made with a special wheat flour imported from Uruguay. They are deep-fried (some oven-baked ones will be introduced eventually), and the savory ones are served with Republica’s green salsa.
There are three Latin-inspired entrees: arroz con pollo (chicken and rice with a seasoned tomato sauce, $9.95), Milanesa (thin-sliced steak dusted with seasoned breadcrumbs), $11.95), and gallo pinto (a vegan dish of black beans, rice, avocado, tomatoes, and tostones, $7.95).
Appetizers (all $4.99) include yucca fries, papas fritas (fried potatoes with seasoning), and maduros (sweet plantains with crema). Four salads – black bean, hearts of palm and avocado, seasonal sweet and savory, and Greek – are offered.
Mexican sodas are the main beverage choice for now, but Meraz says he’ll have his liquor license by this fall when Republica officially celebrates its grand opening.
Starting Monday, Republica Empanada will be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. Hours will be extended to include dinner in the early fall.
