Made on Long Island: Island Empanada in Rocky Point
Most of the food is prepped and made at the Rocky Point location.
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If you love empanadas, you have probably heard of Island Empanada. Roy and Kathy Pelaez started the business 14 years ago. The couple has sold over six million empanadas since opening their first store in Ronkonkoma. Most of the food is prepped and made at the Rocky Point location. Then, the food is distributed to the other locations.
Roy discovered his love for empanadas during his last job.
"I was working at the airport, and there was a young lady there selling empanadas, and when I tried them, I thought they were good but that I could make much better," said Roy.
In 2009, he was laid off, but he says this move was a blessing in disguise. "They accelerated my dream. I wanted to open the only empanada restaurant on Long Island and proceeded to do so."
Island Empanada offers 28 different kinds of empanadas. It has seven locations on Long Island: Merrick, Ronkonkoma, Commack, North Babylon, Medford, Shirly, and Rocky Point.
Roy uses his mother's Puerto Rican sofrito recipe. He enjoys sharing his heritage. "It’s amazing that we can have a Puerto Rican-style empanada business here on Long Island and that the people found it, and they loved it, and they continue to come."
They cater for special occasions and also have food trucks.
