Belen de la Cruz - Empanadas & Pastries - The Works

Introduction / Overview

For residents of Metro Atlanta and beyond, Belen de la Cruz - Empanadas & Pastries - The Works offers a genuine taste of South American culinary tradition right here in Georgia. More than just a typical bakery, this establishment specializes in authentic Argentinian cuisine, featuring both savory and sweet delights, with a particular focus on perfectly crafted empanadas and irresistible pastries that showcase the flavors the owner grew up with.

The story begins with Belén de la Cruz, an Argentinian mom and passionate entrepreneur who moved to Atlanta. She credits her mother’s dedication to cooking fresh, delicious meals and creating a beautiful dining experience as her inspiration. After starting by teaching locals how to prepare traditional Argentine recipes and selling her pastries, the demand for her high-quality, preservative-free goods led to the opening of her first shop in February 2020. The brand quickly grew, expanding to multiple locations across Georgia, a testament to the community's embrace of authentic Argentine flavors, especially for those who were previously unfamiliar with specialties like dulce de leche or traditional empanadas.

Belen de la Cruz aims to bring the warmth, hospitality, and distinctive flavors of Argentina to the American South. Located within the vibrant Chattahoochee Food Works at The Works, the bakery stands as a beacon for high-quality, handmade food, incorporating home-made recipes passed down through generations. Whether you are seeking a quick, flavorful lunch or a special dessert, this spot promises a satisfying, authentic experience.

The menu is expertly balanced between the savory and the sweet, ensuring that there is something for every craving. The empanadas are renowned for their authentic dough and generous, flavorful fillings, while the pastries provide a wonderful introduction to the sweetness of dulce de leche and other traditional Argentine confections.

Location and Accessibility

Belen de la Cruz - Empanadas & Pastries is centrally located within a major hub of Atlanta’s dining scene, ensuring easy access for local users and visitors alike.

The address is: 1235 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA.

This location places the bakery inside The Works, a dynamic mixed-use development, specifically within the Chattahoochee Food Works food hall. Being situated in a popular community gathering spot means ample parking and a lively atmosphere.

Key accessibility features include:

• A Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, ensuring the facility is welcoming to all patrons.
• A designated Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot to simplify arrival and departure.

The nature of the food hall environment, coupled with the focused menu, makes it ideal for a Quick Visit—perfect for grabbing a meal during a lunch break or a snack while exploring The Works.

Services Offered

Belen de la Cruz provides a versatile set of services to accommodate the busy schedules and dining preferences of the Georgia community, whether you’re dining in the food hall or enjoying a meal at home.

• In-Store Takeout: Order and pick up your empanadas and pastries directly from the counter at The Works location.
• Delivery: Convenient delivery options are available, allowing you to enjoy authentic Argentinian flavors right to your doorstep.
• Empanadas for Home Baking: Many of the empanadas are cooked to 80% to ensure the highest food quality upon delivery or takeout. Customers are provided with instructions to quickly finish baking them at home (e.g., in a 450-degree oven for 2 minutes), guaranteeing a fresh, hot, and crispy result.
• Frozen Empanadas: Customers can purchase frozen empanadas by the dozen, such as the Beef, Chicken Cheese, or Spinach flavors, perfect for stocking the freezer and enjoying a quick, authentic meal any day of the week.
• Catering and Wholesale: The business offers catering services for events and has an expanded wholesale division, indicating a capacity for large-volume, high-quality orders for special occasions or business needs.
• Payment Flexibility: Accepts various payment methods for convenience, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Features / Highlights

The heart of Belen de la Cruz lies in its authentic Argentinian specialties and commitment to quality.

• The Empanada Variety: Offering a wide selection of flavors, approximately 13 types, all made with traditional, authentic dough and no preservatives. Savory options include classics like Beef, Cheesy Beef, Chicken, Ham & Cheese, Onion, Corn, and Bacon, alongside popular vegetarian choices like Spinach, Caprese, Butternut Squash, and Mushroom.
• Argentinian Pastries: A focus on irresistible Argentine confections and bite-size treats, most famously the Alfajor Dulce De Leche Cookie, which features a delicate shortbread cookie surrounding a rich center of Argentine caramel.
• Specialty Desserts: The bakery offers a selection of other delectable sweets, including Cheese Cake-Dulce De Leche, Marquize Square (Brownie, dulce de leche and meringue), Lemon Bites, and Raspberry Almond Squares, which customers rave about as "the best desserts" from an empanada restaurant.
• Custom Cakes: Cakes are made to order and customized for special occasions, allowing customers to choose their favorite flavor, shape, and size.
• Accommodating Options: The menu thoughtfully includes both vegetarian and Gluten-Free Empanada options, ensuring most patrons can enjoy the experience.

Contact Information

To place an order for takeout, delivery, or catering, or to inquire about menu options, please use the contact details below:

Address: 1235 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA (Located inside Chattahoochee Food Works at The Works)

Phone: (470) 519-4902

Mobile Phone: +1 470-519-4902

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Belen de la Cruz - Empanadas & Pastries is choosing a flavorful, cultural journey delivered with Georgia hospitality. It is worth choosing for several key reasons that resonate strongly with the local Atlanta food scene:

Firstly, you are choosing Authenticity and Passion. This is an entrepreneur's dream realized, stemming from genuine family recipes and a love for sharing Argentine culture. The empanadas are lauded by customers for their "authentic dough" and "quality filling," proving they successfully deliver on their promise of traditional flavors. In a diverse city like Atlanta, finding such a specialized and genuine South American offering is a treasure.

Secondly, you benefit from Unmatched Versatility and Convenience. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch on your work break, a catering solution for a party, or a ready-to-bake weeknight dinner, the service options—including in-person takeout, delivery, and frozen empanadas—are tailored for the modern, busy Georgian lifestyle. The practice of pre-cooking empanadas to 80% ensures that even delivered items maintain their quality and arrive hot and fresh after a quick finish in your home oven.

Finally, the Dual Delight of Savory and Sweet sets Belen de la Cruz apart as a true bakery. While the empanadas are the main star, the accompanying pastries, particularly those infused with dulce de leche, are consistently praised as "the best desserts." This means you can satisfy both your savory cravings and your sweet tooth in one stop. For anyone in the Atlanta area eager to experience high-quality, authentic Argentinian food, Belen de la Cruz at The Works is a highly recommended and delightful choice.