Roy Empanadas Brings a Taste of Argentina to the Market
Fresh From the Market
Where community, food and stories meet.
Late September always brings a change to our Market. As the air turns crisp, our appetites turn to something warm, delicious, and comforting — and our vendors are ready to deliver!
This week, we’re getting to know Roy Empanadas, a family-owned artisan food business based in Concord, New Hampshire, serving up handmade, authentic Argentine-style empanadas. Owner Roy and his wife prepare a variety of savory fillings, including beef, chicken, corn, mushroom, and spinach, using quality ingredients and traditional techniques. It’s a taste of Argentina that feels right at home on a cool fall day.
But there’s more to Roy Empanadas than what comes out of the oven. Behind every empanada is a story of entrepreneurship, family, and a willingness to take a chance.
From Argentina to New Hampshire
Roy’s love of food began in his hometown of Las Varillas, in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Cooking has been a lifelong passion, and his experience spans a variety of food ventures, from pizza and lomitos — Argentine-style steak sandwiches — to sándwiches de miga.
Entrepreneurship has always been part of who Roy is. With encouragement from his family, he continued to pursue opportunities to build something of his own.
His journey to New Hampshire began when people he knew in Argentina, who had tried and enjoyed his food, offered him and his wife an opportunity to start a food business in the United States. They settled in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, where they opened Caceras Argentinian Grill. Although the restaurant operated for nearly a year, it didn’t grow quite as they had hoped. The experience, however, helped them get to know the local community and laid the groundwork for what came next.
About seven years ago, Roy recognized an opportunity: empanadas were not yet widely known in New Hampshire and the surrounding region. He saw a chance to introduce people to a food he loved while sharing a little of his Argentine culture.
And so, Roy Empanadas was born.
A Name That Came Naturally
The business name has a story of its own. Roy is his nickname, and when he first began making empanadas in New Hampshire, he shared them with friends. They loved them and spread the word.
Before long, people were approaching him saying they had heard about “Roy Empanadas!”
When it came time to make the business official, Roy talked it over with his daughter, Josefina. The name was an easy choice. People already knew his empanadas by his nickname, so Roy Empanadas simply made sense.
Built on Tradition, Supported by Community
Today, Roy and his family prepare their food in a licensed commercial kitchen in Derry, using quality ingredients and fresh produce sourced locally whenever possible.
Starting a business has brought its share of challenges. For Roy, one of the biggest has been the language barrier, particularly when navigating unfamiliar situations in a new country. But he has also learned the importance of asking for help and building connections.
He credits the people of New Hampshire, the Concord community, and the farmers markets where he sells with offering tremendous support and encouragement.
That sense of connection is reflected in how Roy thinks about his customers. Whether someone has been enjoying his empanadas for years or is trying one for the very first time, they are all part of the story.
“We are bringing a product from another culture and introducing a piece of Argentina to our community,” Roy explains. For him, anyone willing to try something new and give his food a chance is a special customer.
What’s Next for Roy Empanadas?
Empanadas are just the beginning! Roy and his family also make traditional Argentine medialunas (croissant-style pastries), alfajores, and Argentine chorizos. They would love to introduce more of these products at farmers markets as the business grows, depending on each market’s guidelines.
Looking ahead, Roy dreams of opening a food truck or small restaurant where he can share Argentine food and culture with even more people. The family already offers catering and is working to expand its reach, including plans to bring back regular weekend deliveries beyond the farmers markets.
Roy is also building the business’s Instagram presence, making it easier for customers to follow along and discover what’s next.
His long-term vision? To grow Roy Empanadas throughout New Hampshire and beyond, while staying true to the quality and traditions that started it all.
Stop by and Say ¡Hola!
As the temperatures drop, there’s no better time to discover something delicious at the Salem NH Farmers Market. Stop by Roy Empanadas, meet Roy and his family, and take home a warm, handmade taste of Argentina.
One bite, and you just might find yourself saying, ¡Muy bárbaro!