The Empanada Guy in Lafayette: Cajuntinian Cuisine Built on Family, Culture, and Community
- Bayou State Media
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 13 minutes ago
Photo By: Bayou State Media Staff
Building a New Life, One Empanada at a Time
For Luciano Escudero, owner of The Empanada Guy, every empanada tells a story—one that began in Argentina, was tested through unimaginable hardship, and ultimately found a home in Lafayette, Louisiana.
What began as homemade empanadas shared with neighbors from a family kitchen has grown into one of Acadiana's most unique restaurants. Inspired by the lack of an authentic Argentine restaurant in Lafayette, Luciano set out to introduce people to his culture while blending it with Louisiana's rich Cajun flavors into what he proudly calls "Cajuntinian" cuisine.
The Empanada Guy officially opened its brick-and-mortar location in January 2024, but the journey began much earlier. The Empanada Guy made its first sale on Mother's Day, May 14, 2023, and from that day forward, the support of the Lafayette community helped transform a family recipe into a thriving local restaurant.
As part of our Louisiana Food Tour, Bayou State Media sat down with owner Luciano Escudero to learn how a dream born in Argentina became one of Lafayette's most inspiring small business success stories.
A Journey That Began in Argentina
Luciano grew up in San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina, where both sides of his family worked as farmers. His childhood was spent feeding animals, driving tractors, and enjoying the outdoors—experiences that shaped his work ethic and appreciation for family.
After earning a degree in Business Administration, Luciano chose adventure over an office career. He became a whitewater rafting guide and ski instructor, traveling to eight different countries while following rafting seasons around the world.
It was during one of those adventures in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, that he met Laura Trahan. Laura was working as an English teacher and photographer while Luciano guided rafting trips. The two eventually moved to Argentina, built a home together, adopted their dog Jack, and planned to divide their lives between Argentina and the United States.
Their future seemed set. Then, life took an unexpected turn.
Laura was diagnosed with leukemia.
The day after receiving the diagnosis, they boarded a plane for Houston so Laura could begin treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center. They left behind their home, Luciano's career, their belongings, and their plans, expecting the move to be temporary.
Instead, it became the beginning of an entirely new life.
Building The Empanada Guy
While living in an RV during Laura's treatment, Luciano found himself constantly thinking about the future.
"I knew I didn't want a traditional job," he said. "I've always been an entrepreneur."
One business idea kept coming back to him—opening an Argentine restaurant. Luciano realized there wasn't an authentic Argentine restaurant in Lafayette, and he believed empanadas were the perfect way to introduce people to his culture while creating something uniquely Louisiana.
Although opening an Argentine restaurant had always been one of his dream business ideas, it was his mother who encouraged him to focus specifically on empanadas. She texted him her family recipe, and that simple message would ultimately change his life.
For the next five months, Luciano made empanadas nearly every day, sharing them with neighbors, Uber drivers, friends who came to visit, and anyone willing to try one.
Looking back, he realized he was building The Empanada Guy before the business even existed.
Food had always been at the center of Luciano's family. His mother's recipes represented more than great meals—they represented love, tradition, and time spent together. Today, those same values remain at the heart of the restaurant.
"We aren't just serving empanadas," Luciano said. "We're sharing a piece of our family's story."
Finding Home in Lafayette
After Laura completed treatment, the couple originally planned to return to Argentina.
Instead, they fell in love with Lafayette.
"The people welcomed us with open arms," Luciano said.
He quickly realized that Cajun culture shared many of the same values he grew up with in Argentina—family, hospitality, great food, and a strong sense of community.
Rather than simply recreating Argentine cuisine, Luciano wanted to build something that celebrated both cultures.
That vision became "Cajuntinian."
Today, The Empanada Guy serves authentic Argentine recipes alongside Louisiana-inspired creations like Crawfish Étouffée, Gumbo, Boudin & Pepper Jack, Muffuletta, and Pecan Praline empanadas, creating a menu unlike anything else in Acadiana.
"We always talked about bringing both of our cultures together on one plate," he said.
From Home Kitchen to Local Favorite
Before opening the restaurant, Luciano invited friends and family to his house for an empanada tasting.
Guests sampled different recipes while voting on six possible business names.
One name stood out.
The Empanada Guy.
Soon after creating social media pages, Luciano announced that he would begin selling empanadas the following weekend. He expected only family and friends to place orders.
Instead, word spread quickly.
Friends shared his posts online, someone featured the business in the Foodies of Lafayette Facebook group, and the next weekend they completely sold out.
One memory still stands above the rest.
Luciano walked outside to deliver orders and found five cars sitting in his driveway.
Three families were eating empanadas right there in their vehicles while two more waited for their orders.
"That was the moment I realized we had created something special," he said.
Less than a year after selling empanadas from their home, The Empanada Guy officially opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant in January 2024, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the business.
More Than Just Great Food
Although Luciano had never worked in the restaurant industry before opening The Empanada Guy, he embraced every challenge that came with building the business.
He immersed himself in books, podcasts, and videos while learning everything from inventory management to hiring employees and controlling food costs.
Today, he credits much of the restaurant's success to the incredible team that has grown alongside him.
"We are where we are because of them too," he said.
The restaurant has also become known for its homemade chimichurri sauce, customer favorites like the Classic Beef and Spinach & Artichoke empanadas, and its signature Cajuntinian fusion.
For Luciano, however, the most rewarding moments happen outside the kitchen.
He smiles when families return with newborn babies after visiting during pregnancy, when friends reunite after years apart, and when customers choose The Empanada Guy to celebrate birthdays and special occasions.
Those moments remind him that The Empanada Guy has become more than a restaurant.
It's become part of the community.
A Community That Believed
When asked what Lafayette means to him, Luciano doesn't hesitate.
"If there's one word that represents Lafayette to me, it's community."
He believes the restaurant exists today because of four things: hard work, big dreams, an incredible team, and a community that believed in them from the very beginning.
That support has transformed Lafayette into the place where Luciano and Laura hope to raise their future family.
Looking Toward the Future
Even with the restaurant's success, Luciano says they're only getting started.
Future plans include obtaining a liquor license and creating a riverfront destination where guests can arrive by boat, enjoy live music, rent kayaks, and relax along the Vermilion River.
His vision has always extended beyond serving great food.
He wants The Empanada Guy to become a place where memories are made.
"Our vision has always been about more than just serving great empanadas," Luciano said. "We want to create a place where people can relax, gather, and make great memories."
Living His Own Dream
When asked what the American Dream means to him, Luciano offered an answer that perfectly captures his journey.
"I don't think I'm living the American Dream," he said. "I think I'm living my own dream in America."
Today, Luciano continues to approach the business with the same mindset that carried him through those early days in the RV—always looking for ways to improve, always thinking about the next idea, and always grateful for the community that believed in him.
From a family recipe sent across continents to one of Lafayette's most unique restaurants, Luciano Escudero has built far more than a successful business.
He has built a home, introduced Acadiana to a new culinary tradition, and created a place where two cultures come together one empanada at a time.
Luciano also wanted readers to know one thing:
"Thank you to our community for supporting us since day one. We're here to stay, we're excited to keep growing together, and we can't wait to see what the future brings."
Giving Back to the Community
For Luciano Escudero, serving the community has always meant more than simply serving great food.
Most recently, The Empanada Guy partnered with a local fundraiser to support 3-year-old Anna, who was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). As Anna undergoes multiple rounds of chemotherapy and prepares for a bone marrow transplant, Luciano and his team donated and served empanadas at the fundraising event, helping bring the community together in support of Anna and her family during one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
It's another example of how The Empanada Guy's impact extends far beyond the kitchen. Whether through sharing authentic Argentine cuisine, supporting local events, or helping families in times of need, Luciano believes a restaurant should be about more than what's on the menu—it should be about caring for the community that has supported it from the very beginning.
If you'd like to support Anna and her family during this difficult journey, you can donate, share the fundraiser, or learn more by visiting the Support Anna's Journey to Healing GoFundMe.
Every donation, share, and prayer can make a meaningful difference for Anna and her family.
Watch Our Interview with Luciano Escudero
As part of our Louisiana Food Tour series, Bayou State Media sat down with Luciano Escudero, owner of The Empanada Guy, to hear the inspiring story behind the restaurant, his journey from Argentina to Louisiana, and how a family recipe became one of Acadiana's favorite local businesses.
Watch our interview to hear Luciano share the story in his own words.
Full Interview on YouTube: (Coming Soon)
Learn More About The Empanada Guy
Whether you're craving a traditional Argentine Classic Beef empanada or want to experience the restaurant's signature Cajuntinian flavors, every item on the menu reflects the family's passion, perseverance, and love for bringing people together.
The Empanada Guy continues to serve Lafayette one empanada at a time while proving that great food has the power to connect cultures and build community.
Louisiana Food Tour
The Empanada Guy was featured as part of the Louisiana Food Tour, a series highlighting the restaurants, people, and stories that make Louisiana's food culture unique.
For more Louisiana food stories, local business spotlights, and community features from across the state, be sure to like, follow, and share Bayou State Media.
