Out on a School Night: Beat the chilly weather with traditional gourmet empanadas at Lito's

Empanadas are a cultural staple of any Latino country. In essence, they are dough wrapped around a recipe of toppings, and either fried or baked. Its variations can be seen inhabiting other cultures, such as the pierogi, and within Latino cultures, each nation adds their own twist to the original. Lito's, located at 2566 N. Clark St., attempts to add a gourmet twist on the long-loved favorite—and succeeds in almost every way.

The restaurant is a small, inconspicuous venue, squeezed in between other shops of its kind; the sitting room is restricted to a few chairs facing a bar-like setup by the window and overlooking the street. In the summer, they often place a small table and a couple of chairs outside, but if you have ever been to Clark Street on a great summer day you know there is not much room for anything on the sidewalk (this is definitely a to-go kind of place). Thankfully, Lito's offers delivery. The staff is small enough that you will get to know them quickly if you come often. It is open most days from 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., except Sundays when they run from noon to 8 p.m.

But you are not going in there to look at the décor, nor complain about the small space. If you are anything like me, you want good food—and lots of it—and this is where Lito's delivers, with 11 deliciously fried dumplings, ranging from traditional favorites to gourmet delicacies.

If you are yearning for a traditional Colombian empanada, the beef and rice or chicken empanada will surely fulfill your desires. However, the gourmet incarnations that are present are the reason why you go to this place. The Hawaiian, for example, is a take on the original ham and cheese empanada, except with some pineapple thrown in for good measure. It seems strange on paper, but trust me when I say it is the best empanada on the menu.

The BBQ chicken is there simply to attract curious Americans and it doesn't disappoint. The champignon chicken and chorizo and cheese empanadas are other must-have items. To further add a gourmet aspect to the menu, Lito's offers dessert empanadas, such as the Choco-Banana or cinnamon apple; they are both a perfect way to end this delicious meal. One needs to keep in mind, however, that all the empanadas are deep fried, and although they use heart healthy oil, it still is not the best diet supplement.

Overall, Lito's is definitely a place to keep in mind if you are in the neighborhood. Furthermore, it is very affordable, with each empanada hovering around three dollars once you add tax. They are also designed to fill appetites, making sure not even the most seasoned food lover can handle more than three. Although, it's not open late enough to satisfy the late night munchies, it is perfect for those cold winter days when some warm, delicious food you can hold in your hand as you walk is the only cure for the freezing weather around you.

Lito's Empanadas is located at 2566 N. Clark St. Chicago IL - Phone number: (773)857-1337