Family plays big role at Del Campo Empanadas

Andrea Karina Cacho, her husband Leonardo Gigante, and their three children (Sebastian, Rebeca, and Lau) recently opened Del Campo Empanadas in Lakeside between Starbucks and Lakeside Donuts. 

Since opening, lines have frequently spilled out the front door — no surprise since the Lakeside location is the first store outside of the very popular original location in north Fort Worth. Del Campo serves authentic Argentine empanadas, both savory and sweet, in a bright and attractive interior with caring, enthusiastic service. 

“It has always been very important that we have an authentic and friendly environment,” said Cacho, who prefers customers to call her by her first name, Andrea. 

Everything is made fresh daily. Nothing frozen; everything comes “from the land” (which is the meaning of del campo) — artisanal and gourmet. 

Fans include those with an intimate knowledge of empanadas as well as those without any familiarity. They love the savory — beef, chicken, ham, shrimp, cheese, and veggie — as well as sweets such as the “Banutella” (Nutella, banana, and chocolate sauce) and the Guava pastry.

Del Campo Empanadas make a great meal or snack. The catering menu offers a variety of options for corporate lunches and parties (several of the savory empanadas come in both regular and small, “finger-food” sizes). 

If you haven’t tried Del Campo yet, drop by the Lakeside location on Sunday, March 26, 10 am – 4 pm for the Grand Opening. Free samples will be available and a tango show is scheduled for 2-4 pm.

The enterprise began with Andrea making small orders in her kitchen for friends and neighbors. The response prompted the family to open the restaurant at N. Beach St. and Golden Triangle Blvd., a few blocks away from the family home.

Word spread quickly. Not long after opening in May of 2020, Del Campo began popping up on “Top Restaurant” listings. In 2021, Yelp ranked Del Campo #13 on their list of the Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas.

“Seriously, these empanadas are so good,” said Yelp reviewer Valerie F. “They hit our bellies like a winning lottery ticket…just the right amount of food. [Another] cool thing, it’s easy to tell which flavor is [which] because each flavor has a different shape, and they include a guide attached to the box.”

Yelp’s Top 100 Texas Restaurants 2022 ranked Del Campo #18. Most recently, Culture Map Fort Worth selected Del Campo as one of the 10 nominees for 2022 Restaurant of the Year.

As of March 21, Del Campo had earned a five-star rating on Yelp with 254 reviews. Google reviewers gave it a 4.9-star rating (on 627 reviews). 

Mis B., of Flower Mound visited the new location in February and opined on Yelp, “Delicious empanadas … the guava eclair was heaven! Personnel more than welcoming and friendly … So far, the best addition to Lakeside.”

“Everything is handmade and fresh,” said Yelp reviewer Shannon W. of Grapevine in March. “You can literally taste the love and care in the food. I can’t wait to try every flavor. This is a real winner of a neighborhood cafe!”

Response to the restaurant’s new location in Lakeside has been very positive.

“We considered Frisco and Plano,” said Cacho. “But the location of Lakeside is great and very central. We get requests daily to please open here and open there. We thought Lakeside was accessible to a lot of these people who requested we come to their communities.

“It also is a very attractive place and community. Lots of growth still to come. Great taste. Amazing people. Incredibly cooperative landlords. The community and property really made us feel like they have our best interest in mind.”

“We came to pursue the chance to fulfill our dreams in America,” said Cacho. “Twenty years later, I can say it was worth it! And we achieved it as a family.”