Our
story

Pampas Empanadas was founded by Mercedes Hueyo, an Argentine native with an Argentine father and an American mother, whose passion for cooking was shaped by family, tradition, and the flavors of her childhood.

In Argentina, food is memory. Sundays were spent gathered around the table for traditional Argentine asados, where time slowed and conversation flowed as much as the wine. Family vacations meant long days at the farm, with freshly made pastas, vegetables pulled from the garden, and a whole pig slowly cooked over an open fire. In the kitchen, there was always someone cooking—like Elsa, a close family friend whose love for Spanish cuisine left a lasting impression and taught that food is best when it’s made together and shared generously.

Those experiences became the foundation of Pampas.

In 1995, Mercedes moved from Argentina to Bluffton, South Carolina, where she raised her two sons and built a life rooted in community, bringing with her the techniques, flavors, and traditions that defined her early years. What began as empanadas made at home—hand-folded, oven-baked, and shared with family and friends—grew into a calling to share Argentine comfort food beyond her own table.

Today, Pampas Empanadas introduces the U.S. to authentic Argentine empanadas made with quality ingredients, time-honored methods, and genuine care. Each empanada is a reflection of heritage, hospitality, and the simple belief that the most meaningful food is the food that brings people together.