Empanada House: From the Heart of Bolivia to the Heart of Alaska

How one family’s passion, culture, and homemade empanadas brought warmth to the Fairbanks community—one delicious bite at a time.

Nestled in the snowy heart of Fairbanks, Alaska, GR’s Empanada House is more than a cozy place to grab a warm bite—it’s a love letter from Bolivia to Alaska, hand-folded in dough and filled with tradition, flavor, and heart. For the Gonzalo-Rosa family, the empanada is more than food—it’s a connection to their roots, a symbol of resilience, and a gift to their adopted home.

A Journey of Love and Opportunity

Javier and Rosa came to Alaska seeking a better life for their children.

“We came for a summer vacation in 1997,” Javier recalls, “and we just fell in love with Fairbanks. The community, the seasons—everything.”

That affection soon turned into roots, and the family officially made Alaska home. “There is something special about Fairbanks,” says Javier. “If you get a flat tire someone will always stop to help you out. People are always helping out and that is one reason we started this business-to give back to our community.”

Their children, Nick and Fiorella, grew up surrounded by both their Bolivian heritage and their new Alaskan identity. While Nick pursued a degree in business and Fiorella studied biology, their bond remained strongest in the kitchen.

What started as a craving for home eventually became a calling. “We missed empanadas so much,” Rosa laughs. “So, we started making our own.”

From Hobby to Hometown Favorite

It was around 2004 when their empanada hobby grew into something more. Word spread about their handcrafted savory pockets—each one made from scratch with natural ingredients and time-tested family recipes. Soon, Fairbanks had found its favorite comfort food.

“We started small,” says Fiorella. “But now we’re making over 45,000 empanadas a year—all by hand, with love.”

And it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the people who enjoy them—locals grabbing a quick bite, families celebrating special occasions, or even visitors heading out for an ice fishing trip with a warm empanada in hand. During Thanksgiving they remained open so first responders could have an empanada filled with turkey, gravy and stuffing. “A lot of people had to work that day, such as EMT or hospital workers and this way they could have their Thanksgiving on the go.”

Flavors That Tell a Story

GR’s Empanada House offers the traditional Bolivian empanada with a blend of beef, chicken, potato and spices and a rotating menu of both savory and sweet flavors. Think classics like cheese and veggie or more adventurous creations like birria taco empanadas. For dessert, customers might find an apple pie empanada one week and something completely new the next.

“We love experimenting,” says Nick. “Super Bowl season brings buffalo chicken dip, jalapeño popper empanadas or a seven layer dip empanada. Different holidays have different flavors. It’s comfort food in a pocket.”

Family-Run, Community-Focused

Step into Empanada House, and it feels like stepping into a Latin kitchen complete with back-and-forth banter, music and the smell of chile and cumin. That’s by design.

“We want people to feel like they’re in our mom’s kitchen,” Nick says. “It’s warm and welcoming. You come in, you eat, you talk and then you’re on with your day with a full belly.”

The space is compact but vibrant, with counter service, benches for sitting, and outdoor seating in the summer. Latin music drifts through the air, and everything from dough to décor carries the family’s personal touch. “Our favorite compliment is when people are comfortable here, sitting, eating, enjoying the music and the company.” says Fiorella.

Fiorella handles the sweet empanadas and customer service; Nick manages dough prep, maintenance, and marketing (with help from his fiancée); Javier and Rosa remain the heart of the kitchen. Even extended family and in-laws pitch in, especially during busy seasons. “Our goal,” says Rosa, “is to create a tradition—for families in Fairbanks to come together here, sit and and enjoy each other and fresh empanadas, just like we did back home.”

One Empanada at a Time

Catering weddings, birthday parties and community events, the family has built something lasting. Their “cocktail empanadas”—half-size versions for parties—are especially popular. Each bite tells a story, whether it’s a memory of Bolivia or a new tradition made in Alaska.

Even their logo carries deep meaning. The initials G and R stand for Gonzalo

(Javier’s middle name) and Rosa, first used on their wedding invitations in 1982. Today, it’s proudly displayed on signs, packaging, and even a carved metal art piece made from Alaska pipeline material—a blended tribute to their new home and their enduring roots.

From Heart to Heart

The Empanada House family describes their mission in one heartfelt phrase: “From the heart of South America to the heart of Alaska one empanada at a time” And with every empanada served, that journey continues—nourishing a community with warmth, authenticity, and a whole lot of love.

Empanada House is located at 2034 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701. They are open Thursday-Sunday from 11-5.