Meet Nino
The Heart Behind Every Bite
Nino grew up in the kitchen. As a young girl in Chile, she watched her grandmother roll empanada dough on Sunday mornings, carefully folding each repulgue — the braided edge that seals every empanada with love.
When Nino came to Dallas, she brought those memories with her. What started as cooking for friends and family quickly became something bigger — a community, a gathering place, a taste of home for Chileans across North Texas.
Today, Donde La Nino is exactly what she always dreamed of: a warm, welcoming spot where everyone — Chilean or not — can sit down, eat well, and feel like family.
— Nino, Founder
Our Journey
From Home Kitchen to Dallas Staple
2018
A Dream Begins
Nino arrived in Dallas from Chile, carrying her grandmother's handwritten recipe book and a lifelong passion for feeding people with love. She started sharing empanadas with neighbors from her home kitchen.
2020
First Pop-Up
Word spread fast. What began as weekend pop-ups at local Dallas markets turned into a loyal following of Chilean expats and curious food lovers who couldn't get enough of her homemade pino empanadas and pastel de choclo.
2022
Donde La Nino Opens
The doors of Donde La Nino officially opened at 9324 Chimney Corner Ln., Dallas TX. The bakery café instantly became a gathering place — a little piece of Chile in the heart of Texas.
2024
A Dallas Institution
Recognized as one of Dallas's most beloved hidden gems, Donde La Nino continues to grow — with catering, events and a vibrant community of regulars who feel right at home.
Inside Donde La Nino
A Taste of Chile in Dallas
What We Stand For
Our Values
Made with Love
Every empanada, every loaf of marraqueta, every merengue is made by hand — the same way Nino's grandmother taught her in the Chilean countryside.
Fresh Daily
We bake everything fresh every single morning. No shortcuts, no freezers — just real ingredients and time-honored Chilean recipes.
Community First
Donde La Nino is more than a restaurant — it's a home away from home for the Chilean community in Dallas and anyone who loves authentic food.
Family Recipes
Our menu is built on generations of tradition. Recipes passed down from grandmother to mother to Nino — unchanged, unapologetic, unforgettable.
Come Experience It Yourself
The best way to understand Nino's story is to sit down, try the empanadas, and let the food do the talking. We can't wait to meet you.