Every morning, a warm and inviting aroma comes from the center of the Village in Sunriver, where Hot Lava Bakery is serving up delicious pastries, coffee drinks and blended smoothies to locals and tourists. Along with an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, Hot Lava Bakery makes custom cakes and cupcakes for events and special occasions. Owner and operator, Cecilia Barrenechea, originally from Uruguay, has been serving the Central Oregon community for decades and she is excited to bring the flavors of South America through an extension of the bakery with Hot Lava Empanadas.
South American empanadas are a fried or baked crescent shaped turnover made of pastry or light dough. The fillings range from beef, chicken, cheese, vegetables, potatoes, eggs and fruit. Most Latin American countries have their own version of empanadas and while they might be small, they are truly filling!
I ordered the spicy beef with chimichurri sauce, the ham and cheese and apple empanada and I was not disappointed. Every oozing bite was full of flavor and delight!
The Hot Lava Empanadas food truck is now centrally located at Silver Moon Brewing. The Source spoke with Aspyn Steeley who works full time for the empanada truck, currently open in the afternoon and evenings.
the Source: How long has Hot Lava been at the food truck lot at Silver Moon?
Aspyn Steeley: June 17 was our first day here and we started our Door Dash Service today (June 24). Both are very exciting for us!
tS: How has it been received here in Bend in this location?
AS: Pretty well received, the brewery customers are very lively either because they’ve been at the brewery, attending a concert or one of the many events they have here. They’re happy to see something new here.
tS: What are the most popular items on the menu so far?
AS: So far, people are loving the spicy beef, the creamy cheese chicken and the vegetarian options. A lot of our ingredients are imported from Argentina, so the flavors and sauces are very unique to the region.
tS: What else is on the menu that’s specific to the Argentinian and Uruguayan regions?
AS: Our desserts like Pastaflora (Quince Jam Pie), the Alfahores (sandwich cookies) and Medialuna with Ham & Cheese. We also carry several desserts with chocolate that are very good.
tS: Will there be more opportunities for people to get their hands on these empanadas?
AS: Yes, we hope to open for other events like Not Cho’ Grandmas Bingo and other events that happen at different times.
Hot Lava Empanadas
Wed-Sat 3-8pm, Sun 10am-8pm
Silver Moon Brewing
24 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend
instagram.com/hotlavabakery/p/DZvHqCet4mN/
This article appears in the Source July 2, 2026.
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