The Empanada Lady on Smith Street

Convenient, cheap, and satisfying, the empanada lady is taking Brooklyn fast food to an entirely new level.

Wielding a bunch of cilantro in one hand, the empanada lady on Smith Street stands waiting to hand you one of her delicious treats with the other.

The empanadas (choose from chicken or beef) are deep-fried perfection. Slightly spicy and steaming hot, even the occasional bone won't deter you from wolfing an entire one down. Or try a tamale, neatly wrapped in red and white cooking twine -- They're even better.

And there's more. Those looking for healthier options line up for avocados stuffed with salmon, shrimp, or mango. Other menu items change daily but often include Spanish rice and Cuban sandwiches filled with thinly sliced pork.

This is street food at its finest, and I'd gladly give it five stars, but the empanada lady's schedule is a tricky one. She and her cart can go missing for weeks at a time. The only way to tell if she's open for business? Look for her "specials of the day" sign to appear on Smith Street -- No sign, no empanada lady.