Empanadas, Sandwiches, Smoothies Established in 2012. Jose Pimentel, founder of Pikalo, has been making his specialty empanadas for the past 18 years. He began selling his empanadas from a push cart in the streets of Dominican Republic. Upon moving to the US he continued selling his empanadas while running a family restaurant. In addition, Jose spent some years as a chef at the Ritz Carlton Boston Common. However, his dream to open up his own empanada shop he never abandoned. In 2012, he opened the doors to his first “specialty” empanda shop in Lawrence, Mass. Pikalo has been such a success that three years later we welcome the second Pikalo store offering an even more extensive and innovative menu then before. Feel free to stop by one of the locations and taste all of the deliciousness this unique empanada shop has to offer!