Masa of Echo Park*

Voted "Best Chicago Style Pizza" in LA – KABC Channel 7 and CitySearch LA

Masa of Echo Park is a "Mom & Pop" restaurant owned by Rob Rowe & Rhonda Reynolds and Tom Keeney & Julie Jackson. Rob and Rhonda come from restaurant / bakery families in Chicago and, together, the two couples have about 50 years combined "in the trenches" restaurant know-how. Masa means dough and the historic presence of the still-operational revolving oven used by Van de Kamps Bakery in the 1930's and then Carmelo's, the Cuban bakery and restaurant for years thereafter, is what makes the centerpiece of Rob's menu possible - the authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.

Masa's menu is as diverse as the neighborhood itself - offering a unique, affordable blend of comfort style bistro food combining Italian, French, Spanish, Chicago-Midwest-American cuisine, and (in a nod to its roots), Cuban bread is baked fresh daily for panini sandwiches and to accompany soups, salads, pastas & steamed mussels in a garlic butter rosemary cream sauce. And what would comfort food be without dessert? The Warm Croissant Bread Pudding, made from butter, chocolate and almond croissants in a vanilla cream custard and drizzled with caramel sauce is a hands down favorite...

The all-inclusive, down-to-earth vibe at Masa takes its nod from Echo Park itself - re-emerging historic, classic urban, a cultural melting pot, proudly political and outspoken. It's all familiar territory for the wide array of neighborhood natives who have made it their spot: the family crowd, the artists, transplanted Midwesterners, musicians, the Cuban men from Carmelo's hey-day, church folks, hipsters, old friends, pet lovers, the singles who come in for just a cup of coffee and the couples who come every weekend for date night.

A brief history (as best we know it) of Masa's local:

Built in 1922
1920's - 1930's Automobile Shop / Ford Dealership (selling the Roadster!)
1930's - 1950's Carty Bros. Bon Ton Market & Van De Kamps Bakery
1960's - 1970's Sarnos Family / Carmelli's Italian Bakery, Market & Coffee Shop
1970's - 1990's El Carmelo / Carmelo's Cuban Restaurant, Steakhouse & Bakery
August 26, 2004 - Present Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Cafe

We look forward to serving the Echo Park community for many years to come...please stop by and say "hello"...we'd love to meet you!
Rob & Rhonda and Tom & Julie

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