Masa-Echo Park Bakery & Cafe
(213) 989-1558
1800 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles,
CA
90026
34.0776
-118.2596
Neighborhoods: East LA, Echo Park
What People Are Saying About Masa-Echo Park Bakery & Cafe
The Editor
Kim Cooper
Citysearch
Run by a group of ex-Patina staffers, Masa offers a familiar and gracious vibe, as if it's been in the neighborhood for years. The tile-floored, wood-beamed spot was once a Cuban bakery, but it has been transformed into an airy, three-zoned space with a bakery case, lunch counter and sit-down restaurant. Walls are hung with vintage local photos and paintings of area landmarks while the glass windows are plastered with photos of local pooches that need loving homes. The menu includes deep-dish Chicago-style pizzas, paninis, crepes, salads and a few select Parisian desserts.
User Reviews
posorio
January 03, 2009
We found Masa a couple years ago from a review in the Los Feliz Ledger and could not get enough of their Chicago style pizza for take out. As transplanted Chicagoans, we are always looking for a good replacement for Giordano's, Uno's, Nancy's deep dish/stuffed pizza that we love and for a good long time Masa was IT. The owners and primary cooks were from Chicago and clearly got what it took to make good pizza (delicate balance of great crust and not too sweet sauce). They were also friendly people that made their own deliveries - taking the time to chat up regular customers. We loved everything about the place and the pizza. That love affair lasted about a year and ended late in 2007. We called to get pizza delivery and were told that they no longer delivered (and in a very rude tone to boot) so we stopped enjoying the pizza for a good long while as we just don't go out to dinner as much (we have 2 kids 4 and 6 years old ). For my birthday, this past week, I decided we should see if Masa changed their delivery rules. They now deliver but for lunch only (until 3pm) and again the news was declared in a decidedly rude tone. I'm not sure why they are so rude at this restaurant but my guess is that it has something to do with the fact that they are very busy and very successful - 2 things that should not immediately result in being rude to any payiing customers. No worries, good pizza is worth it... right? Well the pizza is not the same. The crust is still vaguely similar to the previous recipe but just barely. The sauce is tooo sweet and has a weird spicy-ness that doesn't work at all for pizza. The biggest problem with the sauce is there is way too much oregano in the sauce and way too much sauce on the pie. There is barely any cheese and the other toppings were so overpowered by the sauce that it might as well have been plain. \Clearly this place has bought into it's own hype and feels like they can do anything and everyone will love it. Don't believe the hype.
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EAG
December 01, 2008
Can't get enough of this little treasure in my backyard! Love the Manchego salad and piping hot bread... and don't get me started on the bread pudding - sinfully delicious! The quaint, cozy atmosphere and friendly wait staff are always a pleasure.
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no2yes
June 23, 2008
I was waiting for my to-go order which took FOREVER! so I sat at the bar with a glass of water waiting... in a 15 minute span, I saw a couple of creepy crawlers lingering around the facility. I won't tell you the type because you might still want to dine at this spot, but after seeing that, I couldn't even get myself to eating the deep dish pizza I had bought for fear of what could be in it. Next time you're eating here, look around some corner or tucked away areas and you might just get an eye feast that'll deplete your appetite.
read full reviewThe Details on Masa-Echo Park Bakery & Cafe
Parking:
If there are no metered spots on Sunset, head south at Lemoyne, where there's a big city lot two buildings down on the left.
Save Time:
For the fastest service--particularly for solo diners--sit at the lunch counter.
Know Before You Go:
Pizzas are made fresh to order, and take about 30 minutes to be served. You can also call ahead for takeout.
