Masa of Echo Park: Chicago Deep Dish on Sunset Blvd

Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Cafe is a family-owned restaurant on Sunset Blvd near Dodgers Stadium. It specializes in Chicago deep dish pizza made by a born-and-raised Chicagoan.

The restaurant was established in 2004 to bring authentic Chicago deep dish pizza to Los Angeles. It occupies a building constructed in 1922.

A 1922 building with a century of food history

The building was built in 1922. In the 1920s it was an automobile shop and dealership. From the 1930s through the '50s, the space housed Carty Bros. Bon Ton Market and Van De Kamps Bakery.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the address was Sarnos Family / Carmelli's Italian Bakery, Market and Coffee Shop. From the 1970s through the '90s, it was El Carmelo / Carmelo's Cuban Restaurant & Bakery. Masa has occupied the location from 2004 to the present.

Chicago deep dish, built from the crust up

Masa's Chicago deep dish pizza has a 2-inch deep cornmeal crust. The pizzas are baked in well-seasoned pans forged in Chicago. The deep dish uses hand-crushed whole pear tomatoes and whole milk mozzarella.

Deep dish pizzas come in small 10-inch, medium 12-inch, and large 14-inch sizes. The Traditional deep dish features Masa's secret recipe sweet Italian sausage and mushroom with whole milk mozzarella and parm. The Papa Leo deep dish includes Masa's Italian beef and spicy giardiniera imported from Chicago.

Each deep dish pie takes at least 40 minutes to bake. Last call for Chicago deep dish pizza is 9pm daily. Heart-shaped pies are available for special occasions.

Vegan deep dish and a broader menu

Vegan deep dish pizzas use Teese vegan mozzarella. Vegan options across the menu use Masa's own house-made vegan cheese and veggie meats. The vegan menu includes vegan mozzarella sticks made with Teese vegan mozzarella, served with marinara, and a vegan caramel nut brownie with walnuts and caramel.

Beyond pizza, the restaurant serves panini, sandwiches, and burgers. The Masa Burger is a half-pound seasoned beef or veggie burger on a toasted Cuban roll. Panini and sandwiches are served with fries or a house salad. The Italian Beef Panini features Masa's slow-roasted Italian beef, spicy giardiniera, and Swiss.

The menu also includes Chicago tavern-style pizza, described as thin crust and square cut, with a build-your-own option. The restaurant serves imported Chicago favorites like authentic hot giardiniera. Ingredients are organic and locally sourced whenever possible. The menu features panini sandwiches, an extensive selection of appetizers, vegan dishes, salads, pasta, party platters, craft beer, and wine.

Drinks, catering, and practical details

Beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are available. Coffee is Jones Coffee, family-owned and locally roasted in Pasadena.

A variety of party platters are available to order for catering. Catering pans come in half pans serving 8-10 and full pans serving 16-20. The catering menu includes a panini platter with an assortment of panini. Catering orders for pick-up can be placed by calling 213-989-1558. Catering delivery is available through ezCater.

The restaurant offers reservations. Masa describes a low-key, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant describes its dishes as family-style, made from scratch.