Tag Archive for: masa of echo park

Tim vs. Eric in the battle for the Mayor of Masa

Masa of Echo Park is one of the great neighborhood establishments, where everyone knows your name (we’ve been going since 2005, before they even had a beer and wine!). And the hubby and I aren’t the only ones who frequent the bar stools at Masa, but our view is always the same – two framed photos on one of the pillars, one donning a blue ribbon with the title of “The Mayor.” I recently asked owner Rhonda about it because we kept seeing one of the guys at a neighboring stool, but she also published a great FAQ about the photos in the August Masa Newsletter

The two photos are of Tim and Eric (not related to the Tim & Eric Awesome Show) – two locals who frequent Masa on a daily basis and who were “checking in” on Foursquare. If you’re unfamiliar with the popular mobile app, it unlocks special deals if you check in enough at a participating venue along with the title of Mayor. The two Masa goers keep checking in on Foursquare, one usurping the other, a battle that’s been going on since 2009.

The Mayor of Echo Park was Tim that day

So Rhonda put up the framed photos and changes the blue ribbon when the Mayorship changes. Most of the time you’ll find the ribbon alongside Tim’s image, as Eric no longer lives directly across the street. But you will occasionally see them dining next to each other at the bar, as the rival is a friendly one!

What’s their favorite thing about going to Masa?

For Eric, “the reason to keep coming back was because of the people working here. Masa is my ‘Cheers’ and was an important part of me feeling settled in Los Angeles.”

For Tim, “I was drawn to Masa because of the good food. I kept coming because of the inclusive and friendly atmosphere. I like to eat at places where people like to see me.”

We, of course, like supporting as many local businesses as possible. What’s your reason to go to Masa, or any other favorite spots in Echo Park?

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Vegan Pizza and Craft Beer crawls in Echo Park this week

Mark your calendars! Two crawls in Echo Park this week will take you on a tour of craft beer and vegan pizza along Sunset Boulevard.

The first is the Echo Park Pub Crawl with Golden Road Brewing  on Wednesday, June 27. Starting at Sunset Beer Company at 7:30 pm, the crawl is led by Golden Road Brewing beer lovers and brewers, taking you through Echo Park’s craft beer establishments to sample Golden Road’s own brews.

The tour will finish up at Mohawk Bend, with the promise of dancing. Click here for the Facebook event page and for more info, or here for the map.

Also don’t miss out on the first ever Echo Park Vegan Pizza Crawl on Saturday, June 30. The brainchild of vegan blogger Quarry Girl and sponsored by Chicago Vegan Foods, the all-day event is a self-guided tour of Echo Park’s fine restaurants that offer delicious vegan pizza (and other tasty stuff!). Even if you’re not a vegan, I suggest you give it a try. And don’t forget to pair it was some delicious, local craft beers provided by each of the participating restaurants.

Here’s the low-down from the event Facebook page:

  • Mohawk Bend: New signature specialty pizzas along with some surprises TBD
  • Two Boots: 15% off vegan slices
  • Masa: 25% off all vegan deep dish pizzas (dine-in only)
  • LA Pizza Co: Two vegan slices for $4
  • Sunset Beer Co. (who shares a patio with LA Pizza Co) will be offering $1 off draught beers for pizza crawlers who have a receipt from one of the participating establishments!
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After 7 years at Masa, Manny is leaving (boo!)

We’re hoping to catch a moment with one of our favorite Masa servers tonight as we take the family out for a pre-Thanksgiving meal. We’re  saying goodbye to awesome Masa server Manny Ramirez because he’s leaving the Echo Park restaurant after seven years – for good! But also for good reasons.

Manny has been working at Masa since the beginning, so he became a friendly face and great conversation while we did the laundromat-Masa night every couple of weeks. In the latest Masa newsletter, he explains his reasons for leaving: “I’m ready to do some of that traveling so many of you have told to do while I’m still young.” After Thanksgiving, he’ll be hitting up the Southern States, including Alabama, and crossing the border to Mexico for a holiday with the family. Then he’ll be shipped off – literally – since he joined the U.S. Navy.

It’s kind of sad saying goodbye to Manny, an end of an era. But we know owners Rhonda and Rob will especially miss him. As they wrote in the newsletter: “In 2004 when we opened the doors to Masa, our ‘second’ home in Echo Park, Manny came with us and charmed you with his vast trivia knowledge, endearing smile and incomprehensible politeness! We realize there comes a time in every family when the kids will leave the nest. As ‘parents’ we couldn’t be prouder of our Manny now, and all that he has yet to accomplish in the future.”

Good luck, Manny! You will be missed. Thanks for making this little pocket of Los Angeles feel like an intimate and great neighborhood!

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