I love to travel, and Mexico City has been on my bucket list for years. There’s something about the culture, history, and especially the food scene that has always drawn me in. Long before I had any concrete travel plans, I found myself saving restaurant recommendations, hidden gems, and local favorites throughout Mexico City for the day I finally get to visit.

One place that constantly seemed to pop up was El Moro. I knew they were famous for churros, but beyond that, I didn’t know much about them. Living in Los Angeles, churros are already a part of our food culture. You’ll find them at sporting events, fairs, theme parks, and street vendors throughout the city. And honestly, I’m obsessed with them. Give me a churro that’s crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and I’m happy. I’ve always preferred pastries over candy, so churros are pretty much the perfect sweet treat.

Imagine my excitement when I found out that Churrería El Moro was opening a location in Echo Park. Not only that, but they were the same legendary churro shop I had been hearing about for years from Mexico City. I knew I had to try it as soon as possible.

Currently, the Echo Park location is only El Moro’s second location outside of Mexico City. The company operates 16 locations throughout Mexico, making it one of the most recognizable food brands in the city.

What is the history of El Moro?

Before visiting, I decided to learn more about the history of El Moro. What surprised me most was discovering that churros actually originated in Spain. Like many people, I had always assumed they were Mexican.

The story begins in 1933 when Francisco Iriarte emigrated from Elizondo, a small town in Spain’s beautiful Baztán Valley, to Mexico City. After arriving, he noticed that churros were nowhere to be found. Seeing an opportunity, he began selling churros from a cart in Mexico City's famous Zócalo, introducing locals to a beloved treat from his homeland.

Francisco named his business "El Moro" in honor of a churro vendor from his hometown, preserving a piece of his heritage while building a new life in Mexico. The churros quickly became popular, and demand grew so much that he eventually opened a permanent storefront on what was then Avenida San Juan de Letrán in 1935. During Mexico's Golden Age, El Moro became a gathering place for everyone from local families to celebrities and international visitors.

Although Francisco passed away in 1940, his brothers José, Santiago, and Ignacio continued the business. Nearly a century later, El Moro remains family-owned and has become one of Mexico City's most iconic institutions.

Trying El Moro’s Famous Churros

Of course, the real reason I visited was for the churros.

I ordered the classic four-churro combo, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The churros arrived fresh out of the fryer, hot, crispy, and coated in cinnamon sugar. They were huge, probably 12 to 14 inches long each. Even though I don’t usually have a huge sweet tooth, I nearly finished two of them myself.

One of the coolest parts of the experience is that you can watch the churros being made. Unlike the straight churros we're used to seeing, El Moro prepares them in large circular spirals before cutting them into individual pieces. Watching the process somehow makes them taste even better.

What Else is on the menu?

To go along with my churros, I ordered the Oaxaqueña iced chocolate. El Moro uses real cacao sourced from Tabasco, Mexico, and you can definitely taste the difference. The Oaxaqueña was unlike any chocolate drink I’ve tried before, rich, complex, dairy free, and not overly sweet. My friend ordered the Mexicano chocolate, a more traditional version with hints of cinnamon. They also serve champurrado, which I’ll definitely have to try during a future visit.

Beyond churros and chocolate, El Moro offers milkshakes and one menu item that immediately caught my attention: the Consuelo, a churro ice cream sandwich. I didn't have room for one this time, but it's already on my list for my next visit. They also serve torta sandwiches, which looked fantastic and give visitors a savory option if they're not in the mood for dessert.

As I sat there enjoying my churros and chocolate, I couldn't help but think about how fun it would be to bring my family here before a Dodgers game. It's one of those places that feels special without being pretentious, a simple concept executed incredibly well.

Until I finally make it to Mexico City, El Moro in Echo Park feels like the next best thing.

Los Angeles Self Storage

Here at Los Angeles Self Storage, we enjoy sharing local businesses that make our city special. Whether you're moving into a new home, decluttering your space, or simply spending the day exploring Los Angeles, El Moro is a great place to stop for a sweet treat. After all, every successful moving day deserves a reward. (or in this case, a fresh churro.)

El Moro Echo Park
1524 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday–Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM