El Moro Churreria

Founded in 1935 in Mexico by a Spanish immigrant, El Moro Churreria combines the classically Spanish concept of dipping churros into chocolate with the classically Mexican style of serving churros: coating deep-fried horn-like tubes with cinnamon and sugar. The chain’s first U.S. location is inside Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market, and a true aesthetic and culinary standout, even by the high standards of this culinary destination.

El Moro’s pristine white tile and blue lettering recalls the art deco age of its original location’s founding while contrasting heavily with the dark colors and earthtones favored elsewhere in the market. For a place that exists almost exclusively as a deep fryer of dough, it gives off no hint of oil – stinky or otherwise – and operates cauldrons of hot chocolate and other dips throughout the day. Guests can choose to pair their churros with condensed milk, cajeta, chocolate, Nutella, and/or caramel dips, each served in a small container that has enough sauce inside for three to five churro pieces.

Beyond the highly compelling churros and dips, which are so fresh and tasty that they beg to be consumed on the spot, El Moro offers drinks including coffees and milkshakes. They’re nothing to write home about, but easy alternatives to hunting elsewhere in the store for drinks, if you don’t have the time or inclination to explore past this counter.