Check Out Elyan Cortazar’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elyan Cortazar.

Hi Elyan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Freshness and service are at the heart of everything we do at Cook’s Tortas. When we opened in 2008, it was with a dream to create something truly special—something that didn’t exist yet in fast casual dining.
Growing up, our kitchen was the heart of our home and the bond and love for food my mom and I share is the true core of Cook’s Tortas.

We spent years traveling and learning from culinary traditions around the world and we brought that love and knowledge back to Monterey Park.

We wanted to offer more than just a meal—we wanted an experience. That’s why everything is made from scratch daily, from our signature fresh-baked ciabatta bread to our aguas frescas made only with real fruit. Every ingredient, every sandwich, every detail matters.

It makes me so proud that people from all over Los Angeles have found us—just through word of mouth—and keep coming back not only for the food, but for the warmth and care they feel when they walk through our doors.

At the end of the day, our goal has always been simple: serve food with integrity and make people feel welcome, like family.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Surviving a pandemic—and everything that comes with running a restaurant—hasn’t been easy. There have been countless challenges along the way, but what’s kept us going is our commitment to giving 100% every single day. I’m incredibly grateful to have a dedicated team that shares the same passion for fresh food and genuine service. That shared love and hard work is what has carried us through the toughest times and continues to be the foundation of our success.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Besides being a restaurateur, I have a musical career.
My father, Antonio Zamora is one of Mexico’s most respected and renowned Regional Mexican singers and songwriters and I have followed his love for music and made a name for myself in this field as a singer / songwriter.
I am actually signed as a professional artist in Ada- Latin / Warner Records.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think the most important quality that has contributed to my success is consistency—with both passion and purpose. From day one, I’ve stayed true to the vision of offering fresh, high-quality food made from scratch, paired with warm and genuine service. No matter what challenges come our way, that consistency in values, work ethic, and love for what we do has been our compass. It’s what keeps our customers coming back and what keeps our team motivated every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cookstortas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookstortas?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookstortas?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Twitter: https://x.com/cookstortas?s=21
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/kI2b3-sIl3