Grand Central Market

Los Angeles, California Travel Guide

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Grand Central Market

Overview: I love this place: it has the best gorditas around. The Grand Central Market is one place you want to visit and experience in downtown Los Angeles. Located on the ground floor of the Homer Laughlin Building, the first fire and earthquake proof building in Los Angeles, the Grand Central Market, is located in the northwest quadrant of Downtown Los Angeles, at the base of Bunker Hill.

Reminiscent of the open-air markets in Asia, the Grand Cenral Market brings home the bacon, literally. You can get a dish of pig ears if you want! The market has been around since 1917 and has the bragging right of being the first and largest open-air market in the nation. Plan a day’s trip around this market and the area. It’s right next to the Million Dollar Theater on Broadway (east entrance) and across the street from the Angels Flight Railway on the west side.

A favorite of many locals, the Grand Central Market hits your senses with all kinds of aroma, vivid colors and the sound of a bustling market. So, what’s here? Fresh Produce. Fresh Fish. Fresh Produce. Fresh Meats. Fresh Produce. You get the idea. Stands and food vendors. The market offers more than you and your senses can handle as far as produce (highly recommended), meats (Economy Meats, ph: 213-622-8629), fish Maria’s Seafood, ph: 213-626-7593), spices and chiles go. Stands also sell health foods such as grains, nuts and other natural goodies.

There is variety of ethnic foods to be consumed and American cafes. If you like Mexican food, you will die for the gorditas at Tacos Tumbras A Tomas (ph: 213-620-1071). For $3.50, you won’t get the typical thick corn tortilla with a little carnitas or beef and some cabbage. Instead, Tacos Tumbras Y Tomas overfills their large corn tortillas with a sinful amount of carnitas or carne asada and scoops of cabbage and sour cream. But, be warned, these monsters are spicy so let the friendly staff know that you want them mild. Some of the staff here, by the way, have been working there for over twenty years!

Maybe you feel like something else. Grab a seat at China Cafe (ph: 213-628-8481), a gyro at Kabab and More (ph: 213-621-0443), pizza at Corleone Pizza (ph: 213- 626-5026) and so forth. Once you’ve consumed some delicious food, slurp on a boba at Tropical Zone Ice Cream & Juice Bar (ph: 213-617-2233) or a pastry or Mexican sweets La Adelita Bakery (ph: 213-628-0777).

The basement of the market consists of discount stores, electronics and jewelry. There are restrooms in the basement as well, secured by guards and constantly maintained by the building staff.

Location: 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Site: www.grandcentralsquare.com
Ph: (213) 624-2378

Hours: Monday – Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm

Parking: One hour free parking with a minimum $10 purchase at 308 South Hill Street in the parking structure. There are parking lots on Broadway for $5.

Accessibility: The Grand Central Market is wheelchair accessible. There is a lift that’s always working to reach the main floor if you enter from Hill Street. The parking structure and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible as well.

Getting There: www.ladottransit.com, metro.net