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The Official Recession has been upon us for thirteen official months. It’s still not a reason we can’t enjoy life on the cheap. This is LA -- we’ve got options! We last feasted on Thai Town for just a few bucks, and stopped to smell the daisies for even less.
LAist loves the Grand Central Market. It’s hard not to. Its sights, mix of people, and cuisines borrow successfully from different parts of town as well as other parts of the globe. Multinational vendors sell some of their country’s greatest hits for just a couple dollars. And they've done so in this space, the width of a city block (found between Hill and Broadway,) for about ninety years. That’s why Downtown LA's Grand Central Market is LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.
A Sensory Feast
Tall garage doors give way to an ever higher ceiling. Neon signs glow the name of each vendor. Even the Grand Central Market’s lone checkcashing joint glows Western Union yellow. As you traverse the long passageways, kicking sawdust as you go, your eyes will illuminate when they finally tilt down to the grub. If they don't, walk another five feet to the next vendor.
- You'll see: the various colors of fresh produce. Mexican. Salvadorean. Fresh seafood. A Mexican bakery. Tacos. Aguas Frescas. Pizza. Kebas. A juice bar. A meat counter. Candy, sold in bulk. Dried goods, sold in bulk. Productos Latinos. And (more.)
While the Grand Central Market features countries worth of grub, the landmass which shines above the rest is Latin America. Try a pupusa at Sarita’s, or Siete Mares at Maria’s. Pig heart tacos (corazon) at Las Moreliannas are an option as well.
You can do well at the Grand Central Market for $5/person. For a little more you can have a feast. Large Mexican pastries (pan dulce and more) can be had for less than a buck.
Hopefully The Present Is The Future
Our troubled economy is best seen in the vacant stalls near the Broadway side of the Market. The neon is dark on the Shawarma Kitchen sign, its lonely stall offering no indication of a future tenant. Some naysayers spout the Grand Central Market isn’t what it once was. Perhaps. But this place is still something for which to be grateful. The Grand Central Market feels like it will remain a star even if the Downtown of Tomorrow threat turns reality. Thank God. Who knows how long this recession will last.
- The Grand Central Market 317 S. Broadway | Los Angeles 90013 Monday - Sunday 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (213) 624-2378
- Parking: One hour free with $10 purchase. Enter at 308 S. Hill Street. Validation at the Information Desk.
- Metro: Red Line. Pershing Square stop.
What's your favorite cheap meal at the Grand Central Market? Comment below!
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This is awesome!! Great photos! Grand Central Market is one of my all-time favorite places in LA.
Cool! I haven't been in a few years, although I've been curious to try the Salvadorean place there.
I'll have to make a note for myself.
Ditto on the pix.
the Salvadorean place rules the school! the food is delicious and you can get a meal under $10.00! :)
Even though I am vegan and chose not to actually eat there - I have always loved just wandering around. I happened upon it when I was a wayward teen roaming around downtown L.A. with nothing to do. I went there recently and I agree that it is "not what it was" (And what I know of it is only from around 10 year ago), but I don't think it will ever lose it's original charm.
So this is one of those places where nothing is vegan and/or you prefer not to risk something that looks like it might be but is probably cooked in lard? That's a bit disappointing. But I guess "authentic" foods usually are full of animals. :-/
The way to go is to show up before closing (after 5pm) and snag the pre-boxed meals from the Japanese or Chinese places that offer the rice/lo mein/dish combos. They just box up some combinations and leave them under the heat lamps until closing. If one looks appealing, you can have it for $3.
Score!
There's a kabob place that I love with the Mignon plate...there may be more than one kabob place but I'm thinking of the one on the southern end of the market near the Chinese place with the counter-seating.
Also, it's right across the street from the Bradbury Building, which is a beautiful place to check out after your GCM experience.
My favorite place for tacos or gorditas is Roast To Go.
For $2-$3 they'll sell you a taco or gordita piled high with your choice of meat, oinions, celantro, tomatoes, lettuce, avo sauce. and salsa.
One of 'em is a meal. We're talking lunch for the financially challenged!!
You're looking at Grand Central Market as a prepared food destination, in which case you're right on. However, the farmers' market aspect of Grand Central, which takes up half of the building, is tragic. The quality of the produce and meat is terrible. You have to pick through 100 vegetables to find one that looks halfway decent. I live down the street and if the quality was better, that of the pop-up farmers markets in the neighborhood, I'd shop there every day. Sadly, I only shop there once in a blue moon now, if I'm in a hurry.
Fyi, Ye Olde Taco House, just outside of the market on Hill, is great, too.
I've not dug that deep myself but I'll take your word for it. Good thing the glass is still half-full -- at-least.
jss,
if you do a little due diligence, you can find good fruit and vegetables there, but the selection is still pretty limited. the stall i like the best is called la huarte or something like that. also. things are very seasonal here, as they should be. the three for a dollar berry packs have been so good for the last couple weeks that i've almost made myself sick from only eating berries. as far as the meat is concerned, they are really cool about cutting anything you want, if you let them know. i have them skin and bone a chicken breast for me at least once a week. way better than you can get from a market cooler.
if you like mole, the little stand on the west side of the main floor ROCKS! a dude named fernando is there every day. he has five or six flavors of the real deal, oaxaca style. and he'll let you taste them like an ice cream shop...
as far asYe Olde Taco House goes - what do you like from there? i've tried a few things and have been disappointed. i would love to find something tasty there because it is open late and oh so close to home, but i'm a bit gun shy now...
LOVE Sarita's Pupusas - so delicious.