0 Followers
Villa's Tacos
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Villa's Tacos
8.2
A busy GCM stand built around nixtamalized blue-corn tortillas that bring extra depth to crispy, cheese-tied tacos. Expect bold, salty-savory combos and a fast counter rhythm that suits a market crawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asada taco on blue-corn, Choriqueso taco, Quesadilla with salsa roja
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Blue-corn tortillas give every taco a distinct edge.
Who should go: Market visitors chasing punchy tacos
When to visit: Mid-afternoon for shorter waits
What to order: Asada, choriqueso, quesadilla
Insider tip: Eat immediately—tortillas are best super fresh.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market garage on Hill Street; rates vary by hour but are generally reasonable. Street parking is limited and often metered with short time limits.
Dress code: Completely casual—market attire, comfortable clothes, and walk-around shoes.
Noise level: High—GCM stays loud and energetic, so expect limited conversation clarity.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes depending on tourist traffic.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes; lines move quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—options like cheese-forward tacos or veggie builds can be made on request.
Vegan options: Limited—blue-corn tortillas are fine, but fillings skew meaty; confirm with staff.
Gluten-free options: Yes—blue-corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is possible in a compact food-hall setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date likes casual, high-energy food halls—this is more about quick flavor hits than intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is communal and first-come, first-served around the market; grab seats before or after ordering if available.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy tacos and busy environments; strollers may be difficult during peak hours due to tight walkways.
Best For
Better for: Bold, cheese-tied tacos on standout blue-corn tortillas—hard to match for quick, flavorful bites inside GCM.
Skip if: You want a quieter sit-down meal or broader menu variety; nearby full-service Mexican spots will fit better.
Villa's Tacos
8.8
Villa's Tacos brings Victor Villa’s blue-corn tacos estilo Los Angeles to a permanent stall above Grand Central Market, with mesquite-grilled meats and generous queso-topped tortillas. It’s the Downtown move when you want award-winning tacos, plenty of salsa options, and a scene that still feels casual and fast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Queso taco with asada, Villa's Trio sampler, Soyrizo and pineapple taco
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Nixtamalized blue-corn tortillas and queso-topped tacos with serious press.
Who should go: Taco obsessives chasing buzzy, award-winning Los Angeles flavors.
When to visit: Evenings between 7–9pm for peak energy and freshness.
What to order: Villa's Trio, queso taco with asada, vegan soyrizo taco.
Insider tip: Ask for extra salsas and build a DIY salsa flight.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market parking structure on Hill Street or nearby paid lots; limited metered street parking becomes difficult after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — most guests come in streetwear or work attire.
Noise level: Moderate to lively due to the food hall setting; conversations are possible but not quiet.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on lines at the stall; peak hours can stretch slightly longer.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though brief lines form during the Downtown office rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetarian fillings like soyrizo and veggie-focused tacos are available.
Vegan options: Yes — the soyrizo taco and several salsas work for vegan diners.
Gluten-free options: Mostly — blue-corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact within the food hall is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Great for a casual, energetic first date if you both enjoy food halls, quick bites, and standing counters — not ideal if you want a sit-down, quieter setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations. Seating is shared within Grand Central Market; you’ll often need to scout for open stools or tables during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families visit often. The food hall layout works well for kids who like to explore, though it can be crowded and loud during peak evenings.
Best For
Better for: Tacos with signature blue-corn tortillas, bold cheese-topped builds, and a buzzy atmosphere that feels distinctly Los Angeles.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, full-service seating, or extremely late hours after Grand Central Market closes.
Villa's Tacos
8.4
The Grand Central Market outpost of Villa’s Tacos brings blue-corn tortillas and mesquite-grilled meats from a highly decorated Highland Park taqueria to DTLA. Expect loaded quesatacos and trio platters that eat more like composed plates than basic street tacos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Villa's Trio, Asada Quesataco, Chorizo & Potato Taco
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Blue-corn quesatacos with mesquite-grilled meats and lots of press heat.
Who should go: Taco obsessives chasing buzzy, over-the-top tortilla work
When to visit: Evenings 6–8pm when the stall and market feel electric
What to order: Villa's Trio, asada quesataco, chorizo and potato taco
Insider tip: Go easy on the hotter salsas at first—some are significantly spicier than they look.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market parking structure on Hill St (validated with purchase); nearby street parking is scarce and metered, especially after 5pm.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—come as you are; market traffic ranges from office workers to tourists.
Noise level: High—Grand Central Market is loud and energetic, so expect raised voices during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes, especially between 6–8pm when the stall draws long lines.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes; lines move quickly but can spike during the DTLA lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—there are a couple of vegetarian tacos and sides, though meat dominates the menu.
Vegan options: Limited—some items can be modified, but this is not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Good options—blue-corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is possible in a busy stall environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, energetic vibe—food hall seating can be chaotic and not ideal for intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—GCM has open communal seating, but finding a table during peak hours can take a few minutes of scouting.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle crowds; younger children may find the noise and foot traffic overwhelming.
Best For
Better for: Bold, blue-corn quesatacos with heavy toppings and a buzzy, award-winning profile that feels more indulgent than most food hall tacos.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, polished service, or traditional street-style tacos without heavy queso and toppings.
Villa's Tacos
8.5
The Grand Central Market outpost of Villa’s Tacos brings chef Victor Villa’s blue-corn queso tacos to a fully gluten-free stall in the middle of downtown’s busiest food hall. Handmade tortillas, mesquite-grilled meats, and vegetarian fillings make this a rare celiac-safe street taco option in a high-energy setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Villa's Trio Queso Tacos, Taco Dorado with Twice-Cooked Potatoes, Sweet Potato or Nopal Taco
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A 100% gluten-free taco stall from a Taco Madness–winning, Michelin-recognized taqueria.
Who should go: Gluten-free taco fans who still want bold street flavors.
When to visit: Late lunch or early evening before peak market crowds.
What to order: Villa’s Trio, taco dorado, a sweet potato or veggie queso taco.
Insider tip: Grab your tacos, then take them to the market’s patio for easier seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market has a paid parking structure at 308 S Hill St with hourly rates; nearby street parking is limited and often metered with strict enforcement.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; typical food-hall attire is appropriate.
Noise level: High – the food hall stays lively, so expect energetic background noise rather than quiet conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on peak market traffic; lines move steadily.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes, occasionally immediate service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – sweet potato and veggie queso tacos are reliable vegetarian options.
Vegan options: Limited – some veggie fillings can be modified but most signature items use queso.
Gluten-free options: Excellent – the stall is fully gluten-free with dedicated blue-corn tortillas and celiac-safe prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for a casual, fun first date where you walk around Grand Central Market; not ideal if you want quiet conversation or seated dining.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes – it’s all counter service. Seating is first-come across the market; the patio usually has better availability.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes – families frequent the market, and kids who like tacos or casual eating will be comfortable. High chairs and dedicated kid amenities are not provided.
Best For
Better for: One of the only fully gluten-free street taco stalls downtown, offering handmade blue-corn tortillas with bold flavors in a high-energy setting.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, comfortable seating, or a full-service restaurant experience; the food hall vibe can feel chaotic during peak hours.