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Dirty Taco
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Dirty Taco
7.7
In the Grand Central Dining Concourse, Dirty Taco riffs on L.A. street tacos and lets the same proteins roll into burritos and bowls. Open since 2022, it’s a newer option that brings duck carnitas, Korean steak and other chef-y fillings to commuters looking for something bolder than standard fast-casual burritos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Korean Steak (as taco or burrito), Duck Carnitas (as taco or burrito), Al Pastor (as taco or burrito)
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Grand Central food-hall stall turning modern taco fillings like duck carnitas and Korean steak into tacos, burritos and bowls with a bit more flair than typical commuter fare.
Who should go: Travelers wanting creative burrito fillings in the concourse.
When to visit: Midday or early evening before train peaks compress the lines.
What to order: Korean Steak in burrito format, Duck Carnitas, classic Al Pastor.
Insider tip: If you’re catching a train, order a protein you already know you like as a taco first, then come back for it in burrito form once you’ve tested the flavor.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; rely on nearby garages along 42nd–45th Streets or metered street parking, which is scarce during office hours.
Dress code: Completely casual—commuter attire and everyday streetwear are standard.
Noise level: Moderate to lively due to food-hall traffic; still manageable for solo dining or quick conversations.
Weekend wait: Light to moderate lines depending on travel surges; typically under 10 minutes.
Weekday lunch: Short but steady queue during peak commuter lunch (5–10 minutes).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few options—most proteins are meat-focused, but vegetarian tacos/bowls can be built with available veggies and toppings.
Vegan options: Limited—requires custom builds; check salsas and sauces for dairy.
Gluten-free options: Possible with burrito bowls instead of tortillas; no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's a food-hall stall with limited seating and high foot traffic. Better for a quick bite than a conversational meetup.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t used here. Seating is first-come in the shared Dining Concourse, and turnover is frequent.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy bold flavors; no dedicated children’s menu, but the casual environment works for families moving through the station.
Best For
Better for: More adventurous proteins—duck carnitas, Korean steak, and other chef-driven fillings that outshine standard commuter burrito spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet sit-down meal, large portions, or traditional-style burritos without global fusion elements.
Dirty Taco
7.7
Opened in 2022 in Grand Central’s dining concourse, Dirty Taco is a fast-casual taqueria from chef Tae Woo Lee and partner Jake Geragos that layers L.A.-style street tacos with cheffy touches and occasional taco-omakase nights. Day to day, commuters come for mash-up fillings like pork belly or Korean-inflected steak, accepting slightly higher prices in exchange for more experimental flavors and careful tortillas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grandma’s Korean steak taco, Pork belly taco, Duck carnitas taco
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Chef-driven fusion tacos and an occasional 11-course taco omakase hidden in Grand Central’s basement.
Who should go: Taco fans curious about cheffy, fusion-leaning fillings.
When to visit: Weekday lunches slightly before or after the peak rush.
What to order: Grandma’s Korean steak, pork belly and duck carnitas tacos.
Insider tip: Seats at the tiny omakase counter book fast—join the list early if you want the full tasting.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; rely on nearby garages along Vanderbilt Ave or 43rd–45th St. Expect $25–$45 for short stays. Street parking is scarce and typically restricted during commuter hours.
Dress code: Casual—commuter-friendly attire is standard. Anything from office wear to jeans and a tee fits in.
Noise level: Moderate to lively due to the food hall environment; fine for solo dining but not ideal for intimate conversations.
Weekend wait: Generally short waits since the concourse doesn’t draw heavy evening crowds; 5–15 minutes depending on train traffic.
Weekday lunch: Peak rush can mean 10–20 minutes in line; outside of 12–1pm, waits are typically under 5 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but available—expect 1–2 veggie-forward tacos or can request modifications.
Vegan options: Sparse—may require removing dairy-based sauces; not ideal for strict vegans.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas help, but cross-contamination risk is high in a compact food-hall setup. Good for gluten-light diners, less so for celiac-level needs.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not particularly—it's a food hall with shared seating and commuter traffic. Great for a casual meet-up but not for atmosphere-driven dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is first-come, shared, and often turns over quickly, especially between arrival waves.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy bold flavors; less ideal for toddlers due to crowds, limited stroller space, and communal seating.
Best For
Better for: Fusion-leaning tacos with cheffy touches and more experimental fillings than most Grand Central quick-service options.
Skip if: You want traditional street-style tacos, quiet seating, or a meal suited for long conversation—Los Tacos No. 1 or a sit-down Mexican restaurant may fit better.
Dirty Taco
8.0
In Grand Central’s dining concourse, Dirty Taco is an L.A.-style taqueria from chefs Jake Geragos and Tae Woo Lee turning out duck carnitas, Korean steak, and rotating specials to commuters all day. While the stand doesn’t run a formal drink-driven happy hour, its taco-centric menu and occasional taco-omakase nights make it a natural stop for informal, after-work taco runs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Duck Carnitas Taco, Korean Steak Taco, Weekly Special Taco (e.g., Lengua or Suadero)
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A chef-driven Grand Central taco counter serving L.A.-style fillings, rotating specials, and occasional taco-omakase nights in the commuter rush.
Who should go: Taco obsessives wanting creative fillings before or after the train.
When to visit: Late afternoon or early evening for shorter lines and fresher trays.
What to order: Duck carnitas taco, Korean steak taco, weekly special taco.
Insider tip: Check their socials or signage for limited-run taco omakase nights that pair a long taco tasting with beer and wine.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking; use Grand Central’s paid garages or nearby commercial lots. Street parking is scarce and metered only during off-peak hours.
Dress code: Completely casual — commuter-friendly attire, office wear, or travel clothes are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during commuter peaks; expect food-hall ambient noise but still manageable for brief conversations.
Weekend wait: Grand Central is quieter on weekends; typically no wait beyond a few minutes.
Weekday lunch: Fast-moving but busy lines; 5–10 minutes during peak lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — select fillings rotate, and vegetable-forward specials appear periodically.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with custom orders (no crema/cheese) but options vary by day.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is likely in a compact food-hall prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, low-commitment meetup — it's a food-hall counter with limited ambiance, better suited to quick bites than romantic settings.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — all seating in the Grand Central concourse is open and first-come; expect high turnover but limited privacy during rush hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals; no dedicated kids’ menu, but mild tacos work for older children. Strollers can navigate the concourse, though crowds may be heavy during commuter windows.
Best For
Better for: Creative, chef-driven taco fillings and convenient grab-and-go speed inside Grand Central — ideal for commuters or anyone wanting fast but elevated tacos.
Skip if: You want a sit-down bar-driven happy hour, cocktails, or a quieter setting; choose a full-service taqueria instead.