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Roast To Go
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Roast To Go
8.3
A Grand Central Market veteran dating back to the early 1950s, Roast To Go focuses on roasted meats folded into tacos, plates, and big burritos. Regulars swear by the carnitas, al pastor, and cheek meats, making it a reliable counter when you want an old-school burrito more than the latest trend.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Burrito, Al Pastor Burrito, Chicken Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Legacy Grand Central stall serving roasted-meat burritos since the mid-century era.
Who should go: Downtown traditionalists who prioritize history and hearty portions.
When to visit: Midday weekdays when seating is easier to snag nearby.
What to order: Carnitas burrito, al pastor burrito, rice and beans.
Insider tip: If unsure what to order, ask staff to recommend the freshest meat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use nearby paid lots or the Grand Central Market garage; street parking is limited and competitive during peak hours.
Dress code: Completely casual — come as you are; this is a classic counter inside a bustling food hall.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours due to food hall traffic, quieter on late mornings and early afternoons.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on food hall crowds; lines can move quickly.
Weekday lunch: Typically a brief queue, often under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — most items rely on roasted meats, though rice, beans, and simple vegetarian sides are available.
Vegan options: Very limited; vegans will likely only find basic sides suitable.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is likely in a shared prep environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, no-frills food hall experience. It’s excellent for flavor but not ideal for a romantic or quieter first impression.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations. Seating is communal within Grand Central Market; during busy times you may need to scout for an open table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. The food hall layout works well for families, though peak periods can feel crowded and noisy for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Classic, old-school roasted meats and generous burrito portions with decades of history behind them.
Skip if: You want a quieter sit-down meal, more modern burrito styles, or robust vegetarian/vegan options.
Roast To Go
8.0
Operating inside Grand Central Market since the early 1950s, Roast To Go focuses on carnitas, beef cheek, and other classic fillings piled into tacos, burritos, and combo plates. It’s more early- and mid-evening than true graveyard shift, but late-hours on Thursdays through Saturdays make it a dependable Mexican counter once many nearby sit-down spots have wound down.cite7turn2search13turn3search14turn2search22turn3search22turn3search31
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas plate, Beef cheek taco, Chile verde burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.1
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A long-running Grand Central Market stall known for carnitas and roasted meats.
Who should go: Downtown diners wanting hearty Mexican plates before heading home.
When to visit: Early late-night window, roughly 7–9pm on busy nights.
What to order: Carnitas plate, beef cheek taco, chile verde burrito.
Insider tip: Split a combo plate and supplement with single tacos to sample more meats.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market’s adjacent garage on Hill Street is the most reliable option; expect standard GCM rates and limited validated discounts. Street parking is possible but often competitive after 6pm, especially near Broadway and Spring.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; typical food-hall attire is perfectly appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to loud depending on the hour — conversation is manageable but the food-hall buzz is constant during peak times.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on the rush; lines move quickly compared to full-service restaurants.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait; usually under 5 minutes outside peak tourist surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few bean or cheese-based items, but the menu is primarily meat-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited — possible to customize with beans and salsas, but expect minimal true vegan entrées.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas and most meat fillings are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is likely in a busy food-hall setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for very casual, no-frills energy. It’s more about quick tacos than ambiance, so choose it for low-stakes meetups rather than romantic first impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations here. Seating is shared across Grand Central Market; finding a table can require some roaming during peak hours but turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes. The food is straightforward, portions are generous, and the open food-hall environment works for families. Just expect crowds and limited space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Classic carnitas plates, hearty portions, and old-school counter service at a lower price point than many sit-down Mexican spots nearby.
Skip if: You want a quieter, more atmospheric meal, extensive vegan options, or late-night hours past 10pm — opt for a true sit-down Mexican restaurant instead.
Roast To Go
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Roast To Go is one of Grand Central Market’s oldest stalls, serving carnitas, beef cheek, and other long-simmered meats in tacos and combo plates since 1952. The counter draws steady lines through the day and into the evening from regulars who prefer its old-school style to trendier newcomers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas taco, Beef cheek taco, Carne asada taco
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Legacy Grand Central Market stall known for carnitas and cheek tacos.
Who should go: Nostalgic taco fans who love classic counter-service stalls.
When to visit: Afternoons or early evenings before peak dinner crowds hit.
What to order: Carnitas taco, beef cheek taco, carne asada combo plate.
Insider tip: Ask for meats by the pound if you’re feeding a crowd at home.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market parking structure on S. Hill St. (paid, usually $4–$10 depending on duration). Street parking is limited and competitive after 5pm.
Dress code: Completely casual—come as you are. Market attire like tees, jeans, and sneakers fits right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak market hours; conversation is doable but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on the line at the stall and overall market traffic.
Weekday lunch: Often 0–10 minutes, though lines can briefly spike around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—occasional veggie fillings, but menu is overwhelmingly meat-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited—most items rely on carnitas, beef, or braised meats, with few plant-based substitutes.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination is likely due to shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal unless your date loves classic counter-style tacos and the energy of a busy food hall. It’s more casual and functional than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Grand Central Market has communal seating with no reservations. Grab food first, then look for a table, especially during busy hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families frequent the market, and kids who like simple tacos will be happy. Seating is communal; strollers can be maneuvered but may be tight during peak times.
Best For
Better for: Old-school braised meats, generous portions, and a straight-shooting taco experience without the fuss or trendiness.
Skip if: You want plant-based options, quieter seating, or more modern/touristy flavors found at trend-driven stalls.
Roast To Go
7.9
Roast To Go is a long-running Grand Central Market stall focused on carnitas, beef cheek, and other classic taco fillings served alongside combo plates. Lines move steadily for no-frills tacos that lean old-school rather than trendy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Taco, Beef Cheek Taco, Carne Asada Combo Plate
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Decades-old counter turning out carnitas and cheek tacos inside the market.
Who should go: Traditionalists who like simple, straightforward market tacos
When to visit: Midday or early evening before peak dinner crowds form
What to order: Carnitas taco, beef cheek taco, carne asada combo plate
Insider tip: Grab a counter seat facing the stall for quicker refills and salsa runs.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market’s structure at 308 S Hill St offers paid parking; nearby street parking is limited and competitive during meal peaks.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; market-style setting makes anything from tees to office wear appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours as the market fills with foot traffic and stall activity.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on crowd flow inside the market; lines move steadily.
Weekday lunch: Often minimal wait, though a short line is common during the office rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited; fillings are mostly meat-focused with few vegetable-forward options.
Vegan options: Minimal to none; this is a traditional carnitas-heavy stall without plant-based substitutes.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination is likely in this shared prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date enjoys casual market settings; it’s more functional than romantic, with communal seating and counter service.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first-come, first-served throughout the market; finding a spot can require patience during meal rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes; the market environment is lively and spacious, but strollers can be challenging during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Classic carnitas, beef cheek, and old-school taco flavors served quickly at a modest price point.
Skip if: You want modern toppings, plant-based options, or a quieter sit-down taqueria experience.