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Sticky Rice
Master Critic Review
Sticky Rice
8.4
The OG Thai comfort food stall inside Grand Central Market since 2013, founded by David Tewasart. This counter-service spot pioneered the market's modern food hall revival with bold Northern Thai flavors, generous portions, and open-kitchen energy. Sticky Rice emphasizes organic, free-range, and locally sourced ingredients while keeping the vibe casual and accessible - perfect for grabbing khao soi or pad Thai while watching the woks fire and downtown crowds flow past.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi Chicken Curry Noodles, Beef Panang Curry, Thai BBQ Chicken with Papaya Salad
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Grand Central Market pioneer serving authentic Thai comfort food since 2013
Who should go: Downtown workers, market explorers, Thai food enthusiasts
When to visit: Off-peak hours to avoid lunch rush crowds
What to order: Khao soi, beef Panang curry, mango sticky rice
Insider tip: Grab a stool at the counter to watch everything made fresh
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market garage $8 flat rate on weekends, $2-3/hour weekdays. Street parking nearly impossible. Metro Red/Purple Line to Pershing Square (2 blocks)
Dress code: Ultra casual - gym clothes, work attire, whatever. It's a food hall counter
Noise level: Loud - food hall acoustics with market crowds. Not ideal for deep conversation
Weekend wait: 10-15 min order wait typically, seating is find-your-own in the market
Weekday lunch: 15-25 min during 12-1pm rush, order-to-eat about 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - tofu options for most curries and stir-fries, veggie pad Thai solid
Vegan options: Doable - request no fish sauce/oyster sauce, sub soy sauce. Staff accommodating
Gluten-free options: Mostly yes - rice and rice noodles, but watch for soy sauce. Ask about cross-contamination at the woks
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you both love casual food hall vibes. It's loud, counter seating, and zero romance - but if you're both foodies who value substance over scene, the khao soi will impress. Better for 3rd date lunch.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations exist - it's counter service. Order at the stall, grab a stool at their counter or find communal seating in the market. Weekday lunch gets crowded but moves fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - casual food hall means no one cares if kids are loud. Pad Thai and fried rice are safe bets. High chairs scarce, but the energy works for all ages. Just manage the crowds.
Best For
Better for: Quick authentic Thai on a budget, solo lunch while people-watching downtown, experiencing LA's original food hall revival, getting legit Northern Thai flavors without the markup
Skip if: You want a quiet conversation, romantic atmosphere, full table service, or need a guaranteed seat during peak lunch. Also skip if you hate food hall chaos or want trendy Thai - this is comfort food, not Instagram bait