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Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
8.0
A compact GCM taquería that hits hardest on slow-cooked meats and no-nonsense assembly. The tacos are clean, fatty in the right way, and built for quick repeat bites as you roam the market.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas tacos, Al pastor tacos, Lengua taco
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Straight-ahead tacos with well-rendered, juicy meats.
Who should go: Taco crawlers in the market
When to visit: Lunch before the rush
What to order: Carnitas, al pastor, lengua
Insider tip: Order two meats per visit—best way to sample.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market garage on Hill Street; validation brings the rate down, but spots fill quickly during peak hours. Limited metered street parking is available but competitive.
Dress code: Ultra-casual — come as you are for a food hall stop.
Noise level: High — the market is bustling, and conversation is short and functional rather than leisurely.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on market traffic; lines move fast.
Weekday lunch: Usually a short line; expect 5–10 minutes at peak.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Minimal — rice/beans sides and a simple bean taco at times, but this is a meat-first stand.
Vegan options: Very limited — most offerings center on animal proteins.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas make most tacos naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is unavoidable in a compact stall.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal unless you're leaning into a casual, on-the-go vibe. The market is crowded and loud, better suited to quick bites than intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — GCM seating is communal and first-come, first-served. You grab any open table after ordering, but finding one at peak hours can be competitive.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families comfortable with a busy food hall. Kids can enjoy simple tacos, but strollers can be tough to maneuver during rush periods.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and cleaner, meat-forward tacos compared to other GCM stands; great for sampling multiple proteins without excess toppings.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, quieter atmosphere, or vegetarian/vegan variety — other spots in the area offer more comfort and menu breadth.
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
8.4
Inside Grand Central Market, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas is the counter most locals point to when they want a huge, old-school burrito loaded with carnitas or asada. Portions are massive, flavors lean salty and rich, and the steady crowds signal how often downtown workers rely on it for a fast, filling meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Burrito, Carne Asada Burrito, Chile Relleno Burrito
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Enormous, no-frills burritos piled high with carnitas and classic fillings.
Who should go: Hungry downtown workers needing a fast, heavy Mexican lunch.
When to visit: Weekday lunch before peak rush for shorter, easier lines.
What to order: Carnitas burrito, carne asada burrito, horchata.
Insider tip: Ask for extra salsa on the side to balance the richness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garages and lots around Grand Central Market; limited metered street parking on Broadway and Hill. Expect higher rates during peak lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual. Come as you are—work clothes, gym clothes, or weekend streetwear all fit in at the food hall.
Noise level: High. It’s a bustling food hall with constant foot traffic and crowd energy, not ideal for quiet conversation.
Weekend wait: Moderate lines but generally manageable since turnover is fast; 10–20 minutes depending on crowds.
Weekday lunch: Peak rush from 11:45am–1:30pm; expect 10–25 minutes. Arrive before noon for the shortest wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—bean-and-cheese burrito, rice, and a few sides, but most fillings are meat-forward.
Vegan options: Very limited—can request a bean, rice, and salsa combination, but no dedicated vegan substitutes.
Gluten-free options: Possible with caution—burrito tortillas contain gluten, but you can ask for a plate-style version with corn tortillas. Cross-contamination likely in a busy market setting.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date appreciates old-school counter service and huge, messy burritos. The food is excellent, but the bustling food hall environment isn’t suited for intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Grand Central Market seating is communal and first-come, first-served. Finding seats during peak lunch can be tricky, so consider scouting before ordering.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle large portions and crowded spaces. Not ideal for toddlers during peak hours due to limited stroller space and busy walkways.
Best For
Better for: Massive, old-school burritos with straightforward, deeply savory fillings served fast and consistently. Ideal when you want value, speed, and classic flavors.
Skip if: You want a quieter sit-down meal, lighter or more modern burritos, or robust vegetarian/vegan options. Consider a calmer taqueria or café nearby instead.
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
8.2
A Grand Central Market mainstay for over 50 years, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas piles carnitas, asada, and goat onto tortillas so loaded you’ll need extra shells. It’s a no-frills counter where Downtown workers, tourists, and night owls queue for massive plates until the market closes at 9pm.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas taco, Carne asada taco, Goat birria taco
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Enormous, Michoacán-style tacos that can easily feed two.
Who should go: Hungry groups who value portions over polish and decor.
When to visit: Early evenings 6–8pm before lines dominate the aisle.
What to order: Carnitas taco, carne asada taco, goat birria taco.
Insider tip: Order one taco with extra tortillas and build multiple tacos.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garages around Grand Central Market (Broadway Spring Center Garage, Edison Garage) are the most reliable; limited metered street parking fills up quickly, especially after 5pm.
Dress code: Completely casual—streetwear, work clothes, and tourist attire all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud due to the open market setting; conversation is possible but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on the GCM crowds; lines move steadily but can spike during events.
Weekday lunch: 10–15 minutes during peak office rush, often shorter closer to closing.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited—most fillings are meat-based, but basic bean, rice, and veggie combos can be improvised.
Vegan options: Minimal—no dedicated vegan items; possible to build a simple bean-and-rice taco if cross-contact is not an issue.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact inside the busy market stall should be expected.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Probably not—it's a standing-room, high-traffic market stall with huge portions and little privacy. Better for casual hangs than date-night vibes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is communal in Grand Central Market and first-come, first-served; expect to scout for open spots during busy hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle large portions and busy crowds; space is tight and there are no high chairs, so it’s less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Massive portions, old-school Mexican flavors, and some of the best value-per-dollar tacos in Downtown.
Skip if: You want a quieter sit-down experience, vegetarian or vegan depth, or tacos past 9pm since the market closes early.
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
8.5
One of Grand Central Market’s busiest counters, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas is known for massive, overstuffed tacos and burritos that can easily feed two. The appeal is simple: big portions of carnitas, buche, and asada served fast at prices that still feel like a deal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Taco, Buche Taco, All-Meat Burrito
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Towering tacos loaded with meat that stretch across extra tortillas.
Who should go: Hungry groups prioritizing portions and price over polish
When to visit: Late afternoon before peak dinner rush clogs the aisle
What to order: Carnitas taco, buche taco, all-meat burrito with extra tortillas
Insider tip: Order one taco and ask for extra tortillas—there’s enough filling for multiple tacos.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market structure or nearby paid lots; limited metered street parking fills quickly, especially after 4pm.
Dress code: Completely casual—come as you are; this is a food hall counter with no dress expectations.
Noise level: Moderate to loud depending on time; the market’s bustle can make conversations brief rather than lingering.
Weekend wait: Lines of 15–25 minutes are common, especially between 6–8pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually a short line of 5–10 minutes, but it moves fast thanks to efficient counter service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited—mostly sides like rice/beans; no dedicated vegetarian tacos.
Vegan options: Not ideal—most fillings are meat-based and tortillas share the same prep space.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is unavoidable in a compact food hall setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves no-frills taco counters. It’s crowded, loud, and purely functional—better for casual hangs than romantic energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Grand Central Market seating is first-come, first-served. Expect to hover for a few minutes during peak hours to snag an open communal table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle the crowds and big portions. Not ideal for strollers during peak times due to narrow aisles and heavy foot traffic.
Best For
Better for: Huge, value-heavy portions and classic Michoacán-style meats served fast—ideal when you want maximum food for minimal spend.
Skip if: If you want quieter seating, lighter portions, modern taqueria polish, or dietary flexibility, opt for a more contemporary spot in the Arts District.
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
8.3
A Grand Central Market staple for decades, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas piles carnitas and other meats so high on its tacos that one order easily feeds two. Lines of downtown workers and late-afternoon market wanderers make it a de facto happy hour taco stop, especially when paired with drinks from nearby bars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas tacos, Carne asada tacos, Birria tacos with extra tortillas
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Long-running Grand Central Market counter famous for overloaded carnitas tacos that function like a full happy hour meal for the price of a snack.
Who should go: Hungry taco lovers wanting maximum meat for minimal cost
When to visit: Late afternoon before the biggest lines and dinner rush
What to order: Carnitas taco plate, carne asada taco, birria with extra tortillas
Insider tip: Order a single carnitas plate, ask for extra tortillas, and split the mountain of meat into multiple tacos while a friend brings back beers from Golden Road.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market’s attached garage at 308 S Hill St typically offers paid parking, though spaces fill quickly during peak hours; nearby street parking is limited and often metered.
Dress code: Completely casual — market-appropriate attire like jeans, tees, and work clothes fits right in.
Noise level: High — this is an open food hall with constant foot traffic, vendor noise, and ambient chatter.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes depending on the line; peak hours can push it past 40 minutes.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes, especially before 12:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — bean and cheese options exist, but most dishes lean heavily on meats.
Vegan options: Very limited — you can request bean tacos without cheese, but offerings are not specifically designed for vegans.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but the shared prep environment means cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, no-frills outing — it’s lively, crowded, and messy, but fun for low-pressure, food-hall wandering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come communal tables within Grand Central Market; expect to hover for a spot during peak times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families frequent the market, and the generous portions work well for sharing, though strollers may be tricky during busy hours.
Best For
Better for: Massive portions at a low price and fast service; one of the best value-per-taco counters downtown.
Skip if: You want a quieter environment, curated salsas, or craft cocktails — nearby sit-down taquerias or bars offer a more composed experience.