If you're a picky eater or just can't ever decide what you're in the mood for, then having lunch at Grand Central Market will be the perfect place, or places, for you! Read on to see what yummy delights I tried on my first trip to this well known food hub.
When it was first opened in 1917 the "Wonder Market" as it was called, was an open air market that served as a central location for residents of the Bunker Hill neighborhood to buy groceries and enjoy a lunch. There were stalls that had fish, meat, produce, eggs and butter from all over Southern California. In addition to that, shoppers could find, bakeries delis, florists, specialty shops and lunch counters. After some ups and downs, the market changed with times and now features 40 stalls of unique LA eateries.
The first time I went to Grand Central Market was totally by accident. I was super excited about having jury duty so I ended up leaving earlier than I needed to. If you're curious as to why anyone would actually be looking forward to jury duty, try being a stay at home mom for awhile ;) I'll also take any chance to dust off my business casual attire, so it was a win win all around for me! Since I had time to kill, I decided to do a little search for breakfast spots and discovered that Eggslut was close. Once I got there I realized that it wasn't just an Eggslut, it was a whole foodie paradise that seemed to be endless. I didn't have time to explore, but I definitely made a mental note that I had to get back there asap!
My friend Makayla and I decided to take a ride on the Angel's Flight Railway that day and it's lower level stop is on Hill Street. The station actually drops you off right across the street from the entrance to Grand Central so that's where we started our lunch journey at the historic market. The first place that caught my eye was Shiku (https://www.shikulosangeles.com). They had homestyle korean food, but the Korean fried chicken is what compelled me to stop. It was so crispy and delicious all on it's own, but topping it off with scallions is what really made me love it. There's just something about that subtle onion flavor that I really enjoy. I feel like there was a sauce, but I'm pretty sure I ate it all before I even got a chance to try it with the sauce. If I'm being totally honest, I'm not really a sauce girlie anyway. I loves me some breading, so unless the food is bland, I'm probably gonna ignore the sauce!
The next place that I tried was a legacy vendor, having been in the market for over 50 years. China Cafe has had the same neon signs and menu featuring Chinese-American classics since it opened in 1959. Because I wasn't eating full meals and doing more of a small bites mix and match meal, I opted for the fried wontons. They were tasty, but not as crunchy as I like my fried things to be. I still plan to go back and try their lo mein noodles becasue they looked yuuuumy. It did take me awhile to get my food, but it was one of the busier places that afternoon, so it was understandable. All 22 seats were taken and they had plenty of folks clammoring to place orders, so I guess that explains how they've stayed in business so long!
Next up was good ol Eggslut. I don’t know if you keep up with food trends, but about 10 years ago there was an explosion of truffle things. Truffle fries, truffle Mac & Cheese, truffle burgers…truffles were the hot new food on the block. Since then it’s become less popular but can still be found on plenty of menus, one of them being Eggslut’s. They make truffle hash browns, and not just any truffle hash brown, they make the most heavenly hash browns around! The truffle flavor comes through without being too overpowering and the audible crunch when you bite into them tells you how perfectly they’re fried. That perfect fry also means that they’re not too saturated with oil, which always ruins the experience and flavor for me.
And because I like to end each savory meal that I eat with a lil sweet treat, I had to stop by The Donut Man. As is the case with most foods that I enjoy, the simplest one is my go-to option and donuts are no different in that regard. I like to start with a plain glazed, because when done right they can be the perfect blend of fried doughy sweetness. I also tried a sugar donut and a chocolate long John…I told ya, I like the basics;) And even though I’m into the no frills treats, they had a buttload of donuts with plenty of frills! Their peanut butter and jelly donut is filled with a peanut butter custard and raspberry jelly, they also have a peach donut that’s topped with fresh peaches and the donut man signature glaze.
There were so many vendors to try that I didn’t even make a dent, but that just means I can come back again and have a completely different food experience! In addition to hosting tons of food vendors, the market even host events like comedy shows and trivia nights. They also have a few bars that you can belly up to for a pint if you’re the imbibing kind. I’m a teetotaler but my homegirl decided to grab a brewski beer from the Golden Road Brewery bar, where they had a cute LA mural that’s just begging for photo ops.
I cannot recommend Grand Central Market enough! Between all the food stalls and downtown vibes, it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat when you’re with a group of people…or just flying solo and wanna make your meal a little more interesting. Have you ever been to Grand Central Market? Let me know which places I should try on my next visit.
Happy Travels!
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