Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
- Go – Get up and get Grubbin!
- Cheap – The only way it can get cheaper is by paying in Pesos!
Few know about the token carousel called angles flight; a local landmark of Los Angeles. The Angels flight is the worlds shortest train ride as it connects bunker hill/olive directly into the heaven known as grand central market. These shady train carts were being used in 1901, like then these bumpy and sketchy carts come within a few inches of each other passing by, so be aware It may scare the angel right out of you.
Since opening in 1971 this giant 1 block wide warehouse has prepared foods, sweet treats, beverages, groceries and even things like photo development and household supplies. Grand Central Market (GCM) itself has evolved with the years and again is forefront of the modern gastro food revolution.
I’ve been visiting it for over a decade and what was filled to the rafters with shanty run of a mill mom and pop shops, now feature full commercialized kitchens with chefs trying their hands at culinary masterpieces.
So how did I begin my adventure? Easy. I looked for the vendor with the longest line; which unless is a Justin Bieber autograph signing the crowds are usually right!
Tacos Tumbras is the LA home run! Down the back stretch of the building a neon sign lights up the cafeteria style workers who are literally shoveling massive amounts of meats, rice and cheese onto paper plates and Styrofoam containers. First off don’t worry the lines move quickly! The $3.00 tacos are massive, some places (I am looking at you Senior Baja) might call them burritos, but make no mistake these tacos have soo much meat they give you a few extra tortillas to polish them off.
Tacos Tumbras has at this time 500 reviews and a strong 4.5 stars. Thats impressive for a taco joint. I would advise to get the combo plate instead of the tacos. The combo plate comes with beans and rice and you can choose two different meats. Its also played up a bit more as they slice fresh avocado, cilantro, sour cream, hot sauce, onions and tomatoes and give you tortillas anyways.
More than likely your going to have to eat your tacos with a fork so make it grand. They hand you plenty of lime and salt to sprinkler over the top and enjoy it with an imported coca cola from the bottle.
I would also recommend the TORTA CUBANA. Pork, Fried Steak, Mayo, Avocado, Sour Cream, Beef Steak Tomato, Lettuce, Cheese on soft bread! Crack this baby open and just soak in the smells of freshly made foods for your soul.
Now for all those who forget to place food establishments in tiers and categories. This is not the words greatest tacos and burritos. This was not made by Gordon Ramsey on a tv show, ingredients obtained by years of questions and answers your physiologist handed over in a locked black briefcase blessed by nuns. This does not need to be the best thing you ever ate. Please stop giving the establishment a 2 out of 5 stars on yelp because they charged you a .50 cent credit card fee, F#@*)_Y@!!! What you get is to pay little, get awesome portions, good food in an incredible atmosphere. Any way you dice this, you wont forget this meal, I promise you that.
Advice to the owner:
Your establishment is wonderful and a landmark for all those who have been lucky enough to see it. My advice would be to always have the meat on the menus available. More often than not every meats not there. If the meat is too hard to pre-order and or needs to be made in small quantities I would advise to take it off the main menu and offer it as a special when available.
All your other quarks and characteristics is part of the Tacos Tumbras charm and wouldn’t change a thing.
Best of luck,
Wandergrub.
“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
WANDERGRUB 
