COVID-19 UPDATE: ALL RESTAURANTS IN LOS ANGELES ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

The first time I visited Grand Central Market, it was a chaotic mix of cultures, food, exotic ethnic produce, and jostling people. I loved it! Times have changed and the gentrification of Grand Central Market is nearly complete. Sparkling-clean booths sell overpriced coffee, craft beer, and even oysters. There’s a crazy-long line of young, cool types waiting to order overpriced eggs at Egg Slut. 

But Ana Maria, my favorite place for Mexican food in the whole city – thankfully – still there. 

Ana Maria has some of the best Mexican food ANYWHERE. The prices have – amazingly – not changed much in the last couple of decades. The friendly people behind the counter still heap your burrito, taco, or torta (sandwich) full of meat, beans, veggies, and salsas. It’s messy and delicious and wonderful!

I almost always get a sope – a fried disc of masa piled high with goodness. (The only downside is that you get a ridiculously flimsy plastic fork to try to eat it with!)

You get to watch them put your food together (a little like Subway). Just have a good idea what you want before you go up to order as they’re usually very busy. Beware – when they say the salsa is hot, they really mean it!

Take your food and eat outside watching Angels Flight (the smallest train line in the world) going up and down Bunker Hill. Life is good!