Victor Villa opens Villa's Tacos Inside Downtown LA's Grand Central Market

Victor Villa, the charismatic proprietor of Highland Park's Villa's Tacos, opened a second location of his well-known grilled taco store in Grand Central Market on March 24, 2024. It's an enormous second not just for the domestically born taquero , however for Los Angeles, as a lauded and reasonably priced meals choice replaces the area as soon as occupied by the shuttered Belcampo Meat Co. The stall has been empty within the 106-year-old meals corridor and marketplace for two years.

Villa tells Eater LA that Grand Central Market homeowners Andrew and Adam Daneshgar invited him to open available in the market whereas it was nonetheless working as a avenue stand on York Boulevard. “There was a chance to open in Grand Central Market in 2022, however I turned it down,” says Villa. “We didn't have a restaurant and I wanted the primary Villa to be in Highland Park.”

Villa opened the restaurant a number of months later in Highland Park at Figueroa and 54th Avenue and nonetheless maintains an extended line of followers ordering what he describes as “Estilo Los Angeles” delicacies. Right here, grill the asada, rooster, or chorizo on the mesquite with home made sauce and garnishes. Villa gained nationwide consideration on Netflix Taco Chronicles with frequent photographs of their blue corn tortillas encrusted with Monterey Jack cheese. Villa plans so as to add some new menu gadgets to each places, which he’ll announce within the close to future.

As soon as its liquor license is permitted within the coming weeks, Villa will supply native beers on faucet and wine by the glass. For now, he has eliminated the stools from the outdated barn to make sure the gang has room to maneuver. “We'll make our personal tomato juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, clam juice and we'll have the right Michelada recipe,” says Villa.

Grand Central Market went by a major overhaul in 2023 with PBJ.LA, Clark Avenue Bread, Chiles Secos, Horse Thief BBQ, DTLA Cheese, and Sari Sari Retailer closing. Newcomers Baker's Knead, Ghost Sando Store, Maple Block Meat Co., For The Win, and Broad Avenue Oyster Co.

Villa's Tacos menu and sign at Grand Central Market in Los Angeles. — The menu and signal on the Grand Central Market.

Villa's Tacos Grand Central Market is a major change from an 800-square-foot area in Highland Park. This one has a walk-in fridge, a bigger prep room, and sufficient area to carry a customized mesquite grill from Texas producer M&M Barbecue—all of which is able to assist accommodate the market's busiest foot visitors. The area is straightforward in design, adorned with Tacos di Villa colours and a neon brand.

“I'm happy with my roots. I'm proud to be Mexican. I'm happy with issues from Michoacan and Guerrero. However I'm additionally proud to be from LA and to characterize LA in my meals,” says Villa.

Villa's Tacos is open every day from 11 am to 9 pm in Grand Central Market at 312 S. Hill Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90013.