La Tostaderia: A Cut Above

by guest blogger @iam_robot

There’s more that meets the eyes to this tiny booth inside Grand Central Market than its namesake tostada – imagine everything you like in a seafood and amplify that sea flavor with fresh salsa verde, chipotle cream sauce, or crème fraiche. I saw the menu and I was dancing with joy! Situated strategically near the entrance and across from Belcampo Meat, Fernando Villagomes (of carnitas fame Las Morelianas) and Chef Sandra Felix (formerly Campanile) are serving up modern ceviche, tacos, and tostadas utilizing traditional recipe and fresh seafood from Baja and the Pacific Coast.

Expect to see thick slices of halibut, wild Mexican shrimp or grilled octopus swimming in a sea of yuzu juice, verde, or habanero sauce. Progressive yet refined and traditional in flavors. Other than the bright neon mermaid sign, there’s nothing in this stall that’d suggest this is a ritzy joint. Instead, the vibe here feels like your favorite cafeteria with its black and blue ceramic tiles, chalkboard menus, and 12 counter chairs. Bring a friend and grab a Michelada from Las Morelianas, I think you could have a memorable Mexican feast for under $30. Here are a few of my favorite things from the menu:

Sarandeado Shrimp Tacos: sautéed shrimp, seasonal veggies, salsa verde and chipotle cream sauce

Generous serving of sautéed shrimp contrasts nicely against the bright salsa verde and sweet caramelized onion. The chipotle cream sauce adds tang and cooling underneath. Definitely one of the more delicious tacos I’ve tried in LA.

Corvina Fish Tacos: corn tortilla, avocado purée, pork cracklings, salsa verde, and pickled red onions.

Another winner! Fish is skillfully fried to golden brown perfection while the zing of the salsa verde meshed delightfully with inherent sweetness of the avocado puree and red onions. I appreciate the addition of pork cracklings here, it adds saltiness and crunchiness to the party.

Peruvian Ceviche: chilled halibut, red onions, corns nuts, and cilantro   

I appreciate how the base wasn’t overly acidic and I could still taste the mild sweetness of the halibut. I like the nearly chewy texture of the halibut, it's not overly flaky. A very refreshing dish for those high heat summer days- close to comfort yet unabashed in flavor.

Campechana Verde: shrimp, squid, scallops, cucumber, green onions, cilantro oil

Crème of the crop here! I've never tasted any Mexican dish more delicious than this one in my life – God honest truth! This dish is a melting pot of shrimp, squid, and scallop swimming in a sea of salsa verde – a blissful symphony of sweet, sour, salty, and hot. Loved the chewy texture of the squid, the inherent brininess of the scallop, and the sweet essence of the shrimp. At $14 a cup, this is a steal!

All in all, I think La Tostaderia offers unconventional dishes that will have you coming back for more, so next time you’re in Downtown LA, pay a visit to La Tostaderia. There’s no need to agonize yourself waiting in the endless line around Eggslut. Instead, try something different, you’ll thank me later.

La Tostaderia
Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-2378