Los Angeles is one of the greatest food cities in the world. Not only can you collect Michelin stars across this sprawling city, you can also find the best meal you have ever had for less than a twenty-dollar bill. In my fourth and final installment in my Los Angeles on a Budget series, we end with Los Angeles on a Budget: Cheap Eats.
Putting together this list made me so hungry! Hopefully this will inspire your dinner plans.
Criteria
- You are going to be full for $15 or less.
- This is more than just 1 taco or 1 sandwich for $15. It is several tacos, a burger with fries, or a sandwich and a side.
- I have to have eaten at and recommend the restaurant.
- Drinks are extra–I am pricing water as your drink.
- Tips aren’t included. Not all businesses require tips.
Table of Contents
Los Angeles on a Budget:Cheap Eats for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
No. 1: Choose your own Izakaya Adventure at Torehei
(Torrance)
What is it? A busy Japanese yakitori place in a strip mall in Torrance.
When: 5:PM-10:PM on the weekdays and 12:PM-10:PM on the weekends.
Order: Yakitori Don $11.80 or Yakitori-Chicken Thigh + Tsukune + cabbage salad w/ sesame sauce $14.40.
Other: Make reservations because the wait can be hours. If you use the get on the waitlist feature on Yelp, the timing is off by an hour or so.
No. 2: The 3-item combo at Samosa House
(Multiple locations)
Vegetarian w/ Vegan options
What is it? Samosa House is an Indian Deli that serves vegetarian food. From curries to thalis, you will find a lot of classics. The combo comes from items in their steam table.
Cost: $12.02
When: See website linked above for locations and hours. The original location in Culver City has a grocery store.
As mentioned in: I mentioned the Santa Monica location in Where to Eat in Santa Monica on Main Street.
No. 3: The Cheeseburger & Fries at Win-dow
(Multiple locations)
What is it? The casual concept from American Beauty. American Beauty is a steakhouse in Venice, and their trimmings go to making the burgers at Win-dow.
Cost: Single cheeseburger $4.25 and fries $3.95 + tax.
When: Check the website for the hours for both locations.
As mentioned in: My pandemic take-out issue.
Note: The vegetarian option with fries also makes the list of Los Angeles Cheap Eats at less than $15. You could also chase that cheeseburger with a kale salad for less than $15.
No. 4: Medium size Ramen at Santouka
(Multiple locations)
What is it? A Hokkaido-style ramen stand in the Mitsuwa Marketplace in Mar Vista.
Cost: $11.95 (They serve various types of ramen, but the medium is the same price)
When: The hours are in Japanese, I would check the Yelp page for the Mar Vista and Torrance locations. Mar Vista is 11:am-7:PM.
As mentioned in: Where to Eat in Mar Vista.
No. 5: Diner classics at S & W Diner
(Culver City)
What is it? A greasy spoon steps from Sony Studios. Here you will find all the diner classics, and for those of you missing the Dunkin Donuts hot chocolate and coffee combo, try the Sam’s Special.
Cost: 2 egg breakfast with bacon, hash browns, and a biscuit is $12.95
When: 8:am-2:PM daily
As mentioned in: Where to Eat in Downtown Culver City.
Note: Great place to see celebrities since it is so close to Sony. They take cash only.
I talk about great places I have eaten every month on my Newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed, you are missing out.
No. 6: Happy Hour pizza at Ugo Cafe
(Culver City)
What is it? An Italian restaurant and cafe in Downtown Culver City serving Neopolitan-style pizza.
Cost: Select pizzas are $11
When: Monday-Friday, 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
As Mentioned in: Where to Eat in Downtown Culver City
[photo: @cafeugo]
No. 7: One topping small pizza at The Coop Pizza
(Palms)
What is it? A New York-Style Pizza place steps from the Palms Expo Line Station.
Cost: $11.25 + tax
When: Wednesday-Sunday, 11:am-9:PM
As mentioned in: Five Things I Have Been Doing During Safer at Home: Exploring Palms.
No. 8: The three short rib tacos + drink at Kogi Taco
(Find the food truck via their website)
What is it? The place that started the food truck revolution in Los Angeles. Kogi serves a fusion of Mexican and Korean Food.
Cost: Check out their combos which are all under $15.
When: There are several locations and food trucks traveling around, check their website, linked above.
No. 10: Quarter chicken and two sides at Pollo a la Brasa Western
(Koreatown on 8th and Western)
What is it? A Peruvian rotisserie chicken joint in Koreatown.
Cost: Quarter chicken with fries and salad is $10.05+tax
When: M, W-Su, 11:am-7:PM, CLOSED TUESDAYS.
As mentioned in: I was on a podcast
Note: No website
THIS IS MY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT UNDER $15
No. 11: Half-Sandwich from Larchmont Wine and Cheese
What is it? A neighborhood wine and cheese shop that just happens to have the best deli sandwiches in town. There is a lot to choose from. Grab a half sandwich and chips and you are good to go.
Cost: Half sandwich is around $6.00 and chips are around $3.00
When: 10:am-5, PM everyday but Sunday
As mentioned in: Where to eat lunch in Hollywood
No. 11: Khao Soi at (Amphai) Northern Thai Food Club
(Thai Town)
What is it? Los Angeles is well-known for its Southern Thai restaurants, but have you tried Northern Thai? You definitely should, and this is the place to go. My favorite is their Khao Soi.
Cost: $11.99 + tax.
When: Daily, 10:am-9:30 p.m.
No 12: Echo Park taco tour
(Very specifically at the intersection of Sunset and Marion.)
What is it? A section of Sunset by Dodgers Stadium that is home to some of the best tacos in the city. Here you are trying tacos from Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Los Angeles by way of Mexican kitchens.
Cost: see the stops on the tour
When: Daily, but always best to follow on Instagram–links are below.
As mentioned in: I mentioned Teddy’s Red Tacos in two posts. Read one here that also links to the other.
Note: Echo Park for all locations on this tour.
Stops on the tour
Angel’s Tijuana Tacos–(Taco stand) Get the El Pastor queso taco $4.50 ea. I am partial to vampiros, which have a nice crunch and are a hefty size, also $4.50 ea. They are known for their El Pastor.
Teddy’s Red Tacos–(Taco truck) Get the birria taco with cheese $3.70. (aka the quesabirria) Add consomme for $2.10 for a little dipping and drinking. (There are vegetarian options here.)
Guisados–(Brick and mortar) Get the Tinga taco which is a little bit spicy and a little bit messy or the mole taco for $3.79. (There are vegetarian and vegan tacos.)
Total for all three spots: El pastor queso taco $4.50 + birra cheese taco and consume $5.80 + tinga taco is $3.79. Total $14.09, and you will be very full. Tip if you can.
No. 13: The bun and cucumber salad at Pine & Crane
(DTLA and Silver Lake locations)
What is it? A Taiwanese counter-service place serving classics with local ingredients.
Cost: The bun–choose the pork or vegan options–and the cucumber salad is $10.50 + tax.
When: Daily 8:am-10:PM. The bun and cucumber salad is on the menu from 11:am-10:PM
No. 14: Super Nacho Happy Hour at Bar Amá
(DTLA)
What is it? Part of Chef Josef Centeno’s empire of restaurants. Bar Ama concentrates on his Tex-Mex roots.
Cost: Super Nachos are $10, and very filling the tacos are $4 a piece.
When: Super Nacho Happy hour is 5:PM-7:PM Tuesday-Saturday and 4:PM-6:PM on Sunday
No. 15: The guide to Cheap Eats at The Grand Central Market
What is it? The Grand Central Market has fed Los Angeles since 1917. It was a food hall before food halls were cool. They have a wide range of vendors from all over Los Angeles serving dishes worldwide.
When: The Grand Central Market is open 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Check the website for times when these vendors are open.
- The Fairfax and side salad at Egg Slut $12.60 + tax (or spring for the truffle hash browns for an additional .40)
- Two tacos and a mini-coke at Villa Moreliana $14.95.
- Donut feast at the Donut Man at an average of $3.50 per donut, you could get 4 donuts before you need to worry about our price restriction.
- Pupusas at Saritas these large pupusas are $5.50 a piece, you could get two for the price limit, and two will do you good for a while. They are pretty filling. My favorite is the bean and cheese or the loroco and cheese.
- Create your own pasta at Knead $13
No. 16: The under $15 guide to Smorgasburg
What is it? Smorgasburg is a weekly food festival in the Row in DTLA. This is a food lovers’ dream held every Sunday. This is one of my favorite events in Los Angeles, but it can be expensive. Here is my guide to staying $15 or under.
When: Sundays, 11:am-4:PM.
Los Cochinitos–What is it? They specialize in pork tacos using all parts of the animal. Cost: Two hefty tacos are $10 with a single tortilla. (two tortillas is more $$)
Correa Mariscos–What is it? Seafood tacos. The deep-fried ones are the ones they are known for. Cost: 2 tacos for $11
Smorgasburg also has promotional deals. For example, using Apple Pay can get you 25% off or Uber Eats promotions to order ahead and skip the line with discounts. (Not an affiliate, just telling you extra ways to save money.)
No. 17: The classic and fries at Amboy
(Chinatown)
What is it? This is the second restaurant by Alvin Cailan where you can get something $15 or less. It is his burger joint in Chinatown.
Cost: There are three styles that you can get for $10 a piece + fries at $3. Classic refers to the burger patty.
When: Wednesday-Sunday 12:PM-3:PM and 5:PM-8:PM.
Note: I mentioned this burger being on my last meal list in my newsletter. It is also in my burger rankings.
This Ugly Beautiful City Tip
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No. 18: Chicken shawarma or falafel plate from X’tiosu
(East LA)
What is it? A Lebanese and Mexican mash-up by brothers from Oaxaca that cooked in Lebanese restaurants in Los Angeles.
Cost: the chicken plate is $13.75 and the falafel plate is $12.75.
When: 11:30-7:PM Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30-5:00 on Sunday, closed on Mondays.
No. 19: Pork Bhan Hoi or many of the Pho options at Golden Deli
(Multiple locations)
What is it? The best Pho I have had in Los Angeles. It is a Vietnamese restaurant serving popular dishes and those that aren’t as known outside of Vietnam.
Cost: There is actually a lot you can eat for $13 or less. The menu is surprisingly huge.
When: Check the website for the hours of both locations.
No. 20: Favorite places for Dim Sum in the San Gabriel Valley
First, I want to say how sad I am that Elite had a fire; they were my favorite all-around dim sum in the city. Crossing my finger that it isn’t closed forever.
Dim sum is a great way to get a group together and eat well for little money. Always bring cash.
I am listing some highlights from these places, but you can’t go wrong with any items on the menu–except for the Xiao Long Bao. If you want good XLB, you should go to a Taiwanese restaurant.
Sea Harbor–What to order: Any of the steamed shrimp dishes and the congee.
Lunasia–What to order: Any of the rice rolls–especially the crispy shrimp– and the fish balls.
NBC Seafood–If you want to have the cart experience
Los Angeles on a Budget Cheap Eats for Drinks & Dessert
I can’t forget drinks and dessert. Here is a sampling of places to get drinks or dessert for less than $15.
No. 21: 5-piece Mochi sampler at Fugetsu-Do
(Little Tokyo)
What is it? The oldest mochi confectionary in Los Angeles
Cost: $12.25
When: Open Daily 8:am-6:PM
Note: I don’t suggest eating this whole thing by yourself.
No. 22: Beer flight at Los Angeles Ale Works
(Multiple locations)
What is it? Los Angeles Ale Works is a brewery offering many different styles of beer which always makes the best sampler.
Cost: $10
When: Check the website linked above for the locations and their hours. Also, check out their food truck schedule.
No. 23: Bar & Garden’s $15 wine tasting
(Culver City)
What is it? A liquor store that supports small producers. They have a wine tasting every Friday night.
Cost & When: It ranges, and the best way to find more information is to check their Instagram account.
Los Angeles on a Budget Cheap Eats: Ice Cream
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So there it is, my list of things to do in Los Angeles for $15 or less. Thank you for sticking with me for four posts and over 100 things to do. Did I reveal one of your new favorite places in Los Angeles? Let me know in the comments.
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