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 of 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 will be full for $17 or less.
- This is more than just 1 taco or 1 sandwich for $17. It is several tacos, a burger with fries, or a sandwich and a side.
- I have to have eaten at the restaurant and recommend it.
- 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: 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 wide range of regional dishes. The combo comes from items in their steam table.
Cost: $13.99 (w/ tax $15.36)
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. 2: 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 $4.50 and fries $4.25 + tax.
When: Check the website for the hours for all locations. (4 in Los Angeles, 1 in Long Beach, 1 in Santa Barbara)
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. 3: Rice bowls at Santouka
(Multiple locations)
What is it? A Hokkaido-style ramen stand in the Mitsuwa Marketplace in Mar Vista.
Cost: Rice bowls are $8 + tax, and the medium regular ramen salt, soy, or miso is $15.00 +tax.
When: Mar Vista location is open 11:am-7:PM.
As mentioned in: Where to Eat in Mar Vista.
No. 4: 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 + tax.
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.
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No. 5: 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 $13 + tax.
When: Monday-Friday, 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
As Mentioned in: Where to Eat in Downtown Culver City
[photo: @cafeugo]
No. 6: Small 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: $12.25 + tax
When: Wednesday-Sunday, 11:am-9:PM
As mentioned in: Five Things I Have Been Doing During Safer at Home: Exploring Palms.
No. 7: Combos from Anzu
(Sawtelle/Japantown)
NOTE: Since this was published, Anzu has moved inside Menya Tigre.
What is it? Several combos are within the $17 budget, including their famous kaarage.
Cost: $12.80+tax.
When: Daily, but hours vary. Check out the hours on page two of this menu.
[photo: @anzu_la]
No. 8: 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 $12.08 + 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 $17
No. 9: 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: A Half sandwich is around $6.75 + tax, and chips are around $3.00 +tax.
When: 10:am-5, PM everyday but Sunday
As mentioned in: Where to eat lunch in Hollywood
No 10: 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 for $3.70. (aka the quesabirria) Add consommé for $2.10 for a little dipping and drinking. (There are vegetarian options here.)
Guisados (brick-and-mortar): Get the Tinga taco or the mole taco for $3.79 +tax. (There are vegetarian and vegan tacos.)
Total for all three spots: El pastor queso taco $4.50 + birria cheese taco $5.80 + tinga taco $3.79. Total $14.09, and you will be very full. Tip if you can.
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No. 11: Vegetarian & Vegan options at Be U kitchen
(Echo Park)
I have mentioned Be U several times in my newsletter. Most recently, I highlighted their great work supporting the victims of the 2025 fires. I am happy that someone let me know that they have a few items on their menu that fit the $17 or less criteria.
What is it? A casual Vietnamese spot serving the food you can usually only get at someone’s home.
Cost: Get the Vegan or Vegetarian Ban Mi for less than $17
When: Closed on Mondays; open every other day at 11 am.-7:pm
Be U also feeds locals through donations. They feed approximately 250 meals per week to those displaced by wildfires, unhoused neighbors, and those impacted by immigration raids.
No. 12: Local Love Bowl from Park’s Finest
(Echo Park)
Park’s Finest, not to be confused with Park’s BBQ, is a Filipino spot serving BBQ and comfort food. Their local love bowl is a rice bowl served with buttered corn and your choice of protein–vegan options available.
Cost: The Local Love Bowl is $10, only available on Thursday & Friday lunch
No. 13: The bun and cucumber salad at Pine & Crane
(DTLA)
What is it? A Taiwanese counter-service place serving classics with local ingredients.
Cost: There are several substantial items that are less than $17, including the clamshell buns, minced pork on rice, and dan dan noodles
When: Daily 8:am-10:PM. The bun and cucumber salad is on the menu from 11:am-10:PM
Note: DTLA and Silverlake have different menus, but both offer low-cost options.
No. 14: 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 + tax.
- 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, two will do you good for a while. They are pretty filling. My favorite is the bean and cheese or the loroco and cheese.
- Pasta at Knead $15
No. 15: The classic and fries at Amboy
(Chinatown)
What is it? This is the second restaurant by Alvin Cailan where you can get something for $15 or less. It is his burger joint in Chinatown.
Cost: The classic is $10, plus small fries for $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.
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No. 16: Chicken shawarma or falafel plate from X’tiosu
(East LA)
What is it? A Lebanese and Mexican mash-up by brothers from Oaxaca who cooked in Lebanese restaurants in Los Angeles.
Cost: the chicken shwarma burrito is $9.75, and the falafel plate is $12.75. (plus taxes)
When: 11:30-7:PM Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30-5:00 on Sunday, closed on Mondays.
No. 17: 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 lesser-known ones outside 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. 18: Favorite places for Dim Sum in the San Gabriel Valley
First, I want to say how sad I am that Elite had a fire; it was my favorite all-around dim sum spot in the city. Crossing my fingers 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. 19: 5-piece Mochi sampler at Fugetsu-Do
(Little Tokyo)
What is it? The oldest mochi confectionery 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. 20: 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, making it the best sampler.
Cost: $10
When: Check the website linked above for the locations and their hours. Also, check out their food truck schedule.
If you love this list of Los Angeles on a Budget: Cheap Eats, check back often. This list will be updated frequently to include new restaurants and remove those that fall off due to closures or price increases. You can always subscribe to my newsletter for updates.
So there it is, my list of things to do in Los Angeles on a budget. 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.
I publish guides using the Los Angeles on a Budget list on how to spend a cheap day in Los Angeles. Subscribe to my newsletter to get the guides.