cheap food in Los Angeles and surrounding areas?

Question

There are a few of us travelling round america and are very budgeted. We are not particularly bothered about quality, althoguh decent cheap food would be a bonus. We are looking to pay around $10 - $14 for an evening meal. Thanks

Answer 1

Dupar's
Norm's
Carrow's
(all are kind of like Denny's, but a bit better, located all over the place)

Answer 2

If you're traveling the US on a budget and LA is on your itinerary, I would recommend you take advantage of the EXCELLENT and CHEAP ethnic food in the area.

Tops on my list is Thai Town. You will not find another Thai Town in the US, and it is worth a quick trip (especially since it is near Hollywood anyway).

There's a place called Palms Thai Restaurant. It is on Hollywood Blvd and Bronson Ave. (just west of the 101 freeway ramp). They have the BEST Thai food in Los Angeles, and they're famous for their live entertainment. On most nights, they have a Thai Elvis impersonator onstage singing Elvis' tunes. It is a MUST SEE. And yes, the food is cheap. It's around $6-9 per dish.

If you're around Glendale, there are two places you need to visit: Porto's Bakery and Zankou's Chicken. Porto's is a Cuban bakery that sells a panoply of excellent sandwiches and desserts. They're not open late (they close around 5 or 6ish), but you can always buy stuff and hold onto it for later. The potato balls (firm mashed potatoes fried in bread crumbs with a savory beef filling). One potato ball is about 65¢, and three makes a good meal. buy a dozen for yourself if you want to be stuffed senseless.

Zankou's Chicken is an Armenian restaurant chain that serves Armenian-style rotisserie chicken, falafel and shawerma. Tasty goods, and very inexpensive. They were immortalized in pop culture by Beck in his song "Debra" from the 'Midnite Vultures' album.

If you venture downtown towards the USC campus, there's a Mexican restaurant called La Tequiza on Figueroa at 30th. Order two "al pastor" pork mulitas. A mulita is like a quesadilla, only thicker. So greasy, so delicious. They have a killer salsa bar. Also dirt cheap.

And then check out Chinatown. There are so many excellent and cheap places to dine. Here are my favorites: Yang Chow (811 N Broadway), Hop Li (Alpine near Hill St.) and Hop Woo (on Broadway). If you are looking for lunch, Empress Pavilion has the best dim sum in Chinatown (better dim sum can be found in the San Gabriel Valley, but I don't know how far you wanted to drive).

Pink's Hot Dogs on La Brea Ave is also a must. The line is long for a reason. The wieners have a good snap to them. definitely a good cheap joint.

Answer 3

The pantry downtown LA is cheap and pretty decent food. The servings are large so you may be able to split a meal. Denny's is a chain restaurant that is also very cheap and there are many locations.

Answer 4

The BEST cheap Italian food is at Alejo's restaurant. There is one in Marina Del Rey on the corner of Washington & Lincoln & one in Westchester (by LAX) on Lincoln X 87th St that is much much bigger.
Same yummy x-large portions & cheap prices!!
Everything is less than $15!

Answer 5

Little Ethiopia has great food and a whole bunch of different restaurants. Check out the area on Fairfax, I'll post a link below.

Answer 6

Although much cheaper than you request there is Tito's Tacos in the West LA area.

Others that are more in your price range are:

Versailles Cuban food - there are a few in the area.

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles (one on LaBrea and Pico) (one on Sunset and Gower) (one in Pasadena off of Lake Avenue).

California Chicken Cafe.

Answer 7

Cheap and good is In n Out Burger

Answer 8

Hof's Hut. Lots of choices on the menu. Take a look at their website and menu.

Answer 9

try citysearch.com they tell you price, parking, romantic and good for kids or not. They also have shopping, hotels and events in the city you are looking for.