The City of Angels is a mecca for foodies from all over the world. With a population of just under 4 million, there's enough delicious variety to satisfy everyone's hunger.
But what's available for those looking for cheap eats? In a city where restaurant prices are as diverse as the population, it may seem overwhelming to find an inexpensive place to eat, but we got you covered.
El Faisan y El Venado — Cheap Mexican food is quintessentially southern Californian; it practically flows through the lifeblood of the people who live here. But what if you could get cheap, authentic Mexican food instead of the gut-bomb burritos that many have come to expect? That's exactly what El Faisan y El Venado offers. Owned by husband-and-wife team Angel and Maria Eugenia in the Highland Park neighborhood, they specialize in serving specialties from the Yucatan peninsula rarely seen in other eating establishments. With specialties like panuchos, torta de cochinita pibil, and bistec encebollado con arroz y frijoles—each under $10—it's easy to see why people flock there. Plus, Angel and Maria are likely the only two people serving food at any given time, making them mainstays of the neighborhood and super personable with everyone entering their restaurant.
Oi Asian Fusion — East Hollywood has no shortage of good restaurants, but for plentiful servings of Filipino food at a good price, look no further than Oi Asian Fusion. Their adobo bowls—made with braised pork belly, adobo sauce, soft boiled egg, scallions, and rice—are extremely popular, and at $8 apiece, it's easy to see why. Distinguished foodies also rave about the pork belly jicama tacos and karaage chicken. With a laid-back, welcoming environment, it's well worth throwing down a couple dollars.
Brent's Delicatessen & Restaurant — Sometimes you just get the hankering for a generous portion of hearty pastrami tucked between two pieces of bread. The trouble is, affordable delis are going by the wayside, and it's increasingly difficult to satisfy your meat cravings. Brent's Deli & Restaurant, however, offers a solution. Tucked in the south side of the San Fernando Valley, this delicatessen has been serving sandwich aficionados since 1967, and with a line running outside the door on a regular basis, it doesn't look to be going away anytime soon. The famous Black Pastrami Reuben and fries will set you back about $17—but the quality and quantity justify the price.
Blue Window — The charm of Blue Window is that owner/chef Kajsa Alger changes the menu every six months, thereby establishing herself amidst the Hollywood food scene by doing exactly what she wants. When most restaurants settle on a menu indefinitely, they're inherently restricting the creativity of their chefs, which makes Blue Window so refreshing. Alger has a talent for taking traditional street food and putting her own spin on them. Items on past menus include Albacore tuna poke, potstickers, wings, BBQ bao and beef and cheddar burgers. Need any more reason to visit Blue Window? All items are vegetarian and cost $7.
Shake Shack — You can't have a list of inexpensive eats without mentioning a place that serves all-American burgers. Shake Shack, a popular East Coast restaurant, recently sprung up in West Hollywood. Foodies yearning for roadside burgers and crinkle-cut fries rush to this joint to beat a line that extends out the door on a regular basis. The classic single cheeseburger (a.k.a "Shackburger") will run you about $5; a double goes for $8. Crispy chicken sandwiches and hot dogs are tasty burger-alternatives served with the same neo-vintage flair. Even though the lines may be long, both food and price are worth the wait.
Kogi BBQ Truck — Since the city is so big, restaurants are now bringing their menus on the road, which is why food trucks in Los Angeles have become ubiquitous. The fleet of Kogi BBQ trucks, for example, specializes in Korean fusion food, overseen by chef maestro Roy Choi. The Korean tacos have become world-famous, and the Kogi dogs add a twist to the American classic by tossing shredded romaine, kimchi and Sriracha on top. Burritos and sliders are also available for those stumbling out of clubs late at night with a few extra dollars in their pockets.
From delis to food trucks, there is a plethora of diversity in Los Angeles' cuisine. And with a little bit of direction, you don't have to spend too much money to reap the tasty benefits.
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