Cheap Eats
Los Angeles Area

As the world economy slows down, and more and more of our budget goes towards gasoline, we may want to tighten our belts, but we still need to fill our stomachs. Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in Los Angeles. As an added bonus, we've broken it up by regions to save you precious gas money.

Westside
Beverly Hills/Hollywood/Midtown

Santa Monica/Malibu
Downtown/Silver Lake
San Fernando Valley
San Gabriel Valley/Pasadena
South Bay

WESTSIDE

The Apple Pan Burgers
Quick Bite
10801 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310-475-3585
Longtime home of great burgers and legendary apple pie. More...

Attari Sandwich Shop Persian
Quick Bite
1388 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-441-5488
Palm-lined Persian oasis specializing in vegetarian soup, afternoon kebabs and the compelling kuku, a fluffy green quiche. More...

BEVERLY HILLS/HOLLYWOOD/MIDTOWN

Jitlada Thai
13/20
5233 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-667-9809
Authentic Thai café serving rarely-seen specialties since the 1980s. More...

Mulberry Street Pizzeria Pizza
Quick Bite
240 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310-247-8100
New York-style pizza, topped with everything from pepperoni and cheese to chicken Parmesan. More...

Pink's Famous Chili Dogs Hot Dogs
Quick Bite
709 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-931-4223
Pink's has been slinging ripe, bursting-with-flavor beef hot dogs into fresh buns for longer than almost anyone can remember. More...

SANTA MONICA/MALIBU

Abbot's Pizza Company Pizza
Quick Bite
1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
310-396-7334
We’re crazy about the pizza, which is made with bagel-dough crusts. More...

The Counter Burgers
12/20
2901 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-399-8383
Taking the “have it your way” mantra to the extreme, The Counter creates a safe haven for even the pickiest eater, while managing to serve up great food fast. More...

Fritto Misto Italian
12/20
Dining Room at Fritto Misto, Santa Monica, CA 601 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-2829
This friendly neighborhood trattoria serves simple, very reasonably priced Italian food in generous portions. More...

Gilbert's El Indio Mexican
Quick Bite
2526 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-450-8057
Family-run Gilbert's packs in the faithful, for straight-ahead versions of Mexican favorites, home-style specialties, margaritas by the pitcher and terrific chips, salsa and pickled carrots. More...

Howdy's Taqueria Malibu Mexican
Quick Bite
Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek Rd., #3
Malibu, CA 90265
310-317-4757
Beach adjacent taqueria delivers a menu of Mexican-American favorites. More...

Marmalade Café
Quick Bite
710 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-395-9196
These charming delis-cafés turn out baked good alongside salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. More...

Snug Harbor Diner
Quick Bite
2323 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-828-2991
Tiny neighborhood diner with a charming back patio, satisfying for breakfast or lunch. More...

DOWNTOWN/SILVER LAKE

The Best Fish Taco in Ensenada Mexican
Quick Bite
1650 Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
No Phone
Colorful Baja-style storefront with undersea feel that specializes in fried fish and shrimp tacos. More...

Intelligentsia Coffeehouse
Quick Bite
Sunset Junction
3922 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323-663-6173
Sunset Junction coffee bar specializing in single origin coffee, similarly sourced teas and personal attention. More...

La Casita Mexicana Mexican
13/20
Dining Room at La Casita Mexicana, Bell, CA 4030 E. Gage Ave.
Bell, CA 90201
323-773-1898
Located in a forgotten corner of South L.A., this colorful restaurant is producing some of the most ambitious Mexican food in the city. More...

Langer's Deli Deli
Quick Bite
704 S. Alvarado St.
Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-483-8050
Its neighborhood has seen better days, but Langer's continues to be one of L.A.'s top delis---the pastrami may be the best in town. More...

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

The Artisan Cheese Gallery Cheese
Quick Bite
12023 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
818-505-0207
This Valley cheese shop has a wide selection of cheese from around the world, plus delectable sandwiches. More...

Hugo's Tacos Mexican
Quick Bite
Dining Room at Hugo 4749 Coldwater Canyon Ave.
Studio City, CA 91604
818-762-7771
A taco shack that takes an all-natural approach to its food and drink. More...

Hummus Bar Middle Eastern
Quick Bite
Tarzana Village
18743 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356
818-344-6606
Casual strip-mall café that offers many varieties of hummus and other Israeli specialties. More...

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY/PASADENA

Chang's Garden Chinese
14/20
627 W. Duarte Rd.
Arcadia, CA 91007
626-445-0707
Modern Shanghai-style restaurant that elevates Arcadia strip mall dining through inspired cooking. More...

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House Chinese
13/20
1108 S. Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
626-574-7068
Taiwan-based dumpling shop specializing in soup dumplings. More...

Dutch Oven Bakery Bakery
Quick Bite
2281 N. Lake Ave.
Altadena, CA 91001
626-794-3555
This neighborhood bakery offers a wide selection of fresh goods along with a unique specialty: honey muffins. More...

Elena's Greek Armenian Cuisine Greek
14/20
1000 S. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, CA 91205
818-241-5730
Sophisticated preparations of Greek and Armenian classics, served in a simple setting at affordable prices. More...

Heirloom Bakery & Café Bakery
Quick Bite
807 Meridian Ave., Ste. C
South Pasadena, CA 91030
626-441-0042
In the artsy Mission West district of South Pas, this colorful café features breakfasts, quiches, salads and pizza, plus freshly baked breads and scones. More...

Luscious Dumplings, Inc. Chinese
14/20
704 W. Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
626-282-8695
Tiny family-run restaurant offering some of the best dumplings and noodle soups in the San Gabriel Valley. More...

The Peach Café American
13/20
141 E. Colorado Blvd.
Monrovia, CA 91016
626-599-9092
Southern-tinged café that produces unique breakfast items, pastries and coffee drinks. More...

SOUTH BAY

Al-Noor Pakistani
13/20
15112 Inglewood Ave.
Lawndale, CA 90260
310-675-4700
Skillfully prepared, authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine at bargain prices. More...


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