You’re not imagining it: dining out has become an expensive activity. Though inflation and restaurant operating costs continue to rise, eating well doesn’t have to break the bank in Los Angeles. From Hainanese chicken in Hollywood to Italian sandwiches in Canoga Park, every neighborhood has a spot serving reasonably priced fare. Here are 18 budget-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles.
Read More18 Highly Affordable Dining Options in Los Angeles
It’s easy to spend less and eat well in LA
Cavaretta's Italian Deli
Cavaretta’s is an Italian deli and market that has been open since 1959 in Canoga Park. Go for the excellent sandwiches, which are made on fresh bread and only cost $9.95 for a small. The Italian and meatball sandwiches can’t be missed, but other options including the caprese and tuna salad also hold their own.
Baja Subs Market & Deli
The Sri Lankan menu is the star at the unassuming Baja Subs, which despite its name also leans into Mexican food, takeaway corner store items, and Southeast Asian food alike. Diners will be hard-pressed to find a menu item over $16.
Borekas Sephardic Pastries
Plan accordingly at this Sherman Oaks shop, as they sell out early. Lines of eager fans hope to get their hands on bourekas, the specialty item stuffed four different ways including mushrooms and truffles, or spinach and cheese. Co-owner Uzi Waizman’s dough is made with a proprietary recipe that’s a mashup of phyllo and croissant and uses brown butter instead of margarine. The results are excellent.
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Los Cocos Panaderia y Pupuseria
This Westside mainstay, located in a small Centinela Avenue strip mall, serves 19 types of pupusas that include classics like pork and cheese and loroco and cheese, as well as vegan options like squash and potato or beans and soyrizo. Plus, there’s a full pastry case of sweets, along with breads and other baked goods.
Gwen's Specialty Cakes
For small-bite options of classic cakes and pies like pecan and sweet potato (plus peach cobbler, of course), get over to this decades-old Inglewood spot. Sign up for Gwen’s email list to know when they’re serving outstanding soul food platters with entrees and two sides for $22.
Earle's On Crenshaw
Classic South LA hot dog spot Earle’s has some of the best grilled hot dogs in Los Angeles, all served at an approachable price point. There’s plenty of variety here, from all-beef to vegetarian-friendly options.
Liu's Cafe
Koreatown’s swanky new Liu’s Cafe serves some of the freshest Taiwanese/Hong Kong food in the heart of Koreatown. Think cheesy egg salad sandwiches, chiayi chicken over rice, and a mouthwatering braised pork belly over steamed white rice, all just over $10. The pastries, made on the premises, recall Hong Kong dessert shops with egg tarts, cookies, and pineapple buns that work great with iced milk tea. A terrific little neighborhood spot for those homesick for Taipei or Hong Kong.
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Heng Heng Chicken Rice
Though Hollywood’s Heng Heng specializes in poached Haiananese chicken, available in both light and dark meat, the fried chicken is also a standout. Order the half-and-half over rice to get the best of both worlds and rest assured it still only costs $15.50.
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Busy Bee Market
Busy Bee may well be the most famous restaurant in all of San Pedro, owing to its giant and meaty belly-buster sandwich. Still, great deals can be had for at or around $10 a pop, whether the pastrami or roast beef.
Myung In Dumplings
Find king-sized steamed dumplings at this strip mall spot in Koreatown, along with fried chicken, soup, and more. Available with fillings including red bean, kimchi, and vegetables, each plate of dumplings runs for only $13.99. The dumplings are also available at Myung In’s second location in Northridge.
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Borjstar Shawarma Shop
Syrian-born Borjstar owner Abu Jemil serves his Arabic-style shawarma in the South Bay, where his chicken and beef (both mixed with lamb) come either as shawarma wraps or plates with thin, delicate flatbreads. Everything is $15.99 and under.
SKECHERS Food Spot
Park at the lot next to the Skechers shoe store in Gardena and prepare to wait in line for $2.50 cheese pizza slices, $2.50 Nathan’s all-beef hot dogs, and $5 double cheeseburgers.
Bé Ù
Virgil Village’s Vietnamese spot ensures that all of its stakeholders, from employees to locals in the neighborhood, win out against the forces of gentrification. This means reasonably priced food that still delivers deep, homemade flavors like banh mi, pork riblets, and truly tasty popcorn chicken.
India Sweets & Spices
Lunch combinations start at $5.99 at this vegetarian Indian cafe and market. The food is served cafeteria style with hot trays of curry, rice, and more that are available as part of a meal, or a la carte. The most expensive combination runs for only $10.99 — it comes with two curries, basmati rice, chapati, a samosa, salad, lassi, and a choice of rasmali or gulab jamun for dessert. India Sweets & Spices also operates a second location in Mid-City.
Aloha Cafe
Since 2004, Aloha Cafe has operated out of Little Tokyo, preparing some of the region’s best stick-to-your-ribs meals. Try the big breakfast with two eggs, Portuguese sausage, and corn beef hash for $12.50. But everyone comes for the loco moco with a housemade ground beef patty, two eggs, and grilled onions on a bed of rice for $12.95.
Chronis Famous Sandwich Shop
Just look at the chili dogs at this Whittier Boulevard mainstay, especially when served up with American cheese, lots of mustard, and chunks of raw white onion. The priciest menu item is the pastrami sandwich for $10.50.
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Huge Tree Pastry
Huge Tree Pastry specializes in fan tuan, a Taiwanese breakfast that consists of glutinous rice wrapped around a crispy rod of youtiao and meat floss. Add pickles and egg to make it a meal, and the total cost still comes in under $6. Be advised this place is cash-only, so make sure to stop by the ATM on the way.
Surati Farsan
Tantalizing methai (sweets) and chat (snacks) are what it’s all about at Surati Farsan Mart, a stylish shop specializing in Gujarati-style nibbles since 1986. The pani puri are beautifully made delicate whole-wheat shells filled with mung beans, potatoes, and jaljira, a cool liquid imbued with herbs and spices, and drizzled with chutneys.
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