The Sri Lankan food is the star at the unassuming Baja Subs, which despite the name also leans into Mexican food, takeaway corner store items, and Southeast Asian food alike.

With numerous outlets across the LA area, Tacos Los Palomos consistently delivers the most delicious, freshly sliced al pastor in the city. Check Instagram for locations, and be sure to watch out for daily specials, like when they price fully packed tortas for $5 apiece.

North Pasadena staple Rodney’s Ribs looks like a simple takeout operation in a parking lot, but locals know that Rodney serves up some of the area’s best namesake ribs as well as a mean chopped brisket sandwich.

Rancho Cucamonga strip mall option Guido’s is the rare Argentinian-Italian specialist for greater Los Angeles. Find stuffed pizzas with lots of onion, cutlet sandwiches, empanadas, and more.

Mexico City chainlet Tacos Don Manolito does tacos a la placha, using chorizo and cecina to great versatility. The key here to get as many things with the griddled cheese as possible, and make sure to load each taco up with the excellent, intensely flavored salsas.

The family-run Village Mart & Deli is one of El Sereno’s best gems. Over the last three years, staff serve an easy daytime menu with sandwiches, soups, and the king jewel: a pastrami breakfast burrito. The latter is in a more compact size and filled with avocados, eggs, pastrami, peppers, very crispy potatoes, and cheese. Before you leave, grab a six-pack of Modelo or craft beer from the fridge.

The mission at Falafel Inc. so to make a super-affordable dish like falafel and use some of the proceeds to help in areas around the world. The $4-5 pita sandwich at Falafel Inc. is a healthy, quick snack or lunch that anyone from office workers to college students.

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.

Flame-licked and bright red, the chicken at this Inglewood takeout is a mix of spicy, juicy, and lovingly charred — and it’s very, very hard to put down.

David Kuo of Little Fatty opened this handy LAX-adjacent sandwich shop specializing in banh mi an approachable, everyday price. Order one with extra pate for a big flavor boost.

Longtime food truck Tamales Elenas has a handy drive-thru and casual restaurant in Bell Gardens now, with some of the city’s best tamales, pozoles, and guisados that come in generous portions. Order ahead to see what’s available.

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 pitch-perfect — delicate whole-wheat shells filled with mung beans, potatoes, and jaljira, a cool liquid imbued with herbs and spices, and drizzled with chutneys.

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, from pastrami to roast beef and beyond.