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.

Kurrypinch serves some of Los Angeles’s best Sri Lankan food from a tiny storefront in the heart of Van Nuys. Based on portion size alone basically everything there is a great deal, but particular attention should be paid to the sub-$10 curry bowls and even more affordable mackerel fritters.

The jianbing to order at this Vancouver-based chain is the Peking duck crepe that includes coriander, hoisin, cucumbers, and chopped duck. Others, of course, are excellent too, and even more reasonably priced.

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.

This Silver Lake restaurant serves Ray Yaptinchay and Jay Tugas’s reimagined take on Filipino food. Order the adobo belly nigiri, slow-cooked pork belly with an adobo glaze served over rice, and the chori-burger featuring house-made Filipino pork chorizo on a toasted Hawaiian bun. They recently expanded to Sawtelle Japantown as well.

Mei Lin’s Sichuan fried chicken sandwich is one of the best bang-for-your-buck experiences in town, with expertly fried chicken, well-sliced slaw, and a plush bun to hold it all together. There’s chicken tenders with amazing golden brown fries as well.

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.

Though Dino’s has been in Los Angeles for six decades, its famous red char-grilled chicken didn’t make its way onto the menu until the ‘80s. For around $10, expect a packed styrofoam container of chicken and fries with Dino’s incredible sauce.

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.

Cult favorite Pakistani restaurant Zam Zam Market serves some of the best stews, rice dishes, and breads around, perfect for a hearty, warming meal.

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.