LA's Best Cheap Eats
With plenty of dynamic dining options Los Angeles has to offer, people from all economic demographics can find something that can fit their budgetary constraints. Whether or not you're a Hollywood mogul, the city has an assortment of terrific healthy yet tasty choices that make your palate dance. But, there are a few select restaurants that won't bust your wallet and will taste just as great as a place four times more expensive. Here are the best cheap eats in Los Angeles.
800 Degrees
10889 Lindbrook Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 443-1911
www.800degreespizza.com
800 Degrees does it differently. A crowd favorite since its inception, you can literally choose your own adventure with whatever pie your artisan taste buds decide to take you. Open until 2 am, this pizza place can suit your late night needs in a tasty, cheap way. What should you get? Classics like their margherita pizza with crushed tomato, and fresh mozzarella is a favorite, as well as their Bianca pizza with white fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, garlic, oregano and olive oil. But, really anything you get here is going to be great!
Plancha Tacos
8250 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 951-9911
www.planchatacos.com
An underrated gem in the Los Angeles food scene, Plancha Tacos is one of the few taco joints in the city that has plethora of options that won't break the bank. Originally on W. 3rd St before expanding into Venice, anything you get here is really delicious. The burrito here, for under $10, is one of Plancha's specialities. As is their street tacos which you can get for next to nothing. With your choice of chicken, steak or Plancha Style (guacamole, cotija cheese, and salsa), you really can't go wrong. Don't forget about breakfast either. Everything from breakfast burritos to tamale's are offered.
Kogi/Alibi Room
12236 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 390-9300
www.alibiroomla.com
Taking the city by storm in 2008, the Kogi truck, and it's stand alone restaurant Alibi Room are trendsetters in the Los Angeles and can be pointed to as the place that kickstarted the food truck revolution. Not only is the food terrific - the fusion of Mexican and Korean food has turned Roy Choi into one of the hottest chefs in the country. The Kogi truck offers a number of great bits for under $10 (combos withstanding) and you likely get these same deals at Alibi Room albeit with a greater variety including calmer tacos and chicken wings. You'd be hard pressed to find this type of food at this quality for this price.
Ink Sack
8360 Melrose Avenue #107
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 651-5866
www.mvink.com
At a time when sandwiches are overpriced and under portioned, the sandwich spinoff of ink is the best bargain in town. Making delicious sandwiches that range between $6-$8, there's nothing on this menu that you can really go wrong with. What makes Ink Sack different from its pricier peers is that the sandwiches are as creative and fancy, except the portions and prices are fairly priced. In fact, whenever you're finished eating your sandwich, it's one of the rare times your wallet and body feel great.
Tsujita Annex
2050 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 231-0222
www.tsujita-la.com
Ramen joints right now are the hottest thing in town, popping up all over. But, what makes Tsujita Annex different, besides it's location on the Sawtelle strip which instantly validates it, is its flavorful dishes. Yes, there may or may not be a wait to sip on some delicious ramen (getting to the bottom of the bowl is worth it for the message), especially the pork ramen bowl, but while your stomach may expand, your wallet won't.
Ta-eem Grill
7422 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 944-0013
www.ta-eemgrillinc.com
Like many of the other places, Ta-eem Grill gives you a taste of the Middle East without having to leave city limits. Possibly the best Israeli food in town, the food is authentic as a cafe in Tel Aviv. And, once you see the prices for the large portions and delicious food, your eyes will be as big as your stomach. The key thing here is that the portions can easily be consumed by two, so not only is a great place to go with a friend or date, you both will be pleased with the food and price.
Pollo a La Brasa
764 Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 387-1531
There may be better places to get scrumptious chicken, but none likely have the loyal following as Pollo a La Brasa. Another place where you can find a great lunch or dinner for under $10, patrons rave about the aji sauce and the roasted chicken which is always on the money.
Eggslut
Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-2378
www.eggslut.com
Another beneficiary of the food truck boom, Eggslut's location in Grand Central Market is truck turned brick and mortar. Featuring tasty egg based sandwiches, hitting this place up for brunch or lunch is a must. Their burger melts in your mouth with the medium cooked egg smothering the juicy slab of meat.
Chego
727 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 380-8680
www.eatchego.com
Like it's cousins the Kogi Truck and Alibi Room, this Roy Choi restaurant specializes in previously unchartered territory. The Chinatown's restaurant's fusion bowls are wildly popular and the side dishes are out of this world. Oh, and everything again is priced to be less than $10, which means you can eat like king and spend less than a pauper would.
Bill & Hiroko's Hamburgers
14742 Oxnard St
Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 785-4086
There's something to be said about an old fashioned burger that tastes it like it came right off your father's grill. That's what makes Bill & Horoko's Hamburgers such a treat. Recalling some of the great diners of the east coast, this no-frills burger joint may not seem like much from the outside, but once you taste one of its burgers, you know you're in the right spot. Though it's closed on the weekends and shuts down operations at 4 pm, that shouldn't deter you from heading to Van Nuys to get a taste of a Valley institution.
