I’m with you - I almost never spend more than $15 on a meal, and >$20 is a splurge.
My favorite/regular affordable spots are:
Chego
Huarache Azteca
Ohana Poke Co
Mexicali Taco & Co.
Folliero’s (very old-school and very cheap, but I love the pizza and the entrees are also pretty good and under $8)
Sri Siam for larb and Nam Khao Tod
Marugame Monzo
Golden State (I go for the BLT and beer as often as the burger)
Any number of taco trucks (a list probably better saved for another thread) and SGV spots (also probably better in another thread)
Fish Grill (kosher) has pretty good offerings for a reasonable price. I like the option of adding Cajun spice to the grilled offerings. Their fish chowder has generous chunks of fish and is pretty good.
There are quite a few locations. They also have a sourcing list, if you’re concerned about sustainability.
If India Sweet House on Pico/Crescent Heights is still around and still as it was I’d swap them in here for their alu parathas. Get it with what used to be the best saag-paneer in town by a country mile (no sign of cream). Their chhola-bhaturas were great too.
Aladin on Vermont between 3rd and 2nd for very affordable (if greasy) home-style Bangladeshi/East-Bengali food. Great parathas and home-style chicken curry.
[quote=“Srsly, post:42, topic:3741”]
I almost never spend more than $15 on a meal, and >$20 is a splurge.
[/quote]You probably just made some Food Talkers gasp. Awesome.
This is the thread for me! It’ll be great to discover more tasty, budget friendly fare. Here are some that have been in my regular rotation over the years…sorry if the locations are a bit divided (currently residing in West L.A., but last lived in Atwater Village). I’ll add more as I remember them.
Grand Casino Bakery and Cafe (Argentinean: sandwiches, empanadas), Culver City
Mitsuwa Marketplace (Japanese: tempura from Hannosuke, ramen from Santouka, bentos from the market, etc.), Torrance, West L.A.
Vince’s Market (carnitas sandwich), Atwater Village (take-away only)
El Buen Gusto (pupusas), Atwater Village
Tacos Villa Corona (breakfast burrito with potatoes and spinach), Atwater Village (mostly take-away)
Cafe Tropical (cuban, media noche, roast pork sandwiches), Silver Lake
Tamales Alberto, (tamales of all kinds), Westlake
El Ruby Cafe (Mexican-American, not amazing, but cheap & the closest place to get cemitas poblanas from where I used to live), Glendale
Rincon Argentino (sandwiches, empanadas, pizza), Glendale (take-away only)
Yes She is at Sunin Bakery most of the time and is great to speak with, such passion for what she does. I think she helps out at the restaurant when she can but mostly runs the bakery.
my love appreciation of shamshiri is primarily based on
their ghormeh sabzi
the soup that has fermened whey drizzled on it (can’t remember the name)
the bread hot from the oven–no plastic wrapper commercial stuff
the mezze plate
the fact that their dolmas are stuffed with spicy lentil mixture instead of the traditional oily white rice
their adas polo made with brown rice
and
7 whenever i need to find a place for a diverse group, (i.e. a group that has vegetarians, kids, handicapped, old, people who can’t stand spice, people who need heart-healthy diets, calorie counters, gluten intolerant, etc) shamshiri can accomodate ALL of them!
whether or not their chicken is what it used to be, is way down the line on my list of concerns.
The Stand (does it even still exist) used to do $1 hot dogs on Mon or Tues (and $2.50 for a “loaded dog”) + homemade chips. That was like 10 yrs ago, though. Not sure what the price is now.
When Rubio’s was more commonplace, I used to get their $1 tacos (I think they were $1; they might’ve been $1.50).
If I want something truly affordable, I have partner cook up a large amount of pasta + cheese + tomato and then eat it for a few days. ::sigh::
I also find it much easier to stick to a budget when I eat out alone. Even eating w/ partner usually results in an uptick of $5pp or so (for cheaper places).
I haven’t had a Fish Grill taco. I tend to order the grilled trout or salmon w/Cajun spice, rice pilaf, salad and a cup of fish chowder.
I’m not a taco expert and haven’t been to the famous Ricky’s. Have you been to Plancha Tacos? They are hit & miss, but I had a great beer battered fish taco. It’s $3.75, but a huge piece of juicy fish with a light & crispy, crunchy coating. There’s a location in Venice & on 3rd St (my 'hood).
sorry, couldn’t help myself.
It’ll be great to discover more tasty, budget friendly fare. Here are some that have been in my regular rotation over the years…sorry if the locations are a bit divided (currently residing in West L.A., but last lived in Atwater Village). I’ll add more as I remember them.
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