Best Food in LA Cheap: A Guide to Delicious Eats on a Budget

Los Angeles is known for its vibrant food scene, with a diverse array of cuisines and flavors to explore. However, dining out can quickly become expensive, especially in a city like LA. But fear not, for there are plenty of budget-friendly options that offer tasty eats without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll explore the best food in LA that won’t leave you penniless.

The Best Cheap Eats in Los Angeles

🍔 Burgers: LA is home to some of the best burger joints in the country, with many affordable options. From iconic chains like In-N-Out and Shake Shack to local favorites like The Habit and Umami Burger, there are plenty of delicious burgers to try.

🌮 Tacos: Tacos are a staple of LA’s food culture, and luckily, they’re also affordable. Head to places like Tacos Tu Madre, Guisados, and Leo’s Tacos Truck for some of the best tacos in LA.

🍜 Noodles: Whether you’re in the mood for ramen, pho, or udon, LA has plenty of options for affordable noodle dishes. Check out places like Tsujita LA, Daikokuya, or Pho 79 for delicious and budget-friendly bowls.

🍕 Pizza: Pizza is a classic comfort food that won’t break the bank. From classic New York-style slices to gourmet pies, LA has something for every pizza lover. Check out places like Pizzanista, Prime Pizza, or PizzaRev for affordable and tasty options.

🍛 Ethnic Cuisine: LA is known for its diverse ethnic neighborhoods, and with that comes a plethora of affordable and delicious cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for Korean BBQ, Thai curries, or Mexican street food, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Introduction

When it comes to finding the best food in LA on a budget, it can be overwhelming to navigate the city’s vast culinary scene. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, to help you discover the best affordable eats in LA without sacrificing taste or quality.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything from burgers and tacos to noodles and pizza, as well as delicious options for ethnic cuisine. We’ll also provide tips for finding affordable food in LA, so you can indulge in the city’s culinary offerings without breaking the bank.

Why Are Cheap Eats Important?

While LA is certainly a foodie’s paradise, it can also be one of the most expensive cities in the country. Dining out can quickly add up, especially for those on a budget. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste or quality in order to save money. By seeking out affordable options, you can still enjoy LA’s vibrant food scene without breaking the bank.

What Makes LA’s Food Scene Unique?

LA’s food scene is defined by its diversity, with a wide range of cuisines and flavors to explore. From street food to high-end restaurants, there is something for every palate and budget. The city’s vibrant ethnic neighborhoods also offer a unique culinary experience, with authentic dishes from around the world.

How Can You Find Affordable Food in LA?

There are plenty of ways to save money while dining out in LA. One option is to look for happy hour deals, which can offer discounts on food and drinks during certain hours of the day. Another option is to seek out food trucks and stalls, which often offer affordable and delicious options. Finally, you can also check out apps like Yelp and OpenTable, which can provide reviews, ratings, and discounts for restaurants in your area.

What Should You Look for in a Cheap Eat?

While affordability is certainly important when it comes to finding the best cheap eats in LA, it’s not the only factor. Quality and taste are also crucial, as no one wants to sacrifice flavor for affordability. When seeking out affordable options, look for places that use fresh, high-quality ingredients and offer creative and flavorful dishes.

What Are the Risks of Eating Cheap?

While finding affordable food is important, it’s also crucial to be mindful of food safety. Cheap eats can sometimes be riskier, as they may cut corners on hygiene and quality. It’s important to do your research and seek out places with high ratings and reviews to ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience.

What Can You Expect from This Guide?

In this guide, we’ll provide a comprehensive list of the best cheap eats in LA, as well as tips for finding affordable food in the city. We’ll also answer some common questions about dining on a budget, and offer recommendations for how to get the most out of your culinary experience in LA.

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is for anyone looking to explore LA’s food scene without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, a foodie or a budget-conscious eater, there’s something for everyone in this guide.

How Will This Guide Help You?

By following the recommendations in this guide, you’ll be able to discover some of the best affordable eats in LA, without sacrificing taste or quality. You’ll also gain a better understanding of how to find affordable food in the city, and how to navigate LA’s vast culinary scene.

The Best Cheap Eats in LA

Burgers

🍔 In-N-Out: No list of LA’s best cheap eats is complete without a mention of In-N-Out. This iconic chain has been serving up classic burgers and fries since 1948, and remains a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Their simple yet delicious menu is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and is a must-try for any burger lover.

🍔 Shake Shack: Another popular chain, Shake Shack offers a variety of burgers, hot dogs, and shakes that are both affordable and delicious. Their ShackBurger is a classic option, made with 100% all-natural Angus beef and topped with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce.

🍔 The Habit: This California-based chain offers fresh, made-to-order burgers at an affordable price. Their Charburger is a fan favorite, made with grilled beef, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a toasted bun.

🍔 Umami Burger: While slightly pricier than some of the other options on this list, Umami Burger is still considered a budget-friendly option for delicious burgers. Their signature burger, the Umami Burger, is made with a savory blend of beef, shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, and umami ketchup.

Tacos

🌮 Tacos Tu Madre: This trendy taqueria offers innovative takes on classic tacos, with options like Korean BBQ and buffalo chicken. Their prices are reasonable, and their portions are generous.

🌮 Guisados: This family-owned taqueria serves up traditional Mexican stews in homemade tortillas. Their prices are affordable, and their flavors are authentic and delicious.

🌮 Leo’s Tacos Truck: This popular food truck is a staple of LA’s late-night food scene. Their al pastor tacos are a must-try, and their prices can’t be beat.

🌮 Mariscos Jalisco: This East LA institution is known for their crispy shrimp tacos, which are stuffed with shrimp, salsa, and avocado and then deep-fried. At under $3 each, they’re a steal.

Noodles

🍜 Tsujita LA: This popular ramen spot is known for their rich and flavorful tonkotsu broth, which is made with pork bones that are simmered for over 60 hours. Their prices are reasonable, and their portions are generous.

🍜 Daikokuya: Another popular ramen spot, Daikokuya is known for their house-made noodles and flavorful broth. Their prices are affordable, and their portions are filling.

🍜 Pho 79: This Vietnamese restaurant offers delicious and affordable pho, as well as other traditional dishes like bun bo hue and banh mi. Their portions are generous, and their prices are reasonable.

🍜 Santouka Ramen: This Japanese chain offers delicious and affordable ramen, with options like shio, shoyu, and miso broth. Their prices are reasonable, and their portions are filling.

Pizza

🍕 Pizzanista: This punk-themed pizza joint offers delicious and creative pies at an affordable price. Their Mac and Cheese Pizza is a fan favorite, and their prices are reasonable.

🍕 Prime Pizza: This Brooklyn-style pizzeria offers classic pies with high-quality ingredients. Their prices are affordable, and their flavors are delicious.

🍕 PizzaRev: This build-your-own pizza chain offers affordable pies with fresh and unique toppings. Their prices are reasonable, and their portions are customizable.

🍕 800 Degrees: This Neapolitan-style pizzeria offers delicious pies with high-quality ingredients. Their prices are reasonable