The best cheap eats in Los Angeles in 2026 are the French dip at Philippe the Original, braised tacos at Guisados, Nashville hot chicken at Howlin' Ray's, rotisserie chicken and garlic sauce at Zankou, crispy tacos at Tito's and hot dogs at Pink's. Porto's Bakery, Al & Bea's and Kang Kang Food Court round out a list where most meals cost under $20.
LA's best cheap food is often its most famous. For tacos specifically, see our best tacos in LA guide.
The French dip sandwich, served since 1908.
Philippe claims to have invented the French dip, a roast meat sandwich dipped in jus. Order at the counter and eat at long tables on a sawdust-covered floor.
It is a short walk from Union Station and Dodger Stadium.
Good to know: Try the house hot mustard — sparingly.
1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Braised tacos on handmade tortillas.
Guisados serves tacos filled with slow-cooked guisados (stews), such as chicken tinga and chicharrón, on handmade tortillas.
The sampler of six mini tacos is a great introduction.
Good to know: Order the sampler.
2100 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Nashville hot chicken with famously long lines.
Howlin' Ray's serves Nashville hot chicken with heat levels from country (none) to howlin' (very hot). It started in Chinatown and now has other locations.
Lines are long but move steadily.
Good to know: Go at opening on a weekday.
727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Rotisserie chicken with legendary garlic sauce.
Zankou Chicken is an Armenian-Lebanese chain known for rotisserie chicken, shawarma and its powerful garlic sauce. The Sunset Boulevard branch is the original LA location.
Meals are cheap and filling.
Good to know: Buy an extra tub of garlic sauce to take home.
5065 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Crispy, cheese-topped tacos since 1959.
Tito's Tacos serves crispy shredded-beef tacos topped with cheese, along with burritos and enchiladas, from a counter in Culver City.
It is an old-school LA institution.
Good to know: Bring cash; it has long been cash-only.
11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230
Chili dogs on La Brea since 1939.
Pink's has been selling hot dogs on La Brea since 1939, with chili dogs and celebrity-named specials.
It stays open late.
Good to know: Go late at night for shorter lines.
709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cuban pastries and sandwiches at low prices.
Porto's sells potato balls, Cuban sandwiches and pastries at prices that seem from another decade.
It has several locations.
Good to know: Order ahead online to skip the line.
3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Bean-and-cheese burritos since 1966.
Al & Bea's is a family-run stand in Boyle Heights famous for its bean-and-cheese burritos with green chile.
It is a cheap, classic East LA stop.
Good to know: Order the bean and cheese with green chile.
2025 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Shanghainese sheng jian bao for a few dollars.
Kang Kang serves pan-fried pork buns and Shanghainese dishes at cafeteria prices.
It is a great budget lunch in the San Gabriel Valley.
Good to know: Let the buns cool — the soup inside is hot.
27 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801
Sonoran tacos and burritos on fresh flour tortillas.
Sonoratown serves Sonoran-style tacos, caramelos and burritos on handmade flour tortillas.
Prices are low and the food is excellent.
Good to know: Order the Caramelo.
208 E 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Philippe the Original's French dip sandwich, served since 1908, and Pink's hot dogs are the classic budget LA meals.
Guisados, Zankou Chicken, Tito's Tacos, Porto's Bakery and Kang Kang Food Court all serve full meals for under $15.
Many think so. The Nashville hot chicken often has long lines; go at opening on a weekday.
Porto's Bakery and Philippe's both serve hearty breakfasts at low prices.
Philippe the Original is a few minutes' walk from Union Station.