How to Eat in Los Angeles on the Cheap

Eating out can be expensive in Los Angeles, depending on where you go. While it can be lots of fun to window-shop along Rodeo Drive or visit famous Hollywood attractions, you will almost certainly want to eat elsewhere if you are trying to stick to a food budget.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Maps
• Local Newspapers
• Travel Services
• Maps

1. Get a good budget guidebook before your trip. Most travel guides contain lots of restaurant listings, organized by neighborhood, price range and type of cuisine.

2. Buy a local newspaper as soon as you arrive. Check out the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News or other local papers and magazines for restaurant listings and reviews.

3. Ask the management of your hotel or hostel for a list of good, affordable restaurants near where you are staying. Many hotels even keep a collection of menus from neighborhood restaurants on hand for their guests to peruse.

4. Surf the Web before you go, or visit a local Internet café once you arrive, to find restaurant indices and reviews. Some of these sites may allow you to search in specific price ranges.

5. Consider one of L.A.'s many ethnic options. These include noodle houses, Latin-American cafés and restaurants, and much more. French and Italian cuisine can be expensive, so you will probably find better deals on Latin/Caribbean, Chinese, Vietnamese or Thai food. Read the posted menus outside restaurants, just to be sure.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask the locals where they eat. Or, just look for restaurants and cafés that seem to be really busy. You may have to wait a while for a table, but the food will probably be worth the wait.
• Check out the area around UCLA or one of L.A.'s other colleges and universities, or just ask a group of students where the best food deals can be found. Restaurants and cafés in university districts usually offer good food at student-budget prices.
• Avoid eating in heavily touristed areas like Hollywood Boulevard or Venice Beach, and steer clear of Beverly Hills if you're looking for a budget meal.

on 8/12/2006 King Taco in Los Angeles is very economical and a local treat, they serve excellent tacos for around a dollar, and tamales too. Also try the cafeterias downtown, they are open to the public, but most of the patrons are employees. The menu changes daily,the food is tasty and good quality.

on 8/8/2006 Plenty of decently priced meals to be had in Los Angeles: Try local institutions like taquerias or hot dog places (Pink's, Skooby's), one of the many cafs lining 3rd/La Brea/Melrose, or even the delis at groceries like Bristol Farms, Whole Foods, and Gelson's are great.

on 11/22/2005 Try stopping for a burger and fries at In N Out. This is about the best cheap burger in Los Angeles, and there are lots of them out there. Family owned; this place does everything fresh. The menu is very limited, but the place is clean and the food is great!

on 11/22/2005 While in town, pick up a copy of LA Weekly for some referrals and critiques of restaurants around town. There is a price key as well..