If you’re anything like us, the thought of getting a deal on something delicious gets your heart racing. Especially considering the current rate of inflation and the looming recession. So skip the $18 Erewon smoothie for a while and take a breather from the Trader Joe's frozen section—we’ve got you covered with our pick of the best cheap eats in Los Angeles for under $10.
16 of the Best Cheap Eats in Los Angeles for $10 or Less
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Published May 5, 2023
1. The Double Wagyu Smashburger at Bartz Barbecue ($9)
The talented Dustin Bartz, caterer for Cypress Hill, is committed to bringing affordable and delicious and juicy burgers to people all over Los Angeles. Catch one of his upcoming weekly pop-ups around the city and try the Single Wagyu Smashburger for $6, the Double Wagyu Smashburger for $9, the Single Western Bacon Smashburger for $9, and more.
Upcoming locations:
The Common Space Brewery 3411 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250; (424) 456-4355
Alondra Golf Course Parking lot on Prairie in Lawndale; (424) 327-8587
2. Fried Chicken Sandwich at The Win-Dow ($7.25)
This window has got a great view: delicious sandwiches, burgers, and grain bowls—all for under $10. Actually, The Window’s entire menu is under $10 (including the vegetarian options and dessert). Hit up one of their stationary windows either in Venice or Silverlake, or order here to get it delivered to you.
Venice Location: 425 Rose Ave, Venice, California 90291
Silverlake Location: 1529 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
3. Al Pastor Tacos at Leo’s Tacos Trucks ($2)
When it comes to good tacos, we’re big fans of a reliable taco truck. Leo’s Taco Truck has been a staple from East to West LA for the last ten years. Their most popular menu item is the Al Pastor, but you can’t really go wrong with any of the tacos. Visit one of their nine truck locations, most of which are open until 3 a.m. (because food always tastes better late at night).
4. Kake Udon at Marugame Udon ($5.95)
Comfort food is slurping a bowl of Marugame’s Sanuki-Style udon, made with a traditional Japanese broth and just four ingredients for only $6. If you’re a Katsu or Teriyaki fan, they also have a Chicken Katsu Curry bowl and a Chicken Teriyaki Bowl for only $11. Hit up one of their three locations in LA for a warm bowl of goodness.
5. Quesadilla at Sonoratown ($4.50)
The name, Sonoratown, was derived from a small community of Mexican immigrants who settled in the area we now know as Chinatown. The restaurants was started by Teodoro Diaz-Rodriguez, Jr. and Jennifer Feltham, two veterans of the service industry who wanted to bring tacos served in the style of San Luis Río Colorado, cooked over mesquite wood fire and in soft handmade flour tortillas. Not only is the quesadilla delicious and just $4.50, but the tacos will only set you back $3.50 and the burrito 2.0 is a budget-friendly $11. Did we mention their agua frescas are under $6?
Two Locations:
5610 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90019; (213) 222-5071
208 E 8th Street, Los Angeles Ca 90014; (213) 222-5071
6. Breakfast Sausage Sandwich with Home Fries at Rutt’s Café ($9.45)
Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe has been serving tropically-inspired cuisines cooked from scratch since 1976. They have a number of delicious and wallet-friendly options on their menu (including the Fried Egg Sandwich and the Breakfast Burritos) but for a filling start to the day, we’re big fans of the breakfast sausage sandwich that comes with crispy home fries.
11707 Washington Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90066; (310) 398-6326
7. Two Slice Combo + Drink at Prime Pizza ($10)
It wouldn’t be New York style pizza if you couldn’t get it by the slice. But two slices plus a drink for under $10 is a great deal, even for NYC standards. Prime Pizza LA promises you the New York feel and taste at a price that will turn heads. Visit one of their six LA locations and remember: fold the slice in half (vertically! Not where the tip meets the crust, you crazy person!) to eat it like a true New Yorker.
8. Shrimp Wontons at Joy on York ($9.50)
Get six shrimp-filled wontons topped with a garlicky chili oil sauce, cilantro, and fresh scallions all for under $9.50 at Joy on York, a casual eatery that serves regional Taiwanese cooking, using fresh and simple ingredients. And that’s not the only thing on their menu under $10—in fact, quite a few of their main dishes are. Pop into their Highland Park location and see for yourself.
5100 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042; (323) 999-7642
9. Silver Dollar Special at Kitchen Mouse Cafe ($9)
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And with the price of eggs these days, getting a hearty breakfast for under $10 sounds like a major steal. Dig into three silver dollar pancakes, scrambled egg, & avocado at the Kitchen Mouse Cafe to start your day off on a yummy note.
5902-5906 N Figueroa St, Highland Park, CA 90042; (844) 590-4344
10. Veggie Hoagie at Boo’s ($8.95)
Bite into this crunchy, juicy veggie hoagie from Boo’s Philly for only $8.95. They claim to be the realest Philly cheesesteaks in Los Angeles (their signature Boo’s Cheesesteak is only $10.95, by the way) and we don’t doubt it.
11. Double Cheeseburger at Hiho Cheeseburger ($8.95)
Not only are several of their burgers under $10, but Hiho makes their patties with Wagyu beef that’s grass-fed, grass-finished, certified humane and sustainably raised. And if you’re not big on meat, they have a veggie option for under $10 as well.
12. Zhengyalov Hatz at Zhengyalov Hatz ($6.99)
If you’re in a light and healthy mood, enjoy this Armenian flatbread dish that contains 15 types of fresh cut herbs, including spinach, scallions, cilantro, beetroot and onion. Fair warning: it’s very easy to eat more than just one. Not to mention, their baklava comes with a cinnamon, walnut filling and a honey drizzle—and is also under $10. Yum.
318 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205; (818) 696-9339
13. Pork Rice Bowl at Silverlake Ramen ($9.25)
Fan-favorite Silverlake Ramen has some surprisingly reasonably-priced dishes that are nothing short of delicious. This rice bowl comes with pork belly, pickled onion, green onion, fried jalapeno, soft boiled egg and red ginger over rice, but if you’re not into pork, they also have a chicken, tuna, and vegetarian bowl that are also all under $10.
14. BBQ Chicken Rice at Ba Le Sandwich Shop ($8.50)
This combination plate with chicken, a fried egg, tomatoes, cilantro, green onions and rice from family-owned Ba Le Sandwich Shop is only $8.50, but it doesn’t stop there. All their Banh Mi sandwiches are around $6 to $8 and their smoothies, too, which we love.
1426 South Atlantic Boulevard, Alhambra, California 91803; (626) 308.3003
15. The Fan Tuan Rice Roll at Yi Mei Deli ($4)
Made of egg and pickled greens, these delicious rice rolls are made at Yi Mei Deli—an exclusive spot with four locations around LA that serves original Taiwanese Breakfast. You can find all their specialties on their menu for under $10, too.
16. Sausage & Egg Burrito at La Azteca Tortelleria ($9.50)
A breakfast burrito filled with polish sausage, diced potatoes, eggs and refried beans for under $10? Sign. Us. Up. They make their burritos with homemade flour tortilla and they also serve lunch burritos, some of which are also under $10. Fair warning: be prepared for a line if you’re going on a weekend.
4538 E Cesar E. Chavez Ave., East Los Angeles, CA 90022; 1(323) 262-5977
