Focaccia, savory pastries for a home dinner from Bread Lounge in DTLA

1/6

There are plenty of savory focaccia breads ($6.95-$8.95) that can be split for a light dinner for two, if served alongside some leftovers, salad greens or a cup of soup. ( Rene Lynch / Los Angeles Times)

2/6

My favorite? The Greco, topped with black olives, feta crumbles and za’atar seasonings. This focaccia bread is more cracker than flatbread -- with a crispy interior and a chewy crust. (Rene Lynch / Los Angeles Times)

3/6

Another dinner time option is the assortment of borek -- flaky, savory filled pastries. These are huge and can easily be shared by two for dinner. Prices range from $6.95 to $8.95. (Rene Lynch / Los Angeles Times)

4/6

Just gently reheat the borek in a toaster oven until warm throughout. (Rene Lynch / Los Angeles Times)

5/6

Here’s a closer look at the interior of this borek, stuffed with spinach and feta. (Rene Lynch / Los Angeles Times)

6/6

Bread Lounge is located off a busy intersection at the foot of one of downtown L.A.’s famed bridges. As a result, it can be easy to miss. A sign is usually placed at the corner to catch your eye and direct you to the small parking lot in the back. Drive slowly. It’s tight quarters. (Rene Lynch / Los Angeles Times)

By Rene Lynch

Sept. 18, 2013 8:30 AM PT

You can’t stand the thought of making dinner. And you don’t want to bust the budget on eating out. Luckily, there are plenty of places in and around L.A. where you can put together a meal for two with one thrifty takeout item, and I’ll explore them in this new column, Take Out L.A.:

Walk into Bread Lounge most mornings and you’ll find it bustling with customers kicking off the workday with a blistering hot cup of coffee and a sesame-studded Jerusalem bagel or pastries such as a custard-filled brioche or the having-its-moment kouign aman.

At lunchtime, the line snakes its way around the storefront as local workers taking their midday break queue up for salads, soups, quiches and hot or cold sandwiches served on a choice of artisanal breads.

But there’s plenty of good reasons to go to Bread Lounge at the end of day, on your way home from work.

PHOTOS: Take Out L.A.

And that reason is dinner.

Look past the traditional breakfast and lunch offerings and you’ll find focaccia breads with names such as Greco and Gringo, and golden brown boreks -- flaky, savory filled pastries.

Either can make the cornerstone of a fast, easy dinner if heated up briefly in the toaster oven and then served alongside some leftover roasted veggies or a heaping handful of salad greens.

The focaccia breads are more cracker than pizza, hand-formed to create a thin-crusted bed for toppings such as crumbled feta, za’atar seasonings and Kalamata olives (the Grego) or bacon, eggs and tomatoes (the Gringo). Each is $6.95 and could be divided between two people for a light dinner or appetizer if served alongside other simple offerings, perhaps some charcuterie, a few slices of fruit and some cheese.

Pricier versions ($8.95) include the Alla Turca -- roasted turkey, brie and roasted red bell peppers and the Provencal, which includes an assortment of roasted veggies and pesto.

For a heartier appetite, go for the boreks.

They are huge and can easily be shared by two and turned into a meal when served alongside a salad. There’s a spinach and feta version, and one made with sausage, hard-boiled egg, bell peppers and Emmentaler cheese. The Pachuca is stuffed with grilled chicken, corn, black beans, mozzarella and enchilada sauce. All are $8.95.

Now, for some insider tips:

Bread Lounge is easy to miss. It’s located at 700 S. Santa Fe Ave., right at the busy intersection with E. 7th Street. But it’s also located at the foot of one of downtown’s many bridges, so it’s easy to miss. Parking can be difficult. There’s a small lot in back, but the entrance is so tight that vehicles must jockey to maneuver in and out. If you can find nearby parking on Santa Fe, grab it. Otherwise, wait for the lot.

And remember, this is not a fast-food joint. While the focaccia breads and boreks are ready to go, other orders, such as salads or sandwiches, will take some time. This is all a way of saying: Your patience will be rewarded, and while you wait you can look over the shop’s jams, cookies and other pantry items that line the walls.

Finally, whether you are stopping at Bread Lounge for a quick hump-day meal, or breakfast or lunch, you’d be remiss not to snap up one of its now-legendary baguettes.

What places in and around L.A. do you recommend for a semi-homemade dinner? Let me know so I can check them out!

ALSO:

PHOTOS: Jonathan Gold’s 101 best restaurants

THE JUICE MAP: 45 cold-pressed juice bars in L.A.

PHOTOS: Caffeine fix: Your guide to L.A.s specialty coffee shops