Places to eat for $5 or less in Southern California
Cha Cha Chicken is a colorful beach shack in Santa Monica with loyal fans of its Jamaican jerk-rubbed Cha Cha Chicken and coconut fried chicken. This fusion restaurant also offers a Spanish style chicken gumbo soup with a fresh corn bread muffin for a light meal under $5. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Dining out for $5 or less may seem like a fantasy, but Southern California has much to offer for those on a tight budget. For affordable Vietnamese fare, venture to Garden Grove. Or look to food trucks for inexpensive eats. Even some pricier restaurants offer cheap eats during happy hours.
The bakery may be known best for its sweet treats, but it’s also a go-to place for a traditional Cubano sandwich. This menu favorite comes with slow roasted pork, topped with salty ham, Swiss cheese and pickles. Everything is piled high on a crispy Cuban bread roll. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Los Cinco Puntos is part meat market, part deli and part convenience store. You can order prepared meat or a taco (an asada taco is $1.25). Their tortillas, which you can order by the dozen, are made by hand right behind the counter. Tamales and tortas are about $2. (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)
Inexpensive Mexican restaurants line North Broadway in Lincoln Heights, but El Huarachito Restaurant is one of the area’s more quaint eateries. Its broad menu includes seafood dishes, breakfast items and several specialties, but stay under $5 by ordering a taco ($1.25), torta ($4.99) or burrito (most are $4.99). (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)
At a bustling corner in Boyle Heights, the restaurant serves up tacos and tamales with its namesake filling: guisados (stewed and simmered meats). The mole poblano with chicken in a deep, sweet spicy mole sauce is a must try. For a sweeter treat, try the shredded coconut and pineapple tamale. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
This small, no-frills Middle Eastern restaurant ion Westwood is a favorite among hungry Bruins on a budget. The Black Bean Wowshi ($4.89) features black beans, onions and spices stuffed into pita bread and then baked. Top with vegetables from the complimentary condiment bar for a filling meal. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Wat Dong Moon is a small joint with chalk drawings of celebrities on the walls. The food is traditional Thai cuisine; the star dishes are the noodle soups. For less than $5 you can get a small bowl of wat dong moon lek noodle soup with your choice of noodles, bean sprouts, scallions and either braised pork or beef ($3.99). (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
At one point, this restaurant was completely true to its name, but the price of its signature dish, half a Cornish game hen with fried rice and pickled cabbage, has been steadily rising through the years. It now costs $3.95. Spend wisely at this place, though. You get dinged $1 for water (no free tap here), $.75 for a take away container and $.25 for extra chicken sauce. (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)
Papa Cristo’s has been a fixture in the Los Angeles dining scene since its opening in 1948. A traditional menu favorite is the spanakopita ($1.99): light and crispy pockets of phyllo dough stuffed with spinach and feta cheese. One is enough for a hearty snack; two make a fine-sized meal. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
The list wouldn’t be complete without a Chicago transplant’s dream: Portillo’s. With $5 in your pocket, you can walk in and get a couple of Vienna Beef Chicago dogs or an Italian beef sandwich. They also have a chocolate cake shake that’s as good as it sounds. (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP)
This soul food restaurant is a neighborhood favorite. As soon as you walk through the doors you can smell the aroma of freshly baked biscuits and pies. If you’re in need of a fried chicken fix, you can get a golden brown, crispy chicken breast and a fluffy biscuit for $3.75. Whatever you do, don’t forget the vinegar hot sauce. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
It’s a household name and an L.A. legend for a reason. There are some pretty funky dogs on the menu, but you can’t beat the classic chili dog ($3.90). Sink your teeth into the nine-inch snappy stretch dog, smothered in tangy chili, cheese and onions. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Don’t let the white tablecloths and fancy décor fool you. You can easily walk into Nick & Stef’s with $5 and come away full. The happy hour includes sliders, and each mini burger includes a perfectly cooked patty, topped with lettuce, tomato and sharp, melted cheese on a buttered brioche bun. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
