High Five

Yes, Virginia, you really can still eat lunch for under $5.

Astroburger, 5601 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 469-1924. Style: Cosmopolitan assortment of quality fast food. Setting: Fast-food benign. Recommended dishes: Greek-style omelet, $3.05; homemade burrito, $2.30; Mother Nature sandwich, $2.85.

Dolores’ Drive-In, 8925 Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (213) 657-7455. Style: A walk-in honest-to-goodness American joint where the waitresses call you “honey.” Setting: Unbelievably tacky. Recommended dishes: Suzie Q’s (curly French fries), $1.35; hamburger, $3.25; chocolate malt, $2.65, lemonade, $.95.

Gorky’s Cafe, 1716 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 463-4060. Also located at 536 E. 8th St., Los Angeles. (213) 627-4060. Style: Glasnost cuisine--burgers and borscht. Setting: High-tech cafeteria. Recommended dishes: Special of the day (drink, entree, bread and butter, vegetable), $4.21.

Stepps, 330 S. Hope St. (in the Wells Fargo Plaza), Los Angeles. (213) 626-0900. Style: Upsale eclectic with a weekday lunchtime bistro menu. Setting: Hustle and bustle. Recommended dishes: Half a Cajun meatloaf sandwich and salad, $4.95; Croque Madame, $4.95; Soup and salad, $3.95.

Tuttopasta, 417 S. Hill St., Los Angeles. (213) 621-2625 or FAX your order (213) 621-4421. Style: Pasta from the owner of trendy Tuttobene. Setting: Pure plastic set in the old Subway Terminal building. Recommended dishes: Penne all ‘arrabbiata, $4.50; pasta e fagioli soup, $1.95; spaghetti alla checca, $4.50.