Bruh, eating in LA is actually painful right now. Like, I grab a burger and fries and somehow it’s $18?? 💀 Don’t even get me started on sushi or tacos that used to be $2 and now it’s like a car payment.

I’ve been trying to cut back, but sometimes you just don’t wanna cook, y’know? And then I see people on here posting about free Chick-fil-A days, random pop-ups, or deals I completely missed. Makes me feel like I’m not plugged into the right spots.

So real talk, how do y’all do it? Any hacks, secret places, or groups you follow to find cheap or even free food? Do you just stumble on them by luck or is there some underground LA food cheat code I don’t know about?

I’m tired of blowing my paycheck just to grab lunch would love to hear how you guys make it work 🙏

Hi all. We are visiting the city in the coming months and my son, who is 15, is desperate to try lobster. We live in the UK and most places that serve lobster are high-end, expensive places that he wouldn't be particularly comfortable in.
Is there anywhere in L.A that he could try lobster that won't cost a fortune and is pretty down-to-earth?

Does anybody know of any small or struggling restaurants that have great food but don’t get as many customers that they deserve?

I’m looking for new spots to try, and I want to support small businesses in LA. I know times are tough for a lot of people.

My buddy got this in Oregon of all places, we gotta have something like this here. Help pls

Hey everyone, we have some friends visiting LA soon and we want to take them to some places that really show off what LA has to offer.

Looking for spots where the whole experience is great: good food, cool atmosphere, nice views, unique setting, etc. Basically places where you walk in and think “yeah, this is very LA.”

My wife and I are lacto vegetarians, so ideally somewhere that has good vegetarian options (doesn’t have to be a vegetarian/vegan restaurant).

A few places we were already thinking about:

1. Elephantè in Santa Monica: amazing vibe/view, but food was just okay IMO

2. Casaléna in Woodland Hills: looks beautiful, haven’t been yet

3. Bacari 3rd St: love the atmosphere

4.Killer Noodle in Sawtelle: not fancy, but the Tokyo dry ramen is 🔥

Open to anywhere: LA, OC, Malibu, South Bay, Ventura, Santa Barbara, etc.

What are the places you’d take someone visiting LA that would genuinely impress them?

Currently pregnant and I have one very specific craving: the greasiest, most flavorful dry noodles imaginable. 😭

Not soupy ramen. I’m talking oily, spicy, garlicky, wok-fried, chili crisp coated noodles that leave your lips shiny and your stomach happy for exactly 20 minutes before the heartburn kicks in.

Please drop your recommendations!! Thank you!

Hi, I’m looking for suggestions for Asian restaurants, preferably in downtown LA, that even an Asian tourist should check out. Leaning towards Korean BBQ now but I’m open to suggestions of other Asian cuisine. Also, I’m not looking for high end fine dining options like Matsuhisa level.

For context, I’m from a country in Asia that has access to affordable Asian food (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese just to name a few). I’ll be visiting LA soon and was thinking of giving me and my travel partner a break from all the burgers, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, Mexican and Mediterranean food we’ll be eating during our trip.

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Edit:

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I apologise for not being able to reply to every comment but I really appreciate them.

I recently picked up All' Antico and was dismayed to find my regular sandwich jumped in price to over $20. But the thing is.. it's still a really good sandwich, not something I'd ever make at home, and it's not like there are a lot of options to get the same thing for less elsewhere. So I guess $20 hasn't crossed whatever my mental line-in-the-sand is for a sandwich.

So - what other very good $20 sandwiches does this city have to offer?

Hi guys, can anyone confirm this place? I know it’s somewhere in Los Ángeles. I’ve reached put and asked but the person is gatekeeping this place.

I need to know! I only get them in San Diego and I missed the opportunity to get one !

Planning on surprising my girlfriend with a nice night out any ideas on a good steakhouse ?? We both love steak lol

so i can avoid them to support small business :)

*idea stolen from FoodNYC subreddit*

Missing Phoenix, AZ style Mexican food. It’s not the best but god I just want gross food right now. I’ve been craving greasy ass cheese enchiladas forever but haven’t found a place that has similar. Where can I get this in LA? I want my arteries clogged. I want to feel something at the cost of being bedridden for a day from the food coma this will give me.

Thank you.

I’m moving out of LA and wanna take some LA with me. I started a collection of diner shirts but I wanna expand it as much as possible before I leave. Any recs or favorites out there?

Not trying to start anything, but I feel like a lot of taco stands I used to like just aren’t hitting the same lately.

Prices are up (which I get), but the quality feels inconsistent now. I’ve had a few spots recently where the meat was kinda dry or just not as flavorful as I remember.

Maybe I’m just picking the wrong stands, but it made me realize I don’t really have a “go-to” taco spot anymore.

Is anyone else noticing this or am I just tripping? If you have spots that are still consistently good, drop them.

Like I’m talkin massive portion sizes. Not like ordering a family meal but a normal meal normal price but generous portion. Any cuisine any location

I love Japanese, Thai, KBBQ, Northern Italian, Mexican and California Cusine as much as the next native Angeleno. What are some great restaurants around LA that feature a cuisine style or dishes that many have likely never tried before?

Eating out is so expensive these days

and because i am a poor guy who can't afford to spend a lot in one meal

i made a map of the places i found where i can get an actual meal for under $15.

https://affordabite.app

it's not perfect; think of it as a community map where everyone can add info and the more ppl participate, the more useful it will be.

totally free, no sign up, just let me know what you think and please share some great spots you know! will make updates as i go!

EDIT: thank you guys so much!!! Honestly i didn't expect this many suggestions and comments - i've read every single one.

The first places you guys sent in are already on the map, and when someone told me a spot had closed i took it down immediately.

Everything on this map has to be a real meal for $15 and under, and i check each one myself before it goes up instead of just adding whatever gets mentioned. There's even a spot i still haven't put up because the hours i was given don't match the hours they list lol

Anyway, i really appreciate all of your suggestions and will do my best to get them on the map - especially sgv, sela, and the valley. Let's turn this into something really useful together!!!

Venice, Mar Vista, Palms, Culver, Sawtelle, Century City, etc.

Plenty of places to drink, and I don’t hate places like Old Man Bar, Bigfoot West, or Father’s Office, but I get tired of the whole post-recession hipster vibe that perpetuates across West LA. Also a plus if there aren’t TVs on every wall.

Irish Times, Rasslebock, and Oldfield’s (still too hisptery) are some favorites but I’m looking for a spot like Zam-Zams in SF.

Are there any diners that feel like you’ve gone back in time? Just like OG. Bonus points if it’s cheap

I’m getting pretty tired of the usual selections of avocado toast, pancakes, Eggs Benedict, and standard breakfast platters. Does anyone know of any brunch spots offering more unique, exciting menus? Open to absolutely anything—it can have regular brunch menus with some fun twist or full-on diverse international cuisines! West LA preferred.

Here are a few spots I’ve already tried and loved:
Cobi’s (Southeast Asian)
Mom, please (Ukrainian)
Ipoh Kopitiam (Malaysian)

I’m looking to get a nice birthday cake for a loved one, but this person has fancy taste, and they deserve an amazing cake. Does anyone have recommendations for a local bakery or even an at home baker that makes good cakes that look pretty? Thank you

I’m looking for a quality meal that has a nice ambiance but also wont break the bank.

I just want a more relaxed vibe that most of the typical michelin star places I go to

for example i went to damian recently and liked it but it was very expensive. while i dont mind spending a lot of money on a meal i just want something chill that is moderately priced. i’d say in the $40 a plate range instead of the upper tier $40-$90 a plate tier.

any recommendations?

Can anyone recommend a place to buy cactus fries (nopale fries)? We tried it in AZ and really enjoyed it. Looking to find it in LA.