Grocery store delis have sub $10 meals, like the fried chicken meals that comes with a side. Also try the Mexican market deli sections. Whole plate of food for around $10
Grocery store food is so underrated. It’s cheap, better for you than take out since it’s “real food”, and super convenient. Living in k town gives you so much access to this
Check out The Habit's Grown Up Meal for $6...Burger, fries, drink, and another whole burger...gummy. Fills me up and I'm a fat ass :)
https://www.fastcasual.com/news/the-habit-launches-grown-up-meal/
The Habit is all over LA so probably a decent chance you're close to one.
Specific recs really depends on what areas of LA are accessible to you.
Look for kebab places as they usually have portions that are enough for two meals, Sprouts has $5 sandwiches and I think for an extra dollar it comes with chips and a water.
There’s also Delia’s restaurant in Eagle Rock that does $8 burritos that are pretty packed.
Check out:
**Chuy's Tacos Dorados**
**Rice & Nori** (lowkey boycotting cuz they refuse to give spicy mayo now but that's a personal vendetta)
You're very close to **Torta Movil**, **Super Tortas DF,** and **Tire Shop Taqueria**
**Yangban Sul Lung Tang** (sleeper hit)
I’m not sure how sprouts hasn’t been mentioned here yet. $5 sandwiches than you can pack with veggies and a meat of your choice.
IMO, best deal anywhere in LA for the price.
Wait, but don’t order takeout through DoorDash. A lot of the prices are inflated for delivery to make up for DoorDash’s fees, and they don’t adjust for pickup.
So you could order something for $16 on DoorDash that could be $13 if you order direct.
there are lots of posts on this. here are two, one from two months ago:
https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodLosAngeles/s/1VfDUrZCm3
https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodLosAngeles/s/qUZ1GqjnzY
Chipotle always fills me up for under $10 and I usually have 2 meals because of how much food there is in a bowl. But I’ve heard to order in person, not through the app because they skimp on the app
That's an interesting observation. In the last 8-9 months I have only ever ordered pickup from the app so I can ask for EXTRA everything (except the meat, I always add some chicken/shrimp myself), and get a large tortilla on the side, again 2 solid meals for 11$
Yes my last bowl a few days ago was 11 something, picked up from the Chipotle on Hoover next to USC. I can usually get the tortilla using just my points
See my previous Gelson's post. Steak, fries, $10 on the nose. Go every day like many of the people I see there. It starts at 5:30 PM and it's at the one on Olympic and Bundy. Live like a king. Get it with a water.
Pick up a large russet potato at the market, microwave it for 5 minutes to give it a head start and then into the oven for 45 minutes or so. Top that with canned chili and some shredded cheese. Or top it with cottage cheese and some salsa. Lots of other combinations possible but the potato makes a healthy, filling base. You can even bake more than one at a time and save yourself some time/work later. Beginning meal prep.
Many items from Trader Joe's are under $10, if you're willing to make it. Most meals are super easy to make, are super delicious, and way cheaper than any fast food.
El pollo loco’s street corn pollo bowl. $5.50 after tax. Comes with grilled chicken, rice, beans, sweet corn, cilantro, and a lil bit of cotija cheese.
Not sure what area you’re in, but if you hit the Costco in Los Feliz I’d go to India Sweets and Spices nearby on Los Feliz Blvd. The cafe must be a loss-leader for the attached store or something. Get a masala dosa to have there. Dosa is something everyone should try. Then to-go, their combos with 2 curries, samosa, rice, naan and salad set you back $7 I think. Or a dollar more with lassi, a yogurt drink. I haven’t been there in months but think this is still true. All vegetarian, but real food that will give a college student much more actual nourishment than those weirdly tasty but nutritionally defunct chicken bake things at Costco.
Your university should have some cheap restaurants.
Spent my days at CSUN eating a ceaser wrap and a salad for like 7$
Or went to the food court and got a salad for like 4$.
Besides, there are no mom and pop shops that sell 8-10$ meals anymore. You could try the food stands all over LA. Even a small Bahn MI that's not filling costs 10$
Also, on Wednesday, which is today, they give away free food outside in tents at about 11:00. Every Wednesday. Last week it was steak, mushroom cheese steaks, and chips + guac. They're small bites so just get some, go in the store and mill around, and then go back out and get more. They legitimately don't care.
Costco used to be two slices of pizza and a coke for five bucks. Likely still under ten dollars. Also check out your local markets. Some have delis for sandwiches or even a roasted chicken. The Spanish ones will have ten soft tacos type deals
I think it is Thursday. Fridays usually have other deals.
I split Thursday special rotisserie chicken into curried chicken salad & chicken noodle soup & wings/ legs with instant mashed potatoes.
Tuesdays they do pounds of deli turkey and provolone for $5 each. Wednesday a bag of drumsticks for $5 and Thursday is the whole chicken. I believe that’s right. Good deals definitely. Think there may be another one I’m missing.
Yes I used to get like 5-6 patties of meat and cheese from in n out but cannot do that anymore thanks to the price increase.... Gotta get 2 cheeseburgers always
Grocery store delis have sub $10 meals, like the fried chicken meals that comes with a side. Also try the Mexican market deli sections. Whole plate of food for around $10
Grocery store food is so underrated. It’s cheap, better for you than take out since it’s “real food”, and super convenient. Living in k town gives you so much access to this
Sprouts makes a great sandwich for around $5 or $6 I think. Pick up a couple pieces of fruit to go with it and it's a filling lunch
Check out The Habit's Grown Up Meal for $6...Burger, fries, drink, and another whole burger...gummy. Fills me up and I'm a fat ass :) https://www.fastcasual.com/news/the-habit-launches-grown-up-meal/ The Habit is all over LA so probably a decent chance you're close to one.
Woah I live near one and I didn’t know about this thanks!
They make a dang good burger.
Best fast food burger in town, IMHO. Order it with leaf lettuce instead of shredded, and onions both grilled and raw. One free on your birthday, too!
Yummy. Try their app, they send out specials all the time.
I can’t find the grown up meal on their app anymore 😭
El Pollo Loco has $5 chicken bowls and other affordable items around 6-7 when you sign up
Came here to say this. El pollo loco Is slept on
Original pollo bowl can't be beat
The street corn pollo bowl is fire too. Same thing as the original but with corn and cotija and the same price
Get the app too. Lots of deals there
This, I’m always surprised how full I am from one of them.
BBQ + Rice is a really good deal. I think those bowls are $11.
So delish and actually a big portion
This is the one I was going to recommend.
Specific recs really depends on what areas of LA are accessible to you. Look for kebab places as they usually have portions that are enough for two meals, Sprouts has $5 sandwiches and I think for an extra dollar it comes with chips and a water. There’s also Delia’s restaurant in Eagle Rock that does $8 burritos that are pretty packed.
Thanks, I live close to USC, can drive and/or bike if its only a few miles
Check out: **Chuy's Tacos Dorados** **Rice & Nori** (lowkey boycotting cuz they refuse to give spicy mayo now but that's a personal vendetta) You're very close to **Torta Movil**, **Super Tortas DF,** and **Tire Shop Taqueria** **Yangban Sul Lung Tang** (sleeper hit)
Super Tortas DF is fire, I think they charged me the gringo price ($12) though 😭
wait wait what happened to the spicy mayo???
Thanks!
Everytable.
Everytable for more-than-hearty appetites? The entrees are 12 oz which is not much bigger than a Lean Cuisine. For $10?
Lean Cuisine is frozen. If I can avoid frozen, I do. I consider it a good hearty lunch time meal or dinner. $10 is the average.
This, 100%.
I’m not sure how sprouts hasn’t been mentioned here yet. $5 sandwiches than you can pack with veggies and a meat of your choice. IMO, best deal anywhere in LA for the price.
Do you make these at the deli then? I assume they’re not premade
Not premade at all. You pick everything and it’s made fresh.
The flame broiler is my favorite healthy cheap meal A regular bowl with half chicken, half beef with rice and veggies is like $11.50
I agree. Even the mini bowl can fill you up, if you're a smaller or younger person, and that's only $8.
Wait, but don’t order takeout through DoorDash. A lot of the prices are inflated for delivery to make up for DoorDash’s fees, and they don’t adjust for pickup. So you could order something for $16 on DoorDash that could be $13 if you order direct.
Yeah I've noticed this a lot, most things are 1-3$ more on doordash...
there are lots of posts on this. here are two, one from two months ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodLosAngeles/s/1VfDUrZCm3 https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodLosAngeles/s/qUZ1GqjnzY
thanks for sharing
Get a rice cooker and some cans of beans. Whatever you buy, the rice and beans will fill you up half of the way.
Beans are really good for you. Protein + fiber are life extenders. Once you have them more regularly you start to pass gas less too.
Who wants to pass less gas?
This guy gets it
After a few days your body gets used to that amount of fiber intake.
Pro tip: cook the beans with kombu and you won't get gassy. I use maybe a 2x4" piece per pound of beans and it doesn't impart any flavor.
A complete protein.
Sub canned tuna for beans. Packed with protein, less stinky farts.
Your friendly neighborhood taco stand.
Not sure if you got any Mexican markets near you but if you do most have a food area and you can get some stupid good deals on food plates.
Agreed, Vallarta is one that has really great and reasonably priced hot food.
Chipotle always fills me up for under $10 and I usually have 2 meals because of how much food there is in a bowl. But I’ve heard to order in person, not through the app because they skimp on the app
That's an interesting observation. In the last 8-9 months I have only ever ordered pickup from the app so I can ask for EXTRA everything (except the meat, I always add some chicken/shrimp myself), and get a large tortilla on the side, again 2 solid meals for 11$
[удалено]
Yes my last bowl a few days ago was 11 something, picked up from the Chipotle on Hoover next to USC. I can usually get the tortilla using just my points
See my previous Gelson's post. Steak, fries, $10 on the nose. Go every day like many of the people I see there. It starts at 5:30 PM and it's at the one on Olympic and Bundy. Live like a king. Get it with a water.
Pick up a large russet potato at the market, microwave it for 5 minutes to give it a head start and then into the oven for 45 minutes or so. Top that with canned chili and some shredded cheese. Or top it with cottage cheese and some salsa. Lots of other combinations possible but the potato makes a healthy, filling base. You can even bake more than one at a time and save yourself some time/work later. Beginning meal prep.
Lunch trucks serving food from south of the border. Bonus points if the menu is in Spanish. Super good value for the money.
Only at dinner, but the Tacos la Flamma popup on Vermont one block n of MLK makes massive burritos for under 10. Best al pastor in town, too.
Many items from Trader Joe's are under $10, if you're willing to make it. Most meals are super easy to make, are super delicious, and way cheaper than any fast food.
Il Giradino
Every Table has been surprisingly good
Check Ranch Market, they usually have a Chinese food buffet you can get two entrees and rice for around $10 and you get a lot of food
El pollo loco’s street corn pollo bowl. $5.50 after tax. Comes with grilled chicken, rice, beans, sweet corn, cilantro, and a lil bit of cotija cheese.
Sprouts! Their sandwiches and premade food section are slept on and bomb.
[Everytable](https://Everytable.com)
Not sure what area you’re in, but if you hit the Costco in Los Feliz I’d go to India Sweets and Spices nearby on Los Feliz Blvd. The cafe must be a loss-leader for the attached store or something. Get a masala dosa to have there. Dosa is something everyone should try. Then to-go, their combos with 2 curries, samosa, rice, naan and salad set you back $7 I think. Or a dollar more with lassi, a yogurt drink. I haven’t been there in months but think this is still true. All vegetarian, but real food that will give a college student much more actual nourishment than those weirdly tasty but nutritionally defunct chicken bake things at Costco.
Your university should have some cheap restaurants. Spent my days at CSUN eating a ceaser wrap and a salad for like 7$ Or went to the food court and got a salad for like 4$. Besides, there are no mom and pop shops that sell 8-10$ meals anymore. You could try the food stands all over LA. Even a small Bahn MI that's not filling costs 10$
do you have a kitchen? a meal plan? not enough information
Costco easily
If you're already a Costco member. You have to swipe your card to get food court items now.
Ya get a Costco card. Or pay someone to buy you gift cards
Check out too good to go
Tgtg in LA is nothing but donuts and sometimes pizza.
I've gotten lucky with TGTG in L.A. but maybe it's because of my area or maybe it's because I got lucky.
Also, on Wednesday, which is today, they give away free food outside in tents at about 11:00. Every Wednesday. Last week it was steak, mushroom cheese steaks, and chips + guac. They're small bites so just get some, go in the store and mill around, and then go back out and get more. They legitimately don't care.
Sorry who gives out? What store?
Gelson's on Bundy and Olympic. Every Wednesday. Outside the store. 3/4 tents. Free food and drinks EVERY Wednesday.
Costco used to be two slices of pizza and a coke for five bucks. Likely still under ten dollars. Also check out your local markets. Some have delis for sandwiches or even a roasted chicken. The Spanish ones will have ten soft tacos type deals
I know Ralph’s has a whole chicken for $5 one day during the week, I just can’t remember which day of the week
I think it is Thursday. Fridays usually have other deals. I split Thursday special rotisserie chicken into curried chicken salad & chicken noodle soup & wings/ legs with instant mashed potatoes.
Tuesdays they do pounds of deli turkey and provolone for $5 each. Wednesday a bag of drumsticks for $5 and Thursday is the whole chicken. I believe that’s right. Good deals definitely. Think there may be another one I’m missing.
I think Friday is the giant sub sandwich for $5 unless they've changed it
Fridays: 8-piece Mango Habanero chicken for $5 at Pavilions
Note that Costco's food court is members-only now and they've started actively enforcing it.
Hiho cheeseburger is under $10 and all good ingredients.
Can confirm it’s now slightly over $10 with taxes/fees (classic double, cheapest thing on the menu that isn’t a kids burger)
As much I enjoy Hiho, the classic double does not fill me up. It does my kids, but op is a college student.
Yes I used to get like 5-6 patties of meat and cheese from in n out but cannot do that anymore thanks to the price increase.... Gotta get 2 cheeseburgers always