Cheap Eats: L.A. for $1 or Less

by Mar Yvette - Citysearch Editor - 367 Reviews - 111 Lists

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Updated: November 11, 2009

I'd buy that for a dollar! When budgets are down and the national unemployment rate is up (it's the highest it's been in 26 years, folks), it's time to buckle down on spending. But that doesn't mean you're doomed to a life of eating canned soup in front of the tube every night. Check out our list for dining on a dime (or should we say, a dollar) in Los Angeles.

Cheap Eats: $1 or Less

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Malo
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    4326 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (map)

    Silver Lake's reigning Mexican mainstay is pretty affordable any night of the week (we love the free chips and salsa). But if you want a really good deal, stop by on Monday after 5pm for the $1 tacos. And for those who want to nourish the brain as well, there's free trivia night on Sundays.

  2. 2 3 Star Rating: Average Mission Cantina
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    5946 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 (map)

    So you've done the $1 tacos on Monday night at Malo. But you're still craving the darn things yet still as broke as a burro's back. Calm down, amigo. Mission Cantina has come to the rescue with their $1 Tuesday Taco Night. Ole!

  3. 3 Lemonade
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    9001 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048 (map)

    Just about everything in this super cheery, deliciously affordable cafe is worth eating or drinking. (We can't get enough of the watermelon basil lemonade ... excuse us while we wipe the drool off our chin.) But the $1 cupcakes in flavors like red velvet, chocolate, pumpkin and carrot really hit the sweet spot.

  4. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Diddy Riese Cookies
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    926 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (map)

    You'd think treats this delicious would carry more than a bite-size price tag. After all, Diddy Riese makes its high-quality cookies from scratch all day every day. Thankfully, this L.A. favorite knows how to really sweeten a deal. Cookies are always just 35 cents each, brownies are a mere 45 cents and a scoop of ice cream is $1. Yum!

  5. 5 2 Star Rating: Below Average Mitsuru Cafe
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    117 Japanese Village Plz Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

    Imagawa-what? Little Tokyo's one-stop shop for affordable Japanese dishes has made it a longtime favorite among locals and adventuring Angelenos alike. But your single dollar bill will go a long way on one of their famed red bean cakes (aka imagawayaki).

  6. 6 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Mikawaya
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    118 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

    Forget buying a box of the frozen stuff at Trader Joe's. Go straight to the source at this J-Town sweet shop where you can get fresh batches of mochi ice cream for just a buck.

  7. 7 4 Star Rating: Recommended The Edison
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    108 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

    We really like this place. (Okay, we love it.) And it's not just because it's the coolest, most beautiful bar downtown. (Although that's a pretty good reason.) We love it 'cause they've got Recession Fridays from 5-7pm. That's when you can get your first drink for a mere 35 cents ... along with a free mini grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup!