The Sri Lankan food is the star at the unassuming Baja Subs, which despite its name also leans into Mexican food, takeaway corner store items, and Southeast Asian food alike.

With numerous outlets across the LA area, Tacos Los Palomos consistently delivers the most delicious, freshly sliced al pastor in the city. Check Instagram for locations, and be sure to watch out for daily specials, like when they price fully packed tortas for $5 apiece.

Saucy ribs and chicken make up the backbone of the menu at North Hollywood’s Memphis Grill, where owner Manu Aka is fusing the flavors of the city he loves with the culture and product from the city that has embraced him. Stop by to grab a pound of brisket or a sandwich.

Saucy fries, samosas, wraps, and more make up the robust menu at this Hollywood staple tucked behind a car wash.

Virgil Village’s Vietnamese comfort food restaurant ensures that all of its stakeholders, from employees to locals in the neighborhood, win out against the forces of gentrification. This means reasonably priced food that still delivers deep, homemade flavors like banh mi, pork riblets, and popcorn chicken that you can eat every day.

The mission at Falafel Inc. is to make a super-affordable dish like falafel and use some of the proceeds to help in areas around the world. The $4 to $5 pita sandwich is a healthy quick snack or lunch that anyone from office workers to college students can appreciate.

It’s all about the chili dogs at this Whittier Boulevard mainstay, especially when served up with American cheese, lots of mustard, and chunks of raw white onion.

Classic South LA hot dog spot Earle’s has some of the best grilled hot dogs in Los Angeles, all served at an approachable price point. There’s plenty of variety here, from all-beef to vegetarian-friendly options.

This casual Culver City spot does it all, from sidewalk dining to lots of takeout. Better still, the big combo plates are still routinely under $10, making for a filling meal for the Westside.

For small-bite options of classic cakes and pies like pecan and sweet potato (plus peach cobbler, of course), get over to this decades-old Inglewood spot.

Flame-licked and bright red, the chicken at this Inglewood takeout is a mix of spicy, juicy, and lovingly charred — and it’s very, very hard to put down.

Tantalizing methai (sweets) and chat (snacks) are what it’s all about at Surati Farsan Mart, a stylish shop specializing in Gujarati-style nibbles since 1986. The pani puri are pitch-perfect — delicate whole-wheat shells filled with mung beans, potatoes, and jaljira, a cool liquid imbued with herbs and spices, and drizzled with chutneys.

For a foggy morning wakeup, get to Steve’s in Torrance to score a breakfast burrito that is absolutely loaded with bacon, egg, and cheese.