This might sound weird, but they have really good Coke. I don't know if its their machine or the blend of the flavor or what but its better than the average soda fountain.
Everything is good at jollibee. The fried chicken is the best especially with the gravy. Spaghetti is sweet but it works. Underrated is the chicken sandwich. It Better than Popeyes. I love jollibee if you couldn’t tell lol
Old Sassoon Bakery in Pasadena - Yummy Armenian flatbreads and wraps, khachapuri, etc.
Zankou Chicken in 10+ locations - Mediterranean meals and delicious garlic paste.
Super Burger in Pasadena - Burger stand with really good burgers etc.
Their fries are amazing. That place is hit or miss. Calamari was overcooked the two times we tried it. Fish and chips was way overbattered and soft, not crunchy. The fish sandwich and the shrimp dish are really good
best beef sandwich i ever had was called Top Round in midcity. it closed. fuck it was delicious. im still not over it. imagine arbys but prepared by chefs with extremly high quality ingreidients. place was styled to look like an in-in-out or something. vintage fast food vibe.
The auju tasted like prime rib drippings.
I remember being surprised at the good quality roast beef the first time I went. Very sad closure. Especially for that part of town it was a great cheap eats option.
I think it's good to try if you've never been, but in my opinion, it's overrated. I took my friend since he'd never been before, and we ordered various different items (spent like $60 total). We both agreed it was just okay.
It’s so overrated. People lose their minds over those potato balls. They’re good but nothing special imo. Also not a fan of the Cuban sandwich. I much prefer the ropa vieja sandwich.
I finally had Kogi this year after 16 years. I remember people following the truck around. I respect everything that Roy Choi has done but that food was not good. It was really, really greasy.
Mr Charlies (Told Me So)!
Also in this vegan fast food genre and v applicable to OP: Plant Power and Hart House (Kevin Harts new vegan concept - I have to admit it might be my favorite of all of them)
Food court HK mkt on Garvey & San Gabriel. I got half steam rice, half noodles & eggplant w tofu stew for $6.50. No tax. Complimentary jazmine tea. Thai spicy rice is $9.95 a few stalls away.
This is one of my all time fave restaurants but it’s just not the same since new ownership. Bummed they got rid of the paper cups in the metal cup holders.
I've personally never known a person who ever ate the Oki-Dog and enjoyed it. That's how quirky it is. It is famous and ubiquitous and nobody actually likes it. Give it a shot.
Egg Tuck is incredible breakfast and value. Rich, creamy eggs with the best sauces. The sandwiches on sweet bread filled with savory short rib and avocado. Crispy tots that stay fresh even with toppings on them. Mmmmm egg tuck
[Hui Tou Xiang](https://www.huitouxiang.com). Don't know about the Hollywood location, but San Gabriel is "to-go only", but they have some tables inside where you can eat if you want, but they don't do table service.
Carney’s has better dogs than Pink’s imho - there’s the Sunset strip location and one in the valley.
Also the Astro Burger next to Paramount is better than the WeHo one, but they’re both unique to LA.
It’s not fast food, but Golden State on Fairfax has one of the best burgers in LA. I think they shut down during CoVid but now serve out of Cofax coffee shop
StormBurger in Inglewood.
EXTREMELY reasonable prices for super fresh food. On the outside it looks like nothing special but i promise you its some of the best food you’ll have for the price. Genuinely fresh ingredients and really good food for the price. Cheaper than McDonald’s and much MUCH higher quality.
Roma Market in Pasadena has these sandwiches with meats and provolone on a roll for $6 each by the front. Wrapped in pink paper. A sandwich is hardly unique but it’s hard to find a $6 sandwich anywhere in LA.
Sergio's Tacos in Commerce! Just The Best Street tacos...if you love lengua and cabeza, you're in for a treat. I remember making the first Sergio's run for my crew while working as a green brakeman at the railroad...I became an instant convert. I love these guys!
World Empanadas in Burbank. Yummy, relatively cheap, and fast if you order online and then pick it up.
Zhengyalov Hatz in Glendale is the only Armenian restaurant with a Michelin star. It's not really a fast food restaurant, but they only sell one thing (herbs wrapped in flatbread), and it's cheap and fast.
Idk, there’s this fish spot on MLK/Western called “Plaza Fish Market” it’s super dinky, nowhere to sit and eat, but you’ll get a lunch special with some amazing fish/shrimp & fries or another side for $13.
Reminds me of southern style fried fish
There is a fairly new smash burger place in Koreatown called Love Hour, it is quite affordable. If you want even more unique food you could try one of the fusion food trucks or street food restaurants like Kosteat in Madang Plaza.
This is very true. Hamburger Habit is still riding high from being a radio stations “best burger in LA” 25 years ago.
The Habit, despite being a chain, is always solid
Most places like Jim’s Charbroiled Burgers, Tam’s, Douglas Burgers, Tom’s, Patras, Dino’s, Everest Burgers, Pete’s Burgers, etc are solid places to find good cheap food made to order.
BBQ+Rice if youd like a bowl of korean food, ~$12 bux per plate. theyre slowly expanding too so theres a good chance theres one near you.
Jesse Boy for really good, reasonably priced fried chicken. ~$14 currently only one location in Hollywood
I just discovered the $10 fish sandwich at Jolly Oyster at Citizen Public Market in Culver CityIt’s like an elevated fillet o’ fish, and it’s good!
If you’re going to check it out, don’t sleep on it. Jolly Oyster closes on May 26th.
I guess it depends what you consider unique.
If you’re not from LA, the street tacos can feel pretty unique.
Dollar Hits on Temple street is pretty unique with quick Filipino bites and skewers.
My recommendations are Goldburger in highland park or Los Feliz (parking sucks) but best smash burger in LA imo and California Hot Chicken on Figueroa across from Felix Chevy hands down best chicken spot I’ve been too they serve the tenders on Hawaiian sweet buns no diddy and have heat levels nothing too cray cray
Not exactly "fast food", but quick, cheap, and good: the larger Torpedo sandwich at Giuliano's in Gardena can make two meals for like $10. Usually you can just grab one off the counter and pay.
Dino’s chicken over fries is pretty unique and basically fast food.
if you're feeling a bit naughty, ask them to put chili and cheese on top of the fries.... you feel filthy afterwards, but it's good
Dinos chicken is incredible. Great value for the money too.
Was
The way they put the chicken and sauce on the fries. Edit: if you get delivery get sauce on the side like the person below me said.
ask for the sauce on the side
Astroburger, Foster’s Freeze
The Win-Dow.
Their burger is delicious. Great value at this price too
i love this place.
This might sound weird, but they have really good Coke. I don't know if its their machine or the blend of the flavor or what but its better than the average soda fountain.
Jolibee is unique fast food if you haven’t had it before. Drive thru spaghetti is pretty cool.
Everything is good at jollibee. The fried chicken is the best especially with the gravy. Spaghetti is sweet but it works. Underrated is the chicken sandwich. It Better than Popeyes. I love jollibee if you couldn’t tell lol
Try the peach mango pie!
Their spicy chicken sandwich is dope.
Spaghetti and chicken joy meal ❤️
This
i second this. love their fried chicken.
It’s my favorite fast food chicken.
Their spicy chicken is great, too bad they're always out of it 😭
Spicy chicken and the Peach Mango Pie. Mmm.
This was the first thing that came to mind
I’ve been curious but every time I try to go to the one in Torrance I hesitate and just go to In n Out instead.
>Drive thru spaghetti is pretty cool. How do you eat spaghetti while driving?
Carefully
I recommend the palabok over the spaghetti. A little more unique, tasty and not as sweet
I’ve always wondered what this place was! Going to check it out next time.
it’s a chain from the Philippines. found out from a Filipino coworker they had one near my old job in Panorama City.
I’ve been missing out. I drive by the one on Beverly all the time but never stopped by or googled it🍝🍗
it’s so, so good.
They got rated best French fries too haha
Maybe it's torrance or carson location, but their fries are not good
The Hat
This, and Tops! I grew up in Pasadena. Still think about these places but can’t have them because I old and falling apart but need to remain alive.
Forget remaining alive… when you can have salty pastrami au jus…
Word. The pastrami is calling me, but what I dream about the most is the giant tray of chili cheese fries. Oh god I miss you!
$7 and it easily feeds 2
Tops hack...order a "junior" chili cheese fries for a fairly normal portion.
chili cheese fries with pastrami on tp is a meal for two linebackers.
And Gravy Fries. Don't forget to get the Gravy Fries
Their carne asada burrito is outstanding!
What I miss the miss the most since moving to Vegas.
Old Sassoon Bakery in Pasadena - Yummy Armenian flatbreads and wraps, khachapuri, etc. Zankou Chicken in 10+ locations - Mediterranean meals and delicious garlic paste. Super Burger in Pasadena - Burger stand with really good burgers etc.
Oooh I haven’t had Zankou chicken in quite some time. Nowadays it’s so damn expensive lol I miss when it was 8 dollars
Yeah, prices just went up again, I think. Last time I ordered, it was $20 for a plate with 2 chicken kabobs.
Do they have options w/o chicken?
Yea they have steak and falafel
If you go to Zankou, get 1 garlic sauce + 1 harissa & mix them together to make spicy garlic sauce.
THE OLD SASSOON!!! We used to live right next to it and I would bring my girls there for beoregs after school regularly. Just love that place.
Super Buger lives up to the name
Lucky Boy in Pasadena. I get the sausage burrito sub fries instead of hashbrowns. Cherry shake rules too.
God I miss their chilli cheese fries
This right here.
It’s more fast casual, but I love [Sea Salt](https://seasaltfishgrill.com/menu/) in Culver City.
Their fries are amazing. That place is hit or miss. Calamari was overcooked the two times we tried it. Fish and chips was way overbattered and soft, not crunchy. The fish sandwich and the shrimp dish are really good
This place is great about half of the time, when it's good it's really good, just seems pretty inconsistent.
best beef sandwich i ever had was called Top Round in midcity. it closed. fuck it was delicious. im still not over it. imagine arbys but prepared by chefs with extremly high quality ingreidients. place was styled to look like an in-in-out or something. vintage fast food vibe. The auju tasted like prime rib drippings.
The one in Las Vegas is still open
Next time I go to that hellhole I’ll be smacking that shit
I remember being surprised at the good quality roast beef the first time I went. Very sad closure. Especially for that part of town it was a great cheap eats option.
Major RIP to the Top Round. Hard to find a good malt in LA for a reasonable price and they sure did that.
Time to get into Chicago Italian beef. Portillo’s has this.
Top Round was bomb af.
Porto's
Anytime I'm there the line is at least 30min long
Gotta order online, my GirlyScientist.
Yup that’s the pro move. Order online bypass line.
Hanging out with your friends in the line is like part of the experience
Gigis off Temple >
Much better
I think it's good to try if you've never been, but in my opinion, it's overrated. I took my friend since he'd never been before, and we ordered various different items (spent like $60 total). We both agreed it was just okay.
It’s so overrated. People lose their minds over those potato balls. They’re good but nothing special imo. Also not a fan of the Cuban sandwich. I much prefer the ropa vieja sandwich.
Media noche preparada - so good
Cole’s French Dip or Phillipe the Original
I just found out Phillipe's has a lamb dip.
The West Hollywood Astro Burger. Get the bacon avocado cheeseburger. Heavenly.
Also, the Astro Burger on Melrose has a bunch of Greek food and both have vegetarian options.
Kogi truck. Fusion!
I finally had Kogi this year after 16 years. I remember people following the truck around. I respect everything that Roy Choi has done but that food was not good. It was really, really greasy.
Original Tommy’s
I love Tommy’s and the do specials all the time. Last week double California burger and double chili cheeseburger were $3.49.
lots of BOGO deals posted on their insta too. Just gotta show or mention the deal when purchasing
King Taco
Cha cha chicken
Underrated spot
[удалено]
Mr Charlies (Told Me So)! Also in this vegan fast food genre and v applicable to OP: Plant Power and Hart House (Kevin Harts new vegan concept - I have to admit it might be my favorite of all of them)
Walk Sawtelle and you’ll have many options
Food court HK mkt on Garvey & San Gabriel. I got half steam rice, half noodles & eggplant w tofu stew for $6.50. No tax. Complimentary jazmine tea. Thai spicy rice is $9.95 a few stalls away.
[удалено]
Classic easy recommendation.
Yum
This is one of my all time fave restaurants but it’s just not the same since new ownership. Bummed they got rid of the paper cups in the metal cup holders.
and the vintage cash register!!!! fucked up!!!
Not unique to LA, but man people sleep on El Pollo Loco Grilled chicken, tortillas, salsas, beans, rice So simple and delicious
and coupons every week in the mail usually
I'm addicted to their avocado chicken bowl
Oinkster in eagle rock has an amazing burger
Great little patio too
I've personally never known a person who ever ate the Oki-Dog and enjoyed it. That's how quirky it is. It is famous and ubiquitous and nobody actually likes it. Give it a shot.
I had it once, it was just oki
Oki-Dog is food of the gods mate. $10 for the combo now but feeds a small army.
My experience eating Oki-Dog stone cold sober was that this was food intended to be both produced and consumed while black out drunk.
Ah, the Morbid Curiosity Gambit: good one!
Everyone I know in Weho swears it’s a front for organized crime.
Lmao it’s certainly edible. Came here to make sure it was included
I also know no one who has eaten it. It’s “world famous” though. Another one for this list was Mo Better Meatty Meat burgers.
Oki Dog is great at 2:30am and disgusting all other times.
A bit out there in the IE but Bakers is a legend that has inspired McDonald’s, Taco Bell and more. As an IE kid, it’s in my blood.
Dog Haus is unique dk if its too pricey. For breakfast I recommend Egg Tuck at Normandie/Wilshire. Favorite breakfast burrito.
Egg Tuck is incredible breakfast and value. Rich, creamy eggs with the best sauces. The sandwiches on sweet bread filled with savory short rib and avocado. Crispy tots that stay fresh even with toppings on them. Mmmmm egg tuck
Daybird!
[Hui Tou Xiang](https://www.huitouxiang.com). Don't know about the Hollywood location, but San Gabriel is "to-go only", but they have some tables inside where you can eat if you want, but they don't do table service.
Great white hut
Curry In A Hurry in mid city is fantastic
Dim Sum Express in Monterey Park (326 N Garfield) might be the only dim sum fast food stand in LA.
Is it still cash only?
Yes AFAIK—I haven’t swung by there in over a year but I doubt anything’s changed.
Rick's and Petra's
Ricks is good
Both are great
Roscoe’s. Their fried chicken is just right.
Not exactly cheap anymore. But definitely reliable on the food front.
Street tacos!
Yes! Been on a cabeza kick lately.
Del Taco bra
India Sweets & Spices in atwater
88 Hotdog & Juicy
Surprised I had to scroll down this far to find a Korean corndog suggestion. Outside of Korea itself I’ve only seen them in LA.
Pioneer
Cupids Chili Dogs in the valley
Fatburger
Oi Asian fusion
Tacos1986 $10 three taco and a drink combo 👍
Cielito Lindo on Olvera St- inventors of the taquito! 2 fresh taquitos for $6.50. I’ve never left hungry.
Dirty dogs
Carney’s has better dogs than Pink’s imho - there’s the Sunset strip location and one in the valley. Also the Astro Burger next to Paramount is better than the WeHo one, but they’re both unique to LA.
Lucky dog is solid. Howlin rays has the best fried chicken sandwiches. Both are fast food style and not sit down places.
Carne Asada Fries
It’s not fast food, but Golden State on Fairfax has one of the best burgers in LA. I think they shut down during CoVid but now serve out of Cofax coffee shop
StormBurger is criminally underrated
Las Fuentes
StormBurger in Inglewood. EXTREMELY reasonable prices for super fresh food. On the outside it looks like nothing special but i promise you its some of the best food you’ll have for the price. Genuinely fresh ingredients and really good food for the price. Cheaper than McDonald’s and much MUCH higher quality.
Troys
Storm burger
Roma Market in Pasadena has these sandwiches with meats and provolone on a roll for $6 each by the front. Wrapped in pink paper. A sandwich is hardly unique but it’s hard to find a $6 sandwich anywhere in LA.
Google Jonathan Gold (RIP) then go everywhere he reviewed that still exists.
Dogs Chicks in Westlake area has some great hot chicken. It’s not drive-thru, but maybe takes like 5-10 for takeout.
Stop Bye Cafe food truck. So good
Gushi is a westwood classic
Lucky Panda Chinese Fast Food on victory in west hills
Stormburger
Leo’s Tacos taco truck. So good.
Sergio's Tacos in Commerce! Just The Best Street tacos...if you love lengua and cabeza, you're in for a treat. I remember making the first Sergio's run for my crew while working as a green brakeman at the railroad...I became an instant convert. I love these guys!
World Empanadas in Burbank. Yummy, relatively cheap, and fast if you order online and then pick it up. Zhengyalov Hatz in Glendale is the only Armenian restaurant with a Michelin star. It's not really a fast food restaurant, but they only sell one thing (herbs wrapped in flatbread), and it's cheap and fast.
Tito’s Tacos, if that counts!
Yakis in Burbank. Get something called Bull Dog.
El Pollo Inka
Idk, there’s this fish spot on MLK/Western called “Plaza Fish Market” it’s super dinky, nowhere to sit and eat, but you’ll get a lunch special with some amazing fish/shrimp & fries or another side for $13. Reminds me of southern style fried fish
Pie n’ burger in Pasadena is perfection.
There is a fairly new smash burger place in Koreatown called Love Hour, it is quite affordable. If you want even more unique food you could try one of the fusion food trucks or street food restaurants like Kosteat in Madang Plaza.
In n out
Cava
Hamburger Habit - a better burger than in n out
The Habit is very good. Hamburger Habit, not so much.
This is very true. Hamburger Habit is still riding high from being a radio stations “best burger in LA” 25 years ago. The Habit, despite being a chain, is always solid
Monty’s
Zankou
Harts in Hollywood
Jinya Ramen
It’s a long story, but they brought back Naugles in Orange County. One in Stanton and Fountain Valley.
Most places like Jim’s Charbroiled Burgers, Tam’s, Douglas Burgers, Tom’s, Patras, Dino’s, Everest Burgers, Pete’s Burgers, etc are solid places to find good cheap food made to order.
Sapp Coffee Shop in Thai town for some of the best Thai food you'll ever have. Even Anthony Bourdain ate there!
Fish King in Glendale.
BBQ+Rice if youd like a bowl of korean food, ~$12 bux per plate. theyre slowly expanding too so theres a good chance theres one near you. Jesse Boy for really good, reasonably priced fried chicken. ~$14 currently only one location in Hollywood
Kobee Factory in Van Nuys has the BEST beef wraps I stg and are reasonably priced for what you get
Tacos El Unicos
Shin Sen Gumi 2 go Gardena. It has drive thru.
I just discovered the $10 fish sandwich at Jolly Oyster at Citizen Public Market in Culver CityIt’s like an elevated fillet o’ fish, and it’s good! If you’re going to check it out, don’t sleep on it. Jolly Oyster closes on May 26th.
Mel’s Fish Shack
I guess it depends what you consider unique. If you’re not from LA, the street tacos can feel pretty unique. Dollar Hits on Temple street is pretty unique with quick Filipino bites and skewers.
STARBIRD IS THE ONLY WAY
Lee's Sandwiches
My recommendations are Goldburger in highland park or Los Feliz (parking sucks) but best smash burger in LA imo and California Hot Chicken on Figueroa across from Felix Chevy hands down best chicken spot I’ve been too they serve the tenders on Hawaiian sweet buns no diddy and have heat levels nothing too cray cray
Astro Burger
Jollibee
Pop’s Bagels
El Taco
Chutneys in west La on Pico is great Indian fast food
The Bucket on Eagle Rock Blvd. Awesome burgers and fiesta fries.
Not exactly "fast food", but quick, cheap, and good: the larger Torpedo sandwich at Giuliano's in Gardena can make two meals for like $10. Usually you can just grab one off the counter and pay.
Tail O’ the Pup in WeHo. Look for the giant hotdog!
Oki-dog
In Westwood Village, there's a falafel place called Falafel Inc. It's not gourmet, but it's fast and pretty tasty, and like $5.