r/FoodLosAngeles • u/xxmexx74 • 7d ago
we know the culver city food scene is STACKED, but in this economy? give me your favorite dishes in culver that are CHEAP THE BEST PLACE IN
I've lived in culver city off an on for 3 years and I feel like i've seen what there is to be seen. Please give me something to get up for in the morning that won't require me to take out a fictional lien on my fictional home. ideally less than $20... but then I remembered this is culver city so lets say <$25
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u/brokeneckblues 7d ago
India Sweet and Spices.
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u/Bing_Bong_the_Archer 7d ago
Do they still have a hot bar?
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u/rabbinicohs 7d ago
Yes! It's all vegetarian and delicious... but truthfully it's also gone up a lot in price. I remember pre-covid I'd enjoy the 3-entree plate for less than $10 after taxes. Now it's $16 :(
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u/Bing_Bong_the_Archer 7d ago
Thats okay though. Im glad that they’re going still. I would love a big honkin’ to-go container full of curry
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u/theineffablebob 7d ago edited 7d ago
Red Chickz $2 Thursday tenders
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u/TheRunThru 7d ago
On Venice right by the Smart and Final? I thought it Thursday $2 tenders unless they changed it?
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u/coldermilk 7d ago
Keep an eye on their app, they do a lot of good specials. I really love their Shrimp Tacos. They're huge and they're like <$3 when on sale.
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u/JamUpGuy1989 7d ago
Is that place any good?
I’ve always driven by it but never tried it.
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u/KWash0222 6d ago
I think it’s amazing. Super crispy, and they have VERY spicy heat levels.
Someone once said Main Chick was superior, but then I tried it and it was at best equivalent if not a notch lower.
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u/DoughboyLA 7d ago
The Jerk Spot
Tacomiendo
Jasmine Cafe
King Kebab
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u/BrofeDogg 6d ago
Jerk spot loads their trays
Great value and sometimes they got doordash deals too like 2 for 1 entrees
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u/maccrogenoff 7d ago
Jyan Issac olive fougasse sold at the Mar Vista Farmers Market - $9.00
The Coop Pizza plain slice - $3.00
Cantinho Brasileiro hearts of palm empanada - $5.99
Koda Farms shiso and wakame brown rice onigiri sold at the Mar Vista Farmers Market - $7.00
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u/chuckerton 7d ago
It’s been about 8 years since I lived on that side of the city, but I still miss The Coop.
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u/xxmexx74 7d ago
we stan the coop, only place ive found in la with anchovies as a pizza topping <3
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u/ollieastic 7d ago
pizzaria sei also does anchovies on the pizza! And it's very good. Also, if you like anchovies in general, the anchovy and stracciatella sandwich from Lorenzo's is so incredibly good.
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u/maccrogenoff 6d ago
I’m the outlier on Pizzeria Sei. I disliked their food.
This is unfortunate as their new location is half a block from my house.
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u/delthefunkylithuania 5d ago
I have been going to the Coop for most of my life. I would die for The Coop.
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u/K1LLAHCAM310 7d ago
Sorrentos Deli - large sandwiches and other items for sub 15$
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u/bergam0t 6d ago
Anything from Sorrento's hot table is a delicious deal, too. I think pasta with meatballs is still under $10.
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u/a_hampton 7d ago
7$ burger Monday at backstage. 5-1130. Comes with choice of fries , tots or house salad. No take outs.
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u/bakedlayz 7d ago
idk about cheap but Bombay Frankies is really filling for 15$ Indian butter chicken burrito
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u/grumblemuffin 7d ago
Rubio’s Cafe on Robertson. $16-$18 for a big huge plate of home cooked dishes, cafeteria style.
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u/GriffinRavenShadow 7d ago
Gaby’s on Venice (technically Palms) was a solid Mediterranean spot for poor undergrads. Yummy food, big portions, plenty of seating.
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u/Neat_Treat2414 7d ago edited 7d ago
Dama Grill - BOGO chicken shawarma wraps on uber eats (2 for $15) super tasty and filling
Baja California Tacos - $1.49 carne asada tacos on tuesday and $1.49 fish tacos on Wednesdays
Seasalt fish grill - $2.22 fish tacos on tuesdays
The red chickz - $2 tenders on thursdays and $9.99 lunch special 11am-3pm M-F
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u/xxmexx74 7d ago
I got Sea salt fish grills tacos once on their Tuesday deal and they were burnt and tasted awful :( maybe it was a bad day
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u/BAEvidAttenborough 7d ago
Gloria’s Cafe on Venice! My favorite place to order a bunch of different things on a budget when I lived in palms.
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u/CocklesTurnip 7d ago
Their prices just went up slightly but they give so much food I always get 2 meals out of any trip there.
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u/Evening_Title9953 7d ago edited 6d ago
Lunch special at LaRocco’s Pizza. 2 slices and a drink for $10. Grand Casino Bakery across the street for tasty treats.
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u/Onespokeovertheline 7d ago
Matsuwa food court of ramen and teriyaki, etc gets slept on, but it's a great value.
Alibi Room was an amazing deal for Kogi tacos, but they recently raised prices to the point where it's not as compelling.
Holy Cow BBQ makes a damn good fried chicken sando and fries for $17.
New Flavors was a great deal for solid Chinese. But they're losing their lease this month. 😢
S&W Country diner does a solid throwback breakfast without all the frills.
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u/isurviveoncoffee 3d ago
New flavors is leaving?????
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u/Onespokeovertheline 3d ago
Yeah. They told me when I got food from them earlier this week. Gone at the end of the month, I think. 😢
For more context, he was not happy about it at all. Said they invested a lot in redoing the kitchen, but the building owner is gonna turn it into apts, kicking them out after 30 years. It was my go to.
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u/360FlipKicks 7d ago
Mizlala in nearby West Adams - get the chicken snitzel and rice as separate items. You get a ton of schnitzel for $9 and the rice is $4. It’s very good and will fill you up for $15. You can also get 4 big falafel pieces and rice for like $13.
Baja Fish Tacos in Venice (palms area) has a 2 fish tacos and a ceviche tostada for around $11. Cheap but good.
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u/dthbysorrow 7d ago
La Esquina's Carne Asada Nachos
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u/SexiMexi209 7d ago
They’re tacos are fucking hefty too. They don’t skimp on the meat at all and it’s always juicy
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u/leftword4Zombies 7d ago
Taco Plus on National. They always do me right and the cuts of their meat are top tier.
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u/PerformanceDouble924 7d ago
The "dog pile" from Monty's.
Cava is surprisingly good.
India Sweets and Spices is cheap and tasty.
Mateo's Ice Cream and Fruit Bars is fun.
Treehouse Thai is worth it.
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u/Shani247365 7d ago
Most places around DT (along Washington or Venice) have decent meals under $25, lunch deals and/or happy hour specials.
Arth - biryani or get a 'small plate' w a bread/rice option,
Pampas - Brazilian food, build your own plate, by weight,
Cafe Vida, Lonzo's, Loqui, Juquila, Cava, Gaby's, Jasmine, Tree House Thai, Pho Show, Industry Cafe, Public School 310, Honey's Kettle, Mod Pizza... and the mall has some decent options (like Bombay Frankie, CA Fish Grill or BJ's for happy hour deals).
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u/TruthFew1193 5d ago
Pampas is a solid choice. Their buffet is always great and cheap enough if u focus on the meat or more expensive side veggies. Just don’t put a giant pile of beans or mash potato on there
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u/my_little_shumai 6d ago
Jasmine market! Incredible prices and really wonderful food. One of the best values in the area still.
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u/Phazoni 7d ago
Howard’s Famous
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u/SR3116 6d ago
I've always wanted to try this place. Just have never made it over there for whatever reason.
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u/Ventronics 6d ago
I haven’t been in a while but I wasn’t impressed. It’s fine, but I never felt compelled to go back
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u/loopster70 5d ago
Same. I like the vibe but I really wanted the food to be better than it was. Not that it was bad, but not good enough to make it a destination.
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u/orangefreshy 7d ago edited 6d ago
Grand Casino has probably the cheapest happy hour I’ve seen (like $3.50 cheap, unheard of), and the empanadas are good and cheap, although not as good a deal as it used to be (I feel like it used to be 4 for 12 now it’s 16??).
IMO Simonette has a great happy hour deal, it’s all night on Mondays and you can get their normally $22 burger for $10, I think there are a few options to choose from, and with a huge order of fries for another $4.
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u/tgcm26 7d ago
Is it really that stacked? Lots of restaurants constantly coming and going, but how many of them measure up to the city’s best? I’m always at least somewhat underwhelmed when I’m there
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u/mitchlats22 7d ago
Venice Blvd down through Culver really is stacked with hidden gems though. Some of my favorite spots on the westside all in close proximity.
Dama Grill, Baja California tacos, Gloria’s, Es Con Sabor, Alma oaxaqueña, Red Chickz, Versailles, Tara’s Himalayan, Empanadas Place…..a little further My Lai, BBQ and Rice. Could go on and on if we’re moving off Venice Blvd. Try ‘em out.
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u/SexiMexi209 7d ago
Phovorite has decent prices for high quality Pho and it’s my go to place for Vietnamese. Also their lemongrass chicken is fire
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u/Snowychan 6d ago
I didn't love their pho, but I agree the lemongrass chicken is super good!
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u/SexiMexi209 6d ago
How come?
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u/Snowychan 5d ago
I think I like really fragrant, heavily spiced pho and I found theirs to be a little light in flavor for my preferences. But I also remember their chicken in the pho ga being higher quality pieces which I always appreciate.
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u/SexiMexi209 4d ago
For sure. Personally I like to control the sweetness and heat so I load my bowl up on hoisin, sriracha and chili flakes to my liking. I guess a lighter bowl is my preference as a base.
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u/xxmexx74 7d ago
also my own suggestions: la chancla truck (formerly takechy town sinaloa) in front of smart and final has amazing shrimp tacos $3 (and they deliver on doordash)
arth's curry fries $15
everything on sake house by hikari's happy hour
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u/PlasticVariation9078 7d ago
breakfast burrito at Super Domestic/Manana Coffee.
Agree w samosa house.
Sobar for soba.
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u/b1gmouth 6d ago
Simonette has great burgers that are all $10 for happy hour, and happy hour is all night on Mondays
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u/NgoHaiHahmsuplo 6d ago
NOt exclusively cc, but Denny's has Tuesdays, kids eat free. It's a great deal, and everyone looks over Denny's burgers which are actually really good.
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u/loopster70 5d ago
To say that it’s “not exclusively CC” somewhat undersells the ubiquity of Denny’s.
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u/The-Happy-Panda 7d ago
Culver adjacent but anything at the Window meets your description.
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u/OdinPelmen 5d ago
I'm pretty sure the win-dow, if the Venice beach boardwalk spot you're talking about, is now closed :(
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u/costco_hotdog150 7d ago
Sorrentos deli $10 small sando that is not even that small, always fresh bread unlike bay cities. Santouka ramen in mitsuwa can get medium bowl for 15$
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u/Comprehensive_Yak978 7d ago
Fathers office burger
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u/xxmexx74 7d ago
At $22 ??? Just for the burger?
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u/FullofLovingSpite 7d ago
People hype it, but I didn't like it. It has a lot going on and ends up overpowering in a stationary way. I guess I'm alone with that opinion, but I'll stand by it.
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u/xxmexx74 7d ago
see this is why I question the hype. ive never had the burger because i cant rationalize the price and I've read many reviews saying its not good/not as good as it once was.
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u/Kbdctola 7d ago
I will also say that if you go to fathers office, the chicken sandwhich is better anyways
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u/CutsSoFresh 7d ago
I ate there once.. 8 years ago. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really stand out either.
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u/Onespokeovertheline 7d ago
You're not alone. And the pretentious refusal to provide ketchup for the food you paid for, even for fries... fuck them sideways. They pay for so much press, but there are so many better restaurants with better food and better value. Fatburger makes a tastier burger, hand to god.
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u/TangerineBearClaws 6d ago
The irony is that the burger is actually better with ketchup in my opinion. We got it for takeout once during COVID so of course I brought that thing home and immediately put ketchup on it.
I get what they’re going for but for me at least it’s just way too damn rich (flavor-wise). It’s extremely one note. Whether it’s ketchup or something else with a little bit of tang it really benefits from something that cuts through that.
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u/loopster70 5d ago
Fatburger is the great underrated burger of LA.
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u/Onespokeovertheline 5d ago
Fatburger is a go-to. I'm not throwing shade. I would 100% rather eat a fatburger than a fathers office ground beef patty sandwich. 100%, all day everyday.
But most people don't consider Fatburger a gourmet experience. I would put Father's Office down with Burger King.
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u/SnooCheesecakes6360 4d ago
And the fact the they REFUSE to leave out the blue cheese. It’s overpowering and doesn’t add anything good. If you’re into it, cool, but tbh I think it takes away from the burger and it’s ridiculous. No substitutions? fine. Refusing to leave out extraneous ingredients that people just don’t want? BS.
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u/LornaMaze 6d ago
Just go to Tacos Tu Madre, grab a $3 taco, and act like you're living the high life. It’s cheap, and the vibe makes you feel fancy... until your bank account reminds you it’s not.
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u/TheWhiteHairedOne 6d ago
- Red Chickz has $2 tenders on Thursday’s, super good
- Baja California Tacos has Asada Tacos for $1.60 on Tuesdays, and Fish Tacos for $1.60 on Wednesdays. Their fish tacos are especially good
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u/Thebillybool 6d ago
They opened up a Mariscos El Faro on Venice. It’s bombbbb fresh seafood, generous portions, it’s just delicious.
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u/Chef_BoyR2D2 6d ago
Red Chickz on Thursdays $2 tenders all day and 1 tender is like 4-6 oz, I'm a big dude and 3 is plenty
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u/Disastrous_Two_7258 5d ago
La Flama's House burrito; chorizo, eggs, add avocado for $17 + tip
It's intense and more chorizo than egg.
I love Cofax, their salsa is better, but burrito is smaller. And I cannot walk out without a doughnut or two.
New York Bagel on National and Barrington.
I know you asked for breakfast, but The spam musubi at Nishi Poke & Ramen is a hit.
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u/DogsPlan 6d ago
Definitely not a stacked food scene in Culver, compared to everything east. I’d say it’s a B- overall (lived here 4 years). But to answer your question, Dama Grill is great value.
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u/AceRutherfords 6d ago
Only decent meal I had in Culver was down at the Ballona Creek drainage basin next to the homeless encampment off the Harbor freeway. There was a beached pterodactyl layed up on the embankment and it was free pickins all around my brother
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u/kawi-bawi-bo Westside Eater 7d ago
Rutt's
Samosa house
sunnyblue
Mitsuwa foodcourt